Panchagarh.info - Recent News and Events

News and Events of Panchagarh in 2010

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June 19, 2010 – Prothom Alo

June 16, 2010 – Karatoa

June 16, 2010 – Janakantha

June 14, 2010 – Amar Desh

June 2, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

June 2, 2010 – Karatoa

May 31, 2010 – Prothom Alo

May 30, 2010 – Prothom Alo

May 30, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

May 28, 2010 – Karatoa

May 23, 2010 – Karatoa

May 22, 2010 – Karatoa

May 13, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

May 13, 2010 – Janakantha

May 12, 2010 – Sangbad

May 9, 2010 – Prothom Alo

May 8, 2010 – Prothom Alo

May 7, 2010 – Prothom Alo

May 6, 2010 – Karatoa

May 5, 2010 – Prothom Alo

May 5, 2010 – Karatoa

May 5, 2010 – Janakantha

May 3, 2010 – Prothom Alo

May 3, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 30, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 30, 2010 – Sangbad

Apr 28, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 28, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Apr 27, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 27, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Apr 24, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Apr 24, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 24, 2010 – Jai Jai Din

Apr 23, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 23, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Apr 21, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Apr 20, 2010 – Ittefaq

Apr 19, 2010 – Ittefaq

Apr 18, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Apr 17, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 17, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Apr 16, 2010 – Kaler Kantha

Apr 16, 2010 – Jai Jai Din

Apr 13, 2010 – Kaler Kantha

Apr 12, 2010 – Ittefaq

Apr 11, 2010 – Kaler Kantho

Apr 10, 2010 – Ittefaq

Apr 10, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Apr 9, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Apr 9, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 9, 2010 – Janakantha

Apr 8, 2010 – Ittefaq

Apr 8, 2010 – Sangbad

Apr 8, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 7, 2010 – BDNews24

Apr 4, 2010 – Janakantha

Apr 4, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Apr 3, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Apr 3, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 3, 2010 – Sangbad

Apr 1, 2010 – Jaijaidin

Apr 1, 2010 – Karatoa

Apr 1, 2010 – Ittefaq

Mar 31, 2010 – Ittefaq

Mar 31, 2010 – Karatoa

Mar 30, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Mar 28, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Mar 21, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Mar 17, 2010 – Sangbad

Mar 17, 2010 – Janakantha

Mar 16, 2010 – Janakantha

Mar 16, 2010 – Ittefaq

Mar 15, 2010 – Ittefaq

Mar 15, 2010 – Karatoa

Mar 15, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Mar 14, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Mar 14, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Mar 13, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Mar 12, 2010 – Jugantor

Mar 11, 2010 – Ittefaq

Mar 11, 2010 – Sangbad

Mar 10, 2010 – Jai Jai Din

Mar 10, 2010 – Janakantha

Mar 10, 2010 – Jugantor

Mar 10, 2010 – Ittefaq

Mar 10, 2010 – Karatoa

Mar 09, 2010 – Janakantha

Mar 09, 2010 – Panchagarh emerges as third largest tea producing zone – New Nation

Panchagarh has emerged as the third largest tea producing zone in the country, next to Sylhet and Chittagong, as it has started exporting the crop to the foreign countries. Bangladesh earns around Tk 120 million by exporting tea leaf grown in 19 tea estates of the district. A team of the commerce ministry visited Panchagarh recently and conducted an experiment on the prospect tea plantation in the district. According to zonal tea office, there are about 150 small growers in the district who own only five acres of land each.

Besides, 12 small tea growers cultivate the crop on five to 20 acres of land here. The tea board had already registered about 100 small growers, 15 small holders and eight tea estates of the area. Statistics shows that about 167 acres of land is suitable for tea plantation in Panchagarh. Three renowned tea factories in the district are TTCL, KAZI Organic Tea and Korotoa.

