United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur. The programme was launched at around 12:27pm at Balrampur village under Ramchandrapur union of Kaharol upazila. After reaching the canal bank, the Prime Minister first looked at a map of the canal and then moved forward to cut the soil of the canal. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the excavation of 54 canals across the country by launching the digging of the 12-kilometre Sahapara canal in the district. Later, he planted a tree sapling on the bank of Sahapara canal. The initiative brings back a programme first introduced by BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman who started canal excavation work across the country. After introducing the Family Card programme earlier, the Prime Minister launched the canal revival initiative to fulfil another election pledge made by the BNP ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. Accompanied by ministers and BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman personally began re-excavating the Sahapara canal cutting soil with a spade. By cutting the first soil from the canal, he formally launched the nationwide programme, marking the start of similar activities across the country. By digging the canal with his own hands, the Prime Minister evoked the memory of his father, BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Nearly five decades ago, he had taken a similar initiative by personally digging canals to improve irrigation and increase agricultural production. Several thousand local people enthusiastically watched as the head of government himself dug the canal, following in the footsteps of his late father. The Prime Minister arrived at Syedpur Airport from Dhaka by air at 10:15am. From there, he travelled by road to the Balrampur Sahapara area in Dinajpur. Leaders and activists stood along both sides of the road to greet him as his motorcade passed. This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit outside the capital since assuming office as Prime Minister on 17 February. He also addressed a public meeting near the canal at Sahapara. The programme was jointly organised by the Water Resources Ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain, among others, spoke at the programme. The Sahapara canal is about 12.2 kilometres long and is connected with the Punarbhaba River. According to local leaders, the canal was first excavated in 1977 by then president Ziaur Rahman with the participation of local villagers and party activists. PM Tarique’s canal re-excavation drive in Dinajpur evokes memories of Zia Speaking to journalists before the inauguration, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister and Dinajpur-6 MP Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said once the entire canal re-excavation is completed, around 31,000 farmers in the region will benefit directly while nearly 350,000 people will gain overall benefits. He said the re-excavation would help solve the area’s waterlogging problem, increase crop production and improve the local economy.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Sunday said no canal excavation project would be halted under pressure from influential quarters, as allegedly occurred during previous unelected administrations. “The government led by Tarique Rahman will not suspend canal excavation projects in the face of any obstacles,” he told reporters while visiting the historic Choukkar Canal in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur. The minister said the Choukkar Canal was originally excavated during the presidency of Ziaur Rahman and emphasised the government’s commitment to restoring and protecting the country’s waterways. Canals to be reclaimed from illegal occupants: Water Resources Minister State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, who accompanied him, said legal action would be taken against industries and individuals responsible for encroaching on canals and rivers. During the visit, environmental activists campaigning for canal protection submitted a memorandum to the minister, urging stronger enforcement measures to safeguard natural water bodies. The minister later inspected the Lablong Canal as part of his tour of the area.

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), this morning, recovered the severed head of five-year-old Ayat, who was abducted and murdered in Chattogram, from a canal in the port city. Illias Khan, PBI inspector in Chattogram, said that they recovered the head from a canal near a sluice gate in EPZ area on Akmal Ali Road, following information from the accused Abir. He said two teams of 25 PBI personnel have been searching for Ayat’s remains for the last three days at the spot where the remains were dumped. Read more: Remains of 5-year-old Ayat recovered from Chattogram canal “Ayat’s face has been disfigured and it is difficult to identify, but it should be her head,” he said. Earlier on Wednesday, Ayat’s remains were recovered from the canal on Akmal Ali Road in Chattogram city. On November 25, PBI arrested Abir Ali (20) for kidnapping and murdering Alina Islam Ayat, 10 days after the child went missing. Accused Abir, an ex-tenant of the victim’s family, kidnapped the child on November 15 for ransom when she was on her way to a mosque for Arabic lessons, at Bandartila area in Chattogram. Abir strangled the girl to death and later chopped her body into six pieces. He subsequently dumped the body parts, wrapped in two bags, on the beach in the city’s Kattali area. Read more: Ayat murder in Ctg: Accused’s parents put on 3-day remand Ayat’s father, Sohel Rana, lodged a general diary at the local police station after she went missing, police said. Abir was put on another seven-day remand on Monday on completion of his two-day remand. Abir’s parents Azharul Islam and Aleya Begum were placed on a three-day remand on Tuesday.  

