Narayanganj
BNP-Police Clashes: At least 70 BNP leaders, activists injured in N'ganj
At least 70 people were injured as the activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and police locked into clashes during the BNP’s dawn-to-dusk nationwide hartal in Narayanganj's Araihazar and Press Club areas on Sunday.
Nazrul Islam Azad, assistant secretary of BNP's international affairs, former joint convener of district BNP Mashukul Islam Azad, Araihazar upazila BNP president Yusuf Khan Bhuiyan, general secretary Jewel Ahmed were among the injured.
'Attacks on Saturday, Sunday were pre-planned by BNP': Obaidul Quader
In support of BNP's hartal, the leaders and activists of Araihazar Upazila BNP and its associate bodies led by BNP International Affairs Assistant Secretary Nazrul Islam Azad, brought out a procession on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway this morning.
When they took position in the Panchrukhi area of Dhaka-Sylhet highway and blocked the road by burning the tires, police charged with batons to disperse them, triggering the clash.
BNP leader Nazrul Islam Azad said police charged with batons and fired rubber bullets in our peaceful march, leaving at least 20 leaders and activists injured including me.
Fakhrul brought to DB office for questioning: DMP Commissioner
Additional Superintendent of Narayanganj Police (DB)Tariqul Islam said BNP men blocked Araihazar’s Dhaka-Sylhet highway and police tried to remove them from the road.
When BNP men threw bricks at the police, police dispersed them to bring the situation under control, the ASP added.
Meanwhile, a chase and counter chase between BNP activists and leaders took place in Narayanganj’s Press club area on Sunday morning.
The incident occurred in front of Narayanganj Press Club at around 8 am on Sunday.
BNP announces 3-day countrywide blockade from Tuesday
Agitated leaders and activists of BNP vandalized cars and hurled brickbats along with arson on the streets. Meanwhile, police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
Narayanganj Metropolitan BNP member secretary Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu claimed that “When we were observing hartal peacefully, the police fired on us, leaving our 50 leaders and activists injured.
5 workers burnt in N’ganj re-rolling mill explosion
Five workers of a re-rolling mill suffered burn injuries in an explosion at Siddhirganj in Narayanganj district on Saturday.
The injured were identified as Iqbal, 26, Saiful, 30, Zakaria, 22, Muzammel, 30 and Shariful, 25 of Godnail Syedpara area.
Fakhar Uddin, deputy assistant director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, said an explosion occurred at the Sharmin re-rolling mill early in the morning, leaving workers injured.
Couple, their baby burnt in gas explosion in Narayanganj
Condition of three out of five workers who suffered burn injuries was stated to be critical and they are undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.
Gas supply to remain off for 12 hours in parts of Narayanganj, Munshiganj Tuesday
Of the injured, Muzammel sustained 100 percent burn, Saiful 60 percent, Shariful 57 percent, Jakaria 35 percent and Iqbal 33 percent, said the hospital’s resident medical surgeon Dr Tarikul Islam.
Fakhar Uddin, deputy assistant director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, said overflow of gas might cause the explosion when the workers were asleep.
Blast in Narayanganj building: 3 family members among 4 burned
On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control within a short time, he said.
The reason behind the explosion will be known upon investigation, said Engineer Gias Uddin of Narayaganj Titas Gas.
Blast in Narayanganj building: 3 family members among 4 burned
Four people including three members of a family sustained burn injuries in an explosion at a residential building in Fatullah of Narayanganj early Sunday (August 13, 2023).
Two more people sustained injuries in the incident.
Sabuj Khandaker; Rana Miah, his wife Bithi Aktar and their child are now undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.
Read: Burnt mother succumbs to injuries in DMCH; baby in emergency
One of the other injured was identified as fruit seller Abu Kalam who is receiving treatment at National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR). The other injured was given first aid.
Neighbours and relatives of the burn victims said a blast occurred on the fifth floor of a six-storey residential building owned by one Aslam Sikdar around 12 am.
