JHENA1DAH, Nov 10: Leaders of the Rail Sramlk Union protested the propaganda to withdraw the rail road between Jessore and Benapol and demanded introduction of rail line over Jamuna Bridge at the bi-annual conference of the Mubarakganj unit held at Mubarakganj rail station recently.

Presided over by Abu Sayed, President of the unit its was addressed, among others by Commissioner Jaslmuddin, Assistant General Secretary and Rejaul Haq, member Central Committee of the

Union. A procession was also brought out at KaliganJ upazila town demanding their 10-point demand.

About railway workers took part in the procession. A 31-member committee was formed In the conference with Abu Sayed and Wajuddln as President and Secretary respectively.

Smuggled goods seized

Acting on a tip Bangladesh Rifles personnels , Jessore 2 seized Indian goods worth Taka two lakh from Dhaka

bound Diganta Paribahan from Benapol at Laozai near Jessore town recently.

The incoming contraband goods include saree.ball pen. pencils, fabric, colour etc. A case was filed with Jessore Kotawali police In this connection and nobody was arrested

Heavy rain damaged tobacco seedlings

Incessant downpour has caused extensive damage to the tobacco seedlings in Jhenaldah. Magura and Chuadanga

According to an official

source, BTC, Jhenaldah region fixed up a target to cultivate tobacco on about 4000 acres of land. Seedbeds were prepared on 70 acres of land. Of them only one per cent has been covered with polythine paper while the rest remained open which were badly affected by heavy rains and about 50 per cent of seedbeds were damaged.

Seedbeds may be prepared again but the growers of the area are not willing to do so as late plantation do not yield optimum production. It may be mentioned that right time for

tobacco plantation stands from first of October. One solvent grower Md. Shukurllah of village Paramandi in Kallgonj upazila wanted cultivate four acres of land under Virginia tobacco but he cut short the acreages as late cultivation do not yield better. The natural calamities like rains and hail storm have made the growers disappointed.

When contacted Mr. Gasuddln Pat wary, Manager. Jhenaldah Leaf Depot expressed his doubt on the successful tobacco farming In the area.