District
Nilgai dies trying to escape capture by villagers in Thakurgaon
A nilgai, the largest Asian antelope that was thought to be extinct in Bangladesh, was killed Friday while trying to escaping from villagers in Dharmagarh Muktar Basti area of Thakurgaon’s Ranishankail upazila.
Locals identified a nilgai in the area and tried to capture it. They chased it through the village.
At one point the nilgai jumped through the window of an under-construction house where it fell unconscious and soon died.
According to the locals, the nilgai had been seen roaming in the area for several days.
It was given first aid by the local veterinarian but it did not survive.
READ: Can one go unchallenged by killing animals in Bangladesh?
Upon information, acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Pritam Saha went to the spot.
He said the nilgai probably had a panic attack after being chased and died.
“We will talk to the Upazila Livestock and Forestry Department and take necessary legal steps. An autopsy will be done if necessary," he said.
In February, the BGB rescued an injured nilgai from the villagers who had captured it and was preparing to slaughter for its meat in the Baliadangi upazila.
BGB members rescued the nilgai and took it to Kantivita camp where the veterinary surgeon provided necessary treatment.
READ: Bangladesh’s only female Nilgai dies at Ramsagar National Park
Besides, in September 2016, a nilgai was rescued from the side of Jaduar village in Ranishankail upazila of Thakurgaon. Local fishermen saw the nilgai along the Kulik River near Indian border and captured it.
The local administration, in collaboration with the forest department officials, rescued the nilgai and took it to Ramsagar National Park in Dinajpur.
READ: Endangered Nilgai rescued in Naogaon
Khulna sees 11 more Covid-related deaths
Eleven more people have died of Covid-19 at three different hospitals in Khulna district in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Friday.
Of the deceased, 10 were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining exhibited symptoms of the virus.
While eight people died at the dedicated Covid facility of Khulna Medical College and Hospital, two succumbed to Covid at the corona unit of Khulna General Hospital and one at the private Gazi Medical College Hospital.
Also read: Khulna gasps for breath
Khulna Corona Dedicated Hospital's nodal officer Dr Suhas Ranjan Haldar said that a total of 204 people are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Of them, 110 people are getting treatment in the red zone of the hospital, 54 in the yellow zone, 20 in ICU (intensive care unit), and 20 in HDU (high deficiency unit).
On the other hand, as many as 33 new patients have been admitted to the hospital and 27 discharged after recovery since Friday morning.
Kazi Abu Rashed, spokesman for the corona unit of Khulna General Hospital, said that some six people have been admitted to the hospital and eight others discharged after recovery till Friday morning.
Gazi Mizanur Rahman, owner of Gazi Medical College Hospital, said that one died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. Besides, some 109 people are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Of them, nine are in the ICU and 10 in the HDU.
Also read: 13 more die of Covid in Khulna
On Thursday, health authorities recorded the highest single-day death toll of 35 in Khulna division.
Khulna gasps for breath
Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths over the past few weeks, Khulna division is now clamouring for oxygen -- a component key in saving the lives of critical patients.
While few hospitals in Khulna division have already run out of the life-saving gas, many other medical facilities are operating on the edge due to an acute shortage of oxygen.
In the past week, seven breathless Covid-19 patients have died at Satkhira Medical College Hospital in Satkhira district due to the unavailability of oxygen. A probe has been ordered into the deaths on June 30.
Also read: Dire situation at Jhenaidah as infections soar, Covid unit overrun, oxygen to run out in 3 days
In Khulna district, the largest specialised government hospital is overwhelmed by a sudden surge in Covid cases -- it has not only stopped corona testing but is also scrambling for beds and oxygen.
Soaring Covid cases overwhelm hospitals in Sylhet
As newer hot spots of Covid-19 emerged across the country, health authorities in Sylhet said Thursday that 520 more cases were reported in the last 48 hours, causing a shortage of beds in the district’s government and private hospitals.
Also the division is seeing a daily outbreak of over 200 Covid cases for the last three days, said the district health department.
