Lakshmipur: Three shepherds have gone missing after a tidal surge swept away 600 buffaloes and 100 cows from the char in Kamalgaon, Lakshmipur. The strong tidal surge swept away 600 buffaloes and 100 cows from the char. The fort used to keep the cows and buffaloes was destroyed. Dead cows and buffalo calves were seen floating in the river.

On Friday (October 20), at around 3 am, herdsmen and cows and buffaloes were swept away from Feroz Bagha's buffalo fort in the Kankrar Char, which was flooded by the Meghna River in Char Kalkini Union of the upazila. Three herdsmen went missing.

The missing shepherds are Abdur Zaher (50), son of the deceased Mohammad Hossain of Patarirhat Union, Hannan (35), son of Kalu Palowan of Char Falkon village, and Md. Bahar (25), son of Dulal of the same village.

General Secretary of Kamalnagar Buffalo Farm Owners Association, Assistant Professor of Hazirhat Coastal Degree College Md. Mahbubur Rahman Swapan, confirmed the missing of three shepherds and 700 cows and buffaloes.

It is learned that 200 buffaloes of Md. Firoz Bagha of Patarirhat Union, 100 buffaloes of Shafiqul Islam of Falkon Union, and 20 cows were washed away in the tidal wave. 100 buffaloes of Anwarul Islam of the same village, 100 buffaloes of Nur Nabi Bagha, 50 buffaloes of Dulal Batan, 35 cows of Jasim, 25 buffaloes of Shah Alam, 3 cows of Salah Uddin, 30 buffaloes and 5 cows of Ala Uddin, 20 buffaloes and 5 cows of Jamal Uddin, and 5 cows of Jamal Uddin were washed away in the tidal wave. Since then, the cows and buffaloes have been missing.

Md. Firoz Bagha, the owner of the affected buffalo and the one who set up the fort in the char, said, "10 owners have built a fort worth 7 lakh taka in the char that has been awakened and are raising about 1,000 buffaloes and more than 200 cows." The fort was destroyed by the storm late on Friday night. During this time, 3 shepherds and about 700 cows and buffaloes were washed away. Since then, the 3 shepherds have been missing. The cows and buffaloes that were washed away have not been found either.

Residents of Patarirhat, Falkon and Kalkini unions on the banks of the Meghna River said that several dead buffalo calves and cows were seen floating away with the tide.

Kamalnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Akul Chandra Biswas said that no one has reported this matter to the police station yet.

লক্ষ্মীপুর : নিন্মচাপের প্রভাবে অতিবৃষ্টি ও তীব্র জোয়ারে রামগতি ও কমলনগরের অন্তত ২০ গ্রাম প্লাবিত হয়েছে। ডুবে গেছে উপকূলীয় রাস্তাঘাট। পানি বন্ধি হয়ে পড়েছে ৪ হাজার পরিবার। ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হয়েছে প্রায় ৬ শতাধিক কাঁচা ঘর, আশ্রয়কেন্দ্রে আশ্রয় নিয়েছে ২ শতাধিক পরিবার। তীব্র জোয়ারে মেঘনা জেগে উঠা চর আবদুল্লাহ থেকে ১৫০টি মহিষ নিখোঁজ হয়। ভেসে গেছে মাছের ঘের ও উপড়ে পড়েছে গাছপাল। এদিকে মেঘনা নদীর ভাঙন ভয়াবহ রূপ নিয়েছে। কমলনগর মেঘনা নদীর তীর রক্ষা বাঁধ পড়েছে মারাতœক হুমকির মুখে। ভাঙনের শিকার হয়েছে অন্তত ৫০টি পরিবার।

বৃহস্পতিবার রাত থেকে শুরু হয়ে শনিবার (২১ অক্টোবর) বিকাল পর্যন্ত টানা তিন দিনের বৃষ্টিতে লক্ষ্মীপুরের উপকূলে এমন পরিস্থিতি সৃষ্টি হয়েছে।

