Chattogram
New restrictions in Chattogram: Shops to close by 8 pm
All shops and markets in the port city except medical stores have been ordered to close by 8 pm from Wednesday as the administration imposed new restrictions to combat increasing corona virus.
The decision was taken on Tuesday considering the health risks posed by Covid-19, said deputy commissioner Mominur Rahman.
All types of public gatherings including mezban, wedding parties will remain suspended during this period in the district.
Restaurants and eateries will operate at half the capacity.
At least 12 mobile courts will conduct drives to ensure that people wear masks and follow health protocols. Anyone violating the restrictions face penalty,
The devotees have been asked to maintain social distance while offering prayer and enter the mosques only after hand sanitization.
Also read: 8-day lockdown in Fatikchhari begins tomorrow
The community centres located in city corporation areas and different upazilas have been warned to refrain from arranging any marriage or other social programmes and if found involved in violating the order they will be penalised.
The entrance of Patenga sea beach will also remain shut from Wednesday as no one can enter the area, said DC.
Besides, the mobile court drives of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will ensure the health guidelines on public transport.
Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr. Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, said so far 662 people have died of Covid-19 and of them, 643 died in the city while the rest died in different upazilas of the district.
Covid-19 situation
As the Coronavirus situation continues to worsen in Bangladesh creating new hotspots outside capital Dhaka, health authorities logged 4,846 more new cases with a positivity rate of 19.36% in 24 hours until Tuesday morning.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 76 more deaths, 4,846 fresh cases
The positivity rate in the country rose to 19.36% from Monday’s 19.27 per cent, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Besides, the deadly virus claimed the lives of 76 more people during the 24-hour period, bringing the national tally to 13,702.
The fresh cases pushed up the total caseload to 8,61,150, the handout added.
However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.59%.
Chattogram journo to interview Noam Chomsky
A young freelance journalist of Chattogram will interview the legendary Noam Chomsky for the first time on a Bangladeshi platform on Wednesday (June 23, 2021).
Chomsky, an American linguist and philosopher, will join the Facebook Live of a Bangladeshi interviewing organisation called T-Cup on Wednesday.
Chomsky, also famous as a social critic, will speak live at the event from 10 am about South Asian politics and Bangladesh's political prospects and refugees.
Read: Missing journalist Sarowar found in Sitakunda
Tanbirul Miraj Ripon, the founder of T-Cup (a non-profit organisation) and the presenter of the event confirmed the news to UNB.
Ripon, a young freelance journalist from Chattogram, is an undergraduate in journalism.
His organisation hosts interviews on political issues in South Asia by inviting experts from around the globe.
“I reached Chomsky for the first time in the beginning of 2018 through email . He liked my ideas which inspired me to share more of my philosophies about politics, journalism and life in general with him.”
Read Rozina Islam: Journalism Vs the Colonial hangover of official secrecy
“At least 3 long interview sessions can be conducted from our question -answer sessions in mail. So I offered to host the man himself on our platform which he agreed to.’
“ But this is not the end, we are ready to surprise everyone by bringing more popular journalists, philosophers, strategists and politicians of the world to our interviewing sessions gradually,” Ripon added.
If you don’t want to miss your chance to watch history being unfolded, keep an eye on https://www.facebook.com/tcupinterview/
The event is sponsored by ‘Mohar’ Fashion House, another affiliate of T-Cup.
Read Future of journalism depends on adaptation, professionalism: Dr Arefin
Seminar on ‘World Hydrography Day-2021’ held in Chattogram
Bangladesh celebrated ‘World Hydrography Day’ on Monday with an aim to increase public awareness on the importance of hydrography in our lives.
This year the theme of the day is ‘One Hundred Years of International Cooperation in Hydrography’.
To commemorate the World Hydrography Day, Bangladesh Navy Chief Hydrographer arranged a Video Teleconference (VTC), where a large number of national
hydrographers and high officials from various ministries, hydrographic and maritime
organizations, offices, ports, universities, maritime research and training institutes took part.
Chattogram area commander, Rear Admiral M Mozammel Haque graced the occasion
as Chief Guest, says a Inter Service Public relations (ISPR)Press release.
The hydrographers and other personnel participated in the VTC, discussed on
the hydrographic related issues.
They also discussed how international, regional and sub-
regional cooperation of hydrographic surveying and nautical charting have led up-to-date charts
and ENCs.
READ: KOICA holds seminar on road maintenance, management system issues
The participants also focused their awareness on importance and contribution of BN
Hydrographic Services and capacity building to contribute in national and international level
hydrographic activities.
Besides, hydrographic services Bangladesh will play substantial role in
promulgating the ‘Delta Plan-2100’ of Bangladesh Government.
Bangladesh is the 70th member of International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).
Bangladesh Navy acts as the focal point of all hydrographic matters in the sea area of
Bangladesh.
The National Hydrographic Committee (NHC) of Bangladesh is chaired by
Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations). The committee relentlessly works to promote the
use of hydrography, enhance national hydrographic capacity and also to strengthen
cooperation among the scientific and research communities both at home and abroad.