As of Thursday morning, 7 more people died of Covid in the district while 199 reported contracting it in 24 hours.
ICU beds in the Sylhet hospitals also got fully occupied, raising a health service scare for the authorities.
Sylhet Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed District Hospital, a Covid-19 dedicated hospital with 90-beds had to admit 91 patients as of Wednesday afternoon.
Also read: Alarming Covid fatalities in Bangladesh; highest-ever 143 single-day deaths reported
Of them, 43 were Covid positive while 48 were admitted with symptoms, said the hospital authority.
Kushtia records its highest daily caseload
Kushtia logged 324 fresh Covid cases in the past 24 hours till Thursday morning, the district's highest single-day spike this year.
"A total of 830 samples were tested during the period," said Dr MA Momen, administrator of Kushtia General Hospital.
Read:Kushtia hospital sees 8 new Covid deaths
The positivity rate currently stands at 39.03%, which was 28.42% a day before.
Besides, eight more Covid-related deaths were recorded at Kushtia General Hospital on Thursday morning for the third consecutive day.
Of the deceased, six were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining two showed symptoms of the virus, said Dr MA Momen, administrator of Kushtia General Hospital.
Read: Covid-19 claims 9 more lives in Kushtia
Moreover, a total of 219 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital with Covid symptoms.
So far, 8,050 people have contracted Covid in the district, while the death toll from the virus currently stands at 211. A total of 5,535 people have recovered to date.
Floods arrive plunging Sylhet division into chaos and misery
Low-lying areas in Sylhet, Sherpur and Sunamganj districts have been flooded due to downhill onrush of water and heavy rainfall for the last couple of days, causing immense sufferings to local people.
In Sylhet, many parts of roads, houses, seedbeds and schools in Goainghat, Jointapur and Companiganj upazilas went under water due to the flash floods.
Read:Flash flood inundates low-lying areas in 2 Sylhet upazilas
Rivers were flowing above their danger level, leaving several hundred people of the three upazilas marooned. Road communication with many villages remained snapped while people were suffering from acute shortage of pure drinking water.
Around 10,000 people in haor area of Goainghat upazila have been living under water in the past three days. In some areas, people were seen using boats for commuting.
In Jointapur upazila, the Sari and Boro Noyanga rivers were flowing 59 cm above the danger level, rendering hundreds of people marooned.
In Sherpur, the low-lying areas of the district also flooded due to the heavy rains and onrush of hill water.
Read: Dhaka wakes up to flooded roads
Besides, the waters of Bhogai, Chellakhali, Someshwari, Moharashi were flowing above the danger marks.
The Jhenaigati bazar and Upazila Parishad premises were submerged. People have been forced to live indoors as all the low-lying areas were flooded.
The Shimultoli embankment along Bhogai river has been damaged, inundating many areas including Madhyabazar in municipality, Jailkhana Road, Uttar Garkanda, Nalitabari union.
Alamgir Hossain, an official of Chellakhali Water Development Board, said “I have not seen such rains in the past few years.”
The fish enclosures in Jhenaigati upazila have been washed away. In many areas, people have to wade through knee-deep water.
Read: Cyclone Yaas: Low-lying districts flooded as water level rises
In Sunamganj, road communication on Tahirpur-Bishwambhorpur-Sunamganj road in Bishwambharpur upazila remained suspended as the road went under water.
The water level of Jadukata river has increased in the past 24 hours, worsening the flood situation.
Some 30,000 people have been marooned while a vast tract of cropland was submerged, with aman seedbeds inundated.
10 more Covid patients die in Khulna
Ten more people have died of Covid-19 at three different hospitals in Khulna in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Thursday.
While eight persons died at the dedicated Covid facility of Khulna Medical College, one each succumbed to Covid at the corona unit of Khulna General Hospital and the private Gazi Medical College Hospital.