অতিবৃষ্টি, ঝড় ও তীব্র জোয়ারে ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত গ্রাম ইউনিয়নগুলো হলো-রামগতি উপজেলার চর আলেকজান্ডার, চর আলগী, চর আবদুল্লাহ, চর রমিজ, বড়খেরী, চর গাজী। কমলনগর উপজেলার চর ফলকন, সাহেবেরহাট, চর কালকিনি, পাটারিরহাট, চর মার্টিন, চর লরেন্স, হাজিরহাট, চর কাদিরা ও তোরাবগঞ্জ ইউনিয়। এসব ইউনিয়নের মেঘনা পাড়ের প্রায় ৩০ গ্রাম প্লাবিত হয়েছে।

রামগতি উপজেলা চেয়ারম্যান ও উপজেলা আওয়ামী লীগের সাধারণ সম্পাদক অধ্যাপক আবদুল ওয়াহেদ জানান, অতিবৃষ্টি, ঝড় ও তীব্র জোয়ারে রামগতির উপকূলে ব্যাপক ক্ষতি হয়েছে। উপজেলার চর আলগী, চর আবদুল্লাহ, চর রমিজ, বেড় খেরী ও চর গাজী ইউনিয়নের প্রায় ৬শ’ কাঁচা ঘর-বাড়ির ক্ষতি হয়েছে। বসত ঘরের উপর গাছ চাপা পড়ে সুরাইয়া বেগম নামের এক নারী আহত হয়েছেন। চর আলগী ও রড়খেরী ইউনিয়নে প্রায় দুই শতাধিক পরিবার দুইটি আশ্রয় কেন্দ্রে আশ্রয় নিয়েছে। চর আবদুল্লাহ থেকে তীব্র জোয়ারের প্রায় ১৫০টি মহিষ ভেসে গেছে। এর মধ্যে ১১টি মহিষ উদ্ধার করে বড় খেরী ইউনিয়ন পরিষদের চেয়াম্যানের জিম্মায় রাখা হয়। মাছ চাষিদের প্রায় শতাধিক মাছের ঘের জোয়ারে ভেসে গেছে। বেশ কিছু গাছ পালা উপড়ে পয়েছে। ডুবে গেছে ফসলের মাঠ ও সবজি খেত।

এদিকে,কমলনগরের ফলকন, কালকিনি, পাটারিরহাট ও সাহেবেরহাট ইউনিয়নে নদী ভাঙন ভয়াবহ রূপ নিয়েছে। গত দুই দিনের ভাঙনে ৫০ পরিবার নিঃস্ব হয়েছে। বিলীন হয়েছে ফসলি জমি ও রাস্তাঘাট। মারাতœক হুমকির মুখে পড়েছে নদী তীর রক্ষা বাঁধ। আতঙ্কিত হয়ে পড়ছে কমলনগরবাসী। এ উপজেলাতেও জোয়ার ও বৃষ্টির পানিতে দুই  হাজার পরিবার পানি বন্ধি হয়ে পড়েছে।

কমলনগরে চরফলকন ইউনয়িন পরিষদের (ইউপি) চেয়ারম্যান হাজী হারুনুর রশিদ, সাহেবেরহাট ইউনিয়ন পরিষদের (ইউপি) চেয়ারম্যান আবুল খায়ের, কালকিনি ইউনিয়ন পরিষদের (ইউপি) চেয়ারম্যান সাইফ উল্লাহ ও পাটারিরহাট ইউনিয়ন পরিষদের (ইউপি) চেয়ারম্যান ও উপজেলা আওয়ামী লীগের সাধারণ সম্পাদক অ্যাডভোকেট নুরুল আমিন রাজু বলেন, অতিবৃষ্টি ও জোয়ারের পানিতে ৪টি ইউনিয়নের সব কয়টি গ্রাম প্লাবিত হয়েছে। এতে পানি বন্ধি হয়েছে শত শত পরিবার।

Own Correspondent: Due to the low pressure of the ocean, there is no electricity in about 85 percent of the entire Lakshmipur district till 3 pm on Saturday (October 22), the third day of heavy rains. The common people are in darkness for hours. Among them, power supply has been cut off in Kamalnagar upazila since Thursday evening. On the other hand, power supply has been cut off in Ramganj, Chandraganj, Ramgati and Raipur upazilas since Friday evening.

