World Day Against Child Labour...UNB, Dhaka, 12 June : There was nothing new about children engaged in hazardous tasks in the country, but things have taken an alarming turn in recent times in absence comprehensive measures to protect the vulnerable child workers. With the growth of industrialization, both in formal and non-formal sectors, the number of child workers has also been increasing to keep pace with the demand. But so far there was no comprehensive study to determine their total.
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) conducted the second National Child Labour Survey (NCLS) in 2002-2003 showing that there were 4.9 million working children in the country. But since then neither the government nor any non-government organization has come forward to conduct any survey to explore the present situation of child labour in the country.According to an expert, an estimated seven million child workers are involved in hazardous jobs at present with the majority working in urban areas in informal sectors like factory, transportation, battery recycling, small workshops, shoe factory and household work.
Sharfuddin Khan, a Programme Officer (Social Mobilization and Economic Development) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), told UNB that the ILO has a plan to remove the worst forms of child labour from the world by 2016.
Bangladesh is observing today 9th World Day Against Child Labour on Saturday through an elaborate programme. This year's slogan for the day is 'Prevent Risky Child Labour, Ensure Child Education'.
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Two tourists killed in a cyclone in East Midnapore District
Midnapore, 12 June : At least two tourists were killed and a few others injured, when a mild cyclone hit the coastal areas of East Midnapore District.
The incident took place on Saturday, when the tourists were enjoying sea bath. "In the late evening, the wind started blowing and then cyclone hit the area. Due to the cyclone three people, who went to the sea got badly injured," said Pallav Sengupta, Assistant Sub-Inspector. "They were taken to the hospital where one of them was declared brought dead and two others were badly injured," he added. The administration has asked people to move to safer places following the impact of the cyclone.
Midnapore, 12 June : At least two tourists were killed and a few others injured, when a mild cyclone hit the coastal areas of East Midnapore District.
The incident took place on Saturday, when the tourists were enjoying sea bath. "In the late evening, the wind started blowing and then cyclone hit the area. Due to the cyclone three people, who went to the sea got badly injured," said Pallav Sengupta, Assistant Sub-Inspector. "They were taken to the hospital where one of them was declared brought dead and two others were badly injured," he added. The administration has asked people to move to safer places following the impact of the cyclone.
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1 CRPF man killed, 11 injured in road mishap in Belpahari
Midnapore, 12 June : A CRPF head constable was killed and 11 other personnel of the paramilitary force were injured after their vehicle overturned at Bhulabheda in West Midnapore district today.
The squad was returning to their base camp in Belpahari when the driver of the vehicle lost control as he was trying to avoid hitting a cyclist, a CRPF officer said. He said 12 CRPF personnel were injured in the mishap. Head Constable B L D Verma of the 169 battalion succumbed to his injuries later, the officer said. The unit was returning after conducting an area domination exercise in the nearby area. No reports of a sabotage or a possible Maoist attack have emerged, he added.
Midnapore, 12 June : A CRPF head constable was killed and 11 other personnel of the paramilitary force were injured after their vehicle overturned at Bhulabheda in West Midnapore district today.
The squad was returning to their base camp in Belpahari when the driver of the vehicle lost control as he was trying to avoid hitting a cyclist, a CRPF officer said. He said 12 CRPF personnel were injured in the mishap. Head Constable B L D Verma of the 169 battalion succumbed to his injuries later, the officer said. The unit was returning after conducting an area domination exercise in the nearby area. No reports of a sabotage or a possible Maoist attack have emerged, he added.
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Chevron to pay compensation for houses damaged in 3D'S
UNB, Dhaka, 12 June : The compensation issue has come to a resolution regarding Chevron’s three-dimensional (3D) seismic survey in Moulvibazar district where some local villagers’ houses were allegedly damaged by the survey.
Chevron Bangladesh Blocks Thirteen and Fourteen Ltd, a sister concern of the US-based international oil company Chevron, conducted the seismic survey in the Moulvibazar area in 2008 in order to delineate the hydrocarbon reserve position in the gas field there. During the survey, the company had carried out small scale drillings and blasted explosives in the underground.
UNB, Dhaka, 12 June : The compensation issue has come to a resolution regarding Chevron’s three-dimensional (3D) seismic survey in Moulvibazar district where some local villagers’ houses were allegedly damaged by the survey.
Chevron Bangladesh Blocks Thirteen and Fourteen Ltd, a sister concern of the US-based international oil company Chevron, conducted the seismic survey in the Moulvibazar area in 2008 in order to delineate the hydrocarbon reserve position in the gas field there. During the survey, the company had carried out small scale drillings and blasted explosives in the underground.