Two youths died after jumping into a canal from the fourth floor of a building in Lohar Bridge area of Chattogram on Saturday, said police. The deceased were identified as Mamun, 18, and Hridoy, 13. They were residents of Mohajanpara under Bakolia police station. Md Abdur Rahim, Officer-in-charge (OC) of Bakolia Police Station, said the youths were taking bath at Chaktai canal in the Lohar Bridge area around 3:30pm. Read: DU student jumps off 16-story building, dies They jumped into the canal from the building during the bath and an iron rod entered through the throat of one of the victims while legs of another got struck in mud, he said. Later, rescuers of the Fire Service and Civil Defense department recovered the bodies from the water body, said the police officer. The bodies were sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, added the OC.

Although Barguna’s Varani canal has finally been re-excavated after a long struggle, residents of the area fear that it cannot be resuscitated due to several poorly planned bridges built over the canal. Varani, the canal that connects Payra and Khakdon rivers, has been dead for decades due to illegal occupation. This canal originated from Khakdon river and went on 9 km though the city to connect to the Payra river. Eleven bridges have been built along these 9 km. In monsoon no vessel can pass under these bridges. Due to these unplanned, or poorly planned bridges, the once vital means of naval communication turned into an impassable dead canal. Also read: 30,000 villagers’ long wait for concrete bridge in Feni yet to end The canal was a reliable means of trade and commerce in Barguna Sadar upazila. But over time it became a dead artery due to pollution and illegal occupation. The condition of seven more tributary canals connected with the Varani canal are the same. Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) launched a re-excavate operation which is now almost complete. They have also vacated the banks. However, the 11  bridges are still untouched.  

LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Tuesday said all canals in Dhaka city will be freed from illegal encroachment to help ease waterlogging and enhance its beauty. “If we can free the canals from illegal encroachment, it will help ease waterlogging problems in the city,” he told reporters after inspecting the eviction of the illegal establishments at Ramchandrapur canal in the Basila area of Mohammadpur. He said those who invested huge money in illegally building these establishments occupying government land will be affected. But they should have known better, he said adding this will send a message against future illegal encroachment. Read: NCC election deemed free and fair by international community: LGRD Minister He said the government won’t tolerate any further illegal occupation of government land. The government has taken a project to launch water transports after linking canals in the city and the work to connect canals will start soon, said Tajul adding “We should bring back the heritage of Dhaka city.”

One person was killed and seven others injured as a car lost control and crashed into a roadside canal from Sylhet-Sunamganj highway in Shantiganj upazila of Sunamganj. The deceased was identified as Sujan Mia, 28, driver of the car. The accident occurred in front of Panchagram point in Purba Pagla Union of the upazila on Tuesday afternoon. The Sunamganj-bound car lost control and fell into the canal, according to locals. READ: Schoolboy killed in Dinajpur road crash Police sources said, locals rescued the injured as they heard screaming after the accident. The driver died at the spot.  Seven injured passengers were taken to Sylhet’s Osmani Medical College Hospital. READ: Dinajpur road crash leaves 2 dead SI Abu Bakar of Shantiganj Police Station, who visited the spot, said that the car lost control and fell into the canal leaving the driver dead on the spot.

Two teenagers drowned after their boat capsized in a canal in the Bisnakandi tourist area of Sylhet's Goainghat upazila on Friday, police said. The deceased were identified as Sagor, 17 and Rumel, 16. READ: 2 children drown in Gaibandha pond "The victims drowned after the boat carrying them sank while crossing the canal,” officer-in-charge of Goainghat police station Parimal Deb told UNB. The teenagers were rescued soon and rushed to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival, he added. READ: Four children drown on Eid day A 17-year-old madrasa student, named Imran, reportedly drowned in the same canal on Thursday. However, his body is yet to be recovered.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will begin the excavation of AD8 canal on Saturday to resolve the waterlogging problem in Ashkona area.