United News of Bangladesh

For the residents of Shahjahanpur, Alatuli and Charbagdanga unions in Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj, a 60-metre bridge over the Narendrapur–Kachrar canal is more than just concrete and steel--it is the promise of easier journeys and safer roads. But that promise remains unfulfilled, as approach roads are still incomplete and construction has stalled repeatedly. The bridge, initiated in 2023 by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) at a cost of Tk 6.90 crore, was originally scheduled for completion in March this year. But land acquisition issues and delayed compensation for local landowners have forced residents to take detours of nearly 10 kilometres every day. Now, locals said, the new completion deadline has been extended to June next year. Seven years on, Tk 130cr Sunamganj bridges still unfinished Jashim, a local resident, described the daily struggle, saying, “Landowners did not allow the work to continue because they hadn’t received compensation. After much persuasion, work started, but they obstructed it again during soil-filling. Work has been stopped for nearly seven months. Many accidents occurred due to the poor condition of the road. Because of this small stretch, we now have to travel an extra 10 kilometres every day.” Rahim highlighted the safety hazards, stating, “If the bridge was completed, movement would be easier. Now the deep ditch causes auto-rickshaws to overturn frequently, injuring our relatives.” Another local man, Rafique, bemoans, “When the work began, we hoped to reach the town more quickly. But now motorcycles are overturned and heavy vehicles cannot pass. Despite a Tk 7-crore bridge, we are getting no benefit. We demand its quick completion.” Contacted, contractor Md Selim explained the delay, saying, “The work had to be suspended due to obstruction by landowners who had yet to receive their compensation. The funds have reached the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Once legal procedures are completed and landowners are paid, work will resume.” Deadlock between two departments brings Gomti Bridge Project to standstill Azharul Islam, engineer of LGED under Sadar upazila, said the main structure is ready, with only approach roads pending. “The land acquisition issue is close to being resolved. Work will resume soon and will be completed within two to three months,” he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday (November 15) said his party will give top priority to resolving longstanding water-sharing disputes and stopping what he described as ‘Indian hegemony’ with Bangladesh. Talking to reporters after inspecting a rubber dam built on the Mahananda River in Chapainawabganj, Fakhrul said issues related to the Teesta and Farakka, fair water shares, and border killings will be among top priorities if their party is elected to power. Ensuring Bangladesh’s fair share of water and stopping border killings are priorities of BNP’s politics, he asserted. Read more: Global democracies push for fair election in Bangladesh: Khosru Fakhrul said India, as a neighbouring country, has every opportunity to maintain good relations with Bangladesh. “During the Liberation War in 1971, India stood by us. They should extend even greater cooperation now. But unfortunately, we have witnessed the opposite. The Modi government has put pressure on Bangladesh, taken everything, and given us nothing. That was the failure of the Awami League government,” he added. “The relations must be on the basis of equal footing. Our national interests must come first,” Fakhrul added. The BNP secretary general arrived in Chapainawabganj to join a mass rally organised as part of the ‘Save the Padma, Save the Country; Bangladesh First’ campaign. Read more: BNP weighing review of ‘controversial’ nominations amid grassroots unrest

In the lush fields of Chapainawabganj, where betel leaves have been nurtured since the days of the British Raj, a bountiful harvest has brought little cheer to the farmers. Despite an abundant yield this season, the leafy green treasure is failing to fetch fair prices, leaving many cultivators struggling to recover even the cost of production. Betel leaf cultivation thrives in Sadar and Shibganj upazilas, where generations of farmers have painstakingly tended their gardens. This year, favourable weather promised a fruitful season, with leaves sprouting in abundance. Yet, instead of smiles, the harvest has brought financial woes, as market prices have tumbled to alarming lows. Farmers sell betel leaves in units known as ‘pa’n’, each consisting of 80 leaves, with prices varying according to size -- small, medium and large. Last year, a large-sized pa’n could command Tk 130–140, a medium-sized one Tk 70–90, and a small bundle Tk 25–30. This year, however, the market paints a dismal picture: large leaves fetch only Tk 30–40, medium ones Tk 12–15, and small leaves barely Tk 2–5. Tk 38-crore women’s sports complex in Rangpur turns into grazing ground! Abdul Bari, a grower from Jadupur in Sadar upazila, lamented, “This time, there is hardly any price for betel leaves. Although production costs are higher than last year, the price is only one-third. Everything from labour wages to pesticides and husks has gone up. As a result, we are facing losses.” Similarly, Abdus Salam from Durgapur said, “Last year I sold large-sized betel leaves for Tk 130–140 per pawn. This year, I’m barely getting Tk 30–40. The small ones are practically worthless. We can’t even cover our costs.”

