Teesta swelling alarmingly, 5 thousand families are marooned in Rangpur



Aminul Islam Jewel, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com,Rangpur
Photo: Barta24

Photo: Barta24

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Flooding has occurred again after a few days due to the rise of water in the Teesta due to torrential downpours and onrush of waters from upper riparian. About 5 thousand families in 3 upazilas of Rangpur have become marooned. Many people were seen leaving their homes and taking shelter on highland along with their cattle. Currently, there is a shortage of clean food and water among the families. Along with that, severe river erosion has occurred.

On Thursday (July 4), Talpatti, Alfaz Tari, Narsingh, Harin Chara Kolkond Union's Talpatti, Char Matukpur, Char Chilakhal, Madhya Chilakhal, Lakshmitri Union's Char Ichli, Paschim Ichli, Challissal and Nohali Union's Bagdahra, Minar Bazar area of the upazila revealed. The families whose houses were destroyed by the displacement and floods are living a miserable life. Cattle and birds have taken shelter on roadsides, educational institutions, mosques and various open spaces. Many families are already moving their homes due to the threat of erosion.

After a physical visit, it can be seen that the tube well, cooking stove, sewage system have been submerged in the flood water. There is a shortage of clean water and food. Water-logged families are living miserable lives. Apart from this, groundnuts and seeds of Aman paddy and various vegetables were destroyed by the water.

Rural roads have been submerged due to inundation of pastures. Extensive erosion has occurred in the Alfachatari area of Marnea Union. In the last four days, the houses of at least half a hundred families have been destroyed in the area due to river erosion. Extreme suffering has occurred to the marooned families. Many people are moving their houses and furniture due to the fear of erosion.

Locals said, this time the houses of hundreds of families have been destroyed in Gangachara Teesta. The Teesta river has swelled due to the heavy rains of a few days and the hill slopes coming down from Sikkim, India. About 100 families of four unions of Gangachara in Rangpur have lost their houses in the Teesta. More than 250 families have evacuated their houses in fear of landslides. About 5 thousand families of Gangachara upazila have become marooned.

Afsar Ali (48), a resident of Marnea Union, said, I have been stuck in water for 10 days. No one neither my chairman nor government agency people came to me, he added.

Khaleda Begum of Kolkond Union said that my house was about 200 meters away from the river. On Wednesday night, three houses, including the kitchen, were instantly devoured by the Teesta.

Meanwhile, Mornea UP Chairman Zillur Rahman said that in the last few days, the houses of half a hundred families in his union have disappeared under the river. More than 1000 families are stuck in water.

Gangachra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahid Tamanna said, "We have a list of 20 families of Marnea Union which were destroyed by the Teesta. We are listing with more inquiries. However, about two hundred and fifty families of Kolkond, Nohali, Marnea, Lakshmitri Union have shifted their houses due to the threat of erosion.

Nazrul Islam Haqqani, president of the Save Teesta, Nadi Bachao Sangram Parishad said that the wealth of Tk. one lakh crore have gone into Teesta every year due to untimely floods and erosion. For a permanent solution to this problem there is no alternative but to implement river dredging, conservation and Teesta Master Plan.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center of the Water Development Board (WDB) said that heavy rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours in the northern part of the country and adjacent upstream. During this time, the water of Teesta, Dharla and Dudh Kumar rivers will increase especially during plain time and may cross the flood level at some points in the short term.

Mahbub Rahman, the Chief Engineer of the Northern Region of the Water Development Board, said that the low-lying areas along the river banks were flooded due to heavy rains and upstream flows. Erosion has occurred in some places in the Gangachara as the water in the Teesta rises and falls. Measures will be taken to prevent rapid erosion. 

Prime Minister in China on a four-day visit



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com Dhaka:
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in China's capital Beijing on a four-day state visit.

A special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-1701) landed at Beijing Capital International Airport on Monday (July 8)at 4 PM carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage.

Earlier, the flight left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:05 am Bangladesh time.

The Prime Minister's visit is expected to elevate the relationship between the two countries from a 'strategic partnership' to a 'strategic comprehensive cooperative partnership'.

During her stay in Beijing on July 8-11, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 10 and a delegation-level meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's four-day bilateral visit to Beijing beginning on Tuesday (July 9) is likely to see 20 to 22 MoUs signed between Bangladesh and China.

Foreign Minister Dr. Hassan Mahmud said, during this visit, cooperation in economic and banking sectors, trade and investment, digital economy, infrastructure development, assistance in disaster management, construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh and communication between the people of the two countries likely to be signed.

Dr. Hassan said that the inauguration of several projects of the two countries will also be announced during the visit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Bangladesh in October 2016. At that time both the countries reached a strategic partnership. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last visited Beijing in July 2019. She visited China several times before.

The two countries will celebrate the golden jubilee of first diplomatic relations next year.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister's visit to China comes within 15 days of her last visit to India on June 21-22.