Due to the lack of electricity, food stored in the refrigerators at home is being spoiled, people are waiting for hours for electricity to complete necessary tasks. When will the electricity come? But it is not there. No one knows why there is no electricity or when the electricity will be restored. Even after trying to find out, they are failing. Because the only way to get information is to call the Lakshmipur Rural Electricity help lines after calling, but no one is answering. The electricity department has not informed the people about the problem. This is increasing the level of anger among the common people.

On the other hand, electricity workers from Kamalnagar, Ramgati, Raipur and Ramganj have been seen in the field since morning.

Lakshmipur: Six shops have been gutted in a fire at Torabganj Bazar in Kamalnagar, Lakshmipur. Traders claim that the fire caused a loss of around Tk 50 lakh.

The fire broke out around 4 am on Saturday (October 21).

Torabganj Union Parishad (UP) Chairman and Market Management Committee President Faisal Ahmed Ratan said, "The fire broke out in the market early in the morning when there was no electricity and it was raining. On receiving the information, two units of the Lakshmipur and Ramgati Fire Service reached the spot and brought the fire under control. Six shops along with their goods were burnt to ashes in an instant."

He said that the affected traders are claiming that the fire caused a loss of Tk 5 million. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

The seaports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been asked to hoist local warning signal number 3 due to a low pressure in the northern Bay of Bengal. This was stated in a warning message from the Meteorological Department on Friday morning.

It further said that under the influence of the low pressure, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Jhalokati, Pirojpur, Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and their nearby islands and chars may be inundated by wind-driven tidal surges of 1-2 feet higher than normal tides.

Therefore, all fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal have been asked to remain in safe shelters until further notice.

The final match and prize distribution of the Bangabandhu and Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament has been held in Lakshmipur. The prize distribution was organized by the District Primary Education Office after the final match of the tournament at the District Stadium ground on Thursday.

Laxmipur Deputy Commissioner Homayra Begum was the chief guest. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sheikh Murshidul Islam presided over the function, while Advocate Nur Uddin Chowdhury Nayan, General Secretary of the District Sports Association and General Secretary of the District Awami League, was the special guest. At that time, teachers and students of various educational institutions including officials of the District Primary Education Office were present.

In the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, Kamalnagar defeated Lakshmipur Sadar 3-0 to become the champion. On the other hand, Raipur defeated Ramgati in a dry draw to become the champion in the Bangamata Gold Cup.

Lakshmipur: Former Ansar Battalion soldier and journalist Hasnain Ahmed (Zulhas) (35), a resident of Kamalnagar in Lakshmipur, has been suffering from physical and mental illness for the past 7 years. He needs 5 lakh taka for his treatment. With everyone's financial support, he wants to get well and return to journalism.

Julhas is the son of the late Abu Sayeed Master of Charfalkon village in upazila. From 1997 to 2007, he served as the representative of Ramgati upazila in several local newspapers. Later, he served as a sepoy in the Ansar Battalion. He had to leave his job after a year due to illness. He sold the land of his homestead for treatment and continued his treatment until now. Currently, his treatment is stopped due to lack of money. Doctors have advised him to go to India for better treatment. His family has sought financial support and prayers from everyone for Julhas' treatment. Address to send help: Golenur Begum, Current Account Number 5115, Sonali Bank Kamalnagar Branch, Lakshmipur. Bikash 01745770905.