Mar 08, 2010 – Karatoa

Mar 08, 2010 – Janakantha

Mar 07, 2010 – Bangla-India jt communiqué Ministries given specific tasks to help implement commitments – Financial Express

A high profile meeting on sub-regional cooperation held Wednesday asked different government ministries to undertake efforts for implementing the commitments made in the joint communiqué, signed by Sheikh Hasina and Manmohan Singh, Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India respectively in January last. The meeting held at the conference room of the Prime Minister's office (PMO) was presided over by Dr. Mashiur Rahman, Economic Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister. About 17 to 18 government secretaries from ministries, including foreign, commerce, communication, finance and power, attended the meeting, sources said. The meeting gave specific responsibilities to different ministries relating to the implementation of all 31 commitments made in the communiqué, it is learnt. "The next meeting on sub-regional cooperation, expected to be held in next month, will overview the progress and barriers, if there is any," a government secretary, who attended meeting told the FE.

Seven to eight ministries involved in the implementation process have been given the responsibilities to implement the commitments made in the communiqué, he added. The joint communiqué, signed on January 10 in New Delhi, contains 31 commitments made by both India and Bangladesh for their mutual interest in particular, and accelerating the socio-economic conditions of sub-regional countries in general. The commitments made in the communiqué cover the areas of connectivity, port, infrastructure, trade, communication, climate change and regional and multilateral trading arrangements. The major commitments made in the communiqué include declaration of Ashuganj in Bangladesh and Silghat in India as ports of call, use of Mongla and Chittagong sea ports for movement of goods to and from India through road and rail, dredging of the Ichhamati river, removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, establishing border haats, allowing trucks from Bhutan and Nepal to enter about 200 meters inside the 'zero point' at Banglabandha-Phulbari land customs stations. A government secretary, preferring anonymity, however, said the implementation of commitments does not alone depend on the activities and strategies of Bangladesh. It also would demand a serious and sincere approach on the part of India.

Mar 07, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Mar 07, 2010 – Janakantha

Mar 06, 2010 – Ittefaq

Mar 06, 2010 – Karatoa

Mar 05, 2010 – 138 houses gutted in Panchagarh – Daily Star

At least 138 houses were gutted in separate fire incidents in Panchagarh Friday afternoon. A fire that broke out around 4:45pm gutted about 130 houses in Bashbari village under the district headquarters. Fire fighters and locals said the fire originated from a short circuit at the house owned by Moksed Ali. On information, two fire engines from the district town and Tetulia rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flame after two and half hours. A second fire in Darkhor village in Atwari Upazila burnt down eight houses, firefighters and locals said. The fire broke out around 3:30pm from an earthen stove at the house owned by Nurul Haque, they added. On information, firefighters rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control after one hour.

Mar 03, 2010 – Boosting tea-orange farming ushers in new economic era in two northern districts - By Mamun Islam – BSS [same news in Independent]

Massive steps have been taken for boosting the expanding small-scale tea and orange farming sectors that has already got a stronger footing bringing fortunes to hundreds in sub-Himalayan Panchagarh and Thakurgaon districts. The government has taken a Taka 100-crore special package program for boosting the growing small-scale tea and also enhanced the ongoing five-year term expanded orange farming there with possibilities for expansion in the adjoining areas. Under the Taka 100-crore program being implemented by Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB), the small and marginal farmers are being provided with training on the latest technologies for tea farming, loans, tea saplings and necessary inputs, officials said. Besides, the government has been providing necessary supports including quality saplings, training and technologies to the farmers under the ongoing five- year term expanded orange cultivation program from 2006. As a result, farming of tea and orange has been expanding faster in the sub- Himalayan districts bringing huge changes in the socio-economic conditions of the people. The prospective tea sector has already created opportunities for hundreds of working women to change their fate by achieving self- reliance through earning wages as plucking workers in tea gardens of the officially recognized hird tea zone in the country. Presently, nearly 7,500 skilled and unskilled workers, mostly women, have been working in about 260 tea gardens, including 18 big estates, 13 medium-size and 229 small-scale gardens set up on about 2,200 acres in Panchagarh alone.

