Patuakhali
Two minor girls drown at Galachipa in Patuakhali
Two minor girls drowned in a pond in Galachipa upazila of the district on Thursday.
The deceased were Maryam, 7, daughter of Nizam Mridha, and Rafia, 4, daughter of Masud Mridha of Sutabaria village under Chiknikandi union of the upazila.
Locals said the children came out of their homes to play around 11am and were not found after some time.
Later, the bodies floating in the pond were recovered around 3pm and rushed to the upazila health complex where doctors declared them dead.
Read more: Two children drown in Ctg pond
Shonit Kumar Gayen, officer-in-charge of Galachipa police station, said that on information a team was sent to the spot while the bodies were handed over to their families later.
He suspected that the children fell into the pond while playing on the bank of it.
Cyclone Sitrang: Electricity supply snapped in Patuakhali
Power supply in Patuakhali district has been snapped since this noon as many electric poles were uprooted during a storm due to the impact of cyclonic storm Sitrang.
Mohammad Mainuddin Razzaque, executive engineer of West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited, said a bout of moderate to heavy rains lashed the district in the morning, uprooting many electric poles.
Besides, electric wires in several areas have been snapped, disrupting power supply.
According to the local weather observatory centre, the Met Office has recorded 89.5 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, till 9 am today.
Also read: Cyclone Sitrang: Loading, unloading suspended at Chittagong Port; Alert-3 issued
Payra port has been asked to hoist local cautionary signal no 7.
The local administration has taken all preparations to tackle the storm and 703 cyclone centers were opened.
All educational institutions and high rise buildings have been kept ready to shelter people. The local administration has allocated 300 metric tons of rice and Tk 2.27 lakh cash. Local health department has formed 72 medical teams to provide medical services to the people. The movement of all kinds of water vessels during Cyclone Sitrang remain suspended in the district.
250 fishermen go missing as 16 trawlers sink in Bay, 150 rescued in Patuakhali
Over 250 fishermen of Patuakhali remained missing as 16 fishing trawlers capsized in the Bay of Bengal amid inclement weather on Friday, said Naval police on Sunday.
About 150 fishermen of 18 trawlers that sank in the Bay near Kuakata in Patuakhali have been rescued so far, said Akhtar Morshed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kuakata Naval police outpost.
Locals along with a rescue trawler of fish wholesalers’ association reached the fish landing center with the rescued fishermen from Saturday evening to 11 pm on Sunday, the OC added.
Kuakata-Alipur Fish Depot Owners Association President Ansar Uddin Mollah said 13 fishermen were rescued from the Bay while 11 fishermen were rescued by the fishermen of Rayadighi of India. They are currently in the South Sundarban Fishermen and Fish Workers Union of India’s custody.
Read:34 fishermen go missing as 11 trawlers sink in Bay
And the remaining fishermen were rescued by the trawlers of the owner's association and local fishermen.
However, at least 126 fishermen of seven trawlers of Alipur are still missing, he added.
Raju Ahmed Raja, general secretary of Mohipur Fish Depot Owners Association, said least 130 fishermen of nine trawlers of Mohipur are still missing.
Besides, a fisherman Rafiq, 32, fell into the sea from a trawler on the way back to the shore from the deep sea and went missing. The owners of the capsized and missing trawlers are from Charfashion, Mahipur, Kalapara and Rangabali upazilas of Bhola, he added.
“Operation is on to rescue the missing fishermen and trawlers,” said the OC.
Patuakhali: Ex-MP's home among illegal structures demolished on khas land
Galachipa upazila administration in a drive demolished 20 illegal establishments, including a house of ex-Awami League MP Golam Maula Rony, from khas land at Ulaniya bazar in the upazila Tuesday.
The drive led by Abdul Kaium, senior assistant secretary and executive magistrate of the district administration, was carried out to eradicate the infrastructures developed illegally on khas land. No individual or private entity enjoys property rights on khas land.