The rising water level of the Padma River fueled by upstream floodwaters and monsoon rains, has flooded the low-lying areas in Chapainawabganj, leaving 8,500 families stranded in six unions in Sadar and Shibganj upazilas. According to the Water Development Board, the water level has risen 3 centimeters in the past 24 hours till morning and was flowing 32 centimeters below the danger level at 9am on Wednesday. Although still below the danger evel the gradual rise has already inundated homes, roads, and cropland, severely affecting thousands of residents. A total of 1,000 families in Narayanpur and Alatuli unions of Sadar upazila have been waterlogged, said Nurul Islam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Sadar Upazila. Vast swathes of rural Bangladesh face flash flood risk Rice and water purification tablets are being distributed among the most affected people in these areas, he added. Meanwhile, 7,500 families in Panka, Ujirpur, Durlavpur, and parts of Manaksha union of Shibganj upazila have been affected.  Water has entered numerous households and classes in 12 educational institutions have been suspended. Relief items including rice, dry food, cash, tin sheets, and purification tablet  have already been provided to around 500 families, said Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi  Officer Azahar Ali. The Department of Agricultural Extension said that around 700 hectares of cropland including paddy, corn, and various vegetables have been submerged in the affected areas of Sadar and Shibganj. Ahsan Habib, executive engineer of the Chapainawabganj Water Development Board, said that although the water level continues to rise slowly the rate of increase has begun to decline. If this trend continues, it is expected that no new areas will be flooded, he added.

Farmers across the north-western district of Chapainawabganj, also renowned for its mango production, are passing busy days with Aman paddy cultivation, as timely monsoon rains have signalled the start of the season. From transplanting seedlings to preparing fields and repairing bunds, agricultural lands across the district are abuzz with activities. Shah Lal Ali, a farmer from Baliyadanga village in Sadar upazila, said he is cultivating Aman paddy on 12 bighas of land and plans to plant on another six bighas soon. “The rains arrived early this year, which has been good for farming. The initial abundance of rainwater meant there was no need for irrigation in the beginning, helping reduce costs. If the rainfall continues like this, irrigation expenses will largely reduce,” he said. Akbar Ali, a farmer from Atahar area, echoed the sentiment. “Aman paddy must be planted during the rainy season. I’ve seen my forefathers rely solely on rainwater for this crop. In years without rain, we’ve had to depend on deep tube wells for irrigation. But this year, timely rains have allowed all the farmers to begin cultivation,” he said. Akbar said he has already planted paddy on eight bighas of land and plans to cultivate another two bighas once the standing rainwater recedes from a low-lying field. “The market price of paddy is good right now, which has encouraged more people to grow rice this season,” Akbar added. Golden fiber in trouble: Kurigram’s jute farmers struggle amid water crisis Meanwhile, Jahangir Hossain, another farmer in the area, expressed concern over rising costs. “The price of ploughing and labour has gone up. On top of that, we have to feed the workers and even provide cigarettes,” he said with frustration. Calling farming the only way to survive, Jahangir said he has planted paddy on five and a half bighas so far and has another six bighas to go. In Nezampur of Nachol upazila, farmer Serajul is also preparing his land for cultivation. “Timely rain has helped us a lot. I plan to cultivate three bighas this year. If we continue to get periodic rainfall, it will be a good season,” he said. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the target for Aman paddy cultivation in the district this year has been set at 54,415 hectares. This includes 10,695 hectares in Sadar, 22,400 in Nachol, 15,670 in Gomastapur, 5,050 in Bholahat, and 600 hectares in Shibganj upazila. Agricultural officials and farmers expect that 193,144 metric tonnes of paddy will be produced from the cultivated land, helping meet local demand for rice. Kurigram char residents pay for power they never receive Dr Yasin Ali, Deputy Director of the DAE, said farmers are planting both Ufshi (high-yielding) and hybrid varieties of Aman paddy. “There is no shortage of fertilisers or seeds, and we are providing full technical support to the farmers,” he said, expressing optimism that the district will exceed its cultivation target this year.