There are tremendous prospects for expanding tea sector and creating job opportunities to enhance economic activities further, president of Panchagarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iqbal Kaiser Mintu and Development Officer of BTB Amir Hossain said. About 5.37 lakh kg tea was produced during the last season and a total of about seven lakh kg tea is expected to produce in Panchagarh alone this season, BTB officials said. Small-scale tea farmer Mozahedul Hassan, Abdur Rahman, Esahaq Ali Mandal, Golam Kibria and Mostafa Jamal and Motiar Rahman recently told BSS that they have been farming tea on their lands and lifting adequate tea leaves every week from the gardens. Female labourers Mohsina, Bulbuli Begum, Aklima, Morsheda, Sabina Yasmin, Nasrine Begum, Rozina Begum, and Halima said that they are hopeful that the authorities will take necessary steps for expanding the growing tea sector further in the region. Like in the tea sector, successful and boosting orange farming on commercial basis has also ushered in a new era in the economy of the sub-Himalayan districts in recent years since 2006. Presently, over 80,000 orange trees have been growing in 93 orange orchards set up in 104 hectares land and homesteads in Panchagarh and more 30,000 orange plants in the 48 hectares land in adjoining Thakurgaon. The agriculture departments have planted 10,000 orange plants in the exhibition plots and produced 50,000 orange saplings last year to assist the people in farming oranges in their orchards, homesteads and other places, officials said.

Presently, about 50 tonnes of orange are being produced annually in these districts where plenty of orange will be produced from 2011 to meet the local demand and export to the other parts of the country, local experts, officials and farmers said. According to the Orange Development Project (ODP) Office sources, a total of 1,200 fruit giving orange plants were looked after and those gave excellent yields this season and 1,500 farmers and agriculturists were provided training on orange farming. The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has also taken steps in expanding and popularizing orange farming in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon since 2006 and so far trained over 6,000 farmers to cultivate oranges. Garden development officers Mizanur Rahman and Asim Kumar Paul of the ODP said that commercial orange farming has bright prospects as the soil, topography, annual rainfalls and acidic PH contents are favourable there like the adjoining areas in India. Talking to BSS, orange growers Asir Uddin Ahammed, Achinta Kumar Karkun, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, Jitendra Nath, Salah Uddin, Mohir Uddin, Kakka Pradhan, Abdur Rahman and Abdul Jalil of different Panchagarh villages narrated their successes. "Increased tea and orange farming will further enhance economic activities bringing more solvency with a positive change in life and living standard of the local backward people ushering in a new hope for their future generations," local experts said.

Mar 03, 2010 – Sangbad

Mar 02, 2010 – Nepal, Bangladesh trade talk by March-end – Himalayan Times

The commerce secretaries of Bangladesh and Nepal will hold a two-day meeting in Dhaka on March 30 to facilitate bilateral trade and establish connectivity between the two countries under a proposed transit deal. The meeting will focus on further integration in sub-regional perspectives and mutual recognition of each other’s testing and standardisation certificates, according to experts. Officials at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce (MoC) said the commerce secretaries of the two countries are expected to devise a strategy for the implementation of relevant clauses of the joint communiqué, signed by the premiers of India and Bangladesh at New Delhi in January.

A joint communiqué, co-signed by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina has assured of giving Nepal and Bhutan access to Mongla and Chittagong ports. The prime ministers — in the joint communiqué — also agreed that Rohanpur-Singabad broad gauge railway link would be available for transit to Nepal. “The upcoming secretary level meeting between Dhaka and Kathmandu will pave the way for implementation of commitments made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her recent visit to New Delhi to boost the sub-regional integration on both trade and connectivity fronts,” the Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce said. Besides, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries on mutual recognition of standardisation is likely to be inked at the meeting. The trade talks to be held between the countries will also focus on problems relating to loading and unloading of goods at zero point of the border. At present, Nepali trucks cannot enter Bangladesh and they need to load/unload at zero point of the border. Most of the traded goods of Nepal are carried via Banglabandha land port. Due to lack of such agreement, Nepali trucks cannot reach the warehouses of the land port. They wait on no man’s land for Bangladeshi trucks to come for re-loading, which increases the cost of business. The volume of bilateral trade between the two countries is very low, less than $60 million a year.

Bangladesh exported goods worth $6.70 million to Nepal in 2008-2009.