On the second day of Sheikh Hasina's visit to China, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Jean Likun will pay a courtesy call on the Bangladesh Prime Minister's residence in the meeting room on July 9.

The Prime Minister will then attend a summit on trade, business and investment opportunities between Bangladesh and China at China's World Summit Wing at Shangri-La Circle in Beijing, China.

In the afternoon of the same day, a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Consultative Party President is scheduled to take place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The Prime Minister will later lay a wreath at the People's Heroes Monument in Tiananmen Square.

In the evening, she will attend a dinner hosted by the Bangladesh Ambassador to China in honor of the Prime Minister at Bangladesh House in Beijing. On July 10, a representative-level bilateral meeting will be held at the Great Hall of the People under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang.

During this time several documents including Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed in their presence. She will later attend a luncheon hosted by the Premier of the State Council of China at the same venue.

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

After the visit to China, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh will leave for the country on a special flight (BG1704) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines from Beijing Capital International Airport on July 11 at 11 am Beijing time.

The flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on the same day at 2 PM Bangladesh time.

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Conflict in Myanmar: People of Teknaf border have never heard such a loud noise



Abdur Rashid Manik, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Cox’s Bazar
People of Teknaf border have never heard such a loud noise

People of Teknaf border have never heard such a loud noise

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Across the border of Cox's Bazar's Teknaf Upazila, warplanes fired overnight in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Border people have spent sleepless nights. The Junta government launched this airstrike on the Arakan Army to regain control of the Rakhine state after losing control in the ongoing war in Myanmar.

After 12 o'clock last night until Monday afternoon, heavy gunfire is heard after hours. As the fighting between the Arakan Army and armed forces in Myanmar's Rakhine state escalates, the fear is increasing day by day across the border. As a result, there is a fear of infiltration at the border again.

Residents of the border said that the months-long war in Myanmar is living in fear among those living along the border. Especially since last night, the loud sound of heavy gunfire shook our house. Such a sound has never been heard before. Meanwhile, border people have been asked to remain alert due to security concerns.

Nur Hossain, a resident of Jaliya Para, who lives on the border of the Pourashava, said, "The fear of the people across the border is increasing day by day due to the war going on for several months. Yesterday, Myanmar's warplanes attacked overnight. Due to which the doors and windows of our house are shaking. At that time, we ran out of the house with our family members. We never heard such a loud noise before. Due to which the sleepless night has passed in fear.'

Abdur Rahman, a local journalist at Teknaf, said that he had never heard such an explosion before. I spent a sleepless night in fear. The situation is very dire.

In this regard, Teknaf-2 BGB battalion commander Lt. Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed said, "Even today, the sound of gunfire is heard in different parts of the border. But it is inside Myanmar. But we are on high alert so that no one can cross the border again. Besides, the people living on the border have been prohibited from moving around the border except for urgent work.

Locals said that from Sunday night to Monday morning, heavy gunfire was heard on the borders of Hoikang, Hnila, Municipal, Sadar, Sabrang and Saint Martin Unions of Teknaf in Cox's Bazar.

Mohammad Salim, a shopkeeper at Shahpari Island Jetty Ghat, said, "There was a loud sound of Myanmar's gunfire even in the morning. Besides, people are moving carefully in Teknaf-Saint-Martin.'

Meanwhile, in Myanmar's Rakhine, fighting between Junta forces and the armed group Arakan Army has led to helicopter attacks on villages except the township of Maungdoo, Rakhine. As a result, about 4000 people from these areas left their homes and took shelter in the border villages for a few days. It is said that they are waiting for an opportunity to enter Bangladesh.

Abdus Salam, a UP member of Ward No. 9 of Teknaf Shahpari Island, said, "Heavy gunfire was heard on the border at night. In the morning the noise has decreased a bit. With the help of BGB, we have prohibited the border people from roaming around the border unnecessarily except for urgent work. 

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Customs Commissioner Enamul is barred from leaving the country



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com Dhaka:
Sylhet Customs and VAT Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Haque

Sylhet Customs and VAT Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Haque

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The court has banned Sylhet's customs and VAT commissioner Mohammad Enamul Haque from leaving the country in the case of illegal acquisition of Tk. 9 crore 76 lakh filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammad As Sams Jaghlul Hossain gave this order after the hearing on Monday (July 8) afternoon.

The investigating officer of the case ACC Deputy Director Farzana Yasmin Mohammad applied the ban on Enamul Haque in the court. In view of the application, the judge gave this order. Mir Ahmed Ali Salam gave this information on behalf of the ACC.

On July 4, the same court ordered Enamul Haque's Tk. 8 crore 95 lakh 44 thousand 500 land and flat to be attached. Attached properties include three kathas of land worth Tk. 61 lakh in Joarsahara, Gulshan, 33 decimal of land in Khilkhet worth Tk. 7 lakh 84 thousand. 1 thousand 170 square feet flat with common space in Irish Noorjahan, Kakrail, the price of which is Tk. 28 lakh 30 thousand 500. 1 thousand 835 square feet flat with parking space in the same building, the price of which is Tk. 51 lakh 2 thousand 900.

