Sunamganj
Commuters suffer as transport workers enforce strike in Sunamganj
Transport workers in Snamganj have enforced an indefinite strike, demanding a new bus terminal and stopping alleged harassment by police.
The strike began following an announcement by Sunamganj District Workers’ Union on Thursday night, according to which all the long-route buses suspended their operations.
Visiting the old bus terminal of the district, UNB found that all the bus counters were closed. The terminal was deserted as all the buses had been shifted from there, and commuters who had bought advance tickets were getting their money back from the bus operators.
“We don’t have a place to park our buses. The old terminal can’t accommodate the increasing number of buses. We have to park our vehicles beside roads, and we get harassed by the police for this. That’s why we’ve enforced the strike to find a solution,” said Sejaul Kabir, President of the workers’ union.
He said the police often take their buses in the name of handling traffic congestion.
Read: Transport strike in Habiganj rolls into 4th day
Police refuted the allegations.
“Three buses of Hanif, Mamun and Shakil Paribahan are currently in the police lines due to breaking traffic rules and a lack of legal documents. The transport strike enforced by bus operators is unacceptable,” said Mohammad Ehsan Shah, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Sunamganj.
“We’re trying our best so that passengers don’t have to suffer because of the strike,” he said.
Commuters suffer as bus strike underway in Sunamganj
A two-day bus strike enforced by Sunamganj District Transport Owners and Workers’ Association began on Friday morning, causing suffering of the commuters.
As the strike was enfoced ahead of BNP's divisional rally slated for Saturday, the party leaders alleged that the strike was called as per the government's directive to thwart their political programme.
The association leaders said they are observing the strike to realise their four-point demand, which includes withdrawal of tolls on Lamakazi bridge on the Sunamganj-Sylhet road, banning batter-run three-wheelers and unlicensed CNG-run autorickshaws from the highways, banning BRTC buses and renovation and modernization of Sunamganj Bus Terminal.
Read more: Commuters hit as 2-day bus strike begins in Khulna
BNP’s Sylhet divisional rally, slated at the Government Alia Madrasa field in the city, has been plagued with transport strikes called by several organisations.
Habiganj Motor Owners’ group on Thursday called for an indefinite strike on movement of buses, demanding an end to “administrative harassment” and halting illegal three-wheelers.
On the other hand, Sylhet district Workers’ Solidarity Council called a 12-hour strike from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday on movement of all types of vehicles to press home their four-point demands.
Besides, Sylhet district Road Transport Owners’ Association also called a dawn to dusk strike on Saturday in Sylhet on their two-point demand including for not issuing any new license for CNG-run auto rickshaw.
Read more: Day 2 of Khulna strike: Commuters suffer as bus & launch services suspended ahead of BNP rally
Fazlur Rahman, president of Habiganj Motor Owners’ group, at a press conference at Habiganj municipality bus terminal on Thursday claimed that there was no link between their strike and the BNP rally.
One killed in AL infighting in Sunamganj
An activist of Awami League was killed and 40 others were injured in a clash between two factions of the party during its triennial conference in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj district on Monday.
The deceased was identified as Ajmal Hossain Chowdhury, 27, of the upazila.
Saiful Alam, officer-in-charge of Dirai Police Station, said the upazila unit Awami League organised a triennial conference at BADC field around 12:30 pm.
A tense situation has been prevailing in the area over the conference for the last couple of days.
Read more: At least 15 injured in Chhatra League infighting at Dhaka College
Read more: AL infighting leaves 2 dead in Natore
During the conference, two factions of Awami League engaged into a heated argument over failing to take position at the podium set up forr the conference.
Brick chips were hurled and a chase and counter chase took place during the incident.
At one stage, both groups attacked each other, leaving 41 people injured.
Later, police brought the situation under control after dispersing them.
Amir Hossain, an activist of Awami League was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the afternoon.
Sunamganj: 5 get life in prison in attempted rape, rape cases
A Sunamganj court on Thursday sentenced five people to life imprisonment in rape and attempted rape cases.
Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Md Zakir Hossain gave the order during a hearing in the presence of the accused.
The lifers are Anwar Hossain Khokon from Biswambharpur upazila; Shafi Ulla, Saidur Rahman, and Shafiul from Tahirpur upazila and Iqbal Hossain from Chatak upazila.
According to the case complaint, in 2012, Anwar abducted a college student and raped her in the Laurergar area in Tahirpur.
Later Shafi Ullah, Saidur, and Shafiul tied Anwar's hands and legs. They took turns raping the student and filmed it, and posted a video online.
Read: 8 get life term for killing schoolboy in city
The girl later filed a case against 11 people at Tahirpur Police Station. Of them, four were sentenced to life imprisonment Thursday and four others were cleared of charges. The names of the remaining three accused were dropped from the charge sheet as they were not proven guilty in the investigation.
Also, on March 17, 2012, a 13-year-old girl was abducted by Iqbal and Jaynal Abedin from Chatak upazila. The accused raped the girl after taking her to Sylhet, according to the case complaint.The court on Thursday sentenced Jaynal to life term and Iqbal to 14 years in jail.
Lightning kills 2 brothers in Sunamganj
Two brothers died while another sustained injuries after being struck by lightning in Sunamganj district on Tuesday.
The deceased were identified as Khokon Mia and Jhilon Mia, residents of Bekhoijura village in Dharmapasha upazila, said Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Dharmapasha police station.
The tragedy occurred in the morning when the three brothers went to catch fish in Shaldigha Haor on a boat, said locals.
Also read: Patuakhali: Lightning strikes kill two in Galachipa
“Two brothers died on the spot and another was hurt. Locals later recovered the bodies,” said OC Mizanur.
Also read: Lightning strike leaves fisherman dead in Sylhet
Newborn found abandoned at graveyard in Sunamganj
A newborn baby was found abandoned at a graveyard in Ibrahimpur on the outskirts of Sunamganj town on Thursday night.
Hearing the cries of the newborn around 10pm, locals rescued the girl and rushed her to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital.
Taslima Akter, a resident of the area, said, “We heard the cries and found the newborn baby at the graveyard. Later we informed the police and rescued her."
Also read: Baby born on road after accident that kills parents, sister
Local UP member Giash Uddin said he would be more than happy to raise the baby.
"She is being taken care of at the hospital," he said.
Also read: Baby snake killed after bit by 16 months old in Chuadanga
Sunamganj sadar police station assistant sub-inspector Sohel Ahmad said they had informed their higher authorities about the matter.
Two farmers go missing as boat capsizes in Sunamganj haor
Two poultry farmers went missing after their small boat capsized in Chapati haor (back swamp) during a storm in the district's Derai upazila on Wednesday night, police said.
The missing farmers have been identified as Mujibur Rahman, 45, and Anhar Mia, 23, of the upazila.
Read: Missing tourist’s body fished out of Kishoreganj haor
Locals said that three farmers went to Chapati haor on a small engine-driven boat to collect food for ducks on Wednesday afternoon and it capsized during a storm around 9.30pm.
Though locals rescued one of the farmers, Parvez Miah, and rushed him to a nearby hospital in the Kolyarkapan market area, the two others couldn't be traced.
Akram Ali, officer-in-charge of Derai police station, said a team of fire service divers carried out a search and rescue operation till 12 noon on Thursday, but couldn’t find the missing duo.
Flood in Sunamganj: Siblings spend 17 days on a tree
Two siblings spent 17 days on the branches of a tree as flood water washed away their house at Dhalagaon village in Sunamganj.
The ill-fated siblings are Julekha, 22 and Rakib, 13. The orphans used to live in their ancestral home in Shimulbak union under Shantiganj upazila of the district.
Locals said the siblings' parents passed away many years ago.
On June 17, their only small house made from bamboo, and all their belongings were washed away by the flood water. Seeing no means, the orphans took shelter in the branches of a tree and spent 17 days there.
