Almost three months after one of the worst floods in recent memory, 1,718 families in Feni are still grappling with the aftermath.  Having lost everything to the devastating flood, these families are forced to live in temporary shelters, struggling to rebuild their homes and lives. In August, a catastrophic flood swept through Feni, destroying 1,718 homes completely and partially damaging another 6,941. Although two months and 24 days have passed since the disaster, relief efforts have been insufficient, victims say. According to District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md. Mahbub Alam, “For partially damaged homes, we have received 400 bundles of corrugated iron sheets and 12 lakh taka, which have been distributed to nearly 150 families.” Read: Low-lying areas of Ctg, Feni, Cumilla and 5 other districts likely to be inundated: FFWC Some organisations, including the Bangladesh Army and UNDP have assisted these families, but the need remains overwhelming. The flood caused widespread destruction across Feni, with complete devastation reported in the following areas: Sadar Upazila: 675 houses Fulgazi Upazila: 295 houses Chagolnaiya Upazila: 293 houses Parshuram Upazila: 333 houses Sonagazi Upazila: 37 houses Daganbhuna Upazila: 85 houses  Additionally, partial damages were reported in the following areas: Sadar Upazila: 3,206 houses Parshuram: 333 houses Chagolnaiya: 313 houses Daganbhuna: 982 houses Sonagazi: 741 houses Fulgazi: 1,349 houses For families with partially damaged homes, the Bangladesh Army has distributed 4 bundles of corrugated iron sheets per family and provided a total of Tk 6.5 lakh in cash to 157 families. The Army, with assistance from the Navy, has also repaired 100 houses in Fulgazi. In addition, UNDP is distributing Tk 10 crore 35 lakh to repair the homes of 3,000 affected families. Other organizations, including BDRCS, Mastul Foundation, RIC, and YPSA, have also contributed with materials and financial aid. Amid this devastation, stories of hardship continue to unfold. Khokon Mia, an auto-rickshaw driver from Dakkhin Jagatpur village in Fulgazi upazila, lost everything to the flood, including his home. With nowhere to go, he now lives with his wife and children in a small room of a Water Development Board irrigation scheme. "Everything feels like a nightmare," said Khokon. Read more: Deaths during student protest: 4 students' bodies exhumed in Feni for autopsies “One flood has left me completely destitute. I couldn’t save anything. I had to take shelter with my wife and three young children. It’s been a month with no work. I don’t know how to rebuild my house. Three months have passed since the flood, and yet I have not seen any government initiative for our rehabilitation,” he added. Abu Taher, from Char Chandia village in Sonagazi, also recounted the flood’s devastation: "The floodwaters have ruined everything. I barely managed to get to a shelter. When I returned home, nothing was left. I am now living with my family on the roof of my cousin's house."  Shamsunnahar, a woman in her fifties from Birinchi area in Feni Sadar upazila, is facing the same fate. "The flood took everything, and I don’t have the means to build a new house. If I receive financial aid from the government, I will be able to repair my house; otherwise, I will have to stay in the broken house. I’ve made a shelter with plastic around and broken tin on top." The recently retired Feni Deputy Commissioner Musammat Shahina Akhter, sought urgent assistance for the affected families. "We have requested 20,000 bundles of tin and 6 crore taka from the relevant ministries for the aid of affected families," she said.   

Shafiqul Islam Samrat, a local Chhatra league leader, who was seen in a video footage firing on students during the recent student movement in Feni’s Sharshadi union, placed on a four-day remand. Senior Judicial Magistrate Nusrat Mostari passed the order after investigating officer SI Anwar Hossain produced Samrat before the court seeking a 10-day remand. Ex-IGP Mamun put on 43-day remand in 8 murder cases Tipped off, detectives arrested Shafiqul Islam Samrat, general secretary of Sharshadi Union unit Chhatra League, from Chattogram on Wednesday night. Maram Singh Tripura, the officer-in-charge of Feni Model Police Station, stated that Samrat is a suspect in six murder cases related to the firing and attacks on people during the anti-discrimination student movement.