Read: 13 more die of Covid in Khulna - Dhaka
Khulna Corona Dedicated Hospital's nodal person Dr Suhas Ranjan Haldar said a total of 198 people are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Of them, 105 people are getting treatment in the red zone of the hospital, 45 in the yellow zone, 20 in ICU (intensive care unit), and 20 in HDU (high deficiency unit),
On the other hand, as many as 33 new patients have been admitted to the hospital and 34 discharged after recovery since Tuesday morning.
Read: Alarming Covid surge in Khulna division; death toll crosses 1,000
Kazi Abu Rashed, spokesman for the corona unit of Khulna General Hospital, said that some 12 people have been admitted to the hospital and six discharged after recovery till Thursday morning.
Gazi Mizanur Rahman, owner of Gazi Medical College Hospital, said that one died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. Besides, 95 people are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Of them, nine are getting treatment in ICU and ten in HDU.
2 killed, 15 injured in clash between AL and BNP supporters
Two people were killed and 15 others injured on Wednesday in a clash between Awami League and BNP supporters over a land dispute in Daspukur area of Rajshahi, police and hospital sources said.
The deceased were identified as Shafiqul Islam, 50, son of Sazdar Ali and Joynal Abedin, 45, son of Giash Uddin.
Also read: 1 killed, 9 injured in Patuakhali clash
According to sources, the clash erupted over a long standing feud between rival supporters of two local leaders of the parties.
The injured have been admitted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) of whom conditions of five were stated to be critical, reported our local correspondent citing RMCH sources.
Also read: JCD activists clash with police in capital, Mymensingh
Majharul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rajpara Police confirmed the incident to UNB.
Additional forces have been deployed to prevent further clashes, he said.
13 more die of Covid in Khulna
Thirteen more people have died of Covid-19 at three different hospitals in Khulna in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Wednesday.
While two persons died at the dedicated Covid facility of Khulna Medical College, three succumbed to Covid at the corona unit of Khulna General Hospital and the remaining eight passed away at the private Gazi Medical College Hospital.
Read: Khulna Division sees highest daily death toll of 32 in single day
Khulna Corona Dedicated Hospital's nodal person Dr Suhas Ranjan Haldar said that the two persons died in the red zone of the hospital in the past 24 hours.
On the other hand, as many as 44 new patients have been admitted to the hospital and 28 discharged after recovery since Tuesday morning.
Read: 28 more Covid deaths recorded in a day in Khulna
A total of 201 people are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Gazi Mizanur Rahman, owner of Gazi Medical College Hospital, said that eight people died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. Besides, 85 people are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
50-yr-old held for raping minor in Magura
A 50-year-old man has been arrested in Sreepur upazila for allegedly raping a minor girl more than a week ago, police said on Wednesday.
The accused has been identified as Abdul Hai, son of Abdul Hakim Sheikh, a neighbour of the rape survivor.
Read:5-year old murdered after rape in CTG; 4 held
Shukhdev Roy, officer-in-charge of Sreepur Police Station, said the seven-year-old girl was alone at her home on the day of the crime. "Abdul forced himself on the girl but fled after she started screaming in pain."
Later, the girl narrated her ordeal to her mother when she returned home. The child was admitted to Upazila Health Complex after she fell sick but was immediately sent her to Magura for better treatment.
The girl's father subsequently filed a complaint against the accused at Sreepur police station. Based on the complaint, police lodged an FIR for rape and arrested the accused. "He was produced in a court and sent to judicial custody," the OC said.
Bangladesh's rape epidemic
Sexual assaults on women continue unabated in Bangladesh, despite the government introducing death penalty for rapes last year.
Read:Child rape and murder case accused arrested in Rangpur
A police headquarters report, released recently, said that 26,695 rape cases were filed across the country in the past five years.
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases had been filed. Also, 116 survivors were six years old or below.
Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the women were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, as per the data.
However, ASK's data is just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape.
In October 2020, the country was rocked by protests after a woman was allegedly attacked and raped in Noakhali.
Read: Out on joyride, woman raped by six on moving bus in Chattogram
In November last year, Bangladesh introduced capital punishment for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across the country.
But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, as the survivors of the heinous crime are often stigmatised in the society.