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Take steps to prevent crimes by teen gangs: Adl IGP
Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Atiqul Islam on Sunday asked filed level officers to take necessary measures for preventing crimes by teen gangs after identifying the area based teen gang members.
“Police have been asked to remain alert so that the teenage boys cannot get involved in any crimes forming ‘teen gang’, said Atiqul while speaking at monthly crime review meeting held at police headquarters.
Metropolitan Police Commissioners, DIG range and Superintendents of District Polices were present at the meeting.
Bangladesh to provide 190 acres of land in Kurigram for Bhutanese investors; discussion to import hydropower underway
Directive was given to form Cyber Crime Investigation Cell in the district level at the meeting.
The meeting also stressed the need for taking necessary steps to speed up the court proceedings in absence of the accused.
Referring to the price hike of daily essentials, the meeting also emphasised need for monitoring markets and controlling hoarding of goods.
Banani slum fire under control
The fire which broke out at Godown slum in Dhaka’s Banani area has been brought under control.
The fire started at the slum around 4:05 pm on Sunday and engulfed it, said Talha bin Jasim, station officer of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD).
TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj
On information, six firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around 5:33 pm.
A team of Bangladesh Army also joined with the fire service teams, said a press release of ISPR.
Fire in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar; chemical warehouse burnt down
However, the origin of the fire and extent of damages could not be ascertained yet.
Appellate Division orders status-quo on Gulshan property occupied by Salam Murshedy
The Appellate Division on Sunday ordered the authorities concerned to main status-quo for eight weeks on the possession of a property in Gulshan area of the capital occupied by MP and Vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Abdus Salam Murshedy.
Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Md Ashfaqul Islam passed the order after hearing a petition filed by Khulna-4 MP Murshedy.
On March 19, the High Court ordered Murshedy to hand over his residence in Gulshan to the Housing and Public Works Ministry.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ebadoth Hossain also asked Murshedy to complete the process within three months after receiving the copy of the verdict.
The court also said that the residence in Gulshan where Salam Murshedy is living is an abandoned property of the government.
500 acres of land transferred to Chittagong Port Authority for expansion: Hasan Mahmud
Senior Advocate Ahsanul Karim and Mohammad Syed Ahmed stood for Murshedy while Advocate Anik R Haque stood for the petitioner.
On October 30, 2022, Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking an inquiry into the allegations of corruption against the BFF official.
According to the writ petition, the house located in Gulshan-2 was listed as the abandoned house under the gazette in 1986. But Murshedy is living there after occupying it.
Three letters of the Housing and Public Works Ministry to the chairman of Rajuk issued on April 13, 2015, January 20, 2016 and July 4, 2022 were attached to the writ petition.
The Housing and Public Works Ministry sought explanation from Rajuk Chairman over the occupation of the house by Murshedy .
On November 1, 2022, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the inaction of the authorities concerned in taking legal steps against the AL lawmaker for occupying the house illegally, should not be declared beyond legal authority.
‘Indian Ocean is named after us; if we don't take action, who will?’: Indian Navy Chief
It also asked the authorities concerned to submit all documents regarding the house to the court.
On February 8 this year, the ACC in its investigation found the allegations of forgery and fraud over the house true and on the basis of information of witnesses and documents, the ACC filed a case against five people including Murshedy.
TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj
A fire broke out in a super board manufacturing factory of TK Group in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj on Sunday (March 24, 2024) afternoon.
Talhan Bin Zasim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD-media cell) headquarters, said the fire began in the board factory in Jamaldi area around 1: 10 pm.
Read more: Fire at 18-storey building in Dhaka’s Gulshan doused
On information, ten firefighting units rushed to the spot and were trying to tame the flame, he said.
The origin of the fire could not be known immediately, he added.
Read more: Fire in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar; chemical warehouse burnt down
BRT project: Seven flyovers in Gazipur opened to traffic
Seven flyovers under Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Gazipur on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway were opened to traffic on Sunday.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the flyovers virtually joining from the conference room of Bangladesh Secretariat as the chief guest in the morning.
Bangladesh to provide 190 acres of land in Kurigram for Bhutanese investors; discussion to import hydropower underway
The flyovers are: 323 metres Airport Flyover (left side), 323 metres Airport Flyover (right), 180 meters Jasimuddin Flyover, 165 metres U-Turn-1 of Gazipura Flyover, 165 meters U-Turn-2 Open University Flyover, 240 metres Bhogra Flyover and 568 meters Chowrasta Flyover.