READ: Seminar on cultural dilemma held at IU
Bangladesh Navy has already developed its capability to produce international standard
nautical charts with strict adherence to IHO standards. With high standard of professionalism,
Bangladesh Navy is already proficient in publishing total 63 navigational charts of our sea area
including 9 International Series (INT) paper charts and 11 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC)
which are accepted by the national and international marine communities and distributed
worldwide for ensuring safe navigation.
Decision taken to ban battery-powered rickshaw-vans: Home Minister
A decision has been taken to ban battery-powered rickshaws and vans, according to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
The home minister said this to the reporters after a meeting of the road transport task force at the ministry on Sunday.
Read:People involved with Hefazat violence to be punished: Home Minister
Khan said rickshaws and vans with added motors were running on the roads and highways across the country. Having only front wheel brakes, these vehicles often overturn and cause accidents. That’s why the decision was taken to ban them.
Pedaled rickshaw-vans all over the country were allowed to run as usual, he added.
Read: Stabilise prices ahead of Ramadan: Home Minister
The committee formed to strengthen discipline and control road accidents came up with 111 recommendations. A task force has been formed with the intention of implementing several recommendations , the home minister explained.
He also said various three wheelers including Nasimon, Karimon, Bhatvati running in rural areas would be brought under control by turns.
Read: Won’t tolerate anarchy: Home Minister
Battery powered easy-bikes will be allowed to only ply on selected roads in the cities, apart from rural areas.
Asaduzzaman Khan said, the roads of Dhaka and Chattogram would soon be monitored by cameras which would eventually help to identify the cause of accidents and reduce those.
1 dead, 3 injured in Boiler blast at Sitakunda shipyard
A worker died and at least 3 others sustained injuries Saturday as a boiler exploded on a scrap ship at Sitakunda shipyard in Chattogram.
The injured workers with burns are currently being treated at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
The deceased was identified as Ripon Chakma, 26, cutter man of the yard hailing from Dighinala upazila in Khagrachari district.
The injured are Md Sohel, 29 from Lakshmipur, Rocket Hossain, 24, from Naogaon and Md Mintu, 41, from Dhaka all working as fitter men in the yard.
Also read: 5 of a family burnt in Chattogram gas cylinder blast
The incident occurred around 2 pm at Messrs SN Corporation shipbreaking yard in Madam Bibirhat area of the upazila.
According to police, the boiler exploded while the workers were cutting a scrap ship using gas, leaving four of the workers burnt.
As they were taken to CMCH after rescuing, the doctor announced Ripon dead.
Officer-in-Charge of Sitakunda model police station Abul Kalam Azad said a team was sent to the scene for investigation.
Also read: 5 burn injured in Chattogram blast
“The injured are in critical condition at the moment,” the OC said, quoting the doctors at CMCH.
Meanwhile, some workers of the shipyard claimed the number of deaths and injuries are much higher.
The shipyard authority has hidden the bodies and injured workers, they said, wishing not to be identified.
7 killed, 22 injured in three road accidents in Chattogram, Rangamati
At least seven people, including women and children, have been killed in three separate road accidents in Chattogram and Rangamati on Friday. About 22 more people were injured in these accidents.
The accidents occurred in EPZ Steel Mills Bazar and Shikalbaha area of Karnafuli police station on Friday.
According to police, three people, including a woman and a child, were killed when a bus overturned at Steel Mills Bazar area under EPZ police station around 12 pm.
Two of the deceased were Nur Begum, 43, and her niece, 11, who were killed on spot. Another died on the way to the hospital after being rescued by the police.
Also read: 4 killed in Cumilla road crash
Witnesses said a speeding bus hit a rickshaw at Sailo Road and crushed the pedestrians, losing its control while escaping at Friday noon.
EPZ police officer-in-charge Utpal Barua said the mob detained the driver and helper of the bus and handed them over to the police. The bus was also seized.
Meanwhile, three people were killed and at least 20 others injured in a head-on collision between two buses at Shikalbaha Chaumuhoni area of Karnafuli upazila. However, the identities of the injured were not immediately known.
Police TI Anwar Azim said two buses collided while overtaking a CNG, injuring several passengers of the two buses. Two of them died.
Also read: 3 die in Cumilla road crash
All the injured have been sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
SI Zahirul Islam, in-charge of CMCH police outpost, said at least 22 to 25 people were rushed to the hospital. They are undergoing treatment in different wards.
In Rangamati, a ninth-grader schoolgirl was killed in a head-on collision between a motorbike and a Jeep at Bangalhaliya's Shafipur area of Rajasthali-Chandraghona highway on Friday morning.
The deceased was identified as Opruiching Marma, 18, daughter of Mongbaching Marma of Farua union in Bilachhari upazila. She is a ninth-grader student of Chitmaram High School.
Also read: 4 killed in Bhola road accident
Two people including a motorcyclist were injured in the accident.
Md Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, Officer-in-charge (OC) of Chandraghona Police Station, said legal action is being taken in this case. Police are searching for the jeep.
