Coal-laden cargo Vessel capsizes in Kirtankhola Environment likely to be affected

BARISAL, Apr 27: Fresh concerns have arisen among all after a coal-laden cargo capsized in the Kirtankhola River when it collided with a passenger launch MV Green Line-2 on April 22 last.
Now, the river water is likely to get polluted. If the launch is not salvaged very soon or the coal is not cleaned from the river, it would cause serious biohazard in the area.
Barisal Divisional Coordinator of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers' Association (BELA) Lincoln Bayen said, "Many toxic chemicals like Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrus Oxide and Carbon Dioxide in the coal can mix with water and make it polluted. As a result, the natural habitat of aquatic plants and animals may get destroyed. Sometimes, fishes also die due to the pollution."
He further said, "In this connection, we should take proper measures in transporting and using coal. All the water bodies are for the country's citizens. The government should take steps to protect these water bodies."
Assistant Director of Environment Department, Barisal regional office, HM Rashed said, "The coal is harmful for biodiversity. A probe team of the district administration is investing the whole matter. After the probe report is published, the matter would be clear. Following this, the department may take steps."Deputy Commissioner of Barisal Dr Gazi Md Saifuzzaman said, due to different difficulties including the inclement weather, the salvage work faced setback.
Meanwhile, admitting that the cargo has been covered with canvas, Deputy Director of River Safety and Traffic Department of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Azmol Huda said, "Though the salvage vessel 'Nirvik' was commissioned, there is no progress in salvaging the Green Line-2 launch and the cargo. Meanwhile, the owners of the two vessels have been asked to take steps in this connection."
He further said, "The coal importer and the cargo owner have been asked to take decision in this connection. Considering the present condition, two spherical buoys have been installed beside the two vessels so that other vessels can move without danger."
He, however, could not inform whether the coal is crude or refined.
It may be mentioned that following the collision between the two vessels, the cargo with 525 tonnes of coal capsized in the Kirtankhola River on April 22 last.
On the other hand, the passenger launch MV Green Line-2 cancelled the trip, and the passengers were evacuated after the vessel anchored.
Following the incident, a five-member probe committee was formed in the evening.
On April 23, the salvage vessel 'Nirvik' was returned back after it was found that the cargo vessel was weightier than the salvage vessel.



Members of Bangladesh Teacher's Association, Barisal regional unit, observed
Members of Bangladesh Teacher's Association, Barisal regional unit, observed a token hunger strike in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall in the town on Wednesday to press home their seven-point charter of demands including
time-scale.     photo: Observer




Matin still waits for �freedom fighter� recognition
Our Correspondent
LAXMIPUR, Apr 27: Freedom fighter Abdul Matin of Bhatra Shafiqpur village under Ramganj upazila of the district awaits recognition as freedom fighter even after 46 years.
He is now passing his days along with his family amid acute hardship.
According to sources, when Abdul Matin was 13/14 years old, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave him a job of peon at additional chief secretary's office under Jukta Front in Sylhet's Sunamganj in 1952.
As he supported the Language Movement in 1952, the additional chief secretary harassed him. In protest, Abdul Matin resigned from the job.
After the Language Movement was over, he joined Krishi Bhaban. During his job at Chhagalnaiya of Feni, the Liberation War started in 1971, and from his position, he helped the freedom fighters in many ways.
As Matin had identity card, the Pakistani army did not suspect him. The day when around 95 thousand Pak forces moved towards Chittagong, Matin was active in his work with the freedom fighters.
Matin's chief responsibility was to inform the freedom fighters about the Pak army and their activities. In this connection, he had to suffer arrest and torture at the hands of Pak army several times.
Abdul Matin said, "During the Liberation War, I used to reach information to the freedom fighters at Fulgazi, Sonagazi and Dagonbhuiyan and other surrounding areas. During my job, the country got liberated. But in the meantime, my wife Rezia Begum died leaving behind our only daughter Mariam Begum."
He further said, "During retirement, I applied to different quarters seeking my recognition as a freedom fighter, but there was no response. I have heard that the present government has started work to prepare new list of the freedom fighters. I hope that my name will also be included in the list."
In this connection, ex-commander of Ramganj Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad Saleh Ahmed said, due to different complexities, Abdul Matin's name was not included in the freedom fighter's list.



