Others
Dispute following rejected marriage proposal results in 1 death, multiple injuries
A tragic incident unfolded in Mollahat upazila, Bagerhat, where a disagreement over a marriage proposal led to violence, resulting in the death of a would-be groom's relative and injuries to over 15 people. The altercation took place on Friday evening in Mollahat upazila of Bagherhat.
The deceased, 45-year-old Azizul Haque Molla from Ichhamati village in nearby Terkhada upazila, Khulna district, was the brother-in-law of the prospective groom, Hafizur Rahman. In response to the incident, police have detained the would-be bride’s father, Shahadat Munshi, and her cousin, Swapna Khatun.
Mohammad Ali Gazi, father of the would-be groom, explained the sequence of events that led to the violence. "Our family approached Shahadat Munshi for his daughter’s hand in marriage for my son, Hafizur. We visited their home in Gangni village, about 10 km from our residence, under the agreement that if Hafizur approved of the match, the marriage would proceed," Gazi said.
He added that the visit turned sour when Hafizur decided against the marriage, and the party was ambushed by the would-be bride's neighbours as they left.
Azizul Haque Molla sustained fatal injuries during the attack, and fifteen others, including Hafizur, were also hurt. The body of the deceased has been sent to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
Following the incident, Shila Begum, Molla's widow, filed a police complaint. Mollahat Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Ashraful Alam confirmed the ongoing efforts to capture other individuals involved in the assault.
Three-day ‘Boisabi’ festival begins in Khagrachhari
The three-day long traditional ‘Boisabi Festival’ of the people of different ethnic communities in Khagrachhari began on Friday.
The first day of the festival, known as ‘Phul Biju’, is celebrated by Chakma, Tripura, Marma communities by decorating their houses with flowers and also immersing them in rivers seeking blessings from the Mother Ganga.
The celebration began by immersing flowers in Chengi river in the town’s Khabangpuria area by the local Tripura community.
Baisabi is considered to be the major cultural festival of 14 ethnic minority communities who speak in 11 languages.
Meanwhile, the Tripura community will also celebrate their ‘Boisu’ festival on Saturday on the day of Chaitra-Sankranti and the Marma community will celebrate traditional ‘Sangrai’ or ‘pani khela’ on April 14.
Through the 'Sangrai' festival, the current year is seen off and the new year is welcomed.
Like every year, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Ministry arranged the Boisabi Festival-2024 in the capital on Friday.
A colourful procession with the participation of hundreds of people from several communities of the CHT but live in the capital was brought out from Sheikh Hasina Chattogram Hill Tracts Heritage Preservation and Research Centre and it ended at Ramna Park Lake after parading several points.
As the organiser of the festival, senior officials and employees of the CHT ministry attended the Baisabi Festival rally.
Secretary to the minister Md Mashiur Rahman inaugurated the rally as the chief guest.
Fire at tin-shed shanties in Dhaka’s Hazaribagh under control
A fire that broke out in a tin-shed slum in Jhaocharer Moar of Hazaribagh area in Dhaka on Friday noon was brought under control around one hour after the fire erupted.
Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, confirmed the matter saying that they brought the ablaze around 12:40 pm, around one hour after the fire.
Earlier around 11:50 am, the fire started in one of the tin-shed houses of the slum engulfing other houses within a short time.
Being informed, seven firefighting units from several stations rushed to the spot and were trying to bring the flame under control, he said, adding that finally the fire is now under control.
The reason behind the fire and damages caused by it could not be known immediately, the inspector added.
6 of a family burnt in fire in Dhaka’s Bhashantek
Six members including two minors of a family sustained severe burn injuries in a fire suspected to be originated from a mosquito coil in Paschim Bhashantek area of Dhaka early Friday.
The victims were identified as Md Liton, 52, his wife Surjo Banu, 40, mother-in-law Meherunnesa, 65, daughters Liza, 18, Lamia, 7, and son Sujon, 8.
All the injured were admitted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, said the institute’s resident surgeon Dr Tariqul Islam.
Of the injured, Liton sustained 67 percent burn, Banu 82 percent, Meherunnesa 47 percent, Liza 30 percent, Lamia 55 percent and Sujon 43 percent, said the physician.
Neighbour Moyna Banu said victim Liton used to live with his family on the ground floor of a two-storey building on Culvert Road in Paschim Bhashantek area. He runs a business of electronic appliances and furniture in the area.
The kitchen and other rooms of the flat were covered with gas as mice might have cut off the gas cylinder's pipe, she said.
A fire broke out with a big bang when Liton was about to ignite the coil, leaving all the family members injured, the neighbour said.
Hearing screams, locals rushed and took them to the burn institute, she added.
Car catches fire on Dhaka Elevated Expressway
A car went up in flames on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway in the capital on Thursday afternoon.
No casualties were reported in the incident.
The incident took place around 5:17pm near the Kuril Bishwa Road area on Eid-ul-Fitr day.
