United News of Bangladesh

The Department of Environment (DoE) in Barishal has declared three areas of Barishal City as ‘Silent Zones’, aiming to raise awareness about sound pollution. The areas are Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Sadar Hospital and Shaheed Advocate Abdur Rab Serniabat Law College premises. On Thursday, the DoE launched a campaign in the three areas under a coordinated and participatory project to control sound pollution. According to the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006, no horn should be allowed in a ‘silent zone’. People can suffer from noise-induced hearing loss, and an exposure to loud noise can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances and stress. Rafiqul Alam, coordinator of Bangladesh Paribesh Bachao Andolon (BAPA), who took part in thecampaign, said, “They’ve taken steps to make people aware of the impacts of noise pollution in the first phase, and strict action will be taken against those involved in violating the law in the second phase.”   Those who will violate the law for the first time will be fined with Tk 5,000 and they will face six months’ jail and Tk 10,000 fine as penalty for its violation for the second time, said Tota Mia, assistant director of Barishal DoE. Noise pollution, considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health andwell-being, has become an increasingly big issue in big cities. People are often becoming the source of indoor and outdoor noise pollution without being aware of it.   From traffic noise to loud or inescapable sound from construction sites and social and political programmes, sound pollution is affecting millions of people every day.

Three people were killed when a speeding truck rammed their cycle rickshaw on Cumilla-Sylhet regional highway early on Saturday morning. The accident occurred around 6am inMainamati union of Burichang upazila. The victims were all occupants of the rickshaw. Police said the truck coming from Sylhet hit the rickshaw from behind near the office of the Mainamati Union Parishad. The impact of the crash was such that the rickshaw puller and two passengers dead on the spot. READ: 3 killed as microbus hits bike in Pabna Two of the deceased were identified as rickshaw puller Ismail Hossain Sagar of Daklapara village, and passenger Abdul Ahad, a resident of Sahapur area in Juri upazila of Habiganj district. However, the identity of the third deceased could not be known yet. Mainamati Highway Police have arrested three people, including the driver and the helper of the truck, in connection with the accident and sent the bodies for post-mortem. Road accidents in Bangladesh Road accidents are common in Bangladesh and have been a major cause of deaths. During the last Eid-ul-Fitr holiday rush, road accidents claimed 323 lives in just 15 days, according to Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti, a human rights body. Besides, 513 people, including 63 children, were killed and 598 injured in 409 road accidents across the country in March, the Road Safety Foundation said on April 5. According to the NGO, 147 lives were lost in 138 two-wheeler accidents, which is 28.65% of the total deaths. READ: Motorcyclists killed in head-on collision with train In a report released in February 2020, the World Bank pointed out that Bangladesh should invest an estimated $7.8 billion over the next decade to halve its road crash fatalities. The report attributed the high death rate on Bangladesh’s roads to lack of investments in systemic, targeted, and sustained road safety programmes.

Two persons were killed and another one sustained injuries after being struck by lightning at Karaibarishal in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram district on Friday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Jhangir Alam, 30, son of Tamsher Ali, and Al Amin, both residents of the upazila. Abu Taleb Sarkar, chairman of Ashtamir Char in the upazila, said that lightning struck the three when they were washing rotten jute in a water body in the area around 3 pm. READ: 2 killed by lightning strike in Manikganj "While Jhangir and Tamsher died on the spot, Samad sustained injuries and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment," he added. Lightning in Bangladesh Lightning strike has turned into one of the deadliest natural disasters in Bangladesh, claiming over 200 lives every year. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 2,164 people died in lightning strikes in the country from 2011 to 2020.  At least 216 people die every year on an average in lightning strikes, more than by floods, cyclones and other natural calamities.  READ: 2 Rohingyas killed by lightning strike in Cox’s Bazar Experts say that about 70 percent of the total lightning strikes usually occur between April and June, and advise everyone to move with caution during this time.

