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Prime accused in Cumilla journo murder case killed in 'gunfight’ with Rab
The prime accused in the murder of a local journalist was killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Adarsha Sadar upazila of Cumilla early Sunday.
The deceased were identified as Md Raju, son of Sadek Mia of Bishnupur village in Cumilla Adarsha Sadar upazila.
Tipped off, a team of Rab-11 conducted a drive in the area to arrest Raju at Golabari around 2 am, said Major Mohammad Sakib Hossain, company commander of Rab-11.
Sensing the presence of the elite force members, he opened fire on Rab, forcing them to fire back, he said.
At one stage, Raju was caught in the line of fire and sustained injuries.
READ: 4 killed in gunfight between unidentified groups in Bandarban: Police
Later, he was taken to Cumilla Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Mohiuddin Sarker Naim, a staff reporter of local newspaper 'Cumillar Dak', was shot dead by suspected drug peddlers along Hayderabadnagar border in the upazila on Wednesday night.
On Thursday, a murder case was filed at the Burichang police station on a complaint from the deceased journalist’s mother Najma Akter.
Md Raju, 24, wanted in several narcotics cases, was named as the main accused in the case filed against nine people including three unnamed ones.
On April 15, police arrested four accused.
Darshana-Daulatganj land port projects left in the lurch
Despite having huge prospects, two land ports of Chuadanga district remain neglected for years following their upgrade from customs stations.
Darshana Land Port and Daulatganj Land Port are situated in Damurhuda and Jibannagar upazila respectively, in the western part of the country.
According to the Bangladesh Land Port Authority, Darshana and Daulatganj land customs stations were declared land ports on January 12, 2002, and July 31, 2013, respectively, to facilitate import and export with the neighbouring country India.
But these two land ports are still not operational several years later due to reluctance on the part of the authorities concerned.
At present import-export activities are partially done through the Darshana customs station by railway. Goods transport is still a far cry from the land port.
Chuadanga district administration said the distance from Dhaka to Kolkata will be reduced by around 70 kilometres after the launching of these two land ports. These two land ports will also decrease the journey time with capital Dhaka by 2-3 hours compared to the Benapole Land Port.
If distance and time decrease, businessmen will transport their goods through these two ports. So, it will be easier, faster, and cheaper to import goods from India through this port.
As a result, the government can earn more revenue compared to other land ports in the country.
Proponents claim it will be possible to unload at least 200 trucks of goods daily through Darshana and Daulatganj Land Ports. As a result, these two ports will decrease financial losses to the importers due to traffic chaos at Benapole port by releasing pressure on it.
Yakub Hossain Malik, president of Chuadanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said if the two ports are made operational for trade, a new horizon will open in business in the district.
“Businessmen from all over the country will come here to import goods from India and change the financial scenario of Chuadanga,” he said.
READ: Fake Covid-negative certificates from govt's screening booth at Darshana checkpost
Darshana land port is located on the Darshana border. Gede border under Krishnanagar subdivision of India’s West Bengal is situated opposite the port. The route of this port is the Darshana-Gede railway link and road.
The distance from Dhaka to Darshana land port is about 258 kilometres. This land port is well connected to Dhaka and other parts of the country by road and rail. So, once the port is launched, goods transportation will be easy through this port.
Bangladesh Land Port Authority Chairman Md Alamgir visited Darshana Land Port on March 22, this year. After visiting the port, he briefed journalists saying Darshana port will get its full-fledged shape within the next two years. His organisation will take necessary measures for land acquisition and infrastructural development of the port.
“Whenever we come here, we talk to the Indian land port authority. They want to know how much progress we have made to open the port. We received the approval letter of this port in 2004. Since then, we have closely been working taking opinions from both sides of India and Bangladesh,” he said.
On December 13, 2021, Indian Land Port Authority Chairman and Border Management Secretary N N Sinha visited the Darshana-Gede area. His Bangladesh counterpart had also visited the spot at the same time.
Later, a delegation led by National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Zakia Sultana studied the feasibility of 450 bighas land acquisition for the port. After completing the land acquisition process, all necessary port infrastructures including a truck terminal, rail yard shed, warehouse, and the residential area will be constructed.
Aminul Islam Khan, the deputy commissioner of Chuadanga, said, “Darshana Land Port is under process. We will inform concerned ministries in black and white to complete the rest of the works of the port.”
BPDB to incur over Tk 30,000 cr loss if bulk power tariff not raised
The state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will incur an annual loss of Tk 30,251.8 crore if the bulk power tariff is not raised.
