Tension mounts as 241 workers fired in Mongla EPZ

STAFF CORRESPONDENT, Khulna

Tension mounted in Mongla Export Processing Zone yesterday following retrenchment of 241 workers and imposition of some conditions by BEPZA in importing raw materials. Sources said there are eight betel-nut processing factories in Mongla EPZ, dependent on imported raw materials. Last month, the BEPZA Authority imposed some conditions for raw materials import, which were rejected by owners of betel-nut factories. On Wednesday, 241 workers of Bangladesh Betel-nut Growers' & Processors' Private Limited and Golden Agro Products Ltd in were retrenched. The two, along with six others were closed on Thursday for want of raw material. Owners of these factories blamed BEPZA for this. The workers retrenched without any prior notice are planning agitation for reinstatement, sources at the Mongla EPZ said.

JCD, Shibir close ranks at

Barisal medical college

OUR CORRESPONDENT, Barisal

The Academic Council of Barisal Sher-e-

Bangla Medical College held a meeting with leaders Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Dal (ICS) yesterday, a day after the two student fronts of ruling coalition partners clashed at Habubur Rahman Hall on the campus, leaving 15 injured. All academic activities were held at the college as usual yesterday. Sources on the campus said the JCD and ICS activists closed their ranks in the interest of retaining the coalition. It also formed a three-member committee headed by Physiology Department Chairman of, Dr. Nazmul Hossain to probe the incident. It has been asked to submit a report by ten days, sources said.

BDR chief visits

Rangamati border

OUR CORRESPONDENT, Rangamati

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Director General Jahangir Alam Choudhury yesterday visited Harina in Borkol upazila, bordering India's Mozoram state, and held talks with BDR commanders and troops. Army sources said the BDR DG asked the law enforcers to check cross-border smuggling and movement of criminals. He left Rangamati in the evening for Bandarban, where he is scheduled to visit Bangladesh frontiers along Myanmar and Bangladesh.