Later, locals rescued the tenants and sent them to Narayanganj General Hospital. They were subsequently shifted to the capital’s burn institute.
Read: Woman burnt to death in Chattogram
Fakhruddin, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence department, said doors and windows of the two units of the fifth floor and other valuables were burnt in the blast.
Walls of the flat fell on the roof of a semi-pucca house near the building, leaving two more people injured, he said.
The reason behind the blast and extent of damages will be known upon investigation, the fire service officer added.
Reade more: 2 women among 9 burnt in gas line explosion in Dhaka
Fire service truck driver dies of stroke behind the wheel; collision with multiple vehicles leaves rickshaw-puller dead
Driver of a fire service truck had a stroke while behind the wheel and died, causing a collision with a rickshaw and two other vehicles, leaving the rickshaw-puller dead and eight people injured at Chashara crossing of Narayanganj earlier today (July 24, 2023).
The fire service truck driver was identified as Jahangir Hossain, while identities of the deceased rickshaw-puller and the injured could not be known immediately.
Read: 9th grader killed in road accident in capital
Fakhruddin, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed the death of Jahangir, saying that a civilian was also killed when the fire service truck hit a rickshaw and two other vehicles after the driver died behind the wheel.
Aktaruzzaman, deputy director of Fire Service Headquarters in Dhaka, said a rickshaw, a bus, and a private car were hit by the fire service vehicle when driver Jahangir suffered a stroke on the way to a fire incident in Fatullah.
Read: 39 killed as fire rips through launch off Jhalokati coast
Md Bachhu Miah, inspector of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) police outpost, said two of the injured were admitted to the hospital, where they are undergoing treatment, and the rest are at several hospitals in Narayanganj.
Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Narayanganj Model Police Station, said a fire broke out at a factory in Fatuallah’s BSCIC area in the morning. The fire service truck was going there.
The accident happened around 10:30 am when the fire service vehicle hit the bus, private car, and rickshaw.
Read more: 1 killed in road accident in Khulna
Good Fashion Fund makes first investment in Bangladesh in impact equipment
The Good Fashion Fund (GFF), a Netherlands-based investment fund promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry, has made its first investment in Bangladesh.
The $1 million funding will support Progress Apparel Ltd.’s investment in a modern in-house washing plant located at the Adamjee EPZ's factory in Narayanganj, Dhaka.
The washing plant will be equipped with state-of-the-art washing, drying and hydro machinery selected for its efficient use of water and chemicals, said a media release on Monday (July 03, 2023).
Also read: Netherlands lauds Bangladesh’s continued progress despite global uncertainties
GFF’s investment - which is structured through Progress Apparels’ holding company in Hong Kong, PDS Ltd. - is enabling the company as a new player in the textile sector, to access international funding whilst promoting sustainable investments.
GFF’s investment in the in-house washing plant not only generates savings in water and chemical usage compared to conventional machinery, but also promotes supply chain traceability and transparency as washing is no longer outsourced, and the factory is now well capable of monitoring water, energy and chemical usage and the social well-being of its employees.
Limiting transport to and from the outsourced facility will further reduce emissions.
Progress Apparels Limited is a ready-made garment producer established in 2017 in Bangladesh.
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The company is part of PDS Limited. The facility produces woven bottoms for popular international brands and retailers.
They have a production capacity in excess of 1,000,000 pieces per annum which is set to increase due to operational efficiencies brought about by the GFF investment.
Speaking on the conclusion of the investment, Pallak Seth, Executive Vice Chairman, PDS Limited said, “PDS has more than two decades of expertise in the apparel value chain and established itself as a favoured collaborator for over 200 prominent global retail brands."
"As a socially responsible corporate entity and a trusted partner of retailers, we are dedicated to upholding our obligations to both our customers and the environment. Our association with the Good Fashion Fund serves as a testament to PDS's commitment to collaborating with esteemed institutions that prioritize environmental sustainability and circularity.”