Cop crushed under drugs-laden microbus in Chattogram
An Assistant Sub-Inspector of police was killed on Friday being hit by a microbus carrying drugs in Chandgaon area of Chattogram.
The deceased was identified as Kazi Mohammad Salauddin, 38, a resident of South Jaypur area in Lakshmipur sadar upazila.
Read:42 tonnes of poppy seeds seized at Chattogram port
Md. Masum, 26, another police member , injured in the accident is being treated at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Officer-in-Charge of Chandgaon police station Mostafzur Rahman said the microbus hit a police team as they tried to stop the vehicle tipped off it was carrying drugs.
Read: Man killed over land dispute in Chattogram
Salauddin died on the spot while Masum sustained injuries, said police.
Later, police seized the microbus with 730 liters of liquor but the drug peddlers managed to flee.
Incessant rains: Parts of Chattogram city go under water
Despite repeated assurances from the authorities concerned to end waterlogging, parts of Chattogram port city witnessed a severe waterlogging on Sunday as previous years.
Witnesses said incessant rains since morning inundated different parts of the port city.
Important roads in Chawkbazar, Jamal Khan, Agrabad, Boro Pole, Choto Pole, Halishahar, Patenga, EPZ, Prabartak Intersection, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, Bakolia, Sholoshohor, Dampara and many low-lying areas got waterlogged, causing immense sufferings to the city dwellers.
6 killed by lightning strikes in Feni, Chattogram
Six people were killed and two others injured by lightning strikes in Chattogram and Feni districts on Sunday.
In Chattogram, four people including two women were killed and two others injured as thunderbolt struck them in Fatikchhari, Boalkhali and Mirsarai upazilas of the district in the morning.
Read: Lightning strikes kill four in Dhaka amid rain
Lucky Das, 38, wife of Banuswar Das and Bhanu Sheel, 40, wife of Jugendra Sheel of Kanchannagar Dulurpara in Fatikchhari upazila, were killed and two others injured being hit by lightning while they were working at a field during rain around 11 am, said Kanchannagar union parishad member Afsar Uddin.
The injured women identified as Maloti rani Das, 50, wife of Mantosh Dash and Shobha Rani Dey, 45, wife of Bhuban Dey were taken to Abdul Monayem General Hospital.
Besides, Sazzad Hossain, 16, son of Mosharraf Hossain of East Domkhali village in Mirsarai upazila was killed by lightning strike while he was working at a field with his father.
Read:Lightning strikes to kill 3 in Chapainawabganj
Meanwhile, Mohammad Jahangir, 39, a day labourer, was killed by lightning strike in Boalkhali upazila in the morning.
In Feni, two people including a minor boy were killed when a thunderbolt struck them at Alampur village in Sonagazi upazila in the morning.
Read: 6 killed by lightning strikes in Sirajganj, Cumilla
The deceased were identified as Sazeda Akter Sathi, 15, a madrasha student and daughter of Soleman of Alampur village and Al Amin, 6, and son of Mohammad Bahar of Charsahabikari village in the upazila.
A streak of thunderbolt hit them while they went to the Feni River amid rain, said Ishak Khokon, chairman of Bagadana Union.
Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 30 more deaths, 1,687 new infections
As Bangladesh continues to fight against the Coronavirus pandemic with rising infections in frontier districts, it recorded 30 more deaths in the last 24 hours until Thursday morning, raising the death toll to 12,724.
Besides, health authorities detected 1,687 new cases after testing 16,982 samples during the period.
With the new cases, the total caseload rose to 8,05,980, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read:COVAX Facility: Japan to provide 30mn vaccine doses to other countries
The daily infection rate rose to 9.94 percent from Wednesday’s 9.81 percent while the mortality rate remained static at 1.58 percent.
The handout said 7,46,035 patients have recovered so far, including 1970 in the last 24 hours.
Rajshahi division witnessed the highest number of deaths during the period with eight while six each died in Dhaka and Chattorgram divisions, four in Rangpur and three in Khulna divisions, two in Sylhet and one in Barishal divisions.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
Lockdown in districts
Due to the recent rise in Covid infections in the bordering districts, district administrations have imposed lockdowns in Rajshahi, Khulna, Satkhira and parts of Naogaon districts to stem the transmission of the deadly virus.
Read:Thakurgaon seals border areas to contain Covid
District administrations have been given the authority to enforce lockdowns in their areas if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates there.
Vaccination drive
Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses bought from India's Serum Institute.
The administration of the first dose of the vaccine has remained suspended since April 26.
Also, the country, the prime recipient of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, has suspended the registration for Covid-19 jabs due to vaccine shortage amid a delay in the arrival of shipments from India.
Read:Bangladesh’s frontier districts brace for Covid ‘catastrophe’: Experts
However, recently two other vaccines, Russia's Sputnik V and China's Sinopharm, got approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) for emergency use in Bangladesh.
The administering of the first doses of the Sinopharm vaccine started on Tuesday.
Bangladesh has also received 1 lakh-plus Pfizer vaccine.