Another 88 armed Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) personnel have taken refuge in Bangladesh through the Naf River at Shahpari Island in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, amid ongoing clashes between Myanmar's junta forces and the rebel Arakan Army.

They entered Bangladesh through Kanchan Jetty of Sabrang Union of Upazila around 11 am on Sunday (May 5).

According to local sources, they entered Bangladesh through Kanchan Jetty of Sabrang Union of Upazila in the face of heavy attack by the Arakan Army around 11 am. Those BGP members surrendered to Bangladesh Coast Guard members stationed in three boats in Naf river. They disarmed the junta soldiers and supplied them with food and medicine and later handed them over to the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB).

However, no official statement from BGB was found despite many efforts in this regard.

Earlier on Saturday, this incursion happened a day after 40 BGP members came through two points of Teknaf border in Cox's Bazar.

Among them, 14 people entered Bangladesh through Achar Bunia border of Sabrangrang Union of Teknaf and 22 people entered Bangladesh through Nazirpara border of the same upazila. Later, around 12 noon on Saturday, 4 more BGP members took shelter in Nazir Para, according to local sources and public representatives.

The Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) disarmed the BGP members and later transferred them by bus to Hnila High School. 

Public Administration Minister Professor Farhad Hossain said that the recommendation sent by the Ministry of Education to increase the age limit for entering government jobs from 30 to 35 years is a policy decision of the government. He also said that measures will be taken after discussing it with the Prime Minister.

He said this in response to a question from journalists at the secretariat on Sunday (May 5).

The Minister of Public Administration said that the recommendation sent by the Ministry of Education regarding the age limit for employment is a policy decision of the government. I will discuss it with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Action will be taken as per the instructions given by her.

Farhad Hossain said that the Prime Minister spoke about the age limit of 35 years for entering the service. She discouraged this. The Prime Minister said that if the age limit is increased, there may be a problem with the retirement time.

Earlier, Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury said in a letter sent to the Ministry of Public Administration that at present the age limit of 30 years is followed as a criterion for entering all types of jobs in government, semi-government, private and autonomous institutions. In this situation, students have been protesting on the streets for a long time to demand that the age limit for applying for jobs be 35 years according to international standards.

The government realized the issue in the election manifesto of Awami League in 2018 in page number 33 in the paragraph on increasing education, skills and employment, it was mentioned that 'reasonable measures will be taken in view of reality, taking into account merit and skills to increase the age limit for entering government jobs'.

For a long time, a section of job-seeking students have been agitating to make the maximum age limit for job application 35 years. They have been saying that the age limit for job application in different countries of the world is from 35 to 59 years. That is, eligibility is the only criterion for a candidate, not age. In light of that, they have been demanding to make the maximum age limit for employment in Bangladesh as 35 years.

The Meteorological Department has once again issued a 24-hour heat alert in the country amid the ongoing heat wave.

The heat wave warning has been issued for the next 24 hours from 6pm on Saturday (May 4).

During this time, mild to moderate heat waves will continue over some other regions of the country including the capital Dhaka.

The warning message signed by Meteorologist Khondokar Hafizur Rahman said that the mild to moderate heat wave over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions may continue for the next 24 hours from 6 pm on Saturday. At the same time, uncomfortable conditions may also persist due to the excess of water vapor.

Earlier on April 19, the Meteorological Department issued a three-day heat alert for the first time due to severe heat wave across the country. Then it is increased in several steps. Last Thursday (May 2) from 6 pm, the Meteorological Department issued a heat wave warning or heat alert for the next 48 hours.

Today, the highest temperature in the country was recorded in Rajshahi, 39.7 degrees Celsius. Yesterday, the highest temperature in the country was in Jashore at 41.8 degrees Celsius. Today, like other parts of the country, the temperature has dropped in the capital. Today the maximum temperature recorded in Dhaka is 36.9 degrees Celsius. Yesterday it was 38.1 degrees Celsius.

The fire in Amarbunia area of Chandpai range of East Sundarbans is still burning. Fire service or fire brigade went to the area to put out the fire but could not go near the fire. As it was evening and there was no water source nearby, the fire could not be extinguished. The work of extinguishing the fire will be started from Sunday (May 5) morning. Meanwhile, a three-member investigation committee has been formed in this incident.

East Sundarbans Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kazi Nurul Karim confirmed this information at night.

Nurul Karim said, after receiving the report of severe heat and fire in remote areas, they rushed with the fire brigade. First, find a source of water to control the fire. But no water was found nearby. The fire has to be controlled by bringing water from Bhola river which is far away. In the meantime evening falls. So it was not possible to go near the fire. However, with the efforts of local residents and forest guards, the fire was prevented from spreading initially by supplying little water.

On Sunday (May 5) morning, the fire will be completely brought under control by establishing water connection from Bhola river in Amarbunia area, he added, adding that the fire could not spread far. The fire is burning little by little, it is not possible to spread even in the night.

When asked how the fire broke out, DFO Kazi Nurul Karim said that the exact cause has not yet been ascertained. But locals are giving different information. Taking all the information into account, a three-member investigation committee headed by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Rana Dev of East Sundarbans Chandpai range has been constituted.

The other two members of the committee are Chandpai Range Jeudhar Station Officer Md. Obaidur Rahman and Dhansagar station officer Rabiul Islam. The committee will submit a report on the exact cause of the fire within the next seven working days.

Chairman of Nishanbaria Union of Morelganj Upazila of Bagerhat District Saiful Islam said, on Saturday (May 4) afternoon, the first fire broke out in Chila area of Amarbunia in Sundarbans. Later at 4:30 pm when the fire spread, it was reported in the area. After that, we tried to put out the fire initially with the help of local residents and forest guards. Later two units of fire service came from Bagerhat and Morelganj. But as the evening wore on, the firemen could not start the work.

Deputy Assistant Director of Bagerhat Fire Service and Civil Defense Saidul Alam Chowdhury said that two units reached the spot after receiving information about the fire in the afternoon but could not start extinguishing the fire due to various obstacles. However, the scene of the fire has been identified.