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Sanjay Jain, Group CEO, PDS Limited, “Over the past year, our manufacturing business has achieved a full year of profitability. This investment in the wash plant has not only empowered Progress Apparels to enhance their manufacturing capabilities but also gained the advantage of Good Fashion Fund's knowledge in sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology implementation. This investment allows us to leverage their expertise for the betterment of our operations and overall sustainability goals.”
The GFF is initiated by the Laudes Foundation for financing is to be used to invest in impact equipment that deliver both economic growth and good fashion practice.
Bob Assenberg, Fund Director of the Good Fashion Fund, spoke on this investment.
“We are excited to announce our first investment in Bangladesh and to be associated with a sustainability- oriented manufacturer such as Progress Apparels. This partnership demonstrates that sustainability can go hand-in-hand with economic savings and that it is essential towards transforming the apparel supply chain. We hope industry stakeholders will make concerted efforts in making such investments more accessible in Bangladesh.”
Also read: Netherlands, IOM join hands to improve environment, strengthen resilience of Rohingyas, host communities in Cox’s Bazar
Anita Chester, Managing Director of Laudes India, commented that “Sustainable manufacturing practices and processes are the need of the hour. They are especially critical in key manufacturing regions like Bangladesh where support to producers is critical to showcase the immense opportunity to decarbonise while ensuring a socially responsible transformation.”
The total investment made at the manufacturing facility has been seen as a testimony to PDS’s pledge to make the apparel manufacturing value chain sustainable and environmentally ethical for all stakeholders, the press release said.
Death toll from Narayanganj re-rolling mill explosion rises to 4
Three more workers died after they were injured in an explosion that took place at a re-rolling mill of Bhulta Gauchia area of Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj taking the toll to 4, police said on Friday.
Elias Ali (35) and Alamgir (30) of Kishoreganj’s Itna upazila and Neyon (20) of Rajbari succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (SHNIBPS), Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost, said.
Earlier on Thursday, a worker named Shankar was declared dead by the doctor after being rushed to the hospital. The conditions of three others remain critical.
Also Read: Death toll from Narayanganj re-rolling mill explosion rises to 3
Elias died on Thursday night while undergoing treatment. SM Ayub Hossain, a resident surgeon at the Burn Institute, said he suffered 98 percent burns.
Meanwhile, Neyon breathed his last at around 10am on Friday morning at the burn institute. He suffered 97 percent burns. Alamgir succumbed to his injuries at around 12:30 pm. 95% of his body was burnt, according to the resident doctor.
The bodies have been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
2 militants’ escape from Dhaka court: Wife of a militant arrested
The wife of one of the two convicted militants who fled Dhaka court with the help of other militants has been arrested from Narayanganj.
The arrestee is Shikha, wife of Md Abu Siddique Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab.
Tipped off, a team of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTC) conducted a drive in the area and arrested Sikha from Narayanganj on Friday night.
Details about the arrest will be disclosed through a media briefing.
Read more: 2 militants who escaped from Dhaka court will be arrested any time soon: DB Chief
Two militants- Md Abu Siddique Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab and Moinul Hasan Shamim alias Samir alias Sifat alias Imran- were sentence to death in publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan murder case.
They managed to escape Dhaka court premises with the help of some other militants after using pepper spray on policemen on November 20, 2022.
They are members of the banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam.
Fatullah residents weary of routine gridlock on Dhaka-Narayanganj road
Traffic congestion on the old Dhaka-Narayanganj road from Chashara to Panchabati, Fatullah Bazar, and post office to Munshi Khola of Pagla has become a daily routine.
School and college students, as well as garment workers and professionals, are often stuck in traffic.
Owing to lack of proper monitoring from public representatives and top administration officials, it has become impossible to bring the traffic congestion under control. As a result, there is no end to passengers’ suffering from morning to night.