Thousands of loom factories in flood prone areas of Sirajganj have incurred huge losses due to flood this monsoon season. Many factories have been submerged and  lots of raw materials were ruined due to floodwater. At the same time, hundreds of loom workers lost their jobs and now are living in inhumane conditions. Weaving products are made in about 5 lakh powerloom and handloom machines in  Sirajganj. But as most of the factories have sunk under flood water in Shahjadpur, Belkuchi, Chowhali, Enayetpur, Kazipur and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas, all industrial operations are at a standstill for a long period of time. Although the water level in the Jamuna river is decreasing, most of these factories still remain underwater,  which means there is still no signs of light at the end of the tunnel for people whose fate is intertwined with it. The exact amount of the loss is yet to be calculated, but our correspondent reports that thousands of looms have been wasted due to floodwater. Besides, raw materials including cotton, silk, wool linen, yarns, handlooms and other materials required for manufacturing have all been damaged in most of these places. Owners and employees of the loom factories or at least what remains of these factories demanded incentives from the government so that they can turn the wheel of their fortunes once again. When contacted, the deputy commissioner of Sirajganj Dr Faruk Ahmed said that disaster relief and food aid have been provided to the flood-affected people. Regarding the helplessness of people related to the loom industries, he added that they have asked  for compensation and incentives from the concerned ministry.

More than 2,000 hectares of cropland have been submerged underwater in the past 25 days due to flood in Faridpur, according to the district's Agriculture Extension Department. Of them 1,007 hectares are of Aus paddy, 76  hectares of different vegetables, 50 hectares of chilli, 26 hectares of Banana orchard and many more. Partha Pratim Saha, Executive Engineer, Faridpur Water Development Board told UNB that although water levels in the Padma have been decreasing for the last 4-5 days, it is still well above the danger level meaning that the situation still has to improve further. Lands of the three unions of Faridpur Sadar, three UPs of Charbhadrasan upazila,two UPs of Sadarpur upazila, two UPs of Madhukhali upazila, two UPs of Bhanga Upazila and three UPs of Alfadanga upazila have been the hardest hit in the food. Chairman of North Channel Union of Faridpur Sadar Upazila Mostakuzzaman said most of  the aus paddy and vegetable fields of his area have been ruined due to flood. The Agriculture Extension Department is still in the process of calculating the exact loss incurred, he added. Similar statements were given by all  the local representatives and farmers of the affected areas. They demanded incentives from the government to make up for their loss. Looking on the bright side, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Extension Department in Faridpur Hazrat Ali said that although it is true that many cultivable lands have gone underwater, another perspective of the event is planting will be very good once the water receded. He too confirmed that above 2000 hectares of land have been submerged  so far. He also added that free seeds will be provided as compensation to the farmers. Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Atul Sarkar told UNB that the government is already providing incentives to the farmers at a minimum interest rate. In addition, a list of  affected farmers will be made and they will be taken care of accordingly.

The 70-year-old mother has no place in her son's house, who owns five huge houses and assets worth crores of taka. Besides, she has also alleged of being locked in a room for almost a year at the house in Jalalabad residential area of Sylhet. Even after being injured in the accident and admitted to the hospital, it were  the police who had to take the responsibility of the old mother. Shukura Begum, wife of late Zoahid Ali of Chapnagar area of Kanaighat upazila, narrated her miseries in tears.  Shakura's son Siraj Uddin Chowdhury used to trade perfume abroad. He owns two houses in Sylhet city and three houses in Kanaighat village. In all, he owns a total of five houses and gets a lot of money every month, said the woman. Visiting MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital on Thursday noon, UNB correspondent saw Shukura  undergoing treatment under the supervision of Md Johnny, Sylhet District Police's member in charge of the hospital. Police member Johnny said ailing  Shukura was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. He had been taking care of the elderly woman like his own mother since Thursday morning on the instructions of the OC of Kanaighat Police Station. Seriously injured Shukura Begum is unable to speak properly. However, she alleged her daughter-in-law kicked Shukura out of the house on Monday night. And she doesn't want to return home. She said, "They used to keep me locked in a room. Whenever I went to talk to them, they used to shout at me." Meanwhile, Sanzida Sultana, the granddaughter from Shakura's daughter, said Shakura Begum left for her father's house in Kanaighat Upazila on Tuesday morning after spending the night begging on the streets of the city. On the way, she was hit in the head in a road accident and got her left leg broken. Being informed, Shukuraz*s nephew Tajul Islam rescued her with the help of locals and admitted her to MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital in Sylhet. Sanzida further said that despite receiving the news of the accident, neither her uncle nor any of her family members came to see her. And so, Sanzida lodged a complaint with Kanaighat police station. "After my grandfather's death, my grandmother used to live at that house. My grandfather possessed a lot of property. And my mother and uncle Siraj Uddin Chowdhury are their children. In the meantime my mother died," said the granddaughter. On the other hand, when the accused son was called on his mobile to contact him, it was found switched off. Later, when contacted, his wife Renu Begum said there is no point in suing, or doing anything else. She said, "We went to see her. I also gave money for treatment. We are taking all the responsibility. Why is anyone else having a headache here?" In this regard, Tajul Islam, Officer-in-charge (OC) of Kanaighat Police Station, said, "It is very sad incident. But after receiving my phone call, the son came to see the old mother once." However, if necessary, legal action will be taken against the son, the OC added.

