IANS, New Delhi, 21 October : A probe panel has confirmed that sabotage caused the 28 May mishap of the Gyaneshwari Express train that led to the deaths of 150 passengers and injuries to 157, the railway ministry said Thursday.
"The probe has revealed that the accident had occurred due to tampering of track, including removal of elastic rail clips and disturbance of cross level and alignment," said the ministry, quoting from the statutory probe report. "Accordingly, the cause of the accident is attributed to and classified as sabotage," the ministry said. The probe was conducted by Commissioner of Railway Safety S. Nayak of Kolkata-based South Eastern Circle of the Indian Railways.To ensure impartiality in the probe, the commissioner of railway safety functioned under the ministry of civil aviation. "The commissioner has sent his preliminary report to the central government," said the railway ministry.
The 2102 Up Howrah-Lokmanya Tilak Terminal (Mumbai) Gyaneshwari Express had derailed between Khemsuli and Sardiha stations of Kharagpur-Tatanagar section of the South Eastern Railway 28 May at 1.17am. A goods train coming on a parallel track hit a few of the derailed coaches lying on it. This led to the deaths of 150 people, and 46 were grievously wounded, it said. န File Photos : PTI, Arpan Mukherjee
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SEA's call for joint efforts to tackle climate change impact
UNB, Dhaka, 21 October : The Dhaka Declaration of a 3-day regional conference on climate change ended here Thursday urging South East Asian (SEA) leaders and experts to work together to tackle the adverse impact of climate change on health in the region.The conference stressed on effectively follow-up the Declaration and raising SEA Regional Health Concerns to international negotiations. Bangladesh government and South-East Asia Regional Office of WHO jointly organized the conference titled ‘South-East Asia Regional High Level Preparatory meeting for the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’ at Hotel Sheraton.
The delegates and participants observed that the South East Asian Region including Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate change, and nearly all adverse environmental and social effects caused by climate change ultimately threaten human health.
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Journalists allegedly roughed up by RPF at Central station
Kolkata, 21 October : RPF personnel allegedly roughed up journalists and lensmen of some television channels and newspapers who went to Central station of Metro Railway to gather news on the investigation by Railway Board on derailment of two coaches there yesterday.
According to the reporters who were present on the spot, Metro officials allowed them inside the Central station against valid ticket and when they were waiting for the Railway Board probe team, RPF suddenly started beating them and later pushed them out of the station.
Kolkata, 21 October : RPF personnel allegedly roughed up journalists and lensmen of some television channels and newspapers who went to Central station of Metro Railway to gather news on the investigation by Railway Board on derailment of two coaches there yesterday.
According to the reporters who were present on the spot, Metro officials allowed them inside the Central station against valid ticket and when they were waiting for the Railway Board probe team, RPF suddenly started beating them and later pushed them out of the station.
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Minister's e-mail hacker traced to NigeriaAgartala, Kolkata, 21 October : The person who hacked the e-mail account of Tripura Minister for Industries and Commerce Jitendra Chowdhury has been traced to Nigeria.
"The Nigeria-based hacker was traced by an NRI IT expert Soumen Sarkar. Immediately after receiving the information of hacking of my e-mail account yesterday, the US-based man swung into action and managed to identify the hacker," Chowdhury told Bengal Newz today. Now Minister using his Gmail's ID.
The state police department has been asked to take the help of Interpol to book the hacker, who had sent mails to all contacts of the minister's account, including top echelons of the ministry and bureaucrats, urging them to send money.
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Diarrhea outbreak mostly hits in Bangladesh's capital
Xinhua, Dhaka, 21 October : The number of diarrhea patients, mostly children, is on the rise in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka with an oppressive heat wave and frequent power cuts, causing outbreaks of the disease, officials said Thursday.
In the past week, officials said, thousands of patients got admission in the International Center for Diarrhea Disease and Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) in Dhaka with acute complaints of stomach upset. READ FULL STORY
Xinhua, Dhaka, 21 October : The number of diarrhea patients, mostly children, is on the rise in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka with an oppressive heat wave and frequent power cuts, causing outbreaks of the disease, officials said Thursday.
In the past week, officials said, thousands of patients got admission in the International Center for Diarrhea Disease and Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) in Dhaka with acute complaints of stomach upset. READ FULL STORY
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Pest attack, downpour affects Darjeeling's tea production
Tarak Sarkar, Siliguri, 21 October : The tea growers of Darjeeling district have incurred huge losses in the current year due to pest attack and heavy downpour. In comparison to last year's annual production, over 20 percent of losses have been incurred this year. North Bengal Small Tea Association Secretary Nitai Majumder said the lupar caterpillar and haelophelitis majorly affect crops. "This year production is running behind by 20% from the last year. Its main reason is the pest, the insect Lupar Caterpillar is the most dangerous insect and is not even cured by medicines," said Majumder. In a bid to protect the crops, the Siliguri Tea Association is seeking help from the State Government.
