Kishoreganj
Ramna Batamul carnage: Fugitive death row convict held in Kishoreganj
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has claimed to have arrested a fugitive death row convict in the 2001 Ramna Batamul carnage case.
The arrestee has been identified as Mufti Shafiqur Rahman alias Abdul Karim alias Shafiqul Islam, 61.
He was arrested during a drive conducted by Rab-2 members in Bhairab upazila of Kishoreganj on Thursday, said Imran Khan ASP (media) at Rab headquarters.
"During primary interrogation, the arrestee has admitted to his involvement in the attack," he said.
READ: New bench to hear death references for convicts in Ramna Batamul bombing case
Mufti Shafiqur told interrogators that he came in contact with Mufti Hannan, then head of banned Islamist organisation Harkat-ul-Jihad, when he went to study at Yusuf Bin Nuri Madrasah in Karachi in 1987.
While on a subsequent trip to Afghanistan from Pakistan, he became involved with the militant group. Returning to Bangladesh from Afghanistan, he formed the militant organisation, 'Harkat-ul-Jihad (B)'.
From 1990 to 1993, he served as the publicity secretary of the militant group. From 1993 to 1996, he was the Amir of the group. From 1997 to 2003, he was a member of Harkat-ul-Jihad's Sura.
He was involved in 2001 Ramna Batamul bombing on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the August 21 granade attack in 2004, and killing of five people, including former Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria, in Habiganj on January 27, 2005.
From 2001 to 2008, after the attack on Ramna Batamul, he remained secretly associated with the organisation. After that, he stayed at a madrasa in Narsingdi from 2008 and then went into hiding.
While in Narsingdi he was using the pseudonym Abdul Karim and used to work as an Imam at a local mosque for a salary of Tk 5,000.
He used to meet his family members at different places. "Legal action against the arrestee is underway," said the Rab ASP.
President visits development projects in Kishoreganj
President Abdul Hamid on Monday visited various development projects of Mithamain and Itna Upazilas in Kishoreganj district.
He enquired about the progress made in the projects, including Hasanpur Bridge under Mithamin Upazila and Balikhola Ferry Ghat at Chong Noagaon under Karimganj.
He also visited the under-construction Technical School and College in Itna.
Also read: Work for national welfare, President Hamid urges scouts
During the visit, the president was informed about the progress of the construction work.
Hamid, on a five-day visit to his native district Kishoreganj since March 27, also went to the Balda Ferry Ghat on the Ujandhanu River and Moheschandra Govt Model High School of Itna upazila.
Local MP Rezwan Ahammad Taufiq, local people's representatives and senior officials concerned accompanied him.
Also read: ACC annual reports handed to president
Fugitive ‘serial killer’ held in Kishoreganj
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have arrested a ‘serial killer’, who remained fugitive in the guise of a folk singer for seven years, from Kishoreganj district.
The arrestee is Md Helal Hossain alias Baul Selim, alias Selim Fakir, alias Khuni Helal, 45, of Bogura district.
Read:Rape case accused arrested in Sylhet
According to a media release from Rab Headquarters, a team of Rab-3 arrested him conducting a drive at Bhairab Railway Station area in Kishoreganj on Wednesday night.
During interrogation, Selim Fakir, a Baul model of song ‘Bhanga Tori Chhera Pal’, said he was accused in several murder cases and was sentenced to life term jail in a murder case in Bogura.
Read:60 arrested in DMP anti-drug drive
He used to stay at different railway stations and shrines to escape jail sentence for the last seven years. He used to make a living by singing folk songs at different railway stations, said the release.
Legal process is underway against the accused, the release added.
Prime accused in Kishoreganj businessman murder case held
Rapid Action Battalion in a drive arrested the prime accused in a case filed in connection with the killing of a businessman from Laxmipur district.
The arrestee was identified as Zakir Hossain, 36, a muazzin of mosque in Narsingdi’s Monohordi upazila.
On October 3, Ramiz Uddin, 65 of Monohardi upazila in Narsingdi district was found dead near Katabaria Daukia mosque in Kishoreganj.