Elderly man stabbed dead
Our Correspondent
NOAKHALI, Apr 27: A person was stabbed to death by his neighbour over a trivial matter at Sukhchar village under Hatiya upazila in the district on Sunday morning at 9am.
The deceased was identified as Giash Uddin, 52, son of Mahabbat Hossain, resident of the same village.
Locals said that to take stagnant water away from the road beside the house of Saurav Mia, Giash Uddin made an outlet by cutting the road. Following it, Saurav Mia became furious and was locked in altercation over making the passage on the road.  Later, Saurav and his family members beat Giash severely, leaving him injured seriously.
Locals rushed the injured immediately to Upazila Health Complex where doctor on-duty declared him dead.
Officer-in-Charge of Hatia Thana confirmed the
incident.



Two workers killed inside septic tank
Our Correspondent
BOGRA, Apr 27: Two workers died while working in a septic tank at Banail Mahalla under Shibganj upazila headquarters on Tuesday evening.
The deceased were identified as Angur Hossen, 28, son of Foyzar Rahman and Shah Alam Ali, 22, son of Sadek Ali, of Taluk Belka village under Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha district.
Mayor of Shibganj Municipality Tawhidur Rahman Manik said, the two deceased were working inside the septic tank of one Bablu Pramanik when they inhaled toxic gas and died on the spot.
Being informed, police recovered the bodies and sent those to Bogra Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital for autopsies.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shibganj Police Station Shahid Mahmud Khan confirmed the incident.



Islamic party leader
still untraced in M�singh
Our Correspondent
MYMENSINGH, Apr 27: The leaders of Ittefaqul Ulama, an Islamic party, held a press conference at Mymensingh Press Club auditorium on Wednesday demanding immediate rescue of Maulana Shahidullah Sarker, joint-secretary of the party's Greater Mymensingh unit. They alleged, the leader was picked up from his Khaghdohor residence of the town early Wednesday by men who identified themselves as members of Detective Branch (DB) of police.
A group of 20/25 persons in two microbuses came to his house and some of them forcibly entered the house at 2am and after boarding the leader in a microbus, left the scene. "We contacted with district and police administration on Wednesday but Shahidullah is yet to be traced," they informed.
"We are gripped with deep fear following picking up one of our leaders without any reason. If the leader is not traced within 24 hours, we would go for tougher movement," they threatened. The victim's mother Johura Khatun lodged a general diary (GD) with Kotwali Police Station on Wednesday.
Mufti Muhibullah, president of the organisation read out the written statement at the press conference.
Mansurul Haque, Secretary of the organisation, Maulana Mosharraf Hossain Jehadi, organising secretary, the victim's mother, wife Shahnaz Parveen and children were present at the press conference, among others. While contacted, Imarat Hossain Gazi, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mymensingh DB said, they know nothing about the incident.


Teachers, employees observe token hunger strike
Our Correspondent
BARISAL, Apr 27: Members of Bangladesh Teacher's Association (BTA), Barisal regional unit, observed a token hunger strike in front Ashwini Kumar Hall on Wednesday to press home their seven-point charter of demands including time-scale, five per cent increment, Baisakhi bonus, nationalisation of jobs, and indiscriminate and unitary education system.
President of BTA, district unit, Abdul Malek Hawlader presided over the programme.
Among others, Faridul Alam Zahangir, Rabeya Khatun and other leaders also attended the programme.
The hunger strike was broken by Talukder Md. Yunus, MP, with feeding fruit juice.
The speakers said that education policy would not be successful until the end of the discrimination in education sector. At least 30 per cent of the national budget must be allotted for education sector as education is the backbone of the nation, the speakers opined.



46th death anniv of Shaheed Abdul Ali observed
Our Correspondent
RANGAMATI, Apr 27: The 46th death anniversary of Shaheed Abdul Ali was observed here on Thursday with due respect.  
On the occasion, Rangamati Shaheed Abdul Ali Academy School and College organised daylong programmes.
Earlier in the morning, the programmes began by giving flower at Shaheed Abdul Ali Memorial.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chittagong Mohammad Shamsul Arefin, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati Prakash Kanti Chowdhury, Shaheed Abdul Ali's daughter Nazma Akther, President of Shaheed Abdul Ali Academy Hazi Md. Musa Matabbar,   Headmaster of Shaheed Abdul Ali Academy Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and other members of Shahid Abdul Ali's family placed wreaths at the memorial.
Later, a discussion meeting was held at Shaheed Abdul Ali Academy Auditorium.
President of the Academy Hazi Md. Musa Matabbar presided over the meeting while DC of Chittagong Mohammad Shamsul Arefin was chief guest and Acting DC of Rangamati Prakash Kanti Chowdhury and Nazma Akhter were special guests.