Magistrate Abdul Kaium said that they removed some 20 establishments built illegally on the khas land.
Read: Patuakhali man held for placing Quran inside temple
The eviction drive will continue until all the illegal establishments are removed from there, he added.
Ashis Kumar, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Golachipa, and Shawkat Anwar, officer-in-charge of Golachipa police station, were present during the drive.
Prohibitory orders imposed in Patuakhali’s Baufal
Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders in Patuakhali’s Baufal upazila in the wake of the two rival factions of the ruling Awami League's (AL) local unit calling press conferences in the party office at the same time on Friday.
The order under Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits the gathering of four or more people, will be in effect from 8am to 10pm on Friday as per the instructions of upazila nirbahi officer and executive magistrate Md Al Amin, police said.
Also read: One killed, 10 injured in Faridpur clash
The press conferences were called by the chairman and general secretary of the upazila AL, Abdul Motaleb Hawlader, and his rival in the party, Patuakhali-2 Baufal MP ASM Feroze, respectively.
Due to the long-standing rivalry between the two AL factions, the upazila has witnessed several violent incidents over the years.
Extra police personnel have been deployed near the upazila Janata Bhaban party office and other areas of the upazila to avoid any untoward situation, police said.
Also read: About 100 people booked over death of 4 in Kushtia clash
Party sources told UNB that the two AL leaders may meet the press at different venues due to the imposition of Section 144 of CrPC.
PM opens Payra power plant, declares full electricity coverage of Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday inaugurated the 1320 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant at Patuakhali's Payra on a day when she also declared the country's 100 per cent electricity coverage.
This milestone achievement puts Bangladesh ahead of India and Pakistan among the South Asian nations to light up every house with electricity.
Read: Finally, Payra power plant ready to operate at full blast
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, prime minister’s energy adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid were present at the programme.
Bangladesh-China Power Company (Pvt) Limited (BCPCL), a joint venture between state-owned North-West Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (NWPGCL) and China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation, has set up the plant using Ultra Supercritical Technology at over $2 billion as part of a development partnership on 982.77 acres of land.
The Export-Import Bank of China lent $1.96 billion for the project. The company started operation in 2016.
This kind of coal-fired power plant using Ultra Supercritical Technology is the thirteenth in the world and seventh in South Asia.
The Ultra Supercritical Technology used for this plant aims at protecting the environment in line with the government's policy, officials said.
After undergoing test runs for about five months, the first unit of the Payra power plant started commercial operation in May, 2020. In October, 2020, the second unit of the 660 MW plant, a joint venture of Bangladesh and China, started its commercial operation.
5 suspected robbers arrested in Patuakhali: Rab
Five suspected members of a robbery gang were arrested in the early hours of Friday during a drive by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at the Galachipa area in Patuakhali.
The arrestees are- Md Khalil Jamaddar,50, the main coordinator of the gang, Md Mahtab Peda,33, Md Jamal Akand, 36, Md Masum alias Monsur Khalifa, 46, and Md Minaj Khan, said Rab in a press release issued on Friday.
Read: UP poll violence: 8 looted EVMs looted in Patuakhali recovered
The pirates were arrested over recent incidents of robbery, abduction of fishing boats at Patharghata, Barguna, and Patuakhali area, it said.
Kuakata Sea Beach, Bangladesh: Magnificent sunrise, sunset views to remember
Kuakata is a scenic travel paradise in the southern part of Bangladesh, known as the "Sagar Kannya" which means “Daughter of Sea”. It is one of the most beautiful and captivating places for traveling and leisure travelers. Not just in the country, Kuakata is now known all over the world. Standing at the same place on the beach, anyone can see the sunrise and sunset. Kuakata has a wide reputation for breathtaking natural scenic beauty. Are you planning to go on a vacation to Sagar Kanya Kuakata? Here are some essential travel tips.
