Stage set for trial of war criminals

   Staff Correspondent :

   The long wait for the trial of war criminals and bringing them to justice is about to end as the government has formed a tribunal, fixed prosecutors and assigned people to probe the allegations.

   The government has initially listed 25 people from two major political parties as alleged war criminals for the trial. The listed 25 were also on the list of 50 prepared earlier by the Sectors Commanders’ Forum.

   The Chief of the Tribunal has assured that no innocent person will be punished.

   People from different sectors expressed satisfaction over the move. They said the trial must be a fair one, transparent and of international standard. The accused also should fight the case legally and in no way they should resort to violence to jeopardize the legal procedure.

   Different national crises and compromise by political parties delay the trial of the war criminals. But relentless efforts by some social groups and increasing awareness among the new generations have made it possible.

   The media have also played a strong role to raise awareness among the people. The last parliamentary polls also paved the way for the trial of war criminals.

Gender discrimination still prevails

   Staff Correspondent :

   Gender discrimination prevails more or less in everywhere around the globe. From family to national level it exists as a social phenomenon.

   At family level, gender discrimination begins even before a girl is born. It is always seen that both the parents expect a baby boy. Gender discrimination in our locality has reached such a height that even a man often unjustly breaks up the marriage tie because his wife has given birth to a baby girl.

   During visits to different families, it is found that boys get more nutrition than the girls. The mothers, despite being women, commit this ill practice thinking that boys need more food. They don’t believe that both girls and boys need equal amount of nutrition to grow up healthily.

   In education the discrimination is also severe. The parents are found more willing to send their sons to good schools and colleges. Many of them plan an early marriage for their daughters and thus don’t let her go for higher education.

   In job sector, a female applicant is sometimes turned down even if she is more qualified than many of her male counterparts. During interviews of different human resource personnel, it is learned that hiring companies don’t want to take women in administrative posts.

   Although there is widespread prejudice against women that they are not as skilled as men, scientific and social researches rule down this view as mere superstition.

Boro on vast areas goes under water in Moulvibazar

Moulvibazar Correspondent

   Moulvibazar, 5 June, 2016 : About two-thirds of the standing boro crop in Kawadighi and Korayer haor areas under Rajnagar upazila of Moulvibazar district have gone under water due to heavy rainfall and on-rush of water from hills across the border.

   Farmers in the affected areas are cutting unripe boro, fearing further loss as water levels in the haors continue to rise, inundating new crop lands.

   The affected Kawadighi Haor areas are Harirkun, Kashimpur, Pealarkandi, Rangadhivi, Rokkharban, Jainerghup, Alirghup, Niamaterban, Kushuabil, Bhubannacha, Boroiuri and Ulauli.

   Three pump machines installed at Kashimpur to pump water out of Kawadighi Haor still remain inoperative as Monday night’s storm damaged power supply lines.

   When contacted, Rajnagar Upazila Agriculture Officer, Abul Kalam Chowdhury said boro on 1605 acres of land in Kawadighi Haor areas and on 988 acres in Karayer Haor areas have gone under water. Boro in some of the submerged Kawadighi Haor areas has become ripe and farmers are cutting the crop to avoid further loss, he added.

   Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, executive Engineer of the PDB Moulvibazar office, said “PDB workers are working round the clock to restore power.”

Bangladesh runs high quake risk

   Staff Correspondent : Bangladesh faces a high risk of moderate to strong earthquakes that may result in widespread damage and loss of thousands of lives, said experts.

   The observatory at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) recorded 86 tremors of over 4 magnitude during January 2006-May 2009. Another four earthquakes took place with a magnitude of over 5 during the period.

   Experts say it is these minor tremors that indicate the possibility of much more powerful earthquakes.

   According to a seismic zoning map prepared by the BUET, 43 percent areas in Bangladesh are rated high risk, 41 percent moderate and 16 percent low, said Prof Mehdi Ahmed Ansary.

   The map, which is being drawn up under the supervision of Prof Ansary divides the country into three earthquake vulnerability zones.

   ASM Maksud Kamal, an expert on earthquake and tsunami preparedness, said four sources of earthquake in the Bay of Bengal are active and can generate tsunami too.

‘Protect the Rights of Disabled People’

   Staff Correspondent :

   Speakers at a discussion yesterday urged the government to adopt a national plan in the light of UN Convention on the rights of the persons with disabilities. They also urged the government to take measures for the promotion of equal rights and dignity of people with disability. National Alliance of Disabled People’s Organization (NADPO) organized the discussion at its office in the city yesterday.

