Moulvibazar
All rivers in Moulvibazar flowing above danger level; 2 lakh people stranded
Six of the seven upazilas in Moulvibazar have been inundated due to the incessant rains and onrush of water from upstream, leaving nearly two lakh people stranded.
All the rivers in the district have been flowing above the danger level, flooding 432 villages of 37 unions of Moulvibazar Sadar, Rajnagar, Kulaura, Juri, Baralekha and Srimangal upazilas of the district.
Most of the rural roads in the flood-affected areas are submerged and many parts of regional roads also went under water.
Read more: HSC exams in Sylhet’s flood-hit areas to be held later: Education Minister
Houses and educational institutions are also flooded. Many were seen throwing sandbags on the embankment voluntarily to protect their homes.
Moulvibazar Water Development Board reported that the water of Manu river was 21 cm above the danger level in Chandnighat area of the city, Kushiara river was 18 cm above the danger level at Sherpur point, Dhalai river was 5 cm above the danger level and Juri river was 202 cm above the danger level.
Madhabkunda Waterfall: A Comprehensive Travel Guide
The monsoon paints Bangladesh in a vibrant green, and waterfalls come alive with cascading energy. Among the many gems to explore, Madhabkunda Waterfall is a spectacular destination. Nestled in the lush greenery of northeastern Bangladesh, this waterfall becomes enchanting during the monsoon, making it an ideal time for an adventurous visit.
Location of Madhabkunda Waterfall
Madhabkunda Waterfall is located in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar district.
According to a legend, Raja Govardhan of Gour encountered a meditating monk named Madhaveshwar during a hunting expedition in 1335 AD. The monk, wishing to unite with the goddess Ganga, requested to be immersed in the spring. Upon his immersion, a divine voice echoed "Madhav Madhav Madhav" three times, leading to the name Madhabkunda.
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Significance of Madhabkunda Waterfall
Madhabkunda Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Bangladesh and a prominent tourist spot. The surrounding forest, streams, and ecological park draw numerous visitors for picnics and day trips. The area is also of religious significance to Hindus, featuring a nearby temple where annual rituals and fairs are held. Adjacent to the pool, on the right side, is a cave revered as a pilgrimage site.
The waterfall is formed by the Gangamara stream, which cascades 162 feet down from the rocky Patharia Hill and then transitions into the Madhabchhara stream below. The waters of Madhabchhara flow westward, eventually merging into the Hakaluki Haor.
Throughout the year, the mainstream maintains a steady flow; in monsoon, an additional smaller stream forms alongside the main one. As the monsoon progresses, these streams converge, creating a powerful current that cascades down and forms a substantial pool at the base. The depth of this pool increases continuously as the waterfall feeds into it.
Read more: Baklai Waterfall in Bandarban: How to Get to One of the Tallest Waterfalls in Bangladesh
How to visit Madhabkunda Waterfall from Dhaka
Bus
Bus journeys are the most budget-friendly option, costing around BDT 800, although travel time may be longer. For a straightforward route from Dhaka, take a direct bus to Beanibazar, then proceed to Kathaltali Bazar. From Kathaltali Bazar, you can reserve a CNG for BDT 150-160 or take a locally-owned CNG to reach Madhabkunda.
Train
Trains offer a comfortable journey. If you travel from Dhaka, several intercity trains head towards Sylhet via Moulvibazar. You can take the Parbat, Upban, or Jayantika Express trains to Kulaura station in Moulvibazar, with fares ranging from BDT 320-731 depending on the class.
The journey takes approximately 5 hours. From Kulaura station, travel to Madhabkunda via Kathaltali Bazar. You can reserve a CNG for around BDT 600 or take a local CNG from Kulaura to Kathaltali market, where you can then reserve a CNG for around BDT 200 or take a local CNG for around BDT 30 per person to reach Madhabkunda.
Air
Sylhet Osmani International Airport is the closest airbase (around 80 kilometres from the falls). Expect flight costs to start from BDT 4000. From Sylhet, you can hire a car or take a bus to Moulvibazar. It can take approximately BDT 400. From Moulvibazar you need to take a CNG to Mdhabkunda.
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What to See in Madhabkunda Waterfall
The Majestic Waterfall
The centrepiece, of course, is the cascading waterfall itself. Towering at 182 feet, it is a sight to behold. You will witness the power and beauty of the water plunging into the natural pool below.
Natural Pool
Take a refreshing dip in the pool's cool water formed at the base of the falls (during safe water levels). Remember to prioritise safety and follow any posted guidelines.