History and culture of Kuakata: Name and location
The name Kuakata is derived from the word 'Kuya,' which means "well" (water that comes from the ground). There is a popular belief that the Arakanese were driven out of Burma by the Mughal rulers around the 18th century, landed on Rangabali Island off the coast of the Bay of Bengal, and settled in what is now Kuakata.
There was a problem with drinking water then, so they dug a lot of wells here. Hence, the region was named Kuakata. However, it is a conventional idea, and found this information almost everywhere, including Wikipedia. However, this may not be fully accurate information.
Read: You can now travel to Saint Martin's
Kuakata is a location of pilgrimage for the Buddhist and Hindu communities. Countless devotees attend the holy Ras Purnima and Maghi Purnima festivals here. On this occasion, the pilgrims take a holy bath in the bay and also take part in the traditional fair.
Kuakata is located in Kalapara Upazila, Patuakhali District. It is situated in the southern part of Bangladesh, and it is about 320 kilometers (200mi) south of Dhaka and 70 kilometers away from Patuakhali district headquarter.
How to reach Kuakata?
You can go by road or by the river through the launch. But whatever the way you take, you will reach there by 9-10 am in the morning.
By road:
The distance by road from Dhaka to Kuakata is 380 km. From Dhaka several buses including Hanif Paribahan, Golden Line Paribahan, Survi Paribahan, Sakura Paribahan, Druti Paribahan go to Kuakata. Buses leave from Gabtoli bus stand for Kuakata. The fare of these buses is Tk. 800-1000 per person, while the AC bus fare is Tk. 1000+. The buses will drop you off near the beach, and you can walk to the beach. It takes about 13 hours to reach Kuakata by bus from Dhaka.
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However, many people choose to travel by launch to enjoy the beauty of the river and consider the comfort. But there is no launch going directly to Kuakata from Dhaka. So, you have to take a launch from Dhaka Sadarghat to Patuakhali or Barisal and from there take a bus to Kuakata.
8 students injured as college dormitory floor caved in Patuakhali
Eight students were injured and rushed to the hospital after the ground-floor veranda of Sheikh Kamal dormitory of Patuakhali Government College caved in, witnesses said on Tuesday.
Mohammad Shamim Ahmed, assistant super of the hall said the incident took place around midnight Monday when the floor of the veranda, where some students were standing after a meeting, collapsed suddenly injuring the students.
Also read: 2 DU students endure night of torture at Surjo Sen hall
The soil beneath the floor may have been eroded by a water that came along with sand brought from a water body to fill the college compound, said Executive Engineer of Patuakhali Education Engineer Department Mohammad Hadiuzzaman Khan.
Of the injured, three were undergoing treatment Patuakhali Medical College and Hospital while five others were given first aid.
The students living at the dormitory demanded immediate steps to repair the floor and ensure their safety.
Also read: BM College students protesting against increase in hall fees
3 youths arrested for raping housewife in Patuakhali
Police arrested three youths for raping a woman in Rangabali upazila in Patuakhali on Thursday.
The arrestees were identified as her brother-in-law Solaiman, 22, Bappy, 24,and Arif Khan, 23.
Solaiman and Bappy were arrested from Galachipa upazila by Charshiba camp police in the early hours of Thursday while Arif was arrested from Vhar Nazir village by Rangabali station police.
Also read: 2 death-row convicts to be executed for killing two women after rape
On Wednesday night, the victim's father filed a case with the Rangabali police station against seven people including Arif Khan, as the main accused.
According to the complaint, on Wednesday 10 am the victim left her in-laws' house at Charbishwash village for her father’s home in Char Beshtani village in Rangabali upazila with her brother-in-law Solaiman.
Also read: Man gets 72-year sentence for rape and kidnap of minor in Joypurhat
At the launch terminal in Char Agasti, Solaiman took her and boarded Arif Khan’s trawler where they later raped her consecutively near the Shaper Khal area around noon.
Officer-in-Charge of Rangabali police station Jaglul Hasan said the three accused were produced before court and effort is on to arrest the others.