PTI, Kolkata, 7 September : Normal life was hit with air and road transport remaining disrupted today in Left-ruled West Bengal due to countrywide trade unions' strike against price rise.
Flight operations to and from Kolkata was crippled as private airlines including Kingfisher, Indigo, Jet Airways, Spicejet together cancelled nearly 80 flights. Passengers were stranded at the airport as they faced difficulty in getting vehicles, sources said. State's hub of IT and ITeS (IT enabled Services) operations, Salt Lake sector five, registered a very thin attendance.Air India sources told PTI that flight operations by AI remained normal with the airline operating eight flights in the morning after the strike began. These flights include an international flight to Singapore and domestic flight to Mumbai, Port Blair, New Delhi, Silchar and Aizawl. AI cancelled their flight to Kathmandu, sources said.
Passengers of two flights each to New Delhi, Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Bagdogra and Dimapur will be carried together later in the day. READ BBC STORY န Photos : Reuters, AP
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Central team to visit West Bengal’s drought-hit eight dists
ANI, New Delhi, 7 September : A eight-member central team, headed by Joint Secretary in Union Agriculture Ministry E K Majhi, will visit drought-hit districts of West Bengal tomorrow.
They would call on Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and later visit eight districts in two groups. The first group will visit West Midnapore, Birbhum, Bankura and Purulia districts, and the second team will move to North 24-Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad and Malda districts.
ANI, New Delhi, 7 September : A eight-member central team, headed by Joint Secretary in Union Agriculture Ministry E K Majhi, will visit drought-hit districts of West Bengal tomorrow.
They would call on Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and later visit eight districts in two groups. The first group will visit West Midnapore, Birbhum, Bankura and Purulia districts, and the second team will move to North 24-Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad and Malda districts.
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Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express cancelled 11-12September
IANS, New Delhi, 7 September : Maitree Express, running between Kolkata and Dhaka, will not make its weekend trips this week on account of Eid.A decision to cancel the weekend trips of the bi-weekly train, leaving Kolkata 11 Sept and returning from Dhaka the following day, has been taken on the request of Bangladesh Railway, said an official statement Tuesday. "The decision to cancel Maitree Express trips on Saturday and Sunday has been taken to avoid avoid operational complications arising due to non-running of trains in Bangladesh on Eid days," the statement said.
Normal services of the train will resume thereafter, it added. Maitree Express normally leaves Kolkata on every Saturday and Wednesday, and returns from Dhaka every Sunday and Tuesday.
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President for united efforts to build illiteracy-free B'desh
BSS, Dhaka, 7 September : President Zillur Rahman today called upon all irrespective to party and opinion to step forward with an united efforts for building an illiteracy-free prosperous Bangladesh.In a message on the occasion of International Literacy Day 2010, Zillur Rahman said the ongoing illiteracy-eradicating programme need to be turned to a social movement for attaining expected success. The president said it's very important to transform huge illiterate population to skilled manpower through proper education. "I believe, the equal and sustainable development of the country is hugly depended on it," he added.
Noting that the present government is fully committed to full eradication of illiteracy from the country, Zillur Rahman said the one of the major components of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared 'Vision 2021' is to building illiteracy free Bangladesh within 2014.
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Strike forced on people by West Bengal government: TMC
Kolkata, 7 September : Trinamool Congress today said the industrial strike by trade unions was forced on the people of West Bengal through "government backing and CPI(M) muscle power."
"This is a politically motivated bandh forced on the people only to harass the working class and daily wage earners," Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and TMC leader Partha Chatterjee told reporters here.
Kolkata, 7 September : Trinamool Congress today said the industrial strike by trade unions was forced on the people of West Bengal through "government backing and CPI(M) muscle power."
"This is a politically motivated bandh forced on the people only to harass the working class and daily wage earners," Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and TMC leader Partha Chatterjee told reporters here.
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Bangladesh's new policy to protect 'sensitive' industries
Dhaka, 7 September : Bangladesh's National Industrial Policy 2010 aims to protect "sensitive, vulnerable industries" while supporting both the public and the private sector.
The list of sensitive and vulnerable industries was not made public. The cabinet Monday approved the policy draft that drew mixed reactions from the industrial and financial institutions. The policy targets at the gross domestic product growth rate of eight percent by 2013 and 10% by 2017.