A case was filed with Kishoreganj Model Police Station.
READ: Woman hacked to death in Pabna; Youth held
Tipped off, a team of Rab conducted a drive in the area and held Zakir Hossain from a mosque in Laxmipur.
After primary interrogation, Rab came to know that, Zakir killed Ramijuddin in a bid to grab his money as Ramijuddin, a cattle trader, said a press release of Rab.
READ: Human trafficking gang busted in Dhaka, 3 held
After the alleged murder Zakir went into hiding.
Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre to be set up in Kishoreganj
An IT training and incubation centre named after Sheikh Kamal will be set up in Kishoreganj.
President Abdul Hamid was briefed about the various aspects of the Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Center at Kishoreganj Circuit House on Thursday.
The project will be implemented by the ICT department at a cost of Tk 60 crore with the aim of building skilled manpower and creating self-employment through training in IT.
Also read: Make country’s health sector more vibrant to tackle Covid-like crisis: President
Praising the initiative to set up an IT Training and Incubation Center, President Hamid said that it would pave the way for creation of skilled manpower.
The president also emphasized on taking initiative from the very beginning to ensure that the quality of training is world class.
Members of Parliament Afzal Hossain and Rezwan Ahmed Tawfiq, Senior Secretary of ICT Department and Secretaries to the President were present on the occasion.
Also read: President Hamid calls for taking development benefits to people
Later, President Md. Abdul Hamid visited Gurudayal Government College.
President to return to Dhaka on Thursday from Kishoreganj
President Abdul Hamid will return to Dhaka on Thursday wrapping up a seven-day tour of his ancestral place,Mithamoin Upazila of Kishoreganj district.
A Bangladesh Air Force helicopter carrying President Hamid and his entourage will land at 4.30 pm at Tejgaon Helipad in Dhaka, his office said.
During the visit, first in nearly two years, the President inaugurated a government girls’ high school at Mithamain upazila, saw the progress of some developments projects, exchanged views with local public representatives, government officials and attended social functions.
READ: President Hamid, PM Hasina mourn writer Hasan Azizul Huq's death
Later, he also laid the foundation stone of four-storey multi-purpose building of Tamiza Khatun Government Girls’ School.
Earlier on the day, the President also offered doa at the grave of his parents for eternal peace of the departed souls.
Hamid also attended a views-exchange programme in the evening with notable persons of the Kishoreganj district at circuit house the day before concluding his seven day tour.
READ: President Hamid calls for taking development benefits to people
He also attended a views-exchange meeting with the foreign students of President Abdul Hamid Medical College at Shilpakala Academy on the same day in the afternoon.
Lawmakers Rezwan Ahamnmad Taufiq and secretaries concerned to the President accompanied him during the tour.
President's activities on day 2 of visit to home district
President Abdul Hamid on Sunday said establishment of rule of law is essential to continue the trend of development of the country.
He said this while exchanging views with eminent persons including people's representatives of Mithamoin upazila of Kishoreganj this evening.
The views-exchange meeting was held at the President Abdul Hamid Auditorium in Mithamoin upazila.
The President also emphasized the joint initiative of the administration, people's representatives and the people to establish the rule of law for the welfare of the people.
"Everyone should stay away from activities that hinder development in order for the new generation to lead a better life," he said.
Read: President asks public representatives in home district to work sincerely
During the exchange of views, the President also highlighted the development of Haor area in various fields including communication and education.
Hamid called upon all to move ahead with the attitude of service by avoiding the attitude of making extra profit to exploit the potential of tourism around Itna-Mithamoin-Ashtagram road.
He also said students should build self-reliance after completing their studies and not just look for jobs.
Earlier, a milad mahfil was held after Asr on the occasion of death anniversary of late Haji Md Tayeb Uddin, father of the President.
President Hamid took part in the milad and doa in the afternoon.
Special prayers were offered for the eternal peace of departed soul of late Haji Md Tayeb Uddin.