"Those days were horrific. We spent 17 days on a tree at a stretch which was a nightmare for us. Sometimes we had no food. We have spent the days without enough food and pure drinking water with fear," Julekha said, describing their ordeal.
Read: 2,000km of roads damaged in Sunamganj, with losses over Tk 1500-cr
Residents of 13 villages in Sunamganj long for a concrete bridge
Several thousand people of thirteen villages in Doarabazar upazila in Sunamganj district have been going through unspeakable sufferings for years for want of a concrete bridge over the Chelai River at Hasnabahar Bhanga in the upazila.
Every year the residents of the thirteen villages make a makeshift bamboo bridge at their own cost to reach their destinations.
People from all walks of life including farmers, traders and students have to cross the bamboo bridge with goods putting their lives at risk.
Local people claimed that they have informed the matter to the public representatives several times but no visible steps were taken yet as they got only assurances.
Read: 2,000km of roads damaged in Sunamganj, with losses over Tk 1500-cr
People of Sultanpur, Noapara, Hazrat Shahjalal Dakhil Madrasha Rasrai, Freedom Fighter Captain Helal Khasru High School under Surma union, Laxmipur union clinic, Erokhai, Banglabazar, Hasnabahar, Boithakhai, Shah Arefin Bazar, Boithakhai Madrasha, Alipur, Muhibur Rahman Manik High School, Sonapur, Nurpur Bazar area have to use the bamboo bridge to reach the district and upazila headquarters.
The residents of these areas remained neglected for 51 years as the local administration did not pay any attention to the sufferings of the people.
Quamrul Islam, a resident of the upazila, said “Heavy rains have occurred in the upazila for the six months of the year and the roads in the area are in dilapidated condition."
Suffering is common for the residents of the thirteen villages as this is the only way to go to the upazila headquarters, he said.
On many occasions, a number of patients have died before being taken to the hospital due to a lack of better transport and communication system, said Quamrul.
Besides, people from other upazilas of the district feared establishing a relationship with the residents of the upazila for marriage purposes due to the poor condition of communication, he said.
Read: No hustle-bustle: Soul goes missing from Khulna Railway Station
Abdul Malek, general secretary of Boithakhai Shaharfinbazar committee, said residents of three unions—Surma, Laxmipur and Mannargaon---can easily go to the Sadar upazila headquarters and district town if a concrete bridge is built at Hasanbahar Bhanga point of Chelai River.
The farmers of Surma union are the worst sufferers as they have to cross the bamboo bridge risking their lives as the makeshift bridge is on the verge of collapse.
Abdul Kadir, a college student of Alipur village, said they cross the bamboo bridge on their bicycle. "Many students fell into the river with their bicycle," he said.
Rahmat Ali, a trader of Sultanpur village, said it is too difficult to cross the long bamboo bridge with goods.
Abdul Halim, chairman of Surma Union Parishad, said: "We will discuss the matter at our monthly meeting as the people of the union are suffering a lot for want of a concrete bridge at Hasanbahar Bhanga point."
Rashedur Rahman, Doarabazar LGED officer, assured that he will investigate it.
Dewan Al Tanvir Ashrafi, Doarabazar Upazila chairman said steps will be taken soon to mitigate the sufferings of the people.
Lightning kills 2 fishermen in Sunamganj
Two fishermen were killed by a lightning strike in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj on Monday while fishing at Mugrain Haor in Sadar Union.
The deceased were identified as Manik Mia, 28, and Miyasha Mia, 30, residents of Janiyarchar of Sadar union in Bari upazila.
Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Dharmapasha Police Station, the two were struck by lightning while they were fishing in Haor in the early hours of Monday.
Later the locals recovered their bodies and brought them home.
Lightning strikes are one of the deadliest natural disasters in Bangladesh, claiming over 200 lives every year.
Also Read: 12 killed in lightning strikes, a high for the year
At least 216 people die every year on average in lightning strikes, more than by floods, cyclones and other calamities.
More than 70 percent of the total lightning strikes occur between April and June, say, experts.