Dhaka, 7 September : Bangladesh's National Industrial Policy 2010 aims to protect "sensitive, vulnerable industries" while supporting both the public and the private sector.
The list of sensitive and vulnerable industries was not made public. The cabinet Monday approved the policy draft that drew mixed reactions from the industrial and financial institutions. The policy targets at the gross domestic product growth rate of eight percent by 2013 and 10% by 2017.
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Pro-Maoist group to agitate against spokesman’s arrest
IANS, Kolkata, 7 September : The pro-Maoist tribal body, Peoples’ Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) will observe a four-day agitation starting Tuesday in 3 districts of West Bengal to protest the arrest of its spokesman Manoj Mahato, a group leader said.
PCAPA’s former spokesperson Asit Mahato, also one of the prime accused in the 28 May Gyaneshwari Express tragedy in which 148 people were killed, said: “We would observe a black day 7 Sep followed by blockades on 8 and 9 Sep and a 24-hour shutdown in three districts 10 Sep.” Manoj Mahato was whisked off by the police 3 September but only he was shown formally arrested 4 September after the PCAPA threatened to launch a movement, alleging that police may kill him in a staged gunfight.
IANS, Kolkata, 7 September : The pro-Maoist tribal body, Peoples’ Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) will observe a four-day agitation starting Tuesday in 3 districts of West Bengal to protest the arrest of its spokesman Manoj Mahato, a group leader said.
PCAPA’s former spokesperson Asit Mahato, also one of the prime accused in the 28 May Gyaneshwari Express tragedy in which 148 people were killed, said: “We would observe a black day 7 Sep followed by blockades on 8 and 9 Sep and a 24-hour shutdown in three districts 10 Sep.” Manoj Mahato was whisked off by the police 3 September but only he was shown formally arrested 4 September after the PCAPA threatened to launch a movement, alleging that police may kill him in a staged gunfight.
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Nationwide strike cripples life in Left Front ruled Tripura
Agartala, 7 September : The nationwide industrial strike has crippled the normal life in the Left Front ruled Tripura on Tuesday.While the capital Agartala wore a deserted look with shops, markets, industrial and business establishments, educational institutions were closed traffic remained off the roads. Barring some government and healthcare vehicles no vehicular movement was seen in major roads including National Highway-44. There was no attendance in government offices and banks including private financial institutions.
CITU workers and other employees’ unions of Left Front staged picketing at Agartala Railway station and motor stands. Air services were also disrupted as no plane flew in Agartala- Kolkata and Agartala-Guwahati sectors till noon. Meanwhile, police said, so far no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state. န Photo : Parthajit Dutta
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BOBBBC protest against formation of separate Gorkhaland
Siliguri, 7 September : The Bangla-O-Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee (BOBBBC), a regional non-political outfit, observed a 24-hour strike here on Tuesday to protest against the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.
The activists held the strike ahead of the eighth round of tripartite talks, to be held in New Delhi today. The BOBBBC strongly opposed any type of talks that promote or encourage the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.
Siliguri, 7 September : The Bangla-O-Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee (BOBBBC), a regional non-political outfit, observed a 24-hour strike here on Tuesday to protest against the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.
The activists held the strike ahead of the eighth round of tripartite talks, to be held in New Delhi today. The BOBBBC strongly opposed any type of talks that promote or encourage the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.
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Six rebels of different groups lay down arms in Manipur
PTI, Imphal, 7 September : Six rebels of different groups surrendered before senior security officials in Manipur today.
Officials said three insurgents of the banned People's Liberation Army (PLA), two of Kangleipak Communist Party and one of United People's Party of Kangleipak surrendered before DGP Y Joy Kumar and Assam Rifles IG Maj Gen C A Krishnan here. They handed over arms including one M-16 rifle, one AK 47 rifle and three 9mm pistols.
PTI, Imphal, 7 September : Six rebels of different groups surrendered before senior security officials in Manipur today.
Officials said three insurgents of the banned People's Liberation Army (PLA), two of Kangleipak Communist Party and one of United People's Party of Kangleipak surrendered before DGP Y Joy Kumar and Assam Rifles IG Maj Gen C A Krishnan here. They handed over arms including one M-16 rifle, one AK 47 rifle and three 9mm pistols.
