India withdraws water of Feni river



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Feni river, Photo: Collected

Feni river, Photo: Collected

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Chattogram, (barta24): India is unilaterally withdrawing the water from Feni river bordering Ramgarh- Fatikchari- Mirsharia. Without any pact India is withdrawing water with high powered electric pumps.

It is learnt that India is withdrawing water at 17 points of Sabrum subdivision of South Tripura of India, setting up high powered electric low lift pumps on the no-mans land. Though Bangladesh has put objections several occasions but they did not pay any heed to it.

After sending formal letters to stop withdrawal of water BGB has also held meetings with BSF but of no result.

When contacted Additional Secretary of Water Resources Ministry Mahmudul Islam told Barta24.com that India was given letters several times. Moreover high level meetings between two countries are going on in this matter.

He informed that India withdraws water in the dry season for irrigation purpose and for drinking purpose of the people of that area. We have informed them that we have objection regarding withdrawal of water but of no result.

To the contrary for withdrawing water of Feni river, the second biggest irrigation project of the country ‘Muhuri Project’ is now under threat. On the other hand when water falls in the lean period the project area cultivation is seriously hampered.

Bangladesh Water Development Board(BWDB) sources informed that India wants to take 1.82 cusec of water of Feni river. The matter is still under discussion stage. But they are withdrawing water before any pact. The length of Feni river is 116 kilometers. This river has touched 70 kilometers of Bangladesh –India border.

Ramgarh of Khagrachari is located by the side of Sabrum of South Tripura.

After visiting the area physically it was found that they are withdrawing water  setting up pump house from 30-35 yards away from the current of the river. Pipes measuring 7-8 diameters have been submerged in to the river water. Thus they are doing their irrigation with the water of Feni river.

Local social worker of Ramgarh told Barta24.com that without caring the objection of Bangladesh India is withdrawing water for their interest. For this reason the bordering Ramgarh, Fatikchari and Mirshariar’s thousands of acres of land without any cultivation lying fallow. Hundreds of orchards are being destroyed. Similarly the ‘Muhuri Project’ is facing threat. In dry season the Feni river looks like a desert for want of water.

When contacted deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Mohammad Iliash Hossain told Barta24.com discussion is going on with India regarding the Feni and other rivers. He said that there were meetings with BGB and BSF but producing nothing.

Guimara sector commander of BGB Abdul Hye told Barta24.com that the Indian authority is withdrawing water on several points by setting up at least 20 high powered water pumps. We sent letters to them for stopping it. Next we held meetings. After that the matter was referred to Joint River Commission(JRC). Now we are not working on it.

According to International law no permanent structure can be set up within 150 yards of borders. Violating the law India is withdrawing water setting up permanent structure. In 2003 India under the protection of BSF set up their first pump from the 30 yards of the border. At this BGB(then BDR) objected but the BSF fired upon them.

Afterwards India took up an irrigation project of 12 kilometers covering Amlighat, Krishnanagar, Huangbari via Samarganj for withdrawing water. Former BDR (now BGB)objected to when they try to take water setting up 36 inches diameter pipe line. Then BSF stopped the embankment protection work of BWDB.

In a secretary level meeting held in 2010 Bangladesh agreed to give 82 cusecs of water. Next India allowed resumption of protection work by BWDB. However Bangladesh did not agree when India wanted water through constructing cement concrete lines setting up 5 meter dia with 20 meter deep well near the river. On September 27 of 2016 there was another meeting with India but no decision was reached.

   

There are 45 more children in the Ashram, tell DB to take: Milton in the court



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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Milton Samaddar, chairman of the institution, told the court that there are 45 more children in the Child and Old Age Care Ashram, asking DB to take those children.

Milton said this at the remand hearing in the case of human trafficking in Mirpur Model Police Station in the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Begum Shanta Akhter on Sunday (May 5) afternoon.

Advocate Abdus Salam Sikder prayed for bail on behalf of Milton Samader seeking cancellation of remand. In the hearing, he said, Milton Samader sheltered the destitute, orphaned, half-limbed, starving humanity peddler. On September 6, 2020, a man named Rakib brought a child. Later Milton received him. DB was also in 2020, 21, 22, 23. There is a saying in the language of Barishal, if bitten by a curse, the poison of ants and ulla also accumulates. He alleged that Rakib was booked under the influence of DB.

He also said, I did not go to Rakib to bring the baby. Instead Rakib came to me with the child for feeding, reading, treatment, humanitarian aid. Where was he then? If there was another Mother Teresa in Bangladesh, she would be Milton Samader.

The lawyer said that the child with whom the case has been filed is growing up with the cook of the ashram. But after three years and 7 months, the case is in the limelight of the media. If the fault of the wife is found, it can be caught. Milton has now passed that stage.

Milton, who was in the court, said there are 45 more children. Ask DB to take it.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective (DB) Police arrested Milton Samaddar in a raid in the capital's Mirpur area last May 1. After that, three cases were registered against him in Mirpur Model Police Station. 