Feb 27, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Feb 27, 2010 – Karatoa

Feb 24, 2010 – Indigenous music and dance enliven Panchagarh book fair – Daily Star

Artistes of Panchagarh Adibashi Kalyan Samity (Welfare Association for Indigenous People) performed at cultural program on Monday evening at the weeklong book fair, held at Martyred Freedom Fighters' Monument premises in Panchagarh town. The cultural programme featured traditional indigenous songs, dances and recitation.

Indigenous artistes rendered patriotic Bangla as well as songs in their own language. Barna Baz Mardi, Shusil Hemrom, Janaram Mardi, Shibcharan Mardi, Shanti Hemrom, Laxmi Rani, Albina Mardi, Sobina Mormu and Supen Hebrom performed at the program. General Secretary of Adibashi Kalyan Samity, Rajoni Kanta Mardi, conducted the program. Prior to the cultural program, Surjaram Mardi and Horimohan Pahan delivered their speeches in Santali and Munda language respectively.

Rajoni Kanta Mardi interpreted the speeches. Earlier, Bidrohi Shishu Kishore Theatre of Panchagarh held another cultural program, titled “A Gaan Amar Bhasher Jonno” at the same venue. Hundreds of enthusiastic viewers enjoyed the programs organized by Panchagarh District Administration.

Feb 24, 2010 – Book fair in Panchagarh – New Age

A weeklong book fair began at the Shaheed Muktijoddha Smriti Stambha premises in Panchagarh on February 21. Panchagarh district administration organized the event along with cultural programs to make people especially the young generation aware of the spirit of the language martyrs day. Local member of the parliament Mazharul Haque Pradhan inaugurated the festival chaired by Panchagarh deputy commissioner Banamali Bhowmick. Panchagarh Mokbulur Rahman Government College principal professor Giasuddin and municipal mayor Towhidul Islam were, among others, present at the inaugural ceremony. All the book stalls of the town are taking part in the fair featuring various books including those on the language movement and liberation war. Members of various cultural organizations and schools are taking part in the cultural programs. On the fourth day, today, different child organizations will participate in a program titled ‘We shall overcome’. Later artistes of Tetulia Shilpakala Academy will render songs and dance numbers. The book fair and cultural programs will end on Friday with a debate program focusing on the use of Bengali language in all sectors of life. Later the students of Maladam High School and Panchagarh Government Girls’ High School and the artistes of Boda Shilpakala academy will perform at the concluding ceremony.

Feb 22, 2010 – Call to declare Bhitargarh a heritage site ‘200 archaeological sites in Panchagarh’ – New Age

Archaeologists have urged the government to declare Bhitargarh of Panchagarh a heritage site, saying the district has potential to become a tourist spot as more than 200 archaeological sites of some 1500 years old are yet to be discovered. Built in the sixth or the seventh century, Bhitagarh, 16 kilometres south of the Panchagarh town, is under Amarkhana union of the district sadar upazila. With the assistance of 34 students of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, led by their teacher Shahnaj Husne Jahan, studying under the course ‘Experiencing the Past,’ workers have recovered parts of monuments and temples since January 10. The full structure of the monument and the temple is expected to be excavated by March. The excavation work began in January 2009 and digging took place a number of times. During the digging, 12 archaeological sites have been discovered, including monuments and temples.

‘The name of Panchagarh district is believed to have originated from five fortresses. But there are more than 15 fortresses,’ young archaeologist Shahnaj Husne Jahan told a reception accorded to her on Sunday at the auditorium of Nazrul Library. Chaired by deputy commissioner, Banamali Bhowmik, the function was addressed by the Panchagarh Government College principal, Giasuddin, the library’s secretary, Moklesur Rahman Minto and educationist Haashim Akhtar M Karim Dad. Shahnaj Husne Jahan read out her two-hour presentation and said the structure appears to be a place for religious worship. ‘Although Bhitargarh has many archaeological values, it is yet to be declared as the heritage site, she said.

Established in the sixth or seventh century, Bhitargarh fort city had a sovereign administration, she continued. Built on important trade routes, the fort city had trade links with Tibet, Bhutan, China as well as with West Bengal, Bihar, Sikkim and Punhdrabardhan of India. The samples of this site are not similar to those found in other archaeological sites like Kuchbihar, Moinamati, Paharpur, and Mohasthangar,’ Jahan noted. ‘The city was well protected by four walls. Among the walls, two outer walls were made by clay. In the front, it has two trenches. The inner walls were made by bricks,’ Jahan said.