The "Kab" Cave
Tucked away near the waterfall is a small cave known as "Kab." This adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to the scenery.
Lush Surroundings
Madhabkunda is nestled amidst verdant hills and lush greenery. Breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Madhabkunda Eco Park
Established near the waterfall, this eco-park offers additional sights. You might spot tea gardens, citrus, and betel nut plantations, and even encounter members of the Khasi community.
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Activities at Madhabkunda Waterfall
Trekking Through the Hills
You may embark on a challenging trek through the verdant hills surrounding Madhabkunda. With a local guide, you can explore hidden trails, discover cascading streams, and enjoy breathtaking panoramic landscape views.
Cave Adventures
If spelunking excites you, the area around Madhabkunda offers several caves waiting to be explored. With the right equipment, an experienced guide, and a sense of adventure, you can delve into these mysterious depths and discover hidden chambers adorned with natural formations.
White-Water Rafting (Seasonal)
During the monsoon season, the rivers around Madhabkunda can transform into exhilarating white-water rapids. To enjoy the thrill you can try a guided white-water rafting expedition. This activity is not for the faint of heart, so ensure you have the necessary skills and physical fitness before attempting it.
Photography
You can capture the stunning beauty of Madhabkunda Waterfall and its surroundings. The dynamic water flow, lush greenery, and panoramic views offer perfect subjects for photography enthusiasts.
Camping
Set up a camp near the waterfall for an unforgettable overnight stay in nature. During outdoor camping, you can enjoy the sounds of the waterfall, and the starry sky in a beautiful setting.
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Tragic death of teenage domestic worker sparks outrage and demands for Justice
In a heart-wrenching incident, Preeti Urang, a 15-year-old girl from Mirtinga village in Moulvibazar's Kamalganj upazila, died after a fall from the eighth floor of a building in Dhaka's Mohammadpur area. Her father, Lokesh Urang, expressed his profound grief, stating that poverty had driven them to send her to work as a domestic helper in the capital.
While speaking to UNB at the Mirtinga Tea Estate, Lokesh recounted the devastating return of his daughter's body from Dhaka. Preeti had been employed at the residence of The Daily Star Executive Editor Syed Ashfaqul Haque in Mohammadpur, where the tragic incident occurred on February 6.
Lokesh, a day laborer and a father of four, lamented the loss of Preeti, revealing the family's struggle to make ends meet by fishing and selling their catch. Nomita Urang, Preeti's mother, disclosed that they were initially offered Tk 10,000 when her daughter was employed, but she and her husband suggested it be saved for Preeti’s marriage. Following Preeti's death, only Tk 5,000 was provided, Nomita said.
Read: Preeti’s death at journalist’s house: Parents demand justice
Dhana Bauri, local unit president of the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, acknowledged the family's dire financial situation. Ram Bhajan Koiri, former general secretary of Bangladesh Tea Workers Union and vice-chairman of Kamalganj union parishad, criticized the exploitation of tea garden workers by influential individuals, calling for clarity on the circumstances leading to Preeti's death.
The local community, deeply affected by the tragedy, has staged protests demanding a fair investigation and justice for Preeti, who had been isolated from her family during her two-year employment.
Following the incident, Lokesh initiated legal action against Ashfaqul and his wife Tania Khandaker under section 304 (ka), leading to their incarceration after the court denied their bail petitions. The court has since permitted police to conduct a three-day interrogation at the jail gate.
In a recent development, a Dhaka court granted a four-day remand for both Syed Ashfaqul Haque and his wife Tania Khandaker, intensifying the quest for answers and accountability in this tragic case.
Read more: 'Unveil true circumstances of Preeti's death': Domestic Workers Rights Network
Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin elected MP for the fourth consecutive time
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin has been elected MP from Moulvibazar-1 constituency for the fourth consecutive time.
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque wins in Tangail-1
He was elected with 1, 36, 308 votes where his nearest rival Md Atiqur Rahman of Jatiya Party bagged 3,098 votes.
Shahab Uddin was elected MP for four consecutive terms with the boat symbol in the 2008, 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections. He was also elected MP in 1996.
Trinamool BNP's Taimur loses security deposit
The constituency, which consists of Barlekha and Juri upazilas of Moulvibazar, has a total of 112 polling centres. The voter turnout was 46.22 percent today.
Tipu Munshi wins Rangpur-4
Lawachara National Park Travel Guide: Evergreen forest in northeastern Bangladesh
Lawachara National Park is a prominent national park in Bangladesh. The park is known for its extensive forest reserves with diverse flora and fauna in and around it. Being a national park, Lawachara is a must-visit place for anyone traveling around Sreemangal and Moulvibazar. Here’s everything you need to know about touring the famous natural reserve of Bangladesh.