The hanging body of a female college student was recovered at Pashcimtora village in Thakurgaon. The deceased was identified as Shahanara alias Shathi, 17, a first- year student of Government Moslemuddin College. Shathi’s father, Ainul Haque, said his daughter went to her bedroom after having dinner on Thursday night as usual. As she  did not wake up in the morning, they broke open the door and found her body hanging from the ceiling, Ainul said. Officer-in-charge of Haripur police station Aurangzeb said they recovered body once they were informed. The body was buried without autopsy as the family had not filed any complaint, he said.

Two women died and seven went missing Thursday as an overloaded boat tilted a few yards away from the embankment on the River Jamuna in Sirajganj's Chauhali.  The deceased were identified as Jhilimin Begum,60, from Jamalpur and Ful Begum,50, from Dewanganj, said Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Enayetpur Police Station of the area. READ: Woman goes missing in Meghna trawler capsize The accident occurred when the engine-driven boat, carrying around 80 passengers, was heading towards Enayetpur's Darbar Sharif from Jamalpur. As the boat tilted near Enayetpur after getting caught in strong currents and high tides, around 15 passengers fell into the river, and only some of them managed to swim ashore. READ: 20 die as trawler capsizes in Brahmanbaria; many more still missing "Two bodies were recovered from the river and kept at Darbar Sharif. Mohammad Lalan, who got injured in the accident, is now undergoing treatment at Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College and Hospital," Anisur said. Belkuchi Fire Service Station has continued the rescue operation, and divers from Rajshahi will join them, the OC added.

An 11- year old madrasa girl was hospitalized on Thursday, two days after she was allegedly raped in Amnagan area of Chattogram, her family said. Even though the alleged sexual assault took place on Tuesday she was brought to one stop crisis centre of Chattogram Medical College and Hospital after she fell  ill. The alleged perpetrator was identified as Md Rubel, 26. Read: 'Only mindset change can eradicate rape culture in Bangladesh' According to sources, Rubel lured the girl to his home promising food when she was playing on the ground of Railway Colony. He then raped her at his home. Later, he threatened further harm if the girl was to disclose the incident which stopped her from sharing the crime. But as her condition deteriorated, she had to be admitted to CMCH by her family members. It is where the girl shared with others what happened to her. Read: Woman kidnapped from Dhaka kitchen market, raped by 3 When contacted, the officer-in charge of Khulshi Police Station Md Shahinuzzaman said that they have also heard of a similar incident. “We will dig into the matter further once we receive an official complaint from the family members,” he added..

A youth  was killed and two others were injured as a  train hit them at Sitakundu rail station in Chattogram on Thursday morning. The deceased was identified as Mahbub, 20, son of Mohammad Dulal Miah of Sirajdikhan Madhyarchar Haskandi area in Munshiganj. Mahbub along with some of his friends came to visit Sitakundu from Dhaka. Also read: Moulvibazar train collision: Death toll rises to three Tofazzal Hossain, in-charge of Sitakundu Railway Police Outpost, when the youths were trying to get down from the mail train the station Subarna Express train from Chittagong, which was entering the station at the same time , hit them, leaving Mahbub dead on the spot . The injured were taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital. Also read: Sitakunda: Train crashes into pickup truck; no casualties reported