CUMILLA, March 22, 2026 (BSS)- The district administration has started providing financial assistance of Taka 25,000 each to the families of those killed in the horrific train-bus collision in the district. The process of providing the grant to the affected families is already underway, said the concerned officials. At least 12 people were killed and 10 others injured in a tragic road accident under a flyover of Bishwaroad in Padua Bazar of Jangalia area of Cumilla Sadar Dakkhin upazila of the district last midnight. The accident occurred when the Dhaka-bound ‘Chattogram Mail Train’ hit a passenger bus while the driver of the bus tried to cross a rail line in the area.   Immediately after the accident, the deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police of highway police, and officials from various departments concerned, including the railway authority, visited the scene and supervised the rescue operations. Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Reza Hasan said that financial assistance of Taka 25,000 is being provided to each family of the deceased. In addition, the issue of treatment of the injured is also being taken seriously, he added.   He said that five people are currently undergoing treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital.Other injured people have been discharged after receiving primary treatment, he added.   The district administration has informed that further assistance will also be provided if needed.

By Md Mamun Islam  RANGPUR, March 22, 2026 (BSS) – Thousands of people of all ages have been flocking to the recreational and tourist spots in Rangpur since the Eid-ul-Fitr day (Saturday) afternoon to enjoy the Eid holidays in festive atmosphere.  The enthusiastic people, especially couples, teenagers and young men and women dressed in colorful clothes, are flocking to these venues across the district maintaining the festive atmosphere even on the second day after Eid today.   In Rangpur city, people are thronging Rangpur Zoo Children's Park, ‘Surovi Uddyan’, Town Hall Square, Chikley Lake Water Park, 'Proyas' Entertainment Park, Fantasy Zone, 'Tajhat Zamindar Bari', ‘Rupkotha Theme Park’, Town Hall premises, Zila School ground, Begum Rokeya University campus and other recreational spots for entertainment.   Besides, hundreds of visitors have created a festive environment at Ganjipur Vinnojogot Entertainment Center, Anandanagar Park in Pirganj, Maya Bhuban in Badarganj, Teesta Park in Kawnia, ‘Neelamborer Jalmahal’, Ali Baba Theme Park and Taj Ecoventure in Pirgachha upazila, Mohipur Ghat and Teesta Bridge in Gangachara upazila and Teesta Barrage Canal of the district.  Since this  morning, all these tourist attractions, entertainment and amusement places across the country have been decked out in new looks and humor to attract more visitors amid excellent weather and commendable security measures.  The weather was somewhat cloudy and cold on Saturday, Eid day, with frequent light rain and drizzle, due to which the number of visitors to these entertainment centers was relatively low compared to today.  Many teenagers, students, young men and women, couples, and children, along with their parents, gather at these places, where temporary fairs, various amusement rides for children, and shops selling various handicrafts, food, and toys have been set up.    In an interview with BSS at Chikley Lake Water Park in Rangpur city this noon, schoolgirls Lokman, Zahir, Monwara and Fahmida said they were excited to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of nature there in today's wonderful weather.   College students Soma Islam, Ummey Kulsum and Kakoli and university students Deepika Khatun, Moslema and Abed Hasan said they enjoyed traveling on speedboats at the city's Chikley Lake Water Park.   While visiting the 'Proyas' Entertainment Park in Rangpur city, couple Golam Ahad and Faizun Nesa said they were very happy to enjoy the Eid holidays with their two sons Fahad, 13, and Borhan, 11, amidst entertainment and fun there.  Couple Jasmine Zaman and Mohammad Akhteruzzaman, who visited the Rangpur Zoo Children's Park, said they enjoyed riding the 'Nagordola' with their two daughters Mahima, 14, and Munni,10, and learned a lot by observing the various animals there.   Earlier this morning, the couple also had a lot of fun at the Chikley Lake Water Park in Rangpur city with their two daughters.   Jasmine Zaman said, "The city's Chikley Lake Water Park has become one of the most attractive places for hundreds of visiting people of all ages to enjoy the majesty of nature and share the joy of various festivals and vacations."  Mahima and Munni said that they were excited to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational facilities both at the Chikley Lake Water Park and Rangpur Zoo Children's Park with their parents today.  While visiting the Teesta Bridge at Mahipur Ghat in Gangachara upazila, at the junction of Rangpur and Lalmonirhat, newlyweds Kalim Uddin and Shakila said they came to see the bridge, the Teesta River, and enjoy the picturesque views there.  Housewives Lovely Begum, Hamida Rahman and Fatema Khatun while visiting the Vinnojogot Entertainment Center with their husbands and children said that they enjoyed loveliness and natural and artificial beauty around the entertainment center there. “Today we learned about the history of creation of the world through the ‘Big Bang’ theory at the planetarium of this entertainment center. If we hadn’t come here, we wouldn’t have known that there is another different world inside it,” said Hamida.    Fatema Khatun said that the Vinnojogot Entertainment Center, surrounded by greenery, has strange caves, Taj Mahal, Moscow Bell, Eiffel Tower, Great Wall of China, trains and airplanes for the entertainment of visitors.   She said, “I liked the beautiful swimming pool and bird sanctuary of this entertainment center, where visitors can get a sense of the sea and tranquility and don’t get tired of spending time inside.”   Meanwhile, security measures have been strengthened in these tourist centers, entertainment and amusement places and park areas to avoid the potential risk of theft, robbery and chaos due to the large crowd during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.