The body of a member of Bangladesh Navy who went missing while taking a bath in the Muhuri River in Feni on Saturday (April 20, 2024) afternoon has been recovered after more than 8 hours. The deceased Abul Hasan was the son of Abul Khair of Dhanikunda village of Parshuram upazila. He was posted at Chittagong Naval Basecamp. Abul Hasan along with his friends went to take a bath at the ghat adjacent to Nazir's house on the Muhuri river around 2pm on Saturday for some relief from the scorching heat. Read more: Bangladeshi siblings drown in Sea of Oman Suddenly, Abul Hasan presumably drowned and went missing. Failing to find him, his friends informed the Parashuram Fire Service. Despite a lot of searching, the members of the Fire Service failed to rescue the missing Abul Hasan. Later, a diving team from Chattogram joined the rescue operation and managed to recover the body around 9:20pm. Mohammad Shahadat Hossain Khan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Parashuram Police Station, said the body would be sent to Feni General Hospital morgue for an autopsy. Read more: No concrete bridge for 20,000 inhabitants in Feni, Noakhali for over 22 years

About 20,000 residents of Sonagazi upazila of Feni and Companiganj upazila of Noakhali district are in distress as no concrete bridge has been constructed over the Chhoto Feni River at Kazirhat since it collapsed 22 years back. The bridge, collapsed in 2002 due to high tide, was the only mean of crossing it for the people of two upazilas of Feni and Noakhali districts. Despite promises from public representatives and political leaders, the bridge has not been built even after 22 years. Sources said a Regulator-cum-bridge with 20 gates was built over the Chhoto Feni River in 1961-62 at Kazirhat in Sonagazi upazila during Pakistan era to protect the coastal areas of the district from tidal surge. Read more: Focus on rural dev along with infrastructure: PM Hasina tells ECNEC The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) got the task of management and repair work of the regulator. WAPDA conducted maintenance work till 1970 and later it was renamed as Water Development Board.

The sprouting teen gangs have emerged as a major concern in the capital and other cities and towns of the country, and Feni town is no exception. These misguided teens involved in theft, hijacking, drug abuse, stalking, sexual harassment, and murder, allegedly with the backing of local political leaders and public representatives, are now a new threat to society. Locals allege that local political leaders patronize the teens to establish dominance, grab properties, and threaten opposition political activists. 2 killed in road crash in Gaibandha  ‘Koshai’, ‘Himil’, ‘Shano’, ‘JK’, 'Pintu', and ‘Chakma Javed’ are among the 10 gangs of the district infamous for their crimes that have been extended even to the unions from the district town. Talking to UNB, some guardians expressed their worries over the dreadful offenses committed by the teen gangs and the future of their children, as the deteriorating social environment due to the gang activities has made it difficult for them to keep their children aloof from their influence. On Thursday, police arrested three ‘SDK’ group members, including their leader, for their involvement in various crimes, including the trade and buse of drugs, snatching, extortion, stalking, threatening people for extortion, showing arms, and clashing with rival groups. Preferring anonymity, a SDK group member said,” If the ‘leaders’ need them, they inform the ‘big brother’ who completes the operations involving teen gang members, and they get money in exchange.” A police official who preferred not to be named said if the teen gang members are arrested, they get phone calls from ‘big brothers’ or ‘leaders’ seeking their release. School teacher beaten and harassed by police in Natore

Bangladesh's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Saturday (February 24, 2024) said that the government would introduce incentive packages to promote the production of environmentally-friendly block bricks. Saber came up with the announcement during a media interaction following a meeting with officials from the Forest Department and the Department of Environment at Feni Circuit House on Saturday. Brick kiln owners can be benefited from these incentives as part of the government's efforts to transition away from air-polluting and land-damaging brick kilns, he said, emphasising the need for the designation of specific areas for waste recycling by municipalities. The minister urged officials to take proactive measures to combat environmental pollution, including the prohibition of polythene use. Read more: Govt working to promote climate-resilient crops: Saber Hossain He stressed prompt actions in cases where environmental clearance is lacking and urged against delays in issuing such clearances. Moreover, Minister Saber underscored the need for the daily clearance of medical and municipal waste and instructed divisional forest officials to reclaim encroached forest land and initiate afforestation projects in urban and coastal regions. Chaired by Feni District Magistrate Shahina Akter, various officials including BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad, Additional Superintendent of Police Din Mohammad, Additional District Magistrate Abishek Das, Divisional Forest Officer Ruhul Amin, and Feni Department of Environment Deputy Director Showkat Ara Kali, among others were present on the occasion. Following the meeting, Feni Awami League General Secretary and local MP Nizam Uddin Hazari and Feni sadar municipality Mayor Nazrul Islam Swapon Miaji exchanged greetings with the environment minister with floral tributes. Read more: Is There Any Alternative to Brick Kilns?

