Snippets

Ijtema in Patuakhali today
Our Correspondent, Patuakhali

A three-day-long Ijtema (religious congregation), arranged by Tablig Jamaat, will begin at the airport field in Sheally area of the district today. Maulana Nurul Islam, Jimmader (chief organiser) of Patuakhali Istema, said Bishwa Ijtema takes place every year at Tongi where all people cannot take part due to various problems. Considering these, the authorities took the decision to arrange Ijtema in nine separate places, including Patuakhali, across the country from this year, he said. The others venues are Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pabna, Rajshahi, Kurigram, Noakhali and Nilphamari. Of those, Ijtema already took place in Bagerhat and Pabna while it will be arranged in the other places by turn, he said. The Ijtema in Patuakhali will begin after Fazr prayers today and will conclude on Saturday with Akheri Munajat (final prayers), he added.

Worker dies at EPZ
Our Correspondent, Nilphamari

A construction worker died yesterday after falling from the roof of an under construction building at Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Sadar upazila of the district. Deceased Abu Taleb, 25, who was working at the building of Sonic (Bangladesh) Ltd, a Hong Kong based high-tech toy factory, suddenly slipped and fell to the ground, said Shah Jamal Pasha, officer in-charge of Sadar Police Station quoting eyewitnesses. Co-workers rushed him to Nilphamari Sadar Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

Jamaat leader arrested
Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

Police arrested a local Jamaat leader in Sadullapur upazila early yesterday. The arrestee is Jamalpur union Jamaat ameer Mezbahul Islam Rashed, a member of the union parishad. He was accused of fuelling violence during January 5 national election and attempting to kill Shahrier Khan Bipplob, secretary of Sadullapur upazila AL. He remained absconding for long, said Zia Latiful Islam, officer in-charge of Sadullapur police station.

Roadblock in B'baria
Our Correspondent, Brahmanbaria

A faction of local Jubo League that was been dropped from ad-hoc committee blocked Dhaka-Sylhet highway at Ashuganj in the district yesterday morning. The blockade continued for about 15 minutes, said Md Abu Jafor, officer in-charge of Ashuganj police station. Md Monir Hossain, former general secretary of the committee, alleged that they blocked the highway to press for cancellation of the committee as some active leaders were dropped and some did not get proper post.

3 held on smuggling charge
Staff Correspondent, Sylhet

An Indian national and two Bangladeshis were arrested at Tekerghat border in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj district early yesterday on charge of smuggling coal. The arrestees are John Marak, 30, of Barchhara Chota Basti under Barchhara police station in Meghalaya, Kawsar Ahmed and Muhibur Rahman of Burunga chhara village in Tahirpur, said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sources. The border guards also seized about one tonnes coal smuggled from Indian state of Meghalaya from the arrestees. They were later handed over to Tahirpur police station. A case was filed in this connection, said  Golam Mohiuddin Khandoker, commanding officer of Sunamganj BGB-8 Battalion.