UNB, Narsingdi, 9 December : An inquiry committee member Thursday said the terrible train accident in Narsingdi occurred Wednesday evening due to mistake of the driver of Dhaka bound Chattala express.
Benu Ranjan Sarkar, Divisional Engineer (Telecommunication) of Bangladesh Railway, told UNB Thursday that Narsingdi railway station is controlled by inter-lock signal system, a device installed by Germany. If this signaling system goes wrong, engine of a train will not work, he said. Sarkar who is also a member of second inquiry committee constituted at divisional level said the accident occurred perhaps due to the fault of the Chattala express driver.He said the railway control room had asked the Chattla express driver to stop at the outer signal of Narsingdi station and Chittagong bound Mahanagar Godhuli’s driver at the lope line to give passage to Chattala. Ignoring the control room’s instruction, the Chattala express driver straightway entered the mainline causing the disaster. န Photos : Reuters, UNB
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CPIM's district leader shot dead by Maoists in Birbhum dist
Suri, Kolkata, 9 December : Suspected Maoists today shot dead a district committee member of CPI(M) in his party office at Kharasole village in Birbhum district, 65 km from here, police said.
A group of four or five armed men entered the Kharasole zonal party office at around 6.15 pm and shot at Sasti Bauri from a close range. The leader died on the spot, they said. Superintendent of Police Humayun Kabir, who rushed to the spot, said, "I've heard that the killers walked in to the party office and shot Bauri and left walking. It is yet to be investigated whether they were Maoists."
Suri, Kolkata, 9 December : Suspected Maoists today shot dead a district committee member of CPI(M) in his party office at Kharasole village in Birbhum district, 65 km from here, police said.
A group of four or five armed men entered the Kharasole zonal party office at around 6.15 pm and shot at Sasti Bauri from a close range. The leader died on the spot, they said. Superintendent of Police Humayun Kabir, who rushed to the spot, said, "I've heard that the killers walked in to the party office and shot Bauri and left walking. It is yet to be investigated whether they were Maoists."
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High security during ensuing world cup cricket : HM Sahara
Dhaka, 9 December : Bangladesh Home Minister Sahara Khatun on Thursday assured of the highest security measures during the ensuing world cup cricket beginning in Dhaka on 19 February.The inaugural ceremony and eight matches of the world cup will be held in Bangladesh, six in Dhaka and two in Chittagong. Exchanging views with reporters after meeting with high officials of RAB at its headquarters Home Minister expressed hope that the foreign teams would praise the security measures. Replying to a question Sahara said the government achieved near success in rooting out militancy from the country.
She said the law enforcers have been directed to intensify their security measures on the eve of Bishaw Ejtema, one of largest religious gatherings of the Muslims after the Haj. န Photo : AFP
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Is Trinamool Co working in national interests, asks Yechury
PTI, New Delhi, 9 December : With reports of Maoist links with insurgent groups of the northeast, CPI(M) today asked Trinamool Congress to explain whether it was "working in national interests" by supporting the Maoist.
"The links between Trinamool and Maoists are in the open. They are backing the Maoists. So, Trinamool Congress and ally Congress should explain in whose interests they are working. They are definitely not working in national interest," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.
PTI, New Delhi, 9 December : With reports of Maoist links with insurgent groups of the northeast, CPI(M) today asked Trinamool Congress to explain whether it was "working in national interests" by supporting the Maoist.
"The links between Trinamool and Maoists are in the open. They are backing the Maoists. So, Trinamool Congress and ally Congress should explain in whose interests they are working. They are definitely not working in national interest," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.
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HR Watch urges Indian govt to probe killings along 'border'
UNB, Dhaka, 9 December : New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed its concern over the killing of people along Bangladesh-India border and urged both countries to take immediate steps for its resolution.HRW in its report published on Thursday said it found numerous cases of indiscriminate use of force, arbitrary detention, torture, and killings by the security force, without adequate investigation or punishment.