Such a claim was made in a proposal placed by the BPDB to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), appealing to raise the bulk power tariff in order to offset its loss.
Responding to the appeal, the energy regulator decided to hold a public hearing on May 18 as per the BERC Act 2003.
In the proposal, the BPDB also claimed that it will require approximately Tk 74,189 crore to generate 88,993 million units of electricity in the calendar year 2022.
“The bulk power tariff needs to be readjusted considering the possible hike in gas tariff. The BPDB is expecting an income of Tk 43,937.2 crore. So, the gap between income and expenditure will be Tk 30,251.8 crore," said the BPDB in the proposal.
It attributed blamed increasing fuel costs and other soaring expenses for its losses, saying that the production cost of electricity has gone up to Tk 4.24 per unit in 2022 from Tk 2.13 in the fiscal year 2019-20.
The state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board moved the proposal a few months back urging the energy regulator to set the bulk power tariff at Tk8.58 instead of the existing Tk 5.17 per kilowatt-hour.
Irregularities in maintenance of haor dams irk Agriculture Minister
Maintenance of the protection dams in haor region in Sunamganj does not meet expectation and the Prime Minister will informed of the irregularities, said Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque on Saturday.
He came up with the remarks after visiting Chapti Haor in Derai upazila of Sunamganj.
Also read: Flash floods damage crops worth Tk 100 crore in Sunamganj haors
He said, “We are evaluating the regulations that are followed to maintain the dams. Necessary steps will be taken soon to make the regulations more stringent to protect the dams properly.”
Farmers who have incurred losses due to untimely flood will be provided with free seeds and fertilizers next year, he said.
Historic Mujibnagar day on Sunday
The historic Mujibnagar Day will be observed on Sunday, marking the formation of Bangladesh's first government that led the Liberation War in 1971.
The day will begin with hoisting the national flag and placing wreaths at Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial center at 9 am in Meherpur.
Later freedom fighters, members of police force, BGB, Ansar, VDP, BNCC, scouts, girls guide, and students will participate in a gorgeous parade at the mango orchard of Mujibnagar.
This year, the government declared the day as a public holiday at Mujibnagar upazila in Meherpur district.
On the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages.
President Abdul Hamid urged the people of the country to perform their respective responsibilities in building the nation inspired by the spirit of the Liberation War on the eve of Mujibnagar Day.
“Through the celebration of the historic Mujibnagar Day, the present generation will be able to know the true history of the Liberation War and contribute to building ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu being inspired by patriotism,” he said.
The Prime Minister called upon all to uphold the great ideals of the Father of the Nation and the spirit of the Liberation War on the 51st anniversary of Mujibnagar Day.
“Let us work together to build the hunger-poverty-free and prosperous 'Golden Bangladesh' as dreamt by the Father of the Nation by resisting all immediate conspiracies” she said in her message.
Different socio-cultural and political organisations will observe the day with elaborate programmes.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private radio and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Similar programmes at district, upazila level, and Bangladesh embassies in different countries will be arranged to highlight the significance of the Independence Day.
Senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala, a mango orchard, which was later named as Mujibnagar, in Meherpur district on April 17, 1971 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh in the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was arrested and flown to Pakistan after Pakistan military had cracked down on the Bangalees on the night of March 25, 1971.
Bangabandhu was declared the first President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while Vice-president Syed Nazrul Islam became the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first Prime Minister, while Khandoker Moshtaque Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were named cabinet members.
Youth commits suicide by jumping into Hatirjheel lake
A 24-year-old youth committed suicide by jumping into the lake of Hatirjheel after an altercation with his girlfriend, police said.The deceased was identified as Bozlu Miraj Chowdhury alias Raj, son of late B Zaman Chowdhury hailing from capital's Mirpur, section 12.
Also read: Attempted rape victim commits suicide in Bogura: 2 arrestedQuoting the deceased's mother Sheikh Nadira Begum, Sub Inspector (SI) Md. Karibel Hasan, said Raj jumped into the water from Hatirjheel Bridge on Friday at midnight and drowned.Later police recovered the body and sent it to the Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy. Raj had a love affair with Nur Mirza Akhter Barsha Jeris.
Also read: Man attempts suicide at Chattogram courtroomAccording to family sources, Raj killed himself following complications over his love affair with the girl.
DU student allegedly thrashed by Jagannath Hall Chhatra League leader
A fourth-year student of Dhaka University was allegedly beaten up by Jagannath Hall Chhatra League general secretary Otonu Bormon and his followers on Thursday night.