Apart from this, in Kakrail Enamul has 1,900 square feet and 3,800 square feet flats with car parking, the price of which is Tk. 2 crore 8 lakh 50 thousand. Tk. 62 lakh 40 thousand five katha land in Gazipur. Three spaces of four thousand square feet in three commercial buildings in Mohammadpur, each of which is worth Tk. 71 lakh 35 thousand. Mohammadpur has a space of 10 thousand 965 square feet, the price of which is Tk. 2 crore 35 lakh 90 thousand. Besides, 2 thousand 428 square feet flat in Gulshan worth Tk. 72 lakh and four khata nal land in Badda, which is worth Tk. 14 lakh 55 thousand.

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Bangla Blockade



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
photo: Barta24

photo: Barta24

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The anti-discrimination student movement, a platform of ordinary students, has held a 'Bangla Blockade' program across the country with a one-point demand.

On Monday (July 8), protesting students blocked roads in the country including the capital Dhaka for the second day.

It can be seen on the spot that the students of Dhaka University have blocked the Shahbag intersection with a one-point demand. Traffic has stopped on the surrounding roads. The students blocked this intersection around 4:30 p.m. that day.

According to the pre-announced program, the agitators started taking position in front of the central library of Dhaka University from 3:30 pm. Later, they were joined by a procession in various halls of the university and students of various colleges around Dhaka.

The city is full of students chanting slogans

As previously announced, students of seven colleges appeared in front of the main gate of Dhaka College around 3:55 PM. After that, they came to Science lab intersection with a procession and blocked it. As a result, traffic on Elephant Road, Mirpur Road and Dhanmondi Road No. 2 has stopped.

The students of Eden College have taken up position at Neelkhet intersection. The traffic around the area has stopped due to this.

Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway demanding the abolition of quota system in government jobs and retention of merit-based recruitment circular.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi University (RU) students protesting against quota reform have blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi railway. On Monday (July 8) at 12 noon, they took a position on the railway under the flyover adjacent to the University's Faculty of Agriculture.

At that time, the students said, 'There is no place for discrimination in Bangabandhu's Bengal', 'Give news to all of Bengal, bury the quota system', 'The tool of liberation war, rise again', 'Wake up, the student society has woken up', 'Struggle not Rajpath, Rajpath Rajpath'. They displayed various banners and posters with slogans such as 'This Bangla will not be the address of discrimination', 'Eighteen tools, get up again', 'There is no place for discrimination in my golden Bengal', 'Come brothers, come sisters, build a movement'. 

Blockade of Dhaka-Chittagong highway

Begum Rokeya University students protested by blocking the Rangpur-Dhaka highway demanding reform of the quota system. This program was held at Modern intersection in Rangpur city under the banner of general students of the university from 12 noon on Monday (July 8). At this time, the students announced that their program will continue until the quota system is reformed.

Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh railway for the third day demanding the cancellation of quota system and maintenance of merit-based recruitment circular.

A vigilant police presence has been seen in Shahbagh area around the Bangla blockade program of the students. Police have taken position around Shahbagh square.

Blockade of students at ScienceLab intersection

An official of Ramana Police Division, who does not want to be named, told Barta24.com that no obstacle will be given to the peaceful movement of the students. But if they create any disturbance then action will be taken.

On July 6, the spokesperson of the protesting students, Nahid Islam, announced that the 'Bangla Blockade' program will be held from 3 pm on Sunday. Not only Shahbag intersection, Dhaka city Science lab, Chankharpool, Neelkhet, Motijheel students will come down at every point. Students from outside Dhaka will block the highways in district-district, universities. On Sunday, students dropped four points and announced one point of demand. That is - Parliament should pass a law by abolishing unreasonable and discriminatory quotas in all grades and bringing the quota to the minimum level for the backward groups mentioned in the constitution.

Police are on high alert in Shahbagh

Incidentally, on June 5, the High Court declared invalid the freedom fighter quota cancellation circular for direct recruitment (grades 9 to 13) in government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions and various corporations. From that day, a large number of students started protesting in Dhaka University. In this situation, the state applied to the Appellate Division seeking suspension of the court's decision. The full bench of the Appellate Division fixed July 4 for hearing the petition. However, the full bench of the Appellate Division heard the application, for the time being the Muktijoddha quota remains as before. Therefore, according to the previously announced decision, the quota reform movement is still going on.

It should be noted that at this time, hundreds of students from different halls and departments of DU brought a procession and said 'Kota na Medha? The central library area of DU was buzzing with various slogans of the students including 'Medha Medha', Jegche Re Jegche Chatra Samaj Jegche, Lege Re Lege Blood is on fire, Kota na Medha Medha Medha, Khabar De Kota Prathar Kabar De in the whole of Bengal.

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