In Feni, a concerning rise in accidents at rail tracks, especially at unauthorized level crossings, has led to eight fatalities and numerous injuries over the past four months. These incidents, often resulting from a combination of unauthorized crossings, gateman negligence, and the public's lack of awareness, underscore the urgent need for improved railway safety measures. Swapna Rani Debi, a 42-year-old land deed writer, tragically lost her life under a train while navigating the level crossing at Shahdadpur, highlighting the grave risks associated with these crossings. The Feni railway sector, stretching 27 kms from Sashardi to Muhuriganj, comprises 22 authorized and 12 unauthorized crossings, with a significant concentration of the latter at Muhuriganj. Riton Chakma, deputy assistant engineer of Railway’s East region, said, “Roads are being built over the level crossing and six unauthorized level-crossings are in Muhuriganj point alone while six others are in Sashardi, Dewanganj and Fazilpur points.” Barendra Express train narrowly escapes accident; rail link with Rajshahi suspended Despite efforts to close these unauthorized paths, locals continue to create new routes, often leading to disastrous outcomes. Feni Barahipur level crossing gateman, Jibon, noted that despite lowering gates upon receiving signals, impatience and reckless attempts to cross the tracks contribute significantly to the accidents. Feni Rail Station Master Md Harun attributes the proliferation of unauthorized crossings to residential developments along the railway, exacerbating the risk of trackside fatalities. In addition to Swapna Rani Debi, the past four months have seen the deaths of Farida Yeasmin, Md Rubel, Md Sharif, and Shahidul Islam on the Dhaka-Chattogram rail track in Feni, with three other victims remaining unidentified. The issue was starkly highlighted on October 11, 2022, when a train collided with a bus at the Fatehpur level crossing on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, resulting in four deaths. Rail communications on new Cox’s Bazar route snapped following collision The Railway Division reports that Feni hosts 34 level crossings, with 22 authorized and managed by 56 gatemen. Deputy Assistant Engineer Riton Chakma of the Railway East region has pledged phased initiatives to secure the 12 unauthorized crossings. Shahadat Hossain, general secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), identifies the main causes of the increased fatalities as unauthorized construction of crossings, lack of public and driver awareness, and gateman negligence. This alarming trend calls for immediate action to enhance safety and awareness at rail crossings.