Feb 22, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Feb 21, 2010 – Karatoa

Feb 21, 2010 – Ekushey Book Fair begins in Panchagarh – Daily Star

Panchagarh district administration organized the event at Martyred Freedom Fighters' Monument (Shaheed Muktijoddha Smriti Stambha) premises in the town. Lawmaker of Panchagarh, Mazharul Haque Prodhan, inaugurated the fair. A discussion was followed by poetry recitation and cultural function. Books enlighten the society, the speakers asserted. They said that books play a pivotal role in eliminating ignorance, narrow-mindedness and corruption from the society. Speakers urged all to develop reading habits and encourage others to read as well. Referring to the sprit of the Language Movement, they called upon all to uphold the values of the movement. It was the root of the Liberation War, they added. The speakers also emphasised the need to hold such events and cultural programs to generate interest in our heritage among the people.

Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh, Banamali Bhowmick, presided over the discussion. Among others, Principal of Panchagarh Mokbulur Rahman Government College, Professor Giasuddin; Mayor of Panchagarh Municipality, Towhidul Islam and AL Leader ATM Sarwar Hossain spoke on the occasion. After discussion, Panchagarh Kabita Parishad held a programme titled "Bojrakanthey Uccharon", featuring solo and group recitations. Artistes of District Shilpakala Academy staged a cultural show titled "Ekush Amar Ahankar". Highlight of the event were patriotic songs. On the first day, a good number of enthusiastic people thronged the fair premises.

Two new books -- a novel "Bhalobashar Onek Rong" and poetry "Birangana" were launched at the fair. Around 35 stalls have been set up at the fair, which will continue till February 25. Discussions, cultural programs, competitions and plays would be held every evening at the fair premises, according to organizers.

Feb 18, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Feb 18, 2010 – BSF killed 2 at Panchagarh border – The Independent

A mentally derailed elderly man was killed by Indian border security force (BSF) on today. The body of Anwar Hossain was returned to BDR at a flag meeting later in the afternoon.
Family sources of the victim at Nardevpara village in sadar upazila said mentally derailed Anwar sneaked into Indian territory through the Amarkhana border well before the dawn. BSF of Khalpara outpost held him and beat mercilessly to death. Earlier on Wednesday, BSF shot and killed Islam Mia, 38, a farmer of Madhupara village while he was cutting grass in his field close to the border. BDR protested the killing of the innocent farmer and demanded immediate return of his body.

Feb 18, 2010 – BSF kills two Bangladeshis – Daily Star

Border Security Force (BSF) killed two Bangladeshis along Panchagarh border yesterday and the day before. An elderly man was beaten to death at Amarkhana point early yesterday while a farmer was shot dead in Madhupara area of the border on Wednesday. BSF however returned the bodies yesterday afternoon after company commander-level meetings with Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). After a meeting held on zero line on Madhupara border under Sadar upazila, the body of Islam Miah,38, son of late Afiz Uddin alias Sarbatu of Madhupara village was handed over to BDR. Islam was shot dead by BSF members of Shingimari camp on Madhupara border Wednesday afternoon at about 3:00pm while he was cutting grass for his cattle.

The BDR members of Vitorgarh camp later handed over the body to Panchagarh police who later sent it to the victim's family members. Meanwhile, the body of a mentally impaired elderly man was returned by BSF yesterday afternoon after a company commander-level flag meeting between the border guards at Omorkhana point under Sadar upazila. Victim Anwar Hossain, 60, was son of late Haji Abul Kashem of Nordebpara village under Sadar upazila of the district. Anwar was allegedly beaten to death by the BSF men of Khalpara camp early yesterday as he entered Indian territory by mistake. After receiving the body, BDR gave it to police who later handed it over to the victim's family members.

