United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said that if BNP forms the government, one of its main priorities will be the swift implementation of the Teesta Master Plan. “The implementation of the Teesta Master Plan is the key demand of the people of this region. So, if BNP comes to power, one of our main tasks will be to start work on the Teesta Master Plan as soon as possible,” he said while addressing an election rally organised by district BNP at the Nilphamari High School ground in the afternoon. He said once the Teesta Master Plan is implemented, the region will become green and fertile again. “Canals and beels will be filled with water, and people will no longer suffer from water shortages for agriculture and other purposes,” he added. Tarique Rahman said leaders and activists of various political parties, including BNP, had sacrificed their lives during the previous regime, and the people of Nilphamari were also subjected to repression for speaking out to protect voting rights. He said people would vote again in the election on the 12th and elect their representatives. “But voting alone is not enough. We must see this election as an election to rebuild the country. If we cannot build the country, we will have no place to go. Our first and last place is Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP chairman said that if BNP forms the government, women would be made economically self-reliant. “We want to introduce family cards for every woman, regardless of religion, so that mothers of hardworking families receive monthly government support,” he said. He also announced plans for farmers, saying that if farmers prosper, the country will prosper. BNP will waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for farmers across the country, he added. Referring to religious leaders, Tarique Rahman said imams, khatibs, muazzins and leaders of other religions contribute to society from birth to death but many live in hardship. “If BNP forms the government, we will ensure respect and a dignified life for them,” he said. He also warned against groups attempting to intimidate voters, saying strict action would be taken against anyone who threatens or misleads voters. Recalling the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War, he said Bangladesh was liberated without discrimination based on religion or caste. “Future politics will be about nation-building and state-building. We want to build the country together with everyone,” he said. Agro-based industries key to improving farmers’ lives: Tarique Highlighting development plans for Nilphamari, he said the Uttara EPZ would be expanded, more factories would be set up, and training centres would be established to develop skilled manpower and create employment opportunities. He also assured the establishment of a medical college in Nilphamari, gradual upgrading of Saidpur Airport into an international airport, and development of the area as an industrial zone to reduce dependence on agriculture. “We want to remove the tag of neglect from Nilphamari-Dinajpur and ensure development of roads, ghats, schools and colleges,” he said. BNP’s Rangpur Divisional Co-Organising Secretary Abdul Khalek, former MP Bilkis Islam, former Joint General Secretary of district BNP Advocate Abu Mohammad Soyem, among others, spoke at the rally.

Once considered the backbone of Bangladesh’s railway maintenance network, the Saidpur Railway Workshop in Nilphamari is struggling to keep operations running amid a prolonged manpower shortage, leaving modern machinery worth approximately Tk153 crore unused and slowly falling into disrepair. Despite being the country’s largest railway workshop, the facility is currently operating with barely a quarter of its sanctioned workforce. Officials and workers cite a severe shortage of skilled personnel, coupled with inadequate budget allocations and delays in raw material supply, as key factors hampering production and maintenance activities. Established in 1870 during the Assam–Bengal Railway era, the Saidpur Railway Workshop spans over 110.29 acres and houses 27 sub-units. The facility is responsible for repairing broad-gauge and meter-gauge passenger coaches and freight wagons, maintaining steam relief cranes, and handling carriages and wagons damaged in accidents. Around 1,200 types of spare parts for coaches, wagons, and locomotives are also manufactured onsite. In 2017, the workshop underwent a Tk153 crore modernisation to enhance capacity and quality. The project upgraded 17 workshops for coach and wagon repairs, installing 43 mechanical and 13 electrical machines, along with deep tube-wells and an overhead water tank. Illegal electric fishing raises fresh fears for Tanguar Haor However, the benefits of this modernisation have largely gone unrealised due to a shortage of trained manpower. Many of the costly machines now sit idle, gradually becoming unusable. Currently, the workshop has 2,859 sanctioned positions for officers and workers, but only 716 posts are filled, leaving 2,143 vacancies. The manpower deficit has made it impossible to meet daily carriage repair targets; while the goal is three coaches per day, the workshop manages only two. Besides, no skilled workers are available in its 27 shops to operate 740 machines.