Where is Lawachara National Park?
Lawachara National Park is situated in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district. The park used to be part of the greater West Bhanugach Reserved Forest area until its establishment as a national park. The reserved forest covers approximately 27.4 sqkm of land of which Lawachara covers around 12.5 sq km.
The northeastern region of Bangladesh is known for the large deciduous trees indigenous to the region (as a secondary forest). Likewise, Lawachara thrived as a semi-evergreen forest biome with a deciduous forest biome.
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'Operation Hillside' in Moulvibazar: 10 operatives of newly formed militant group detained, CTTC says
Members of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit have detained 10 suspected operatives of the newly formed militant outfit ‘Imam Mahmud’s Kafela’ after conducting ‘Operation Hillside’ at a hideout in a remote hilly area in East Taktiuli village under Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar on Saturday (August 12, 2023).
Three children were also rescued from the hideout during the drive.
The detainees are Shariful Islam, 40, his wife Amina Begum, 40, their 20-year-old daughter Habiba Binte Shariful, of Satkhira’s Tala upazila; Hafiz Ullah, 25, of Kishoreganj’s Itna upazila; Khairul Islam, 22 and his wife Meghna, 22, of Narayanganj’s Fatullah upazila; Rafiul Islam, 22, of Sirajganj’s Kazipur upazila; Shapla Begum, 22, wife of one Abdus Sattar of Pabna’s Atgharia upazila; Maisha Islam, 20, wife of Sohel Tanjim Rana of Natore; and Sanjida Khatun, 18, wife of Sumon Miah of Bogura’s Shariakandi upazila.
Read: Five suspected members of new militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar heldMd Asaduzzaman, chief of CTTC unit and additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), at a press briefing following the operation in Kulaura upazila at around 11 am said they detained four men and six women and rescued three children from the hideout.
He said the detainees are members of the newly formed militant outfit ‘Imam Mahmud’s Kafela’.
The CTTC chief said they have also recovered 2.5 kg of explosives, 50 detonators, training manual, combat boots, militant books, locally-made sharp weapons, Tk 3,61,000 in cash and ornaments from the hideout.
Asaduzzaman said they had information that a militant outfit had set up a hideout on one of the hills in the district and was recruiting new members.
The CTTC chief said they came to know the name of the mastermind of the militant group from the detainees and drives are now on to nab him.
Read: Training commander of Jamatul Ansar, 8 other militants arrested in Bandarban: RAB
Earlier on Friday night, the CTTC members accompanied by district police cordoned off a building in the village.
Later this morning, the CTTC unit initiated the operation to neutralize any potential risk stemming from the hideout.
Local Union Parishad Chairman Muhibul Islam said the detained suspected militants are residents of other districts and they have been living in the area for the past two months after constructing a house in the remote hilly area.
Read more: Rab DG calls escape of two militants a 'failure'
BNP-AL clash in Moulvibazar: 20 including former BNP MP Naser injured
At least 20 people, including Moulvibazar district BNP President and ex-lawmaker from Moulvibazar-3, M Naser Rahman, were injured in a clash between Awami League and BNP over BNP's human chain programme in Moulvibazar on Saturday.
The injured were treated at various local private clinics.
Foyzul Karim Mayun, former mayor and vice-president of Moulvibazar district BNP, said during the preparations for their human chain in front of Kashinath Alauddin High School and College in the town around 1pm, activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League attacked with indigenous weapons, leaving 15 of their leaders and activists injured.
Syed Rezaul Karim Sumon, former general secretary of District Jubo League, said: "We were holding a peace march from Shaheed Minar as part of the central programme. Suddenly, someone threw a brickbat in the procession igniting the clash."
Later, brickbat pelting started between the two sides.
Five Chhatra League and Jubo League members were also injured in the clash.
Two vehicles were also vandalised during the clash.
Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Sylhet City mayor and central BNP executive member, was the chief guest in the human chain which was organised as a part of BNP's country-wide programme with 10-point demands, including the protest of abnormal increases in electricity price, price hikes of daily necessities, elections under a non-partisan neutral government by abolishing the current parliament and unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the clash under control, said Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabder, additional superintendent of Moulvibazar police.
"Culprits will be identified after watching the video footage and action will be taken against those involved in the clash," he added.