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Sundarbans’ fire under control: Ministry of Environment



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Photo: Barta24.com

Photo: Barta24.com

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The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said that the Sundarbans fire which was burning for 28 hours has been brought under control. However, the ministry said that the fire fighting activities will be continued here for the next few days.

On Sunday (May 5) afternoon in the media, the senior Information officer of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dipankar Bor, said these things.

It is said that the fire in Amarbunia camp of Chandpai range under Sundarban-East forest division in Morelganj upazila of Bagerhat district is now under control. The fire did not spread to the top of the tree or branches, but only spread sporadically above the ground. Apart from the forest department, several units of the fire service, navy, police, district administration, upazila administration, public representatives, CPG, volunteers and local people are assisting in extinguishing the fire. Besides, an air force helicopter also helped in firefighting by sprinkling water from above.

Meanwhile, a three-member inquiry committee headed by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Rana Dev of East Sundarbans Chandpai range has been constituted. The other two members of the committee are Chandpai Range Jeudhar Station Officer. Obaidur Rahman and Dhansagar station officer. Rabiul Islam.

Chairman of Save the Sundarban Foundation. Sheikh Faridul Islam said that we do not have modern technology to save the Sundarbans from fire damage. The amount of damage would have been reduced if technology had been used. An investigation committee was formed when the Sundarban fire broke out, but the real cause remains unknown.

In this regard, Bagerhat district member of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) MA Sabur Rana said that the incident of fire in Sundarban is worrying. The forest department has also identified the reasons for the repeated occurrence of such incidents in the past. This is happening because the forest department is not taking proper steps

East Sundarbans Divisional Forest Officer (DFO, Bagerhat) Kazi Nurul Karim said, due to various difficulties, the work of extinguishing the fire could not be started on Saturday. The work has been started from Sunday morning. It was joined by the fire service as well as a helicopter from the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force. Local residents have also provided all kinds of support.

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Another 88 BGP members fled from Myanmar



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Cox’s Bazar
Another 88 BGP members fled from Myanmar

Another 88 BGP members fled from Myanmar

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Another 88 armed Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) personnel have taken refuge in Bangladesh through the Naf River at Shahpari Island in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, amid ongoing clashes between Myanmar's junta forces and the rebel Arakan Army.

They entered Bangladesh through Kanchan Jetty of Sabrang Union of Upazila around 11 am on Sunday (May 5).

According to local sources, they entered Bangladesh through Kanchan Jetty of Sabrang Union of Upazila in the face of heavy attack by the Arakan Army around 11 am. Those BGP members surrendered to Bangladesh Coast Guard members stationed in three boats in Naf river. They disarmed the junta soldiers and supplied them with food and medicine and later handed them over to the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB).

However, no official statement from BGB was found despite many efforts in this regard.

Earlier on Saturday, this incursion happened a day after 40 BGP members came through two points of Teknaf border in Cox's Bazar.

Among them, 14 people entered Bangladesh through Achar Bunia border of Sabrangrang Union of Teknaf and 22 people entered Bangladesh through Nazirpara border of the same upazila. Later, around 12 noon on Saturday, 4 more BGP members took shelter in Nazir Para, according to local sources and public representatives.

The Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) disarmed the BGP members and later transferred them by bus to Hnila High School. 

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Government agrees in principle to make entry age 35 years: Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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Public Administration Minister Professor Farhad Hossain said that the recommendation sent by the Ministry of Education to increase the age limit for entering government jobs from 30 to 35 years is a policy decision of the government. He also said that measures will be taken after discussing it with the Prime Minister.

He said this in response to a question from journalists at the secretariat on Sunday (May 5).

The Minister of Public Administration said that the recommendation sent by the Ministry of Education regarding the age limit for employment is a policy decision of the government. I will discuss it with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Action will be taken as per the instructions given by her.

Farhad Hossain said that the Prime Minister spoke about the age limit of 35 years for entering the service. She discouraged this. The Prime Minister said that if the age limit is increased, there may be a problem with the retirement time.

Earlier, Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury said in a letter sent to the Ministry of Public Administration that at present the age limit of 30 years is followed as a criterion for entering all types of jobs in government, semi-government, private and autonomous institutions. In this situation, students have been protesting on the streets for a long time to demand that the age limit for applying for jobs be 35 years according to international standards.

The government realized the issue in the election manifesto of Awami League in 2018 in page number 33 in the paragraph on increasing education, skills and employment, it was mentioned that 'reasonable measures will be taken in view of reality, taking into account merit and skills to increase the age limit for entering government jobs'.

For a long time, a section of job-seeking students have been agitating to make the maximum age limit for job application 35 years. They have been saying that the age limit for job application in different countries of the world is from 35 to 59 years. That is, eligibility is the only criterion for a candidate, not age. In light of that, they have been demanding to make the maximum age limit for employment in Bangladesh as 35 years.

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