Staff Correspondent:
'Prayer is the key to prayer' - Lakshmipur Municipality Mayor Alhaj Abu Taher has taken a great initiative to encourage Muslims of all religions to offer prayers. He has requested that all types of businesses in Lakshmipur city (including Hindu and Muslim) be closed during every prayer time. The Lakshmipur Merchants' Association, Muslim traders as well as Hindu traders have agreed on this. On Monday afternoon, with the call to prayer for Zuhr, traders in the city were seen closing their shops and going to the mosque in groups. This led to a rush of devotees in the mosques. Meanwhile, following such an announcement, Hindus were also seen keeping their shops closed during prayers.
Some Muslim traders said that if the shops are open during prayers in the markets of Lakshmipur city, the shopkeepers themselves often cannot offer prayers. Therefore, such a great decision of the mayor has been made well. This will increase the interest of buyers and sellers in offering prayers. Moreover, arrangements have been made for women who come to the market during prayer time to offer prayers on the ground floor of the Lakshmipur Chowk Bazar Jame Mosque. So that no woman has to return home during prayer time.
Hindu businessman Liton Majumdar said, "We will not allow any worshippers to enter our shops during Muslim prayers. Hindus will temporarily close their shops during that time."
Meanwhile, most of the shops in different parts of the city were seen closed during the Zuhr and Asr prayers. However, some shops were open in the Azim Shah Market area of the city. On the other hand, people from all walks of life, including the Lakshmipur Merchants' Association, businessmen, devotees of the city, civil society, have applauded the decision of Lakshmipur Mayor Abu Taher.
Laxmipur Azish Shah Market trader Touhidul Islam told Top News, "We traders are very happy with the decision of the municipal mayor. However, there are two mosques next to our market. The prayer times in the two mosques are also different. As a result, during the prayers in one mosque, several shops are open around the other mosque, which disrupts the rules to some extent."
Lakshmipur Merchants' Association President AKM Salah Uddin Tipu said that the merchants' association welcomed the mayor's decision. The merchants' association will organize camping in the market area to encourage people to offer prayers. He said that followers of traditional religions will cooperate in this.
Lakshmipur Municipality Mayor Abu Taher said that businessmen in the city have been requested to keep all types of shops closed during prayers. Even miking has been done. Hopefully, the devotees, buyers and sellers will come to the mosque and offer prayers with the congregation.

Abdul Mannan (12), a 6th grade student of Shantirhat Darul Ulum Mohinur Islam Qawmi Madrasa in Under Char Union of Noakhali Sadar Upazila, went missing. He left home last Sunday to go to the madrasa and did not return home. He was searched for by his relatives and possible places for the past 9 days but could not be found.
The missing Abdul Mannan is the son of Amir Hossain, a resident of Shantirhat area of Under Char union in Noakhali Sadar upazila. Earlier, Abdul Mannan's family was a resident of Char Falkon village in Kamalnagar upazila of Lakshmipur district. Recently, when the family's house was destroyed by the Meghna, they settled in Shantirhat area of Under Char in Noakhali.

The missing man's maternal uncle Md. Harun said that Mannan left home after saying he was going to the madrasa and never returned. He was not found despite searching for him among his relatives and possible places. A kind-hearted person requested that he be found and brought to the madrasa.

 Lakshmipur: A document writer named Hamid Ulya Bender (60) was killed in a battery-powered autorickshaw accident in Lakshmipur. The accident occurred in front of the district sub-registrar's office on Monday (October 16) afternoon. The deceased Hamid Ulya Bender is the son of the deceased Erad Mia Sawdagar of Abirnagar village in Sadar upazila. Eyewitnesses said that a speeding autorickshaw hit and killed document writer Hamid Ulya while crossing the road. He was seriously injured. Local people rescued him in a critical condition and took him to the hospital, where the doctor on duty declared him dead. The body of the deceased is in the morgue of Sadar Hospital. The people present seized the autorickshaw and vandalized it. However, the driver escaped. When the news of the death of the document writer in the autorickshaw accident spread, the angry crowd stopped the movement of autorickshaws in the market. On receiving the news, the police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Anwar Hossain, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, confirmed the death of the document writer. Lokman Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Lakshmipur Sadar Model Police Station, said that upon receiving information, police were sent to the scene and the situation was brought under control.