Feb 14, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Feb 14, 2010 – Karatoa

Feb 14, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Feb 12, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Feb 12, 2010 – Janakantha

Feb 11, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Feb 11, 2010 – Jai Jai Din

Feb 11, 2010 – Jugantor

Feb 10, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Feb 10, 2010 – Karatoa

Feb 9, 2010 – Karatoa

Feb 9, 2010 – Janakantha

Feb 8, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Feb 8, 2010 – Karatoa

Feb 6, 2010 – BDNews24

Feb 6, 2010 – Karatoa

Feb 5, 2010 – Naya Diganta

Feb 4, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Feb 3, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Feb 3, 2010 – Karatoa

Feb 1, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Feb 1, 2010 – Karatoa

Jan 31, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Jan 31, 2010 – Karatoa

Jan 30, 2010 – Karatoa

Jan 28, 2010 – Low quality kindergartens spring up in Panchagarh – New Age
The mushrooming growth of low quality kindergartens in Panchagarh town and adjoning areas is threatening child education in the district. A section of opportunity-seeking ‘patrons of education’ capitalizing on the short number of government primary schools in the town and their inadequate accommodation capacity are establishing these intuitions in sader upazila and other nearby areas. These kindergartens are unable to provide education even of minimum standard. Sources said, run with poor infrastructures, these KG schools are mostly unable to provide full accommodation for kids. They have no adequate furniture, waiting room, shed for the guardians, playground, sports materials and other necessities. Congenial academic atmosphere is absent in most of the KG schools due to the above mentioned infrastructural shortcomings. The poor quality of education these institutions provide are putting the guardians in tension about the academic future of their children. Many town residents alleged that their children could receive proper education from these KG schools although they had to pay fees eight to ten times higher than the government schools. Many such KG schools have sprung up also in the rural areas. According to sources at the District KG Schools Association, about 100 such institutions have grown up in all the five upazilas of the district including Panchagarh town. Generally, the KG schools provide education from playgroup to standard V. But some of these offer education from playgroup to class VIII. They charge tuition and other fees ranging from Tk 800 to Tk3,000. Besides, they charge high for school dress, badges, notebooks, diary and transport.
The authorities of these schools allegedly make a secrete deal with different book sellers, tailors and book binders and take a handsome commission form them. Moreover, teachers in these schools are not so talented or skilled. The authorities appoint them on a poor amount of salary just to run the schools namely. These teachers cannot teach the students properly as they have no training. These schools keep no arrangement of snacks for the students during leisure. So, the kids often have to go outside and sometimes they meet with road accidents. In some cases, unemployed youths after passing HSC or BA examinations open KG schools in the rural areas to earn money, though they have no experience about it. Shami Akter, a guardian at Islambug in Panchagarh town, said the expenditures like admission and tuition fees to run study of their wards in the KG schools were so high. Financial ability of the guardians is considered as the main qualification for admission of the kinds to the schools in the town, sources said. Some people alleged that the KG schools do not follow any integrated syllabus. They have their respective syllabus prepared by the school authorities. But most of them follow government primary school curriculum in Bengali and mathematics. Moreover, most of these schools have on permission form the authorithy concerned.

Jan 27, 2010 – Jugantor

Jan 27, 2010 – Amader Shomoy / New Nation

Jan 27, 2010 – Janakantha

Jan 25, 2010 – 10 BCL Men Sued in Debiganj , Govt officials, employees on indefinite work abstention – Daily Star

Thakurgaon Government officials and employees at Debiganj upazila headquarters in Panchagarh began an indefinite work abstention yesterday demanding arrest of some local Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists who confined the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and project implementation officer (PIO) to their office rooms on January 21. A group of BCL activists confined UNO Abu Jafar and PIO Motiur Rahman over recruitment of staff for a project under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The ministry is implementing National Nutrition Project (NNP) at Debiganj upazila through Thengamara shabuj Shangha (TMSS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO). A committee headed by the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) recruited 16 community nutrition organisers and 162 community nutrition promoters through a written test on January 17. Local people and UNO office sources said a group of BCL activists, led by their leaders Swapon and Sohel, came to the UNO office on January 21and hurled abusive language at UNO Abu Jafar for not recruiting their candidates. At one stage, the BCL activists ransacked the UNO office and confined him in his room They then entered the office of Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Motiur Rahman, vandalised the room and assaulted him. The BCL men also locked the door of the office room, keeping the PIO inside. Later police went to the spot, dispersed the BCL men and rescued the UNO and PIO by breaking locks of the doors.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abu Jafar filed a case with Debiganj Police Station against 10-BCL men, including Swapon and Sohel, the same day. But police could not arrest the accused as of filing of this report at 5:00pm yesterday. Demanding immediate arrest of the accused, upazila officials and employees started an indefinite work abstention. Upazila Engineer Rabiul Islam and Upazila PIO Motiur Rahaman said they will continue work abstention program until the accused are arrested. An upazila official seeking anonymity said police are not arresting the accused BCL men as they are involved with ruling party politics. Contacted, officer- in-charge of Debiganj Police Station Mominul Islam said drive is on to nab the accused