Obaidul Quader said with the opening of seven flyovers this year, Eid journey will be comfortable for people. “People will not suffer in Gazipur during Eid journey as the previous years. Already 91% of the project work has been completed and it is expected that the buses of BRT project will run by this December.”
PM Hasina opens military hardware display 2024
Roads and Highways Department chief engineer Syed Mainul Hasan, BRT project director (Roads) ASM Ilias Shah, BRT project director (Bridges) Md Monirul Islam Khan, Dhaka Road circle superintending engineer Md Saifuddin were, among others, were present.
Owner of hijacked vessel MV Abdullah doesn’t want armed operation
Owner of the Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah that was hijacked by Somali pirates on March 12, does not support armed operation to free the ship and its crew.
Mizanul Islam, media adviser of the owner KSRM Group, said that they are not in favour of any armed operation, considering the safety of the sailors.
Rather, they are in favour of accepting conditions to rescue the crew, he said.
The information that the European Union and the Indian Navy are preparing to free MV Abdullah is not correct, the media adviser informed.
Replying to a question from UNB’s Chattogram correspondent, Mizanul said that the Somali pirates who hijacked the ship have already contacted them, though they are yet to demand any ransom.
Read more: All crew members are safe on the hijacked vessel: KSRM Group’s media consultant
“We hope to rescue the ship, free 23 sailors, and bring them back home through discussions. We are working on that end. In this case, the company is trying to utilise its previous experience,” he informed.
He said family members of the crew members are in touch with them.
Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, director general (DG) of Department of Shipping, said that no one can conduct an operation on the hijacked ship without permission from Bangladesh.
Discussions are underway to free the ship and crew from the pirates and it will take some time, the DG said.
Read more: ‘If money is not given, they will kill us’: Audio message of hijacked ship’s chief officer
He also informed that the presence of the EU navy’s ship won’t impact the discussion.
On March 12, a group of Somali pirates seized control of the Bangladesh-flagged cargo vessel when it was carrying coal from Mozambique’s Maputo port to Al Hamriyah Port in the UAE.
MV Abdullah is owned by SR Shipping Lines, a sister concern of Chattogram-based Kabir Steel and Rerolling Mill (KSRM) Group.
On March 20, the pirates made the first contact with the owner of the vessel.
Read more: ‘Indian Ocean is named after us; if we don't take action, who will?’: Indian Navy Chief
Fire at Puratan Bazar in Narayanganj’s Rupganj under control
A fire that broke out early today in Puratan Bazar, also known as Kacha Bazar, beside Gausia Market in Bhulta union under Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj is now under control.
Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD-media cell) headquarters, said the blaze began in the Kacha Bazar around 3:35 am.
On information, eight firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control around 5:45 am, he informed.
Incident Commander Md Saleh Uddin, deputy director of the FSCD’s Dhaka Division, told media after taming the fire that some shops of hardware, tyre tube and vegetables were damaged in the incident.
The reason of the fire and extent of damages caused could not be known immediately, he said.
A probe committee would be formed to identify causes of the fire, the fire service officer said, adding that they faced difficulties in bringing the fire under control due to overcrowding of people.
500 acres of land transferred to Chittagong Port Authority for expansion: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said on Saturday that the government has already transferred 500 acres of land to the Chittagong Port Authority free of charge for the expansion of the terminal.
"They will receive an additional 300 acres, for which the port authority has applied. Already, the Port authority has signed an MOU with DP World and the Singapore Port Authority," he added.
He further stated, "Work will be divided into three parts here. Chittagong Port Authority will handle one part, the Singapore Port Authority another, and DP World the third. The World Bank and other international financial institutions are also getting involved. This is a significant advancement."
"Through this terminal, we will be able to supply goods to the northeastern states of India," he said.
Bhutan's king to visit Kurigram, check out proposed economic zone on Mar 28
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is expected to visit the country’s northern district of Kurigram on March 28 during his tour to Bangladesh to attend the Independence Day celebrations, and visit the proposed “Bhutanese Special Economic Zone” in the district, a joint initiative of Bangladesh and Bhutan.
In 2015, at a rally at Kurigram Government College ground, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself announced that she would build a special economic zone in the district and remove the stigma of the people of the district forever.
