SYLHET, Mar 7, 2026 (BSS)- Minister of Labour and Employment and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury has warned of taking strict action against those involved in the deteriorating law and order in Sylhet. He said, the Prime Minister has declared a zero-tolerance policy against terrorists and extortionists. Therefore, such activities will not be tolerated in any way.” The minister said this to journalists after attending Holi festival at Manipuri Rajbari in the Mirzajangal here today. Ariful Haque said, ‘We want a safe Sylhet, Those who are responsible for deteriorating law and order in Sylhet will not be spared in any way.” He instructed the administration to arrest those involved in various criminal activities including mugging.  Addressing the function, Administrator of Sylhet City Corporation Abdul Kayum Chowdhury said, "We want a peaceful Sylhet. Therefore, the administration has been instructed to take action against criminals. Additionally, it will also be examined whether anyone is deliberately trying to worsen the law and order situation." Digen Singha, President of the Academy for Manipuri Culture and Arts presided over the function while Aniruddha Das, Assistant High Commissioner of India in Sylhet was present as guest. Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Trustee Sudip Ranjan Sen Bappu, Elangbam Jayanta Singha from the Manipur State Kala Akademi, India; Prashanta Kumar Singha, President of the Sylhet Debaloy Rathayatra Celebration Committee, Professor Sharadindu Bhattacharya from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Rajesh Bhatia, Second Secretary of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Sylhet were present among others.  

KHULNA, Mar 7, 2026 (BSS) – The Eid market in Khulna has started gaining momentum as the holy month of Ramadan enters its second half, with a large number of shoppers thronging markets and roadside stalls across the city. Traders said sales have increased since the 14th of Ramadan after government employees received their salaries and Eid bonuses.  However, due to comparatively higher prices in shopping malls, many customers are now turning to sidewalk stalls and medium-range markets to buy clothes for Eid. During a visit to different markets including Akhtar Chamber, Haji Malek Chamber, Asha Chamber, Picture Palace, Khulna Shopping Complex, Rob Super Market, Shaheed  Suhrawardy Biponi Bitan, Railway Biponi Bitan (Nixon Market), Jabbar Market, Khan Jahan Ali Hawkers Market and New Market on Saturday revealed a significant rush of shoppers. Traders said women’s clothing shops are witnessing far more crowds than men’s wear outlets. Shops selling three-pieces, gowns, lehengas and other fashionable dresses are especially crowded with female customers. Footpath vendor Sajib, who runs a clothing stall in front of Haji Malek Chamber at Dakbangla intersection, said business, was slow during the first ten days of Ramadan. “Sales started to pick up after salaried people received their Eid bonuses,” he said. Sajib sells men’s T-shirts and shirts, with prices ranging from Taka 150 to Taka 300 per piece. Another sidewalk vendor Hasib, who sells children’s clothing nearby, said sales remained poor initially but improved after the 15th of Ramadan. Masum, a trader at Railway BiponiBitan (Nixon Market), said his shop mainly sells men’s clothing, including pants priced between Taka 300 and Taka 1,200. “Sales have increased over the last two days and we hope it will rise further as Eid approaches,” he added. Khulna Shopping Complex, known as one of the city’s posh shopping malls, is also witnessing a growing number of customers. Owner of “Aishika Fashion” UtpalDutta said several trendy dresses are popular this Eid season. “Cotton three-pieces, georgette, organza, jimichu and Persian gown three-pieces are in high demand, particularly among young women and teenage girls,” he said. According to traders, cotton three-pieces are being sold between Taka 1,500 and Taka 4,000, Pakistani georgette Persian gown three-pieces between Taka 5,000 and Taka 10,000, organza dresses between Taka 3,000 and Taka 7,000, jimichu between Taka 2,500 and Taka 3,000 and Indian Persian gowns between Taka 3,000 and Taka 7,000. Abul Hossain, owner of Moriam Enterprise at the same market, said Persian gowns are the latest addition to this year’s Eid collection. “These gowns are manufactured in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and are selling between Taka 3,000 and Taka 9,000,” he said. He added that in previous years Eid shopping gained momentum within the first week of Ramadan, but this year sales started increasing only after the 15th day of fasting. Meanwhile, shoppers are also crowding sari shops across the city. Owner of ChandanaSaree House at Jalil Tower, UjjalKundu, said B-Plus printed saris are selling between Taka 1,400 and Taka 1,500, while Tangail saris are priced between Taka 800 and Taka 1,600. However, some traders expressed concern over lower-than-expected sales. Jahangir Hossain, owner of “Cats Eye” at New Market, said he invested a large amount of money by taking bank loans to stock Eid garments but sales remain slow so far. “I have various local and imported clothing items for men, women and children, but sales have not yet reached the expected level,” he added.Ruhul Amin Tarafdar, a owner of a garment shop at the Dawkbangla area said, "The turnout of shoppers is good this year till now, and it has increased even more since the 15th of Ramadan. Since then, the number of customers has increased significantly. As my shop mainly sells children's clothing, the crowd has grown even more." Besides, as there are still several days left for Eid, the crowd of shoppers will undoubtedly increase in the coming days, he said. Rezaul Akand, owner of a shoe shop at City’s Shibbari said, "Eid sales are increasing every day, and I hope this year, we'll be able to earn good profits than the previous year." Sonia Chowdhury, a customer from the city's Boyra area said, there is a huge crowd in the Dawkbangla shop area, with hardly any space to walk after the evening and it is difficult to browse the shops as well as find the desired products. Mafuja Nilu, another customer from Khalishpur who came to KDA New Market said, usually, I buy Eid clothes in advance to avoid the market rush, but this time, due to a busy schedule, I couldn't. So, I came to KDA New Market for the first time today. It is tough to visit the market with children, so I plan to finish my shopping by today or tomorrow.