Jan 25, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Jan 24, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Jan 24, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Jan 24, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Jan 24, 2010 – Karatoa

Jan 22, 2010 – Amader Shomoy

Jan 22, 2010 – BCL confines UNO to his office, ransacks room – Daily Star

Activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) yesterday ransacked the offices of the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and project implementation officer (PIO) of Debiganj upazila in Panchagarh district and confined them to their office rooms for an hour over recruitment of staff of a project under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The ministry is implementing National Nutrition Program at Debigonj upazila through Thengamara Shabuj Shangha (TMSS), a non-governmental organisation. A committee headed by UNO Md Abu Jafar arranged a written test for recruitment of 16 supervisors and 162 community programrs for the project on January 10 and published the list of qualified candidates on January 17. UNO office and local sources said a group of BCL activists, led by their leaders Swapon, and Sohel, came to the UNO office yesterday morning and hurled abusive language at him for not recruiting their candidates. At one stage, the BCL men ransacked the UNO office and confined him to his room. They then entered the office of Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Motiur Rahman, vandalised the room and assaulted him. They also locked the door of the office room, keeping the PIO inside. Law enforcers from Debiganj Police Station rushed to the spot, dispersed the BCL men and rescued the UNO and PIO by breaking open the doors. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abu Jafar filed a case with Debigonj Police Station against 10 BCL men, including Swapon and Sohel, at around 4:00pm. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Nazrul Islam and Assistant Superintendent of Police visited the upazila headquarters in the afternoon. Contacted, BCL upazila unit PresidentAsaduzzaman said those who have ransacked the UNO and PIO offices are not BCL activists. But upazila Awami League General Secretary Gias Uddin said they the activists of local BCL unit.

Jan 22, 2010 – Traditional horse race in Panchagarh – Daily Star

Quamrul Islam Rubaiyat, Thakurgaon A traditional horse race competition was held at Kamatpara village under Boda upazila in Panchagarh on Monday afternoon. Thousands of people, including women and children, from Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Nilphamari districts thronged the venue of the race. The race started around 4 pm at Kalibari School in Chandanbari union under Boda upazila. The competition had 17 participants from Panchagarh, Dinajpur and Nilphamari districts. Of the participants nine were selected for final round after the primary selection. At the final competition Abdullah-Hel-Kafi of Domer village, Nilphamari, won first prize. The second prize went to Anwar Hossain of Shakoa village, Panchagarh and the third prize winner was Tulu Mohammad of Chandanbari village, Panchagarh. The first prize winner received a 14 inch black & white TV, second prize was a 10 inch black & white TV and the third prize winner was given an 8 inch black and white TV. Chairman of Chandanbari Union Parishad, Momotazul Kabir Jahangir attended the event as the chief guest and handed prizes among the winners. One of the organisers, Osman Goni told The Daily Star that they arranged this event for the first time in the area to promote an age-old rural tradition. He also said that the public response has been very inspiring and hoped that this will become an annual event. Locals of the area carried the expenditure for arranging the event, he said.