The reason for this traffic congestion, among others, is that buses pick up passengers by braking anywhere on either side of the road at Panchabati intersection; freight trucks load and unload at the entrance of the market adjacent to Fatullah Mosque, and the illegally built easybike stand in front of Shibu Market at Fatullah Post Office.
As a result, the traffic on this essential road remains gridlocked and passengers suffer for countless hours.
Read more: Traffic woes: Dhaka will see a ‘massive difference’ by 2030, PM says
Another reason contributing to the traffic congestion is empty trucks being parked on the Dhaka-Narayanganj DND road. Apart from that, goods-laden trucks constantly face difficulty crossing the entry and exit points of Fatullah.
Despite having traffic police nearby, they are not performing their duties properly.
The road between BSCIC Gate2 to Panchabati is frequently congested. only because the truck drivers and auto rickshaws violate traffic laws, causing significant suffering for passengers. Even pedestrians face difficulty walking on footpaths.
Munshikhola, Taltala is the hub for the country's largest rod cements. From here bricks, cement and rods are supplied to north and south Bengal. Many of the regular commuters on this road said it is difficult to tell how they will travel during this holy month of Ramadan.
In addition to occupying the entire road, easybike-mishuk-buses-trucks are also parked on mud roads hampering movement of people.
The commuters admit that no driver of any vehicle, big or small, wants to obey the traffic rules.
In order to remove traffic congestion on this route, the common people strongly demanded increased community policing along with the traffic police. That can free parts of the road of traffic jams.
Specifically, commuters UNB spoke to blamed the drivers and helpers of two transport companies - Ananda and Borak Paribahan - for contributing to the traffic mess.
The residents of Fatullah demanded that drivers and helpers, owners' associations and labour leaders should be aware and united to ease the traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Narayanganj DND road and the administration and the traffic police have to be vigilant in solving this problem.
Gas supply to remain off for 8 hrs in some Dhaka areas, 9 hrs in N’ganj today
Gas supply will remain suspended for 8 hours — from 2 pm to 10 pm — today (March 22, 2023) for all consumers in several Dhaka areas due to emergency work of pipelines.
The areas include Minto Road, Eskaton, Pirbagh, Habibullah Road, Karwan Bazar, Old Elephant Road and areas adjacent to PG Hospital, Paribagh BPDB quarters, Birdem Hospital, Dhaka Club, Holy Family Hospital, Dhaka University and Buet, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited said.
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In another notice, Titas said that gas supply will remain off on both sides of the Saoghat- Araihazar road in Narayanganj from 8 am to 5 pm for emergency pipe tie-in work today.
Regretting for the temporary inconveniences, Titas Gas authorities said the consumers in adjacent areas may experience low pressure in gas supply.
Read More: Gas explosion at residential, commercial buildings: Common causes and ways to prevent them
N’ganj warehouse blast leaves one dead, 9 wounded
A 40-year old man was killed and 9 people were injured in an explosion that triggered a fire at a warehouse in Narayanganj’s Nitaiganj Saturday morning.
Awlad Hossain succumbed to his injuries at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the capital, Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Narayanganj Sadar police station, confirmed.
The rest burned injured are undergoing treatment there, he said.
Shahjahan Shikdar, deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire broke out in the two-story building around 9 am following an explosion.
A portion of the building collapsed after the explosion, he said.
On information, six firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around one and an half hours after the incident.
However, what caused the explosion and the subsequent fire could not be known immediately, he said.
Read more: 2 injured as fire breaks out in Narayanganj building following explosion
Fakhruddin, an assistant deputy director of Narayanganj fire service, said the building was declared risky as it may collapse any time.
Abdul Kadir, president of Nitaiganj Multilateral Cooperative Society, said former president of the district’s flour mills owners’ association Illias Dewan is the owner of the building which was used as warehouse of pulse, rice, salt and other products.
The first floor of around 100-year-old building was declared abandoned around 10 years back, he said.
Golam Mostafa Russell, superintendent of police in the district, said onlookers were removed from the spot after the building was declared risky.