The report, titled `Trigger Happy : Excessive Use of Force by Indian Troops at the Bangladesh Border’, said: “Since both Indians and Bangladeshis have fallen prey to this excessive use of force, both governments need to open a joint independent investigation to turn the situation around. The border force seems to be out of control, with orders to shoot any suspect,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.
“The border operations ignore the most basic rule of law, the presumption of innocence.” The report said India and Bangladesh should take immediate steps to end the killing of hundreds of their citizens at the West Bengal-Bangladesh border by India’s BSF. န File Photo
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3 compartments of Nasirabad mail train derail, 20 injured
UNB, Kishoreganj, 9 December : Three compartments of Nasirabad mail train were derailed near Gachihata station this afternoon leaving at least 20 passengers injured.
Railway officials said Chittagong bound train from Mymensingh was entering the signal point at about 3pm when three compartments derailed and caved in soft ground. Panic stricken passengers trying to come out of the compartments sustained injuries.
UNB, Kishoreganj, 9 December : Three compartments of Nasirabad mail train were derailed near Gachihata station this afternoon leaving at least 20 passengers injured.
Railway officials said Chittagong bound train from Mymensingh was entering the signal point at about 3pm when three compartments derailed and caved in soft ground. Panic stricken passengers trying to come out of the compartments sustained injuries.
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Maoists bandh hits life for 2nd day in "Junglemahal" areas
Jhargram, 9 December : The 48-hour Maoists-sponsored bandh in protest against arrest of their 'state secretary' Sudip Chongdar alias Kanchan and five other leaders paralysed life in junglemahal area for the second day today.
Superintendent of Poilce, West Midnapore District M K Varama said banks, post offices, courts, shops and markets remained closed on the second day in three disrticts of the area-West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. Schools and colleges have declared holiday for two days, whereas traffic movements, including bus services remain suspended, Varma added.
Jhargram, 9 December : The 48-hour Maoists-sponsored bandh in protest against arrest of their 'state secretary' Sudip Chongdar alias Kanchan and five other leaders paralysed life in junglemahal area for the second day today.
Superintendent of Poilce, West Midnapore District M K Varama said banks, post offices, courts, shops and markets remained closed on the second day in three disrticts of the area-West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. Schools and colleges have declared holiday for two days, whereas traffic movements, including bus services remain suspended, Varma added.
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NE's Arunachal Pradesh receives first snowfall of season
Itanagar, 9 December : The season's first snowfall in Arunachal Pradesh occurred at the picturesque Tawang town situated at 14,000 feet above sea level, bordering China, with the temperature dropping below minus three degrees celsius.
"The entire Tawang town has been covered by about two to three inches of snow this morning," official sources said.
Itanagar, 9 December : The season's first snowfall in Arunachal Pradesh occurred at the picturesque Tawang town situated at 14,000 feet above sea level, bordering China, with the temperature dropping below minus three degrees celsius.
"The entire Tawang town has been covered by about two to three inches of snow this morning," official sources said.
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GJM might renew Gorkhaland demand in Darjeeling hills
Darjeeling, 9 December : The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which is holding talks with the Centre and the West Bengal government, might renew its demand for 'Gorkhaland' if its conditions for setting up an interim authority to replace the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, are not fulfilled, a top GJM leader said today.
The GJM, at the fifth tripartite talks in New Delhi, had agreed to the constitution of an interim council for a duration of two years by 2011 prior to the creation of a separate state.
Darjeeling, 9 December : The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which is holding talks with the Centre and the West Bengal government, might renew its demand for 'Gorkhaland' if its conditions for setting up an interim authority to replace the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, are not fulfilled, a top GJM leader said today.
The GJM, at the fifth tripartite talks in New Delhi, had agreed to the constitution of an interim council for a duration of two years by 2011 prior to the creation of a separate state.
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Buddhadeb rules out FDI in agri-retail business in WBengal
PTI, Kolkata, 9 December : West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today ruled out Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the agri-retail sector in the state and said his government would strengthen marketing infrastructure for the benefit of farmers."We don't want FDI in agri-retail business in the state at this moment. We will strengthen infrastructure for agriculture marketing in the interest of farmers," Bhattacharjee told reporters at the state secretariat. He said there was no cold storage facility for farmers, particularly for those growing flowers, fruits and vegetables in major production centres in the rural belt near markets.