Tarak Sarkar, Siliguri, 21 October : The tea growers of Darjeeling district have incurred huge losses in the current year due to pest attack and heavy downpour. In comparison to last year's annual production, over 20 percent of losses have been incurred this year. North Bengal Small Tea Association Secretary Nitai Majumder said the lupar caterpillar and haelophelitis majorly affect crops. "This year production is running behind by 20% from the last year. Its main reason is the pest, the insect Lupar Caterpillar is the most dangerous insect and is not even cured by medicines," said Majumder. In a bid to protect the crops, the Siliguri Tea Association is seeking help from the State Government.
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3 Day workshop for children journalism begins in Rangpur
BSS, Rangpur, Dhaka, 21 October : A three-day basic training workshop on children journalism for the children journalists began here at ASOD Training Centre in the city today.Children Affairs News Agency `Shishu Prokash' is organizing the workshop under the managements of Massline Media Centre (MMC) with the assistance of UNICEF. Former Chairman of Rajshahi Education Board and former Principal of Rangpur Carmichael College Prof Dr Dipkendra Nath Das attended the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest and formally launched the workshop.
Rangpur Divisional Convener of the workshop and noted journalist of Rangpur Manik Sarker Manik delivered the welcome speech in the inaugural ceremony with News Editor of `Shishu Prokash' Selim Akand in the chair. န Photo : BSS
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Two Stephen Court directors granted interim bail by HC
Kolkata, 21 October : The Calcutta High Court today granted interim bail to two directors of Stephen Court, accused in the devastating fire that ravaged the 150-year-old building claiming 43 lives in March this year.
A vacation bench comprising Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M K Chowdhury granted the bail prayer of Sushil Kumar Surekha and Pradip More till the court reopens on November eight. The bench directed Surekha and More to meet the investigating officer in the case everyday and to deposit their passport as condition.
Kolkata, 21 October : The Calcutta High Court today granted interim bail to two directors of Stephen Court, accused in the devastating fire that ravaged the 150-year-old building claiming 43 lives in March this year.
A vacation bench comprising Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M K Chowdhury granted the bail prayer of Sushil Kumar Surekha and Pradip More till the court reopens on November eight. The bench directed Surekha and More to meet the investigating officer in the case everyday and to deposit their passport as condition.
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Delegation of implementation of cht peace treaty meets PM
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BSS, Dhaka, 21 October : A delegation of the National Committee for Implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Treaty led by its convener and Deputy Leader of the House Sayeda Sajeda Chowdhury today met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office here.The meeting held detailed discussions on the progress of implementation of the CHT Peace Treaty, said Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad after the meeting. During the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave some guidelines to the committee in this regard.
The delegation members included Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira, State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipankar Talukdar, chairman of CHT Development Board Bir Bahadur, MP, chairman of Refugee Affairs Task Force Jotindra Lal Tripura, MP, chairman of Rangamati District Council Nikhil Kumar Chakma, chairman of Bandarban District Council Kyaw Shwe Hla (Koshoillha) and chairman of Khagrachhari District Council Kojendra Lal Tripura and chairman of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury. န Photo : PID
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Reang tribal refugees, locally called Bru, protest in Tripura
IANS, Agartala, Aizawl, 21 October : Mizoram tribal refugees sheltered in Tripura for over 13 years Thursday organised a protest rally to express their distress over the Mizoram government’s apathetic attitude to taking back the migrants. “The Reang tribal refugees want an agreement with the Mizoram government to fulfill their economic demands and to ensure their rehabilitation in their villages after their repatriation,” Kanchanpur sub-divisional magistrate Dilip Chakma told IANS on phone.
Since October 1997, over 41,600 Reang tribal refugees, locally called Bru, have taken shelter in six camps in north Tripura’s Kanchanpur sub-division, adjacent to Mizoram. They fled western Mizoram after ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos over the killing of a Mizo forest official.
IANS, Agartala, Aizawl, 21 October : Mizoram tribal refugees sheltered in Tripura for over 13 years Thursday organised a protest rally to express their distress over the Mizoram government’s apathetic attitude to taking back the migrants. “The Reang tribal refugees want an agreement with the Mizoram government to fulfill their economic demands and to ensure their rehabilitation in their villages after their repatriation,” Kanchanpur sub-divisional magistrate Dilip Chakma told IANS on phone.
Since October 1997, over 41,600 Reang tribal refugees, locally called Bru, have taken shelter in six camps in north Tripura’s Kanchanpur sub-division, adjacent to Mizoram. They fled western Mizoram after ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos over the killing of a Mizo forest official.