Jan 20, 2010 – Sangbad

Jan 18, 2010 – Jai Jai Din

Jan 18, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Jan 18, 2010 – Karatoa

Jan 17, 2010 – Prothom Alo

Jan 17, 2010 – "Conspiracy still on to foil trial of war criminals" warns Sector Commanders Forum – Daily Star

Member-Secretary of the Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) Lt General (retd) Harun-ur-Rashid yesterday said conspiracy is on to foil war criminals' trial. He said the anti-liberation forces are trying to create an unstable situation in the country in a bid to compel the government to stop its move to try war criminals. “They under different banners are spreading propaganda against trial of the war criminals. They dared to accord reception to a few freedom fighters, which is insulting to all patriotic people. So the government should start trial of the war criminals without further delay,” Harun said while addressing a freedom fighter--public meeting at Panchagarh government auditorium in the town.

Urging all to boycott war criminals socially and politically, he said war criminals have no right to participate in national politics as they played anti-liberation role in 1971. They should be tried to ensure justice in the country and uphold the sprit of the Liberation War. The other speakers said trial of the war criminals has to be begun without further delay as people gave their mandate to the AL-led grand alliance government on this issue in the last parliamentary election. SCF leaders and people observed one-minute silence to pay homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War. Sector Commanders Forum Panchagarh unit Coordinator Shaikhul Islam presided over the meeting which was addressed, among others, by Major General (retd) Masudur Rahaman and Organising Secretary of SCF Rajshahi division Saiduzzaman Tara, JSD central leader Nazmul Haque Prodhan, JSD district unit Secretary SM Liakat Ali, district SCF leader Johirul Islam, Abdul Mazid and Abdus Sattar. Several hundred freedom fighters and people from all walks of life attended the meeting.

Jan 17, 2010 – Jai Jai Din

Jan 17, 2010 – Karatoa

Jan 16, 2010 – Karatoa

Jan 14, 2010 – Nepal to seek removal of all hindrances to exports - MILAN MANI SHARMA – My Republica

Nepal is hosting commerce secretary level meeting with India later this month to discuss country´s widening trade gap, particularly its faltering exports to the southern neighbor, which has led to alarming rise in trade deficit.

The meeting will be held for two days starting January 27, said a senior official at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS). During the meeting, Nepal will push India to revoke countervailing duty and other extra-customs duty imposed on major Nepali exports. Owing to such duties, Nepal´s export to India declined to Rs 12 billion in the first four months of 2009/10 from Rs 15 billion recorded in the same period last year. The Nepali side will also ask India to step up standard accreditation process, remove all non-tariff barriers, operationalize new transit facilities and fulfill other trade facilitation commitments made in the new bilateral trade treaty. “The meeting will focus on removing existing trade impediments and implementing new treaty provisions that will give boost to Nepali exports,” said the source. The ministry has taken 4 percent additional customs duty on Nepal´s key exports, charging duty on maximum retail price instead of ex-factory rate on readymade garment and lengthy standard certification process for perishable agro-products as major deterrents to Nepali exports. If these impediments are removed, it anticipates, the export to immediately catch upward trend. As the new treaty has a provision of India exempting Nepal from all extra-customs duty, officials are optimistic of India responding positively, especially given the pressure that the existing trade imbalance is having on its economy. The ministry will also ask India to open Nepal´s readymade garment exports to India, which has come to a standstill due to imposition of countervailing duty on value based on maximum retail price, instead of ex-factory production price. It had already made a request to this connection after Commerce Ministers from two countries signed the treaty, but India has yet to respond to it. Apart from this, Nepal is also requesting India to gear up the process of lab upgradation and standard accreditation -- something which will free Nepali exports from tedious quality certification process that they are facing now in India.

As India is also the transit providing country for Nepal, the commerce secretaries from the two countries would also discuss the ways to ease movement and operations of third country cargoes in transit. “We will moot amendment in transit treaty and immediate operation of new transit port -- Vishakhapatnam -- and Rohalpur-Singhbad transit railway line,” said the source. Once the Vishakhapatnam port comes into operation, Nepal believes its cost of third country trade will drop. Operation of Rohalpur-Singhbad railway line too will enable railway cargo from Birgunj ICD to directly enter Bangladesh, the second largest trading partner in South Asia, under one-lock system. The ministry will also discuss on easing operations along the road transit of Kakarbhitta-Fulbari-Banglabandh to give boost to country´s trade with Bangladesh.

Jan 14, 2010 – Karatoa