Read: President Hamid on a tour of his village and home district Kishoreganj
Besides, special prayers were also offered for the welfare of the country and the nation.
People from all walks of life in the area also attended the doa-mahfil.
In the morning, Abdul Hamid also visited the progress of construction work of under-construction Mithamoin Cantonment.
The cantonment is being constructed in a 275-acre area.
On his arrival at the cantonment area, Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed welcomed the President.
Local MP Rezwan Ahmmad Taufiq, secretaries concerned to Bangabhaban and local administration officials were also present there.
The president arrived here Friday last on a seven-day visit to oversee some ongoing development projects in his own district and exchange views with local representatives.
President Hamid on a tour of his village and home district Kishoreganj
President Abdul Hamid reached his ancestral village Kamalpur in Mithamoin Upazila of Kishoreganj district on Friday, the first day of his seven-day tour of the area to visit several development projects and exchance views with local elite.
He was flown here by a Bangladesh Air Force helicopter on his first visit to the district since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in Bangaldesh nearly two years ago.
Read:Humayun Rasheed Choudhury’s role in protecting Bangabandhu’s daughters unforgettable: President
Later, he went to new dak bungalow of the district parishad where he was given a Guard of Honour.
Also on Friday, he visited a under-constriction bridge - Gora utra in the upazila. The365-metre bridge, being built at a cost of Tk 43 crore, will connect the haors with Upazila Sadar contributing to the area's socio-economic development, President's press secretary Jaynal Abedin said.
Read:President asks industrialists to take care of environment while setting up industries
The President will return to Bangabhaban on November 18, he said.
Littering threatens haor environment in Kishoreganj as tourists swell
The all-weather Itna-Mithamoin-Austragram road is attracting growing number of tourists to the Haor, now a popular tourist destination.
It has also become a source of widespread littering by visitors who are mindlessly polluting the beautiful water body.
The vast expanse of water, which has turned into a hotspot for the enthusiasts, mainly the young people to spend quality time with friends and family members, has now been witnessing huge non-biodegradable waste thanks to lack of awareness among the visitors.
During recent visits to the now-famous haor road, it was found that the visitors coming to enjoy the splendour of the spot were least bothered to protect the beauty and bio-diversity of the Haor.
The types of littering the haor-road face include dropping of plastic and other bottles, cans, cigarette butts, cigarette packets, papers, paper bags, waste from different food items, coconut shells, and tissue papers, as the visitors dump those here and there without considering any consequence.
Though now littering has become a big threat for this wonderful tourist spot due to the rush of travellers, no effective initiative to stop it is visible.
Talking to UNB, some visitors said careless littering is harming the environment besides undermining the beauty and biodiversity.
Terming the Haor wetland as a sensitive zone, a regular traveller and broadcast Journalist Shakil Hasan said, “Haor is the home of different species of fish, aquatic animals, and herbs. Besides, aquatic animals and fish of haor eat these as their food. The environment of the haor is being ruined due to the indiscriminate dumping of garbage by the increasing number of insensible tourists. The food cycle of fish and aquatic animals is being disrupted too.”
Besides, the pollution of water and the environment of the haor has created a shortage of food for the birds. The arrival of guest birds is decreasing day by day due to pollution and reckless movement of tourists, he also said.
The tourist stressed controlling the pollution and limiting the movement of the tourists in order to keep the environment of haor healthy.
He also urged the government to take initiatives to ensure stopping the littering and advised tourists to be seriously aware of this issue.
READ: Tourist’s body recovered from Nikli Haor, another goes missing
Another visitor Nasimul Hasan said initiatives should be made to ensure proper monitoring and management issues to take care of the important project which is related to biodiversity.
Local fishermen told UNB that they are receiving more garbage after the opening of the road as tourists dump them in the water ignoring the adverse environmental impact.
Sharing some photos on littering on his Facebook profile Rezwan Ahmed Tawfiq, member of Parliament of Kishoreganj 4 constituency consisting of haor Upazilla- Itna, Mithamoin and Austragram, said that the massive development work being done under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following the path of Bangabandhu's dream, has also stirred up the haor in this remote area. Nikli, Itna, Mithmoin, Austragram have become one of the tourist hotspots in Bangladesh which are receiving thousands of visitors coming from different parts of the country every day.