An eight-year-old girl was raped, allegedly by her neighbour in Nilphamari Sadar upazila on Friday. Locals detained the accused, Abu Bakkar, and handed him over to police, said Nilphamari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge MR Sayeed on Saturday. The victim was admitted to Nilphamari Modern Sadar Hospital for treatment. Abdur Rahim, resident medical officer of Nilphamari Modern Sadar Hospital, said the victim was admitted to the Gynaecology department late at night and her examination was completed on Saturday afternoon. According to locals, the victim lives with her maternal uncle and was studies at a local school. Case filed over rape of second grader in Sirajganj Abu Bakkar lured the victim to his house and raped her. The child was threatened not to tell anyone about the incident, said locals. That night, the girl began to feel pain and told her grandmother what had happened. When the news spread, locals beat Abu Bakkar up and handed him over to the police. “The suspect was sent to jail through the court on Saturday afternoon,” added the OC.

While the northern regions of Bangladesh are experiencing cooler mornings with thick fog, residents of Dhaka and other parts of the country remain largely unaffected by the chill, as winter continues to delay its arrival. In recent years, the country has typically felt the onset of winter in January, with temperatures dropping significantly between January and February. Md Bazlur Rashid, a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said that while some regions are experiencing a mild chill, a proper winter is unlikely to be felt in December. "Some people are feeling a bit of cold, but there is no chance of winter being felt in December," he said. Low pressure area likely to form over Bay Tuesday He attributed the cooler sensations to changes in wind patterns rather than a true seasonal shift, adding that the country can expect winter to begin in January. “The monsoon season is no longer active.” Winter’s First Signs in Panchagarh and Nilphamari In the northern district of Panchagarh, often referred to as the ‘Daughter of the Himalayas’, the arrival of winter seems imminent. Dense fog has blanketed the area, falling like dew throughout the night and lingering well into the morning, creating a thick, misty atmosphere. According to the Met Office, the departure of the south-west wind, coupled with the presence of clouds in the sky, has contributed to this fog, signalling the forthcoming winter. In Nilphamari, the town has been engulfed in fog since the midnight of October 12, with visibility reduced to the extent that flights at Syedpur airport were disrupted on that day. The fog serves as another early indicator that winter is on its way to the northern regions, even as the rest of the country waits for its arrival. Winter Vegetables Hit Markets Despite the delayed winter, markets across the capital are already buzzing with winter vegetables, though prices remain steep. In markets such as Jinjira, Aganagar in Keraniganj, and the capital’s Karwan Bazar, Newmarket, and Hatirpool Raw Market, vegetable stalls are well-stocked with produce, including aubergine, cucumber, pointed gourd, snake beans, papaya, and bitter gourd. Winter staples such as beans, carrots, radishes, cauliflower and cabbage have also made an appearance. Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘unhealthy’ However, vegetable sellers at Karwan Bazar report that recent rains and floods have driven up prices. In some cases, vegetable prices have surged by as much as Tk 20 in just one week, further straining household budgets amid an already challenging economic climate. Chill to Intensify in January Though winter remains elusive in much of the country, meteorologists predict that temperatures will drop significantly in the coming months, particularly in the northern and hilly regions, where the average temperature can fall to 12°C. January is expected to be the coldest month, with average temperatures across Bangladesh dropping to around 10°C. As the colder months approach, residents in these regions are bracing for the seasonal chill. Bangladesh’s winter, though typically mild, brings a welcome respite from the high humidity and sweltering heat experienced throughout much of the year. For now, as the late arrival of winter looms, the country’s residents wait in anticipation of cooler days ahead. Read more: 10 Tasty Immunity Boosting Winter Soup Recipes for Children

Awami League nominated candidate for Nilphamari-2 Asaduzzaman Noor won the race of 12th parliamentary election held on Sunday. 12th JS Election: AL romps home amid low turnout in peaceful but predictable polls Noor bagged 1,19,339 votes while his nearest rival independent candidate Joynal Abedin secured 15,684 votes. Asaduzzaman Noor is a Bangladeshi actor, politician and activist. Bogura-4: Hero Alam announces boycott during vote counting He has been a Jatiya Sangsad member from Nilphamari-2 constituency since 2001 and served as the Cultural Affairs Minister during 2014–2019. Singer Momtaz fails to secure her place in national polls

