News In Brief

Scrapping of riverbank leases sought
Staff Correspondent

Some environmental and rights organisation yesterday demanded cancellation of the leases of the banks of the rivers across the country particularly around the capital for protecting the water bodies from grabbing.
The demand was placed at a press conference at the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways office in the capital, said a statement.
The organisations include the committee, the Green Club of Bangladesh, Citizens Rights Movement, and Buriganga Bachao Andolon.

Dr Michael Chowen visits Jibon Tari Floating Hospital
City Desk

Dr Michael Chowen CBE and Maureen Chowen visited IMPACT's Jibon Tari Floating Hospital on Monday.
Dr Chowen and his family are a long-term supporter of IMPACT Foundation, Bangladesh for its work in prevention and cure of preventable disabilities in Bangladesh.
Michael Chowen has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his commendable services to charity.
The floating hospital is now located on the bank of the river Shitalakhya in NArayanganj, said a press release.

SCBA election on March 15, 16
Staff Correspondent

The annual election of the Supreme Court Bar Association for its 14 executive posts including president and secretary will be held on March 15 and 16.
A notification was issued in this regard yesterday, SCBA superintendent Nimesh Chandra Das told The Daily Star.
A total of 4,362 lawyers have registered as voters.
Submission of nomination papers started yesterday, of which last date is February 25 and the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures is March 1, Nimseh said.

Fertilizer-laden train derails in Jessore
Our Correspondent, Benapole

Train communications of Khulna with the others parts of the country remained suspended for nine hours as a fertilizer-laden train derailed near Shingia Station of Jessore Sadar yesterday.
Jessore Railway Station master said the train from Nawapara derailed around 9:30am due to overloading of goods.
A relief-train rushed to the spot to rescue it and train communications resumed at 6:30pm, he added.

Mobile court seals off 2 illegal student messes in Rangpur
Our Correspondent, Rangpur

A mobile court of Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) sealed off two illegal students messes in Rangpur city yesterday.
The court, led by an executive magistrate, conducted drives at Shihab Chowdhury Students Mess at Shantibagh and Mamun Students Mess at Lalbagh and found them being run without trade licenses and holding taxes, RCC sources said.

Shabbir new envoy to South Africa
Diplomatic Correspondent

The government has decided to appoint Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, currently serving as high commissioner to Mauritius, as the next Bangladeshi high commissioner to South Africa.
Shabbir belongs to the ninth batch of BCS (foreign affairs) cadre, said a foreign ministry press release.
In his diplomatic career, Shabbir served in Bangladesh Missions in Beijing, Brussels, London and New York in different capacities.
He graduated from Buet in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Later, he obtained a diploma from the International Institute of Public Administration, Paris.

Robbers loot businessman's house in Savar, 3 injured
Our Correspondent, Savar

Armed robbers looted valuables worth Tk 3 lakh from a businessman's house in Bashbari village of Ashulia in Savar early yesterday.
House owner Gopal Shaha said a gang of 10 to 12 robbers entered his house breaking open the window grill and took the house members hostage at gunpoint.
The criminals also beat up three house members as they tried to shout and fled away after looting.

On-duty Ansar member dies as pilot train hits him
Staff Correspondent, Ctg

An on-duty Ansar personnel died after being hit by a pilot train at Hadi Fakirhat in Mirsarai upazila of Chittagong early yesterday.
Abu Bakar, 50, of the area was deployed there to guard rail tracks, Railway police said.
He was checking the rail tracks when the train hit him around 5:45am. He died on the spot, they added.

CDA stops construction of CCC kitchen market
Staff Correspondent, Ctg

Chittagong Development Authority yesterday stopped construction of a kitchen market being erected by Chittagong City Corporation at Bahaddarhat, saying that CCC was doing so by filling a nearby drain with earth and violating the building code which did not allow any construction within 12 feet from the banks of a drain or canal.
Denying the allegations, CCC Superintendent Engineer Anwar Hossain said during the construction earth fell into the drain, which they would clean within this week.