Ruling Left Front sweeps at almost all Civic Elections in Tripura

Agartala, 14 December : The ruling CPI(M) led Left Front in Tripura today won the Agartala Municipal Council and 13 other Nagar panchayats, out of 15 in the civic body elections, the results for which were declared today.

The remaining two Nagar panchayats at Sabroom and Ambassa in Dhalai district were wrested by the opposition Congress from the Left Front. CPI(M) State Secretary and central committee member Bijan Dhar told Bengal Newz, "This massive mandate of the people is a verdict in favour of peace and development in the state. And this is also a verdict against the liberal economic policy of the central government which came as a blow for the livelihood of the people."
He said, the party would review why it lost the Sabroom and Ambassa Nagar Panchayats and would play the role of a responsible opposition in those Nagar Panchayats.
Congress spokesman, Tapas Dey claimed that his party winning the two Nagar Panchayats was a sign that the people have started protesting against the ruling party. န Photos : Parthajit Dutta

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25+ killed in terrible blaze in Bangladesh' Garment Factory

UNB, Savar, 14 December : At least 25 garment workers including four females were killed and dozens suffered burn wounds in a devastating fire at a garment factory of the Ha-Meem Group in Ashulia Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking at an impromptu press briefing in Ashulia in the evening, Home Minister Sahara Khatun confirmed the death of 25 people in the fire. Unofficial sources, however, put the death toll at 30. The Home Ministry formed a 5-member inquiry committee headed by Additional Secretary of the Ministry Iqbal Ahmed Chowdhury and asked the committee to submit its findings within seven days.
The BGMEA also constituted a 3-member committee to investigate the incident. The Ha-Meem Group will give compensation of Tk 100,000 to each family of the victims while the BGMEA will also give an identical amount to each victim’s family. Each of the injured will be given Tk 25,000 by the BGMEA.
The fire originated on the 10th floor of the 11-storey factory building at about 1:15 pm (BDST). The reason behind the fire could not be immediately known. Seventeen units of fire fighters rushed to spot and controlled the blaze after hectic efforts for about three hours. န Photos : Reuters READ BBC STORY

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FM says fall in inflation outcome of fiscal, monetary policies
PTI, New Delhi, 14 December : Amid expectations that RBI would pause rate hike spree in its policy review on Thursday, the Government today attributed the 11-month low inflation of 7.48 per cent in November to prudent fiscal, monetary policies.
However, it also stressed upon the need for not straying off the course. "These inflation figures show that we have done well in terms of our monetary and fiscal policies. It is, however, important for us to stay on the planned path of policy," said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

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Five die after consuming 'hooch' in West Midnapore district
Midnapore, 14 December : Five persons died and 10 others were admitted to hospital after they consumed illicit liquor at a village in West Midnapore district today, police said.
At least 15 persons of Bhuta village consumed the liquor at a local shop in the morning before going to work and fell ill by noon. As their condition deteriorated, they were taken to Ghatal Sub-divisional hospital in the evening, the police said. However, three of them died on the way to hospital and two succumbed during treatment, they said.

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Martyred Intellectuals Day observed demanding trial of WC

UNB, Dhaka, 14 December : The Martyred Intellectuals Day was observed across the Bangladesh Tuesday through paying rich tributes to the martyred intellectuals and renewing the demand for trial of the war criminals of 1971.
On the night of 14 December in 1971, two days before the Victory Day, brilliant sons of this soil-professors, journalists, doctors, artists, engineers, and writers- were rounded up from their residences in Dhaka by the Pakistani occupation force, aided by their local collaborators. The intellectuals were taken blindfolded to torture cells in Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Nakhalpara, Rajarbagh and other locations in the capital and were brutally executed at different killing grounds, most notably Rayerbazar and Mirpur.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the martyred intellectuals placing wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the morning. The President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for a while as the last post was played on the bugle. န Photo : UNB

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Copter services in Manipur soon for better communication
Imphal, 14 December : Manipur will soon introduce helicopter services to improve communication between state capital Imphal and the mountainous and plain areas of the northeastern state, officials said here Monday.
Manipur, bordering Myanmar, is the sixth northeastern state in India which has introduced chopper services to develop faster communication between various regions. The government-owned helicopter service company Pawan Hans has been operating for the past nine years in the interior areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim and Nagaland with the union home ministry subsidising fares by upto 75 percent.

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Cine Delve' 15th Agartala film festival to open 24 December

Agartala, 14 December : To mark the 25th anniversary of its formation, Cine Delve society has arranged 15th Agartala Film Festival to be started on 24 December. 8 days completely non commercial festival will entertain viewers with 24 well acclaimed films on India and outside.
General Secretary of Cine Delve Subhasish Talapatra said eminent director Raja Sen’s Laboratory has been chosen to be shown which is based on a short story of Rabindranath Thakur because 150th birth anniversary of Kabiguru is being widely celebrated throughout the country. But all other films are equally important and capable of entertaining spectators, he assured.
Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar will inaugurate the festival at Nazrul Kalakshetra auditorium on 24th in presence of director Raja Sen.

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350 trucks, buses remain stranded for 24hours at Daulatdia
Goalanda, 14 December : At least 350 trucks and buses were stranded at Daulatdia ghat from Monday afternoon to Tuesday evening due to partial suspension of ferry services following drastic fall in river water level at ghat point.
BIWTC officials said services of two Ulity ferryies were stopped yesterday afternoon as pontoons of the ferry ghat was being lowered to level of river water which fell sharply in the last 24 hours ending Tuesday evening.

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Tagore’s Gitanjali to inspire Bengali nation : President Zillur

UNB, Dhaka, 14 December : Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman said the Gitanjali publication, collection of poems by Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, will inspire the Bengali nation afresh.
The President made the remarks on occasion of the 100th anniversary of Gitangali publication (1317-1417) to be held on 23 December. Zillur said the poet’s time-tested collections ‘Gitangali’ had brought the honour of noble prize for Tagore, which was the first among the Asians.
The President said philosopher poet Tagore through his deep realization and creative writings has enriched the Bengali language and the people and also placed Bengali literature in the world stage with honour. “The entire Bengali nation is very respectful to the poet and also proud of him,” he said.
The President expressed his hope that celebration of the 100th anniversary of Gitanjali publication would inspire the young general of the new centaury.

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