Death Toll In Bangladesh Building Fire Mounts To 46

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by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

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The death toll in the fire at a multi-storey building in Bangladesh has risen to 46, local media reported.

Dhaka, March 1: The death toll in the fire at a multi-storey building in Bangladesh has risen to 46, local media reported.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed grief over the loss of lives and property in the incident, Dhaka Tribune reported.

The fire, which had broken out in a restaurant at around 22:00 local time (16:00 GMT) on Thursday in Dhaka, had spread to other floors of the building.

The bodies of 39 people have been identified. At least 32 bodies have been handed over to families without autopsy.

However, identities of six bodies remain unknown.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen, who is also the coordinator of the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said, "Most of the injured are critical and trachea of many has been burnt. We are trying best to save them."

"Fourteen people are under treatment in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and eight people in Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute with 60 per cent burn injuries. Their health condition is critical," the Health Minister said.

During treatment, patients are having a number of complications ranging from respiratory distress, wound infections and electrolyte imbalance, Samanta Lal Sen said.

Dhaka Additional Deputy Commissioner AKM Hedayetul Islam said, "The DMCH authorities are handing over the bodies. We are helping them. Apart from this, we have given assistance of Tk25 thousand to the deceased’s families who are not solvent."

(IANS)

Balangir, Nuapada Become "Hubs Of Migrant Workers" Under Naveen Govt: Dharmendra Pradhan

by Hemanta Pande

Balangir/Nuapada, May 4: Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday asserted that number of migrant workers from Odisha to other states has risen steadily during the last 24 years of Naveen Patnaik government.

Speaking at the BJP’s “Paribartan Samabesh” (Election rally for change), Pradhan mentioned that a large section of young men and women from Hinjili in Odisha's Ganjam district, which Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been representing for many years, are migrating to other states in search of work. Similarly, Balangir and Nuapada districts have become the hub of the migrant workers under the Naveen government. “Is this the ‘transformation’ of the 24-year-old Naveen government in the state?” he asked.

The Union Minister today participated in the BJP’s “Paribartan Samabesh” in Khariar assembly constituency of Nuapada district and Kantabanji, Titilagarh and Loisingha constituencies of Balangir district and campaigned for his party candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha and State assembly polls.

Pradhan said the intellectuality in Balangir district is not low in any way. In 24 years of Naveen rule, the district lagged in every sector. It has been published in the newspaper that Balangir will become a desert by 2050. It has been reported that there will be rain for only 50 days. Titilagarh became “Tatlagarh” (sizzling place). “Who is responsible for this?” he asked.

Most of the people from Hinjili constituency, represented by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over last two decades, are migrating to other states in search of work. Besides Hinjili, the Chief Minister will contest from Kantbanji assembly seat in the ensuing elections. Kantabanji has become a hub of the migrant workers. When we pointed out the real picture of the backward region, the Chief Minister alleged that the opponent leaders are shedding crocodile tears. Will the Chief Minister publish a white paper on the fact that how many people of Hinjili and Kantbanji get employment and self-employment under his rule? In the upcoming elections, people have already decided not to make Kantbanji as another Hinjili.

The Minister reiterated that Odisha's Asmita (identity) is under threat. Odisha's culture, language and traditions are under threat. The outside leaders are conspiring against the State and considering Odisha as their jagir (freehold land). They are taking advantage of the Chief Minister’s inefficiency and trying to rule the state from the backdoor entry. BJD has no issues for the people. They have no responsibility. They can only distribute money during the elections. People will not accept the BJD’s money.and give a befitting reply to the “inefficient and corrupt” ruling party in the upcoming elections

Speaking at a public meeting at Khariar, Pradhan said in the last 10 years the Narendra Modi government has given a total of Rs 4,963 crores to about 1,34,212 families of Nuapada district for houses, toilets, food, cooking gas, Mudra loans, assistance to women self help groups. He said that the Centre has given more than Rs 3,69,000 and around RS 4 lakh rupees per family. Although Khariar is an agriculturally backward area, there is a railway line on one side. The Minister promised new railway connections from Kantbanji to Khariar if the BJP vote to power.

Pradhan requested people to cast their vote in favour of BJP candidates both in Lok Sabha an assembly polls for the all-round development of the region.

Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases, starting from Phase one on May 13, Phase two on May 20, Phase three on May 25 and the final Phase on June 1.

The results will be announced on June 4.

Read More Election News

Elections 2024: BJD MLA Crosses All Limits, Uses Slangs In Public Meetings

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, May 4: Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal's obstination, caused by long years in power in Odisha, has crossed all limits. Leaders of the ruling party are seen throwing distasteful and derogatory remarks at rival leaders and opposition parties in public meetings during the ongoing poll campaigning.

Such a hostile situation was marked at a public meeting, addressed by Kabisuryanagar MLA Latika Pradhan.

In a video clip that recently went viral on social media, the BJD MLA is heard making abusive remarks about opponents, arrogantly saying, "Biju Janata Dal ra kehi bala bi banka kari paribani" (No one can harm a hair of BJD member) using slang term common to Odia.

While BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik always talks about being polite and humble to people, his party MLA's abusive remark about opposition leaders is a “very sorry state of affairs”, analysts say.

This was not an isolated case. BJD MLA from Jharsuguda, Dipali Das allegedly threatened people during her election campaigning recently.

The incident reportedly occurred when the BJD MLA visited Malibeunra village under Jharmunda panchayat of Kirmira block in Jharsuguda district to seek votes for the upcoming polls.

When the villagers questioned the MLA about what the development works she had done in the village, she reportedly expressed anger towards the people and said, " I don't care whether you vote for me or not."

BJP MLA candidate from Jharsuguda, Tankadhar Tripathy hit back Das for her "rude behaviour" towards the villagers and said that the people of Jharsuguda will give her a befitting reply in the ensuing elections.

Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases, starting from Phase one on May 13, Phase two on May 20, Phase three on May 25 and the final Phase on June 1.

The results will be announced on June 4.

Death Toll In Bangladesh Building Fire Mounts To 46

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