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150MW capacity plant adds up Wednesday in Chittagong
Chittagong, 7 September : A peaking power plant of 150MW capacity is set to come on stream in Chittagong on Wednesday, even though whether the plant will get the fuel supply it needs to run at full capacity is uncertain.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate operations of the dual-fuel plant located in Patia Upazila's Shikolbaha. It will feed the national grid during peak hours, which authorities hope will ease power outages in Chittagong. The plant will initially run on natural gas and need around 38 million cubic feet of fuel per day (mmcfd) for generation at full capacity.
Chittagong, 7 September : A peaking power plant of 150MW capacity is set to come on stream in Chittagong on Wednesday, even though whether the plant will get the fuel supply it needs to run at full capacity is uncertain.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate operations of the dual-fuel plant located in Patia Upazila's Shikolbaha. It will feed the national grid during peak hours, which authorities hope will ease power outages in Chittagong. The plant will initially run on natural gas and need around 38 million cubic feet of fuel per day (mmcfd) for generation at full capacity.
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Bangladesh and India government to protect Sunderbans
Dhaka, 7 September : Bangladesh and India will soon sign a protocol to protect the riverine Sunderbans that covers parts of both the South Asian neighbours.
Sunderbans is home to famous Royal Bengal tiger. The two countries have resolved to cooperate to protect the area's ecology and the tiger, that is now an endangered specie. The draft of the bilateral protocol was approved Monday by the Bangladesh cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, The Daily Star reported.
Dhaka, 7 September : Bangladesh and India will soon sign a protocol to protect the riverine Sunderbans that covers parts of both the South Asian neighbours.
Sunderbans is home to famous Royal Bengal tiger. The two countries have resolved to cooperate to protect the area's ecology and the tiger, that is now an endangered specie. The draft of the bilateral protocol was approved Monday by the Bangladesh cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, The Daily Star reported.
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Policemen practice "water meditation" to promote peace
ANI, Guwahati, 7 September : Amidst fear of militancy and terrorism, two policemen in Guwahati have discovered a unique way to find peace through meditation by floating on water.
Munin Sharma (41) and Hitesh Sharma (43) of the Assam Police have been practicing this unique form of yoga to restore peace to the troubled state. According to eye witnesses, the duo can sleep on water for hours and the longest that they have done it is ten hours. They have promoted this form of meditation in many states, including Orissa and West Bengal.
ANI, Guwahati, 7 September : Amidst fear of militancy and terrorism, two policemen in Guwahati have discovered a unique way to find peace through meditation by floating on water.
Munin Sharma (41) and Hitesh Sharma (43) of the Assam Police have been practicing this unique form of yoga to restore peace to the troubled state. According to eye witnesses, the duo can sleep on water for hours and the longest that they have done it is ten hours. They have promoted this form of meditation in many states, including Orissa and West Bengal.
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Bangladesh railway officials survey Agartala to Akhaura link
Agartala, 7 September : A four-member team headed by Bangladesh Railway Chief arrived here yesterday to conduct a survey of railway tracks laying work between Agartala and Akhaura, land port of Bangladesh that connects Dhaka by railway.Officials here today said the team had a meeting with the railway officials of Tripura and discussed the plan of work. They have started joint survey with the Indian railway officials of proposed 16 Km distance this morning. The Bangladesh delegation would meet Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey tomorrow before leaving for Dhaka.
As per the agreement between India and Bangladesh signed this year in New Delhi, India would extend railway network to two more places in Tripura and Sabroom, at southern end and Akhaura check post of Agartala along the India-Bangladesh border to improve connectivity between the two countries. Bangladesh operates regular train services on its side up to Akhaura, just opposite to Agartala and if India connects its railway network up to that point, Tripura would be well connected with Dhaka as well as rest of the country via Kolkata crossing high terrains of the Northeast.Earlier, a team of the Indian Railway Construction Company had visited Dhaka and held talks with Bangladesh government and the railway ministry officials to finalise alignment of the 16 Km Agartala-Akhaura connecting rail line, said Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) officials.
They pointed out that out of the total distance only six Km falls in the Indian territory, while the remaining portion in Bangladesh and after approval of the alignment, the railway ministry would sanction necessary fund as per the agreement.
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