The absence of minimum support price for fruits, flowers and vegetables often forced farmers to make distress sale of their products particularly during the peak season, incurring huge losses, he said.
Laying the foundation stone of 30 modern multi-purpose cold storages and cold chains in 16 districts through video conference, Bhattacharjee said 30 multi-purpose cold storages would come up at a cost of Rs 55.33 crore, 85 per cent of which would be taken as loan from NABARD and the rest would be borne by the state government and its agencies.
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2 abducted labourers released ransom demand for 9others
Agartala, 9 December : The banned militant outfit National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) has demanded ransom of Rs 10 lakh for releasing nine tribal labourers, who were kidnapped from Govindabari area in Dhalai district yesterday.
Official sources said here today that the militants stormed a labour-shed and kidnapped 11 labourers, however, two of them were set free this morning and ransom notice of Rs 10 Lakh was served through them. Referring to statement of the released persons, police said the abducted labourers were assumed to be kept in Bangladesh hide-outs, as a small stretch of Tripura-Bangladesh border was still unfenced.
Agartala, 9 December : The banned militant outfit National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) has demanded ransom of Rs 10 lakh for releasing nine tribal labourers, who were kidnapped from Govindabari area in Dhalai district yesterday.
Official sources said here today that the militants stormed a labour-shed and kidnapped 11 labourers, however, two of them were set free this morning and ransom notice of Rs 10 Lakh was served through them. Referring to statement of the released persons, police said the abducted labourers were assumed to be kept in Bangladesh hide-outs, as a small stretch of Tripura-Bangladesh border was still unfenced.
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Five Maoists held in West Midnapore and Hooghly district
IANS, Kolkata, 9 December : Five Maoists have been arrested in West Midnapore district, police said Thursday.
They included squad member Uttam Mandi who was wanted in several murder cases, Jhargram Superintendent of Police Praveen Tripathi told IANS over telephone. He was arrested Wednesday night from Jhargram. Maoist leader Dilip Mahato and his associates Lakshmi Kanta Soren and Babu Lal Mahato alias Jhapu were caught early Thursday in Bhulagera area. Another Maoist, Ashoke Singh, was arrested from a hideout in Goghat area of Hooghly district.
IANS, Kolkata, 9 December : Five Maoists have been arrested in West Midnapore district, police said Thursday.
They included squad member Uttam Mandi who was wanted in several murder cases, Jhargram Superintendent of Police Praveen Tripathi told IANS over telephone. He was arrested Wednesday night from Jhargram. Maoist leader Dilip Mahato and his associates Lakshmi Kanta Soren and Babu Lal Mahato alias Jhapu were caught early Thursday in Bhulagera area. Another Maoist, Ashoke Singh, was arrested from a hideout in Goghat area of Hooghly district.
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Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed roots for connectivity with India
IANS, Dhaka, 9 December : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s technocrat son Sajeeb Wazed Joy has strongly supported the government’s plans to ‘connect’ with India and other neighbours and join the trans-Asian rail and road network.‘It is connectivity. Transit is an aspect. India will get transit and we will get a fee. We must get a fee. Why not,’ Joy was quoted as saying by The Daily Star Thursday. ‘Without connectivity and trade in this age of globalisation, the pace of growth and investment will not increase,’ he said at a luncheon meeting organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham).
Bangladesh sits at the centre of three main drivers of growth in Asia - India, China and Southeast Asia. But it has failed to take advantage of geography by developing connectivity with the three economies, he said.
Aside from connectivity with India, the country will have road links with Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia through the Asian Highway allowing easy access of Bangladeshi goods to those countries, he said. In addition, as China will be linked to the Asian Highway, bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China will shoot up.
‘Ultimately, it’ll benefit us,’ said Sajeeb, an IT professional with graduation from Texas University who is now with the Awami League. Bangladesh and India agreed on connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan during a visit by Hasina to New Delhi in January, when India pledged a $one billion line of credit.
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