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Top three "Indian Idol 5" contestants to perform in Dhaka
Dhaka, 21 October : A concert featuring the top three contestants of "Indian Idol 5" is going to be held in Dhaka. Featuring Sreeram Chandra, Bhoomi Trivedi and Rakesh Maini, the concert will be held on 1 November at the Hall of Fame, Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, according to a press release.Mirror Media and Production Ltd, a Bangladesh-India joint venture, will organise the event. Tickets will be available at the Mirror office in Dhanmondi; Diamond World Ltd, Gulshan 1; Zaara Fashion Ltd, Gulshan 1; Samsung Mobile Plaza, All Community Club Ltd, Gulshan 2 and Moon's Boutique, Banani 11.
The organisers announced that a certain part of the proceeds would go to cancer patients. ETV is the media partner of the event. န Photos : TV grab
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Tannishtha Chatterjee in Asia Pacific Screen Awards jury
PTI, New Delhi, 21 October : Tannishtha Chatterjee, of "Brick Lane" fame, has been named in the six-member jury of next month's 4th Asia Pacific Screen Awards that will be headed by Oscar-winning British producer Lord David Puttnam.
The organisers said that the jury is supposed to gather in Queensland at the end of November and then announce the awards on 2 December. Tannishtha, last seen in Dev Benegal's "Road, Movie", is believed to be one of the youngest member to be in a international jury like APSA.
PTI, New Delhi, 21 October : Tannishtha Chatterjee, of "Brick Lane" fame, has been named in the six-member jury of next month's 4th Asia Pacific Screen Awards that will be headed by Oscar-winning British producer Lord David Puttnam.
The organisers said that the jury is supposed to gather in Queensland at the end of November and then announce the awards on 2 December. Tannishtha, last seen in Dev Benegal's "Road, Movie", is believed to be one of the youngest member to be in a international jury like APSA.
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Four CESE units tripped, Massive power outage in Kolkata
Kolkata, 21 October : A massive power outage gripped the metropolis this morning with four units of the private utility CESE, the main supplier of electricity, tripping between 8.17 AM and 9.00 AM.
Dilip Sen, executive director of CESC, said two units of the Southern Generating System and another two at the Budge Budge facility tripped. "The shortfall in our system is 350 Megawatt," he said, adding, it would take some time to synchronise the total system, but things were expected to be under control by 12.30 PM.
Kolkata, 21 October : A massive power outage gripped the metropolis this morning with four units of the private utility CESE, the main supplier of electricity, tripping between 8.17 AM and 9.00 AM.
Dilip Sen, executive director of CESC, said two units of the Southern Generating System and another two at the Budge Budge facility tripped. "The shortfall in our system is 350 Megawatt," he said, adding, it would take some time to synchronise the total system, but things were expected to be under control by 12.30 PM.
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India-UK Air exercise ‘Indradhanush’ begins at Kalaikunda
ANI, Kolkata, 21 October : The flying exercise missions of Indo-UK air exercise ‘Indradhanush’ began on Wednesday at Air Force Station Kalaikunda in West Midnapore District.During the initial two-days of the exercise on 18 and 19 October, elaborate briefings on standard operating procedures, rules of exercise and familiarization of the local flying area etc were carried on. The Royal Air Force is participating with Typoon Eurofighters, the E 3 D Sentry, and VC-10 mid air refueller while the IAF has fielded the SU-30 MKIs, Mirage 2000s, Mig 27s and its AWACS ( for the first time in a joint Air Exercise).
These assets would be combined along with the aircrew and then divided into the blue and red forces. The red forces are the agressors, while blue forces are the defending side. The roles of the participants are changed through out the exercise. The degree of difficulty during the exercise missions is increased by random denial of mid air refueling, and radar silence etc.
The major highlight of the exercise is large no of aircraft operating together and against each other in limited time and space putting the skills of the pilots and the fighter controllers to test. This is known as large force engagement operations (LFE).Air Marshal L K Malhotra of the Eastern Air Command, who met the participants in his address today said: “Apart from the pilots flying these missions, it is an excellent opportunity for the controllers who would be either controlling these missions or will be on board AWACS aircraft as observers.”
“On the technical side too, there will be a number of areas where both the sides can learn from each others maintenance practices, procedures and management of resources with a view to support flying operations,” he added urging the participants to make full use of the opportunity and wished them ‘happy hunting’ The commander of the Air Force base at Kalaikunda, Air Commodore DK Vashist said: “Kalaikunda has the necessary infrastructure which is necessary for an international exercise of this magnitude. Operationally the station has the environment conducive for flying. Also, the airspace is fully available for such large force engagements”.
“The aim of the exercise is to enhance mutual understanding and refine procedures. During this exercise a specific emphasis will be laid on exposing the controllers Air traffic control and Airborne Warning and Control System) to large force engagements and protection of high value aerial assets.”
Air Commodore Vashist further said another area of emphasis would be the management of logistical needs to move large forces from one part of the world to another.he Exercise Indradhanush concludes on 3 November. န Photos : AP
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