The victim student is Rakibul Hasan Sajib, student of Institute of Social Welfare and Research and resident of university’s Haji Muhammad Muhsin hall.
Injured Rakibul Hasan Sajib said he was returning to his hall around 11pm on Thursday and as he reached in front of Udayan Higher Secondary School, Otonu Barman and his followers, who were on motorcycles, came in front of his motorcycle from the opposite side.
They locked in an altercation as Sajib asked them to stop fearing they could have faced an accident.
"At one point of the argument, a group of 20 to 25 followers of Otonu Bormon started hitting me even though I identified myself as a student of the university," he further said.
Later, two of Sajib’s friends came and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for primary treatment.
When asked about the incident, Otonu Bormon said no such incident happened.
Read: Padma Bridge to be opened to traffic in June, Quader says again
He said, "However, when we were passing Shadhinota Songram point, a motorcycle suddenly appeared in front of us from the wrong direction. Then I asked the rider the reason for driving through the wrong side of the road."
"The matter was resolved immediately when he apologized for his mistake. We didn't beat him or assault him physically," Otonu added.
DU Proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani told UNB, “I have talked with the injured student and asked him to lodge a written complaint with evidence for his allegations.”
Meanwhile, Jagannath Hall provost Professor Dr. Mihir Lal Saha said as the incident occurred outside the hall the university authority will look into it.
Padma Bridge to be opened to traffic in June, Quader reiterates
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday again said the Padma Bridge will be inaugurated in June this year.
“The Padma Bridge will be inaugurated in June this year. The construction of the Padma Bridge has been implemented with cent percent honesty, “ he said.
Read: US report unveils genuine scenario of Bangladesh's judiciary, elections, HR situation: BNP
Quader made the remarks at programme of distributing Iftar items among orphans, physically challenged and helpless people, and financial assistance to the cancer patients.
The social welfare sub-committee of the ruling party organised the programme at Bangabandhu Avenue 23 in the city’s Gulistan area.
The Padma Bridge is being constructed without any foreign loans, he also said.
He said Bangladesh has never been in loan defaulter during the tenure of the present government while the country experienced the situation of defaulting loans several times during the past governments.
Read: BNP urges judiciary to work impartially, independently
Regarding the upcoming national election, the AL general secretary said that elections will be held in Bangladesh like other democracies of the world.
He further said that the election will be held under the Election Commission and the government will only cooperate with the Election Commission.
Quader hoped that the BNP will join the next national election at the eleventh hour.
Awami League Organizing Secretary Ahmed Hossain, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Education and Human Resources Secretary Shamsunnahar Champa, Central Executive Committee Member Advocate Sanjida Khanam, and other speakers also spoke on the occasion.
Later, the leaders distributed Iftar items among the orphans, people with disability, and other helpless people and provided financial assistance to the relatives of the cancer patients.
Bangladesh logs 51 Covid cases, no death
Bangladesh logged 51 fresh Covid cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning, taking the total caseload to 19,52,275.
As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,124 as no deaths were reported during the period.
The daily positivity rate increased to 1.28 per cent from Friday's 0.64 per cent f after testing 3,994 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: It’s not over: COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in US
On Friday, the number of infections was lower as 27 new cases were reported with no death.
Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
The recovery rate rose to 96.84 per cent with the recovery of 252 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
Among the 85 deaths during the period, 44 were unvaccinated patients, 11 were vaccinated with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, 28 with the second dose and two with the third dose.
The country reported its first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year, along with 178 infections, since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest daily positivity rate at 33.37 per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 503 million
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
2 killed in Ctg road accidents
Two motorcyclists were killed in separate road accidents in Chattogram on Saturday.
In Sitakundu upazila, Mohammad Titu, 25, was hit by a lorry in front of Kashem Jute Mills in Sonaichhari union of the upazila around 10 am on Saturday, police said. He died on the spot.
The deceased was a resident of of Shitalpur Delipara area of Sitakunda and was involved in the ship breaking business.
Another young man named Robin Ahmed, 35, was killed as a truck collided with his motorcycle in front of Patia Upazila Health Complex at around 3.30 am. He was a resident of Patharghata area, police said.
READ: Road accidents claim 166 lives, Covid 85 in Bangladesh in March: BHRC
Inspector (Investigation) Sadiqur Rahman of Chittagong Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) police outpost said Robin was brought to CMCH with serious injuries after a head-on collision between his motorcycle and a truck in front of Patia Upazila Health Complex.
The doctor on duty of the emergency department declared him dead.