In a bilateral meeting with the Bhutanese King and Queen in London in May 2023, Premier Sheikh Hasina proposed the country to establish a special economic zone in Kurigram. Later, the district administration and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) started proceedings to set up the SEZ.
Seeking cooperation from all to establish the economic zone, BEZA Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun said the special economic zone is being set up in Kurigram district to implement the promise given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The district administration has already handed over 133 acres of land to the BEZA and arrangements are underway to acquire another 86 acres of land. A total of 211 acres of land will be required, he said.
On March 10, a Bhutanese delegation visited the proposed economic zone. They are very interested in economic zones. This will open a new milestone in the economic and trade relations between the two countries, the BEZA chairman hoped.
“We hope to sign an agreement with the current Bhutanese king on the economic zone. If all goes well, Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck will visit Kurigram Economic Zone on March 28,” he informed this while visiting the economic zone on Thursday.
At present, the district is known as a poor district throughout the year due to lack of industries and factories. This time, the residents of that district are using their rivers to sow some hope. They want to change their fate centered on the Dharla River.
As there are no industries and factories in the district, most of the people of the chars and students go to the big cities of the country including the capital Dhaka to work as labourers due to river erosion and floods every year.
Due to not being economically self-sufficient, the number of child marriages in the district increases and the number of dropouts increases.
As a result, the poverty rate in the district is increasing gradually. The establishment of the proposed 'Bhutanese Special Economic Zone' based on Government to Government (G2G) would reduce the poverty rate in the district.
At the same time, many people hope that the people of the district will contribute to the development of the district by alleviating their poverty.
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif said the connectivity between Kurigram and India and Bhutan is very good. Bhutan has connectivity facilities with two land ports in Kurigram and Chilmari river port.
The special economic zone will increase the capacity of the people, most of the people of this district will be able to live a better life than before, he said, adding that the government is working towards that goal.
Public hearing to protect Banshi, Turag river on World Water Day
Due to unplanned industrialization and urbanization, encroachment, filling, the capital's Banshi and Turag rivers have shrunk.
As a result, there is an adverse impact on the livelihood, food system and environment of the fishermen who depend on this river. Fresh water shortage has increased.
Such an observation was made at a public hearing on the occasion of the World Water Day on Friday at Mazhir Dia village on the banks of Banshi river.
The public hearing was organized by Change Initiative, River Delta Research Center, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies and We Mean Green.
About a hundred Majhi family members of Majhir Dia village of Kaundia Union attended the public hearing for the protection of the river.
They said Banshi river water cannot be used for daily activities due to pollution. The situation will become more critical in the future.
To ensure balanced distribution of water, experts opined that rivers, canals and seas should be allowed to move at their own pace.
Fishermen said that Banshi and Turag rivers were their only source of livelihood. Due to pollution, fish are no longer available in this river.
The female members of the fisherman's family said that the water of Banshi or Turag cannot be used for any household purpose.
Even if you get into the water, the body is suffering from various types of diseases including itching and sores.
In the public hearing, the CEO of Change Initiative Zakir Hussain Khan said that Bangladesh will survive only if the rivers of Bangladesh are saved.
Rivers are being encroached, polluted, filled under the umbrella of different political parties.
Zakir Hussain Khan said that no one is being brought under the law due to encroachment and river pollution.
The chairman of the River and Delta Research Center said that fishermen are changing their profession due to lack of fish in the river.
Banshi and Turag rivers are dying today due to industrial pollution.
Mohammad Ejaz said, about four and a half million people are in water shortage.
He said that due to the polluted river water, the pressure on the underground water is constantly increasing.
Prof. Kamruzzaman Majumder said that crossing the river has become a burden due to the stench of rotten water.
He said, fish and aquatic animals cannot survive in this water. Although there is a law to prevent river pollution, the river is being destroyed due to the negligence of the Department of Environment and the failure to hold the industry accountable.
Javed Ahmed said that it is possible to develop river-centric tourism if the river is freed from pollution and encroachment.
This will increase the employment here around the tourist center. People's livelihood will improve.
Farhana Rahman, CEO of We Mean Green conducted the public hearing program organized on the occasion of World Water Day, keeping Dhaka's water, wetland and climate slogans in front.
On World Water Day 2024, the Change Initiative also released a position paper that highlights the critical intersection of climate change, water scarcity and regional cooperation.