Saying haor as the beautiful part of Bangladesh, the national treasure and everyone's pride,’ Rezwan Ahmed said that it is the national duty of all to maintain this invaluable resource and beauty of haor, conserve the aquatic natural environment, biodiversity and vitality of the haor. Therefore, the haor should be kept clean and free from any kind of pollution and environmentally harmful activities.
“If any dirt, garbage, waste material, especially plastic bottles, sticks, packets, polythene or utensils are left scattered in the haor water, it will cause a serious disaster. This will reduce the fertility of the land as well as disrupt the flow of water and hinder the development of fish breeding and plant resources,” he said.
Rezwan Ahmed, the son of President Abdul Hamid, said that the environment department has already warned against dumping hundreds of bottles, packets, and polythene in the haor. Strict laws should be enforced to protect the area from such environmental damages.
He urged the tourists to take utmost care in maintaining the balance of the environment and keep the national wealth, haor clean and natural through sensible practice and behaviour.
"We want a pollution-free fresh environment. So, we have to stand against pollution and take a vow to protect the haor,” he added.
Local administrations informed that the government is also formulating rules for punishing those who will dump wastes here and there on the site instead of dumping those in the designated installed bins.
Travel bloggers and thrill-seekers, or just normal people who like nothing better than to drive out of town, have their latest craze to travel to the north and towards Kishoreganj.
All of them seem to return with one message to deliver above all else: they have seen one of ‘the most beautiful roads in Bangladesh!’
While tourism is bound to generate extra incomes for the locals serving the industry directly or as ancillaries (e.g. boatmen said they are struggling to keep up with the number of tourists already), it does bring with it the danger of overexploitation of the natural bounties. The haor as an ecosystem may be even more vulnerable.
Almost half of Kishoreganj district, including four of its 6 upazilas - Itna, Mithamoin, Oshtogram, and Nikli - is designated as a completely haor area: unique wetland ecosystems that during the monsoon resemble vast inland seas.
The almost 30-km Itna-Mithamoin-Austagram highway, which connects these 3 upazilas of Kishoreganj by going straight through the haor, can be seen as part of that push, although work on the Tk 514-crore project was inaugurated in 2016 by President Abdul Hamid - the district’s most famous son.
The Roads and Highways Department implemented the project that includes the 29-km main highway, 7 box-culverts, and 7 RCC bridges, plus the three big bridges.
4 children drown in Kishoreganj and Pabna
Four children drowned in different places of Kishoreganj and Pabna on Monday.
Two children drowned in a pond near their house while playing in Gundhar union of Kishoreganj’s Karimganj upazila at noon.
The deceased were identified as Ayesha Akhter, 10, daughter of Abul Kashem of the Dakkhin Astoka Nurer Vita village and Asha Moni (9), daughter of Kamal Miah of the same village.
Meanwhile, another two children drowned in Manoharpur village of Pabna’s Maligachha union while playing near a pond at around 2 pm Monday.
READ: 2 cousins drown in Ghaghot River in Rangpur
The deceased were identified as Jewel Rana, 13, son of Abul Hossain and and Jehad Hossain, 13, son of Ziaur Rahman of the same village.
Local UP member Ekram Hossain said both of them were playing in the pond. Suddenly one of them fell in the water while the other drowned while trying to save him.
Drowning in Bangladesh
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under five in Bangladesh. According to Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey(BHIS), in Bangladesh nearly 17,000 children drown annually, an average of around 46 each day.
A cross-governmental taskforce was established on drowning prevention – led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with representation from 12 departments. The task force is working to prepare a ‘National Drowning Reduction Strategy’.
READ: 2 children drown in Naogaon pond
According to the WHO’s latest estimates, drowning is the cause of 235,000 deaths every year. Many countries including Bangladesh report drowning as a leading cause of childhood mortality, particularly in children under-5.