PM condoles death of Rajshahi AL leader

Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Vice-President of Rajshahi district Awami League Rustam Ali.

In a condolence message, the prime minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.

AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader also mourned the death.

Rustam Ali, who had been suffering from complicated diseases, breathed his last yesterday morning at the age of 65, an AL press release said.

He left behind his wife, two sons as well as a host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death, the release added.

Tourist drowns in Sylhet

A tourist drowned in the Pyain River while taking bath at Jaflong in Gowainghat upazila in Sylhet.

The deceased were identified as Rifat Ahmed, 19, son of Abu Sayed Ahmed, a resident of Shahjadpur area in Uttara of the capital and a HSC second year student of Dhaka City College.

Hillol Roy, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Gowainghat Police Station, said Rifat along with his four friends came to Sylhet for enjoying Eid vacation. Rifat drowned in the river when they went there for taking bath around 1pm. Around 2pm, the body was found floating in the river. On information, police recovered the body.

7 ‘drug peddlers’ arrested in Rajshahi

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Rajshahi arrested seven alleged drug peddlers in the city while three of them were sentenced to different terms of jail each by a mobile court on charge of taking drugs and drug trading.

Acting on tip-off, the elite force conducted drives in different areas of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Joypurhat districts yesterday and arrested the people for their alleged involvement in drug trading or taking drugs.

The RAB officials said they also seized 195 pieces of yaba tablets, 50 bottles of foreign-made wine, 140 grams of ganja, 22 bottles of alcohol and some other drugs-taking instruments from their possession.

Later, the arrested were produced before three separate mobile courts.

After examining the evidences, the mobile courts sentenced three of them to jail. One of them was fined Taka 5,000 and regular cases were filed against three other detainees.

Saiful Islam, assistant superintendent of police working with RAB, said different courts sent more than 110 drug addicts to jail during the last one week.

10 patients get Taka 5 lakh in Rajshahi

A total of 10 patients suffering from various chronic diseases like kidney complaint, liver cirrhosis, heart ailment, cancer and paralysis caused by stroke received financial support worth around Taka five lakh in Rajshahi on Saturday.

Department of Social Services (DSS) provided the support. Deputy Director Office of DSS organized the cheque distribution programme in the conference hall of deputy commissioner (DC).

On the occasion, some other students and affected persons got financial support for treatment and education from National Social Welfare Council.

Fazley Hossain Badsha, MP, deputy director of DSS Rashedul Kabir and its Assistant Director Dr Abdullah Al Firoj were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, lawmaker Badsha said the present government has taken many steps for the welfare of patients to help them pass their days without difficulties. “Considering their vulnerable condition, the government has launched welfare programme,” he said.

The beneficiaries have been getting their allowance timely through their own bank accounts.