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'Gorkhaland' unrest affects education system in Darjeeling
Siliguri, 12 June : Continued political disruptions in Darjeeling hills over the demand for a separate Gorkhaland, is compelling students to leave their homes and study in the nearby town of Siliguri. Violence, strikes and protests are hampering the education system in the affected areas.
Colleges in Siliguri city are thus receiving large number of applications from students belonging to the hills of Darjeeling. Recent incidents of violence, like the assassination of Madan Tamang, have further destroyed normalcy in the area.
Siliguri, 12 June : Continued political disruptions in Darjeeling hills over the demand for a separate Gorkhaland, is compelling students to leave their homes and study in the nearby town of Siliguri. Violence, strikes and protests are hampering the education system in the affected areas.
Colleges in Siliguri city are thus receiving large number of applications from students belonging to the hills of Darjeeling. Recent incidents of violence, like the assassination of Madan Tamang, have further destroyed normalcy in the area.
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Maoist menace : W Bengal govt and Railways to act jointly
Kolkata, 12 June : The West Bengal government and the Railways are ready to undertake a joint action plan for protection of railway tracks in Maoist-hit areas under West Midnapore district, officials said."Under the supervision of ADG (Railway) Dilip Mitra, IGP (Western Region) Zulfikar Hassan and Railway Protection Force will finalise the plan for protection of railway tracks and strengthen surveillance," state Home Secretary Samar Ghosh said. He was talking reporters after a high-level meeting of state government and railway officials here yesterday. During the meeting, stress was given on sharing of intelligence between the railways and state police, besides strengthening intelligence on both sides.
As part of strengthening security on railway tracks, emphasis has also been given on advanced technology to tone up surveillance, Ghosh said. The meeting also discussed about the requirement of additional force to enhance surveillance on railway tracks. န File Photo : PTI
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Unauthorised non-banking bodies staff arrested in Tripura
IANS, Agartala, 12 June : The Tripura police have arrested four functionaries of two unauthorised non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) that were collecting deposits from the people in violation of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines.
‘Managing directors and branch managers of two NBFIs have so far been arrested in Agartala,’ Additional Superintendent of Police Bijoy Nag told IANS Saturday. Earlier this month, the Tripura government had decided to take action against NBFCs not recognised by the RBI, the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) or Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
IANS, Agartala, 12 June : The Tripura police have arrested four functionaries of two unauthorised non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) that were collecting deposits from the people in violation of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines.
‘Managing directors and branch managers of two NBFIs have so far been arrested in Agartala,’ Additional Superintendent of Police Bijoy Nag told IANS Saturday. Earlier this month, the Tripura government had decided to take action against NBFCs not recognised by the RBI, the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) or Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
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BDR seize phensidyl from a microbus in Comilla on Friday
UNB, Comilla, 12 June : Members of Bangladesh Rifles in a drive seized phensidyl syrup and hemp worth tk 5.50 lakh from a microbus in Shashangachha area of the town on Friday.
BDR sources said a team of 33 Rifles Battalion led by Havilder Mohammad Khijir Ali seized the microbus in abandoned condition in the area in the morning and recovered 1,000 bottles of phensidyl and 4 kgs of hemp from the vehicle. The seized microbus along with the drugs was deposited to the local Narcotics Control Department.
UNB, Comilla, 12 June : Members of Bangladesh Rifles in a drive seized phensidyl syrup and hemp worth tk 5.50 lakh from a microbus in Shashangachha area of the town on Friday.
BDR sources said a team of 33 Rifles Battalion led by Havilder Mohammad Khijir Ali seized the microbus in abandoned condition in the area in the morning and recovered 1,000 bottles of phensidyl and 4 kgs of hemp from the vehicle. The seized microbus along with the drugs was deposited to the local Narcotics Control Department.
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Tripura has a bumper pineapple cropANI, Nandan Nagar (Tripura), 12 June : Tripura has abundant crop of pineapples following two consecutive years of low production. Both the pineapple lovers and vendors are a delighted lot, as the fruit markets are flooded with pineapples this season.
The growers are also pleased with their crop despite the small size of the fruit due to insufficient rainfall. ‘This time the production of pineapple is good, but it would have been better if it rained two-three months back as that would have made the size of the fruit a little bigger. But still it is a good harvest,’ said Mohammed Rahim, a fruit vendor. ‘Since the production is more and the price is also good, we are making good profit. Moreover, we are also making profit as the government has helped us in staggering and now we can sell our products in the off-season,’ said Babul Dey, Pineapple orchard owner.The yield this year is around 1, 17,531 Metric tonnes as compared to 1, 10,487 531 Metric tonnes last year. န Photos : PTI, Parthajit Dutta
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