With demolishing the district town’s last movie theater, Feni now has no cinema hall left. Dulal Cinema Hall, Feni town’s last remaining movie theater, was demolished last Wednesday (February 15, 2023) due to a steep decline in the number of audiences. A multi-storey shopping mall will be built on the site where the cinema hall stood. Safiuddin Belal, owner of Dulal Cinema Hall said, “We had to seek assistance from law enforcement to tackle the crowd during screening of blockbusters such as ‘Beder Meye Josna’ and 'Rupban'." "However, the number of audiences started declining after 2015," Belal told UNB. Read more: Sammilito Chalacchitro Parishad agrees to import Indian films on conditions: Hasan The cinema hall had eight "VIP" seats (tickets for each cost Tk 100). It also had 80 "first-class" seats (Tk 60 each). Belal said that "second" and "third-class" seats had been discontinued for the past three years. There were six cinema halls in the town and the adjacent Dagonbhuiya upazila. One after another, curtains fell on Feni district’s silver screens as the owners were left with no choice but to demolish them. The lack of quality films, coupled with the steep decline in audience, killed the town’s cinema hall business. Read more: Cinema hall refinance scheme deadline extended to December The four cinema halls in Feni town were Dulal Cinema Hall, Surat Mahal, Bilashi Cinema Hall, and Kanan Cinema Hall. There were two other cinema halls — Beauty Cinema Hall in Fulghazi upazila and Jharna Cinema Hall in Dagonbhuiyan. Thousands of movie lovers from the district’s remote areas used to flock to these halls to see films with their families and friends. In 1952, sports organizer Khairul Eshak opened Dulal Cinema Hall on Feni town’s Railway Station Road. Years later, Afzalur Rahman opened the Surat cinema hall in the city’s Zero Point area. However, the hall was demolished and later replaced by Feni Super Market after Afzalur Rahman’s son Bacchu Mia took over the ownership after his father’s death in 2003. Feni's Kanan cinema hall opened in Masterpara Mor around 1978, under the ownership of Azad Peyara and Momtazul Huq Bhuiyan. The hall was in operation until the owners went out of business during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read More: How Covid-19 brought the curtain down on Kushtia's cinema halls Bilashi, one of the four cinema halls in Feni city, was built around 1980 by Nur Mia. The hall was later rented out to the city’s local commissioner, Omar Faruk, after the death of Nur Mia. Faruk left the business due to losses in 2002, and since then, the hall has been closed. Surat and Dulal cinema halls were the top choices of the audience due to their safer and cleaner environment. According to reports, at least 700–800 tickets were sold per show. The other cinema halls used to attract 400–600 viewers per show. At least 10,000-12,000 viewers used to watch films at the four cinema halls in Feni every day on average. Read More: Cinema hall owners to get Tk 1,000 cr low-interest loans

Police arrested 12 activists and leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami charging them with hatching a subversive plan from their office in Feni town on Saturday. The arrestees--Mohammad Shafiullah, Mostafa Azim, Mohammad Shah Alam, Abu Taher, Abdul Matin, Md Salahuddin, Alamgir, Jakir Hossain, Abdul Motaleb, Monir Hossain, Md Mohiuddin and Md Israphil, are residents of several upazilas of the district. Nizam Uddin, officer-in-charge of Feni Model Police Station, said they conducted a drive at the office of the Jamaat on Shanti Company Road on getting tipped-off. Also Read: 31 Jamaat-Shibir men arrested over ‘sabotage attempt’ in Dinajpur The 12 Jamaat-men were held with five cocktails and Jihadhi books from the office while they were holding a clandestine meeting to carry out subversive activities, he said. They were handed over to the court after filing a case upon interrogation, the OC said. Also read: Jamaat leader, activist arrested in Savar Turning down the claim by the police, district Jamaat Ameer Master Shamsuddin said their party-men were holding a meeting on the labour welfare foundation. The allegation of subversive planning is ridiculous, he said, adding that he demanded immediate release of the arrested activists and leaders.     

Two people were killed and six others were critically injured as their microbus crashed into a roadside tree after losing control on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Feni Sadar upazila on Saturday morning. The deceased---Jannatul Ferdous, 36, wife of Kuwait expatriate Belal Hossain of Gobindarapur village under Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni and the microbus driver Imam Hossain Ripon, 23, son of Abdul Matin Babul Miah of Dakkhin Mohammadpur village under Senbagh upazila of Noakhali.   Belal, 45,  is among the injured. Five others have been identified as injured and receiving treatment at Feni Sadar Hospital: Saber Hossain, 14, Sabbir Hossain, 10, Fahmida Aktar, 22, Sharif Uddin, 30, Limon Hossain, 8.  Read more: oliceman killed in Naogaon road accident; wife injured Highway police and fire service department said the group was returning home to their village in Gobindarapur after receiving Belal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The accident occurred Saturday morning when the speeding microbus hit the roadside tree, presumably after losing control on the highway. The driver died on the spot. Although seven others were rushed to the hospital, Jannatul's injuries did prove fatal by the time they arrived.   Mostafa Kamal, officer-in-charge of Feni Highway police station, confirmed the tragedy saying that the bodies of Jannatul and Ripon were sent to the morgue for autopsies.   Read more: Train crash leaves wife dead, husband injured in Natore The bodies will be handed over to their respective families upon completion of legal formalities, the OC added.