Water in the Teesta river may cross the danger level at Dalia point over 24 hours, causing a short-term flood in the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts. Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), in its regular bulletin, said the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma rivers are in a rising trend, which may continue over 48 hours and water in the Dhalai river may cross danger level at Kamalganj point for a short period over 24 hours, starting from 9 am on today (July 05, 2023). All gates of Teesta Barrage opened due to increase in water level Besides, major rivers in the northeastern region of the country are in a falling trend except Khowai, Someswari and Dhalai, which may continue over 48 hours, the bulletin said. Flood submerges 10 villages in Sunamganj, rain continues The ongoing flood situation in Sunamganj and Netrokona districts may remain unchanged in 24 hours, it said. Heavy rains may trigger short-term flood in Sylhet, Sunamganj

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (June 4, 2023) flagged off a new intercity train named 'Chilahati Express' on Dhaka-Chilahati-Dhaka route in a bid to strengthen the connectivity between the northern region with the capital and expand the business in the area. The premier commissioned the Chilahati Express through a virtual platform, joining an event at Chilahati Railway Station from her official residence Ganabhaban. Read more: PM strikes defiant tone in face of US pressure The Chilahati Express, having the capacity of 800 passengers, will run on Dhaka-Chilahati-Dhaka route six days in a week. Now freight trains and cross-border train ‘Mitali Express’ run on the Dhaka-Chilahati route. Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan spoke at the function from Chilahati end in Nilphamari, while lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor MP (Nilphamari-2) and other local MPs, among others, were present there. Read more: Govt’s efforts on to keep economy vibrant despite global recession: PM Principal Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah conducted the event, while Railways Secretary Muhammad Humayun Kabir delivered the welcome speech from Ganabhaban end.

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday summoned three lawyers, including the president of Nilphamari Bar Association, for indecent behaviour with a judge inside a courtroom in Nilphamari. They were asked to appear before the court on February 14 to explain the allegation of misconduct. The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order following a written complaint by Golam Sarowar, a judge of Nilphamari Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1. Read more: 21 lawyers should be ashamed of indecent slogans against B'baria Judge, HC observes Those summoned are Nilphamari Bar Association president Advocate Md Momtazul Haque, Advocate Md Azharul Islam and Advocate Ferdous Alam. Besides, the court issued a rule questioning why punitive action should not be taken against them on contempt of court charge. Judge Golam Sarowar of Nilphamari Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 on November 29 sent a written complaint to the High Court to take action against those involved in it. Read more: Misconduct with Judge: HC summons B’baraia Bar Association president, 2 lawyers    The registrar general produced the letter before the Chief Justice on December 29 and the High Court bench was designated by him to dispose of the matter. According to the complaint, the three lawyers indecently asked the judge to leave the courtroom after he delivered a judgment on November 28. They also hurled abusive words at the court, as per the complaint.

Ten people were injured in a head-on-collision between a locomotive and a passenger train at Chilahati rail station in Domar upazila of Nilphamari district on Wednesday. Abu Kaisar, booking assistant of Chilahati Rail Station, said the accident occurred at 8:10 am when the Khulna-bound ‘Rupsha express’ train from Chilahati hit the stationary locomotive of ‘Mitali Express’ train at the outer signal of the station on India-Dhaka route due to poor visibility caused by dense fog. Read more: Lalmonirhat mother, daughter crushed to death by train Ten  people including three locomotive masters of the two trains were injured, he said. The injured were given first aid. The train movement from Chilahati Rail Station remained suspended following the accident.

A motorcyclist and his wife were killed as a covered van hit their vehicle on Nilphamari-Syedpur road in Sadar upazila of Niphamari on Wednesday, police said. The deceased were identified as Paresh Chandra Roy, 40, and Maya Rani Roy, 28. They worked at Nilphamari Export Processing Zone (EPZ). The accident occurred in the evening when the covered van crashed into the motorcycle with a lot of force near Shimultala while Paresh and Maya were returning from work, Shawkat Ali, officer-in-charge (OC) of Nilphamari Sadar Police Station, said. Read more: Four die in horrific road crash in Gazipur The couple died instantly from the impact of the crash, the OC said. "Police could not seize the vehicle as its driver sped away after the accident."