Three people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Char Mohonpur, Boherampur and Baroghoria areas under Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Khairul Islam, son of Meghu Mondal of Char Mohonpur village in Sadar upazila; Jalal Ali of Hothatpara village in Ranihati union; and Tasbur Ali, son of Bisharat Ali of Uttar Sundarpur village in Noyalavanga union under Shibganj upazila. Quoting locals, Officer-in-Charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Motiur Rahman said Khairul was struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in a field in Char Mohonpur area. Prolonged rainfall causes severe waterlogging in Kurigram Around the same time, Jalal Ali and Tasbur Ali were hit by lightning and died on the spot while returning home with their cattle in Boherampur and Baroghoria areas. Three cows were also killed in the strikes. Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tasmina Khatun said that the upazila administration will provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized 10 cattle, suspected to be brought from India by smugglers, along Shibganj border of Chapainawabganj early Thursday. According to a BGB statement, a frontier team from Monaksha Border Outpost (BOP) conducted a raid at an orchard in Charpaka Setarpara area along Monaksha border under Shibganj upazila after being tipped-off that some Indian cattle were tied up there. 11 fishermen abducted by ‘Arakan Army’ from Bay Smugglers might have brought the cattle from India and kept those for transporting to other places, reads the statement.  A process was underway to hand over the seized the cattle to Chapainawabganj Customs Office, added it.

After a long dry spell,  Chapainawabganj, known as the mango capital of the country, finally experienced rains on Sunday night, bringing much-needed relief to mango growers in the region. Several rounds of rain lashed different parts of the district from around midnight on Sunday, easing concerns among farmers who had been grappling with intense drought. Farmers said mango is the main cash crop of Chapainawabganj, and favourable weather at the beginning of the season had raised high hopes among growers. Trees had flowered abundantly but when the mangoes began to grow the dry spell and lack of rainfall caused stems to dry out, leading to premature fruit drop, they said. Farmers had been irrigating their orchards and spraying water manually in an effort to save their crops. Sunday’s rainfall has brought some relief, they said. Abdur Rakib, a mango farmer from Baliadanga in Sadar upazila, said the weather was favourable early in the season, which resulted in a good number of blossoms and subsequently, healthy young mangoes. “But later, the weather turned adverse. Due to drought and lack of rain, pests attacked the trees, and the stems dried up, causing many mangoes to drop prematurely,” he said. “This rain will help reduce pest infestation and strengthen the stems. Hopefully, fruit drop will now stop.” Kamrul Islam, another grower from Jamtala, said he had been irrigating his orchard to prevent the mangoes from falling. “We didn’t get much rain in our area, little rain feels like a blessing. It will help strengthen the stems and speed up fruit growth,” he added. Dr Yasir Ali, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Chapainawabganj, said the district recorded around 2 millimetres of rainfall on average Sunday night. “It would have been better if the rainfall was heavier, but even this amount will benefit mango and litchi cultivation,” he said. According to the agriculture department, mangoes have been cultivated on 37,504 hectares of land in Chapainawabganj this season

A 70-year-old man was killed after being hit by a truck in the Dhoppukur area of Mobarakpur union under Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj upazila on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Mozammel Hossain, son of late Joynal, from Chaipara village in Shyampur union. Golam Kibria, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shibganj Police Station, said police were sent to the scene following the accident. Chhatra Dal leader killed, 10 injured in clash over school committee in Kishoreganj According to police and local sources, Mozammel was riding his bicycle on the way to his farmland when a speeding truck hit him from behind on the Chapainawabganj-Sonamasjid highway, leaving him seriously injured. Later, Mozammel succumbed to his injuries while being taken to Chapainawabganj District Hospital. The truck fled the scene after the accident. 'Legal action will be taken as per the law,' the OC added."

Police arrested three teenagers over allegedly raping an 8-year-old speech impaired girl in Kagmari area of Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj upazila on Friday. The arrestees are Sakhawat Hossain, 19, Abdur Rahman, 14, Babu Mia, 13, all are from Shahbazpur union. The child's father, Monirul Islam, filed a case at Shibganj Police Station accusing them, said Golam Kibria, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shibganj Police Station. He said the 8-year-old speech-impaired girl went to offer Tarawih prayers at a nearby mosque on Thursday night. At that time, on her way home after prayers, the accused took her to a nearby mango orchard and violated her in turns.  Road crash leaves college student dead in Sylhet The incident came to light when she shared her ordeal with her parents. Later on Friday morning, locals detained the perpetrators and handed them over to the police. The child was admitted to Chapainawabganj District Hospital for treatment, and the three accused were produced before the court in the afternoon, said the OC