NoneChristmas this year carries a shadow of uncertainty for the residents of South Dimai Punjee village, a local Khasi community in Moulvibazar's Barlekha upazila. The residents are reeling after miscreants destroyed around 350 trees from three betel plantations last week. For the Khasi community, betel cultivation is their primary source of livelihood, and the destruction has brought deep shock and financial hardship for them ahead of Christmas. Confirming the incident, Kennedy Sumer, the punjee headman, said the damage is estimated at Tk 6 lakh. "This happened just three days after 6-7 sacks of betel leaves were stolen from the punjee. We have filed a formal complaint, but we are unsure who is responsible as there is no known conflict," he said. The affected farmers shared their distress. Nami Lamarang, a betel farmer in the punjee, said, "Our family relies entirely on growing betel leaves for income. We had nurtured the trees over the past 10 years. We were hoping to sell the leaves ahead of Chirstmas. Now everything is destroyed." Bruceli Lamin and Mindu Sumer, two other farmers, echoed her. The incident has been met with widespread condemnation from locals, who called upon the authorities concerned to identify the perpetrators promptly and ensure their appropriate punishment. Dulal Sarkar, a sub-inspector of Barlekha Police Station, said he visited the crime scene and spoke to the victims. "The trees were destroyed at night with no witnesses, but we are pursuing leads," he said. Saju Marchiang, publicity secretary of the Khasi Social Council and also a betel grower, said, "This year was already difficult, as hailstorms caused extensive damage to the trees earlier, while betel leaves prices have been low. Even now, the prices are still going much lower compared to last year." "The recent incident would further plunge the victims into severe financial distress," he added. Subimol Lindokiri, former assistant public prosecutor at Moulvibazar Judge's Court, called for swift and permanent measures to address such recurring incidents within the punjee villages that endanger the community's security, stability and future. There are around 80 punjee villages in Moulvibazar, 10-12 in Sylhet, and another in Habiganj. Christmas this year carries a shadow of uncertainty for the residents of South Dimai Punjee village, a local Khasi community in Moulvibazar's Barlekha upazila. The residents are reeling after miscreants destroyed around 350 trees from three betel plantations last week. For the Khasi community, betel cultivation is their primary source of livelihood, and the destruction has brought deep shock and financial hardship for them ahead of Christmas. Confirming the incident, Kennedy Sumer, the punjee headman, said the damage is estimated at Tk 6 lakh. "This happened just three days after 6-7 sacks of betel leaves were stolen from the punjee. We have filed a formal complaint, but we are unsure who is responsible as there is no known conflict," he said. The affected farmers shared their distress. Nami Lamarang, a betel farmer in the punjee, said, "Our family relies entirely on growing betel leaves for income. We had nurtured the trees over the past 10 years. We were hoping to sell the leaves ahead of Chirstmas. Now everything is destroyed." Bruceli Lamin and Mindu Sumer, two other farmers, echoed her. The incident has been met with widespread condemnation from locals, who called upon the authorities concerned to identify the perpetrators promptly and ensure their appropriate punishment. Dulal Sarkar, a sub-inspector of Barlekha Police Station, said he visited the crime scene and spoke to the victims. "The trees were destroyed at night with no witnesses, but we are pursuing leads," he said. Saju Marchiang, publicity secretary of the Khasi Social Council and also a betel grower, said, "This year was already difficult, as hailstorms caused extensive damage to the trees earlier, while betel leaves prices have been low. Even now, the prices are still going much lower compared to last year." "The recent incident would further plunge the victims into severe financial distress," he added. Subimol Lindokiri, former assistant public prosecutor at Moulvibazar Judge's Court, called for swift and permanent measures to address such recurring incidents within the punjee villages that endanger the community's security, stability and future. There are around 80 punjee villages in Moulvibazar, 10-12 in Sylhet, and another in Habiganj.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves gave the Boston Celtics a run and had a chance to win it on the last possession but came up short in a 107-105 loss at TD Garden on Sunday afternoon. Coming into Sunday’s game, no team in the NBA has made more threes per game than Boston (18.6), but only three other teams have averaged more than the Wolves (15.5). With Mike Conley still out due to a toe injury, the Timberwolves opted to start Donte DiVincenzo in his place and move Nickeil Alexander-Walker back to his usual bench role to match up better defensively against the Celtics. Unfortunately for Minnesota, Boston still shot 37.5% from deep and made 21 three while the Wolves shot 35.7% on threes and made 15. Follow us on Facebook Minnesota tried to make up that difference at the free throw line and did get there six times more than Boston. However, they made only four more attempts. The difference in made threes and free throws proved to be the difference in a two-point game. The Wolves dominated the paint, 44-30, and owned the glass, out-rebounded the Celtics by nine and making use of their size advantage down low. However, Boston tallied seven blocks to Minnesota’s one and strung together better shooting stretches. The Timberwolves kept it tight in the first half, leading by as much as six, even. However, things flipped in the second half as the Celtics came out of the break strong. Boston held a three-point lead at the half but, after the Wolves trimmed the deficit to one, a 14-0 Boston in a span of 3:23 early in the third quarter put the Celtics in control. The lead ballooned to 19 a short time later but the Wolves responded by upping their defense and getting to the line. That helped Minnesota cut it to an 11-point game by the end of the third and creep within two with two minutes to play in the fourth. However, with a chance to tie or take the lead, Anthony Edwards missed a three and Jaylen Brown connect from deep. The Wolves gave themselves another chance, trailing by two on the final possession, but a rushed, last-second three by Naz Reid just missed after the Celtics collapsed on Edwards. Brown and Jayson Tatum combined to score 55 for the Celtics on 18-of-39 shooting, including 12-of-22 from downtown. Edwards led the Wolves with 28 points and 6-of-11 shooting from three but was 9-of-21 overall. Julius Randle added 23 points and six rebounds and Rob Dillingham had a career-high 14 points in 16 minutes off the bench. Minnesota (8-8) will next host Houston on Tuesday night in an NBA Cup game. Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesJack Smith Leaving Option to Charge Donald Trump in the Future