"Two firefighting units from Kurmitola Fire Station brought the fire under control at around 5:45pm," said Mohammad Safiqul Islam, deputy assistant director Fire Service and Civil Defence, Dhaka (Zone-03).
It was not immediately known what caused the fire, said the officer.
BIWTA forms probe committee over launch accident at Sadarghat terminal
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has formed a three-member committee to investigate the launch accident that left five people dead on Thursday afternoon.
The committee headed by BIWTA Director (Purchase and Conservation) Md Rafiqul Islam has been asked to submit a report within 5 working days, said Md Jahangir Alam Khan, senior information and public relations officer of the Shipping Ministry.
The other members of the committee are Joint Director of Naval Conservation and Management Department Md Azgar Ali and Joint Director of Port Branch Md Kabir Hossain.
Earlier around 2:54 pm, five people, including a woman and child, were killed after the rope of a launch snapped at Dhaka's Sadarghat terminal.
"Two launches, MV Tusharif 4 and MV Pubali 1, were tied to the pontoon with ropes. When another launch named Farhan 4 tried to enter between the two launches, the rope of MV Tusharif 4 tore."
On impact, four people died on the spot and the child on the way to the hospital, said Alamgir Kabir, joint director of BIWTA and incharge of Sadarghat river port.
Teen dies by elephant attack at Mirpur Zoo
A 17-year-old boy died after being attacked by an elephant at the National Zoo in Dhaka's Mirpur this morning.
The deceased was identified as Zahid, son of Azad Ali. Azad Ali is a mahout of the zoo and a resident of Moulvibazar's Kulaura upazila.
This incident happened on Thursday around 11 am, said Dr. Rafiqul Islam Talukder, director at the Zoo.
He said mahout Azad Ali entered inside the elephant cage with his son Zahid. Suddenly, one of the five elephants attacked Zahid, leaving him seroiusly injured.
But Zahid's father Azad Ali, did not inform the matter to the authorities and left for Kulaura with his son.
Zahid died on the way to the Kulaura, added the director.
Launch accident leaves 5 dead at Sadarghat terminal
At least five people, including a woman and child, were killed after the rope of a launch snapped at Dhaka's Sadarghat terminal on Eid day Thursday, said a BIWTA official.
The identities of the deceased could not be ascertained immediately.
"The incident occurred around 2:54 pm in front of pontoon no 11, Joint Director of BIWTA and Incharge of Sadarghat river port Alamgir Kabir confirmed.
"Two launches, MV Tusharif 4 and MV Pubali 1, were tied to the pontoon with ropes. When another launch named Farhan 4 tried to enter between the two launches, the rope of MV Tusharif 4 tore."
On impact, four people died on the spot and the child on the way to the hospital, Alamgir Kabir said.
Health Minister happy with doctors, nurses presence at hospitals despite Eid holidays
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen on Thursday expressed satisfaction after he found physicians and nurses on duty at several hospitals despite Eid holidays.
Dr Sen expressed his satisfaction while visiting Mugda Medical College & Hospital in Dhaka this afternoon.
He said, "I visited several hospitals yesterday (Wednesday). I will also visit a few more hospitals today. I found enough doctors and nurses in every hospitals I have visited and I am satisfied with their services."
"I also talked to the patients and no one complained," added the minister.
"Besides, I sent message to the directors of all the hospitals across the country and there was no interruption in health services," he said.
"This is my first Eid as a minister. I hope the people of the country are celebrating Eid joyously and happily," said the minister.
The minister also visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Sheikh Hasina burn unit.
During the visit, Dr Sen talked to patients, visitors, doctors, nurses and other officials of the hospitals and asked the health service providers to maintain health care systems properly during the Eid vacation.
Among others, the Secretary of the Health Services Department M Jahangir Alam, Director General of the Health Department Abul Basar Mohammed Khurshid Alam, Private Secretary of the Health Minister Kamal Kumar Ghosh were also present.
Foreign Minister prays for national harmony, removal of evil forces on Eid-ul-Fitr
In an address following Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Sukhbilas Jame Mosque in Rangunia upazila, Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr. Hasan Mahmud offered prayers for national unity and the eradication of evil forces from Bangladesh.
During his Eid message, Dr. Hasan extended greetings to Bangladeshis at home and abroad, expressing hope for the continuation and acceleration of the peace and developmental strides achieved under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. "Under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter, our country has emerged as a role model of development and peace for the world. It is my prayer that this trajectory not only continues but also accelerates further," he stated.
Highlighting the diverse foundation of the nation, he remarked, "Our country is built on the sacrifices of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians alike. It is my prayer that all forms of communal and malevolent forces be removed permanently from our land and that all citizens, regardless of faith, unite in the pursuit of national development."
Dr. Mahmud also addressed international concerns, specifically the ongoing conflict in Palestine. "The indiscriminate violence against Palestinians, including women and children, must end. We pray for immediate peace in the region and for an end to the atrocities committed there," he said.
In addition to his prayers for global peace, Dr. Hasan prayed for the health and longevity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, emphasising the importance of her continued leadership for Bangladesh’s future prosperity.