   Adviser for Social Welfare, Women and Children Affairs, Geete Ara Safia Chowdhury was the Chief guest at the programme while President of NADPO Abdus Satter Dulal, its Senior Vice President Saiful Islam, Secretary Ayub Nabi were also present. They all spoke about how to help these people to preserve their right. They also suggest some initiatives to help the disabled people.

Female workers keep the garments export rolling

   Staff Correspondent : Millions of female garment workers have kept the industry rolling, says a recent study.

   The report was made jointly by UNDP, BGMEA and BKMEA. It shows that 95% garment workers both in woven and knit sectors are female who are working relentlessly to earn foreign exchange for the country which is the highest amongst all export sectors. This ratio is on increase since a number of female workers are joining this industry everyday.

   Nasima, a female worker from a knit factory at Tongi says, “It’s a great pride for me that I earn myself and support my family. But unfortunately, my wages are not enough to live a decent life.”

   Though these female workers are contributing to our economy, unfortunately their living standard has not improved, especially in health care and family planning. Some NGOs are working with them but that’s not enough.

   Mrs. Sumita, an NGO worker says that much needs to be done for these impoverished workers and it’s not possible to improve their living standard without the support from the Govt.

One killed, 400 houses destroyed in Rangamati

Rangamati Correspondent

   Rangamati; 5 April, 2017 : A youth was killed and several hundred thatched houses were destroyed as a tornado lashed different villages in remote Borohorina union under Barkal Upazila of the district on Tuesday night.

   At least 400 houses of six villages-Tagolakchhara, Bheibonchhara, Doganghat, Kukichhara, Toibang and Marishyachhara– were razed to the ground while many banana orchards were destroyed, sources said.

   Sumon Chakma, 22, son of Jyoti Bikash Chakma of village Tagolagchhara in frontier Borohorina union under Barkal Upazila died as an uprooted tree fell on their house.

   Sujit Chakma, 18, son of Kamini Chakma and Gita Debi Chakma, 22, daughter of Debojoy Chakma of the same village were injured during the storm. The sufferings of the affected people know no bounds. They badly need help to recover from the situation.

Arsenic Pollution Grips a Village in Rangpur

Rangpur Correspondent

   Rangpur, 15 April, 2017 : Choto Pakuri in Pirganj thana under Rangpur district has been affected by poisonous water of arsenic. When this reporter visited this remote village, he found people of all ages seriously affected by this poison.

   A village with a population of 300 had only three tubewells and the water was arsenic affected. When asked, the villagers said that they had heard about the arsenic water. But they were unaware that such poison has hit their village. An NGO had already collected the water sample and confirmed that the tubewell water is arsenic polluted. But little has been done so far by the local Govt. The villagers immediately need fresh drinking water and adequate treatment. Most of the residents of the village were found with incurable sore in their palms and feet.

   The local authority should wake up immediately and send medical team to the village to control the situation and provide medical care and fresh drinking water before it is too late.

Sports and cultural function held at Shah Zafor Technical College in Faridpur

Faridpur Correspondent

   Faridpur, 10 January, 2017 : The annual cultural function and games in a befitting manner ended today at Shah Zafor Technical College campus at Boalmari, Faridpur with the participation of all students, teachers and staff.

   The students of the college decorated the college campus with colourful flags and paper designs. A decorative gate was put up in front of the college building. The sports started at 8:00 am as soon as the sports flag along with the national flag was hoisted by the principal. There were total 10 events such as 200 metres race, 100 metres race, sack race, high jump, long jump etc. The students of this college took part in these competitions.

   In the afternoon, there was a cultural competition programme in the college campus. The students took part in different events including patriotic songs, Palli Geeti, Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geeti and recitation of poems. Last of all, the students staged the drama “Kabar” written by Munir Chowdhury.

   The students, teachers and guardians enjoyed the cultural programme. Towards the end of the programme the principal gave away the prizes among the winners of the competitions.

Polluted water triggers outbreak of diarrhoea

   Staff Correspondent :

   The number of people suffering from diarrhoea is increasing day by day because the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is continuing to supply polluted water to Dhaka residents.

   Eighty percent of the patients at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases and Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) reported that the drinking water supplied by WASA is foul smelling and dirty.

   Each day more than 800 patients seek treatment at the ICDDR,B. In the last fortnight, the number of patients being admitted each day has increased by around 30 percent.

   The majority of patients requiring treatment at the ICDDR,B are from the capital’s Mirpur, Khilkhet, Demra, Badda, Wirelessgate, Rampura areas, as well as Pagla in Narayanganj.

   Managing Director of WASA Taksin A. Khan has acknowledged that the water supplied by WASA is foul-smelling in many areas.

   Khan believes that the majority of people suffering from diarrhoea are slum dwellers that have accessed the water using illegal rubber pipelines.