Read more: BNP announces rally in all cities on March 18
Tea workers continue strike for Tk 300-a-day wages
The workers of the country’s 167 tea plantations, including 92 in Moulvibazar, continued their indefinite strike for the 17th day Thursday demanding that they are paid Tk300-a-day wages instead of the current Tk120.
On Thursday afternoon workers from Dewrachara, Premnagar, Majdihi ,Hamidia and some other tea gardens blocked Berir Par intersection of Dhaka-Moulvibazar regional highway and staged rally for around an hour to press for the pay hike.
The workers came to Moulvibazar sadar area from their repective gardens with protest processions, while workers in several other gardens also staged rallies.
Also read: Tea garden workers continue strike in Sylhet
The protesting workers said they will not withdraw their strike they launched on August 9 until the prime minister announces Tk 300 daily pay for them.
However, the district administration and police held meetings with Panchayet committees of the plantations in their continued bid to convince the workers to return to work.
The movement started on August 9, when workers from 241 tea gardens of the country abstained from work for two hours, demanding Tk 300 as daily wages. As their demand was not met, they decided to go on a full-scale strike from August 13.
After holding meetings with tea garden owners and other stakeholders in the past two weeks, the tea workers’ union agreed to resumption of work from Monday and get Tk 120 as wages for the time being, but that was rejected by the general workers.
Also read: Moulvibazar tea workers resume strike defying union leaders’ decision
The ongoing strike is the continuation of the previously declared movement by the tea garden workers.
Moulvibazar tea workers resume strike defying union leaders’ decision
Tea garden workers in Moulvibazar resumed strike Tuesday noon disobeying the decision of the leaders of Bangladesh Tea Workers Union.
Most of the workers in different upazilas joined work Monday morning upon assurance from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to settle the issue. Later, a group of workers brought out a procession abstaining from work at noon for raising their wage to Tk 300 from Tk 120.
Workers said that they didn’t see or hear PM’s directive regarding wage hike on television. “The leaders are asking us to join work in the name of the Prime Minister,” said Aban Tanti of Sreemangal Kalighat tea garden.
Tea workers blocked railway track in School Choumhani area in Kulaura upazila and Moulvibazar-Kulaura regional road around 4 pm today.
The agitated workers stopped the Sylhet-bound ‘Paharika Express’ train, snapping the country’s rail communication with Sylhet for an hour.
Later, they withdrew their blockade after an hour on request of Kulaura Upazila Administration, Municipality Mayor, Kulaura Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC).
Besides, the workers in Lachna area of Sreemangal demonstrated on Dhaka-Moulvibazar road in front of Sreemangal Labor House and in various tea gardens including Maulvi tea garden in Samsher Nagar and Kamalganj upazilas.
Santan Raghav Goala, a worker of Sreemangal Khaichra tea garden, said, “Why did we go on a strike for so long if we have to return to work with the previous wage?”
Dilip Bhuiya of the same garden said they will not return to work until PM’s announcement on fixing daily wage at Tk 300.
Meanwhile, workers in Kulaura, Baralekha, Juri, Rajnagar Kamalganch upazila joined their work at various tea gardens and were seen working in the gardens spontaneously, said Javed Ali, assistant manager of Kulaura Gazipur tea garden.
Bijay Hazra, organising secretary of tea workers union said, “We are joining work. I hope the Prime Minister will consider our demands soon.”
Read:Tea workers: Chasm opens up over 3am deal signed without workers' knowledge
Moulvibazar: Three to hang for war crimes
The International Crimes Tribunal in Moulvibazar on Thursday sentenced three men to death for their involvement in crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
The three-member Tribunal, led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam, handed down the punishment to Abdul Aziz alias Habul, Abdul Mannan alias Monai and Abdul Matin, after holding them guilty of murder, rape, looting, arson, torture and kidnapping. Of them, Matin was tried in absentia.
Also read: Dhaka urges London to repatriate convicted war criminals
Lawyers M Sarwar Hossain and Abdus Sattar Paloyan appeared for the convicts, all residents of the district, while prosecutors Muklesur Rahman Badal and Sabina Yasmin Khan Munni represented the state.
According to the prosecution, the investigation agency of the tribunal started a probe against the three convicts on October 16 in 2014.
On November 14 in 2016, the investigation was completed. On February 29 of that year, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against the three.
Also read: 6 war crimes suspects held in Jashore
Police arrested Abdul Mannan and Abdul Aziz on March 1 of the same year. On the following day, the two were produced before the Tribunal and sent to judicial custody.
In November 2016, the tribunal's investigating agency submitted the chargesheet against the three accused. On May 15 of the year, the tribunal framed charges against them and started the trial.