United News of Bangladesh

The body of a 15-year-old schoolboy was recovered from the Kumar on Monday morning, 10 hours after he drowned in the river while taking a selfie. The deceased was Dipto, a class VIII student of Magura Model Government High School. He used to live with his mother in Metanipara in the town and his father is a Canada expatriate, said Ayub Ali, Officer-in-charge of Magura Police Station. Child drowns, another missing in Louhajang River in Tangail Witnesses said when Dipto was standing near the railing of the Water Development Board bridge on Dhaka Road to take a selfie he fell into the river and drowned. On information, a team of Magura Fire Service and Civil Defence started rescue operation but it was hampered to a sudden power cut, said a fire service official. He added that local youths later recovered Dipto’s body from the river early Monday morning.

Tension remains high in Khagrachhari district following Sunday’s violence and protests over the alleged rape of a schoolgirl, which left three people dead and several others injured in Guimara upazila. Meanwhile, the indefinite road blockade organised under the banner of Jumma students and local residents entered its third day on Monday, bringing normal life to a near standstill. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Khagrachhari District Hospital late on Sunday evening, but their identities have yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile the blockade on roads connecting Dhaka and Chhatogram has been relaxed temporarily to facilitate services from 12pm on Monday. Army issues statement on communal violence in Khagrachhari Jumma students and local residents announced the relaxation via a Facebook post on Monday morning. According to the post, the roads will be open from 12pm until further notice to allow critically injured Jumma protesters, who were hurt in clashes with law enforcers in Guimara upazila, to receive treatment and to facilitate the proper burial of deceased Jumma victims. The post also reads that a medical team from Dhaka is scheduled to arrive and authorities at all levels were urged to ensure unobstructed access. Unrest erupted in the hill district after the reported rape of a schoolgirl on the night of September 23. Businesses belonging to both hill and Bengali communities have been attacked and vandalised in various parts of Khagrachhari over the past few days. At least three people were killed and several others injured in an armed attack by miscreants in Guimara upazila on Sunday. In an official statement issued on Sunday evening, the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed deep sorrow over the killings and extended sympathy to those injured, including an army major, 13 army personnel, the officer-in-charge of Guimara Police Station, three other policemen and several others. Section 144 has been imposed in Khagrachhari town, Sadar upazila and Guimara upazila. The movement of all modes of transport has been suspended since Sunday morning, disrupting daily life. Protesters are reportedly setting up hidden barricades at various points, although they have not appeared openly. Streets in the town and its outskirts remain deserted, with residents largely confined to their homes except for urgent needs. Trucks and pickups carrying raw materials to markets in Longdu, Bagaichhari and other areas remained stranded, causing widespread disruption to trade and everyday activities. Army personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police forces remain deployed across different areas. Although one suspect has been arrested in connection with the rape of the schoolgirl, two others are still at large.

Former Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun passed away at a hospital in the capital on Monday morning. He was 78. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 8:10am, said Zannat-ul -Farhad, assistant inspector general (AIG-Media) of Prisons headquarters. He fell sick at the central jail on Sunday afternoon and was admitted to the hospital, she said adding that Nurul Majid enjoyed facilities as a classified prison, he said. The former minister had been suffering from ‘Uncontrolled Bowel and Bladder’ disease for long, the prisons official said.   AC blast at Jatrabari: Burn victim dies at DMCH As his condition worsened, he was shifted to the ICU where he died. Nurul, son of late Abdul Majid of Gotashia village under Monohardi upazila of Narsingdi district, was elected an MP from Narsingdi-4 in 2008, 2014, 2019 and 2024 with Awami League tickets. He was arrested by a team of the Rapid Action Battalion on 25 September 2024 on charges of murder during the July movement.

Rail communication between Dhaka and the northern districts has remained suspended since early Monday after three bogies of the Panchagarh Express derailed near Bhangura Railway Station in Pabna. No casualties were reported, but over 1,000 passengers got panicked, with many jumping off the train. The Panchagarh-bound train left Dhaka at 11:30pm on Sunday. Derailment halts train movement on Rangpur-Lalmonirhat-Bogura route Around 4am, its locomotive, luggage and a passenger bogie derailed, said Hasina Khatun, a transport official at Pakshi Railway. Railway authorities are yet to begin recovery of the bogies several hours after the accident, leaving passengers stranded. Bhangura police rushed to the scene and ensured safety, said officer-in-charge Shafiqul Islam.

The Army on Sunday night issued an official statement in response to the recent violence in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari, which occurred on September 27 and 28. According to the statement, tensions began escalating following the murder of motorcyclist Mamun on September 19, 2024. In the aftermath, the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) and its affiliated organisations allegedly attempted to incite communal unrest in Dighinala and Rangamati, leading to clashes with security forces. These clashes resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several locals. To mark the one-year anniversary of that incident, the UPDF and its affiliates organised protest rallies across various locations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, reportedly in an effort to prevent a recurrence of similar violence, said  Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). On the night of September 23, 2025, following the reported rape of a schoolgirl in Singinala area of Khagrachhari, a UPDF (Main) suspect, Shayan Shil, was arrested on September 24 with assistance from the army and later remanded. 3 killed in Khagrachhari attacks, tensions escalate in hills Despite this arrest, PCP leader Ukhanu Marma—an affiliate of the UPDF—called for a protest and human chain in Khagrachhari on September 24 under the banner of ‘Jumma Chhatra Janata’. This was followed by a half-day strike in the district on September 25. Simultaneously, various inflammatory and provocative statements targeting Bengali communities were spread online by domestic and expatriate bloggers, as well as certain individuals from the hill regions. On September 26, under the leadership of UPDF activist Ukhanu Marma and influenced by provocative online content, tensions surged across Khagrachhari. During a blockade, some protesters allegedly threw stones and bricks at patrolling army personnel, injuring three soldiers. Despite the provocation, the army said it responded with restraint, patience, and humanity, refraining from the use of force. On September 27, the UPDF and affiliated groups again allegedly attempted to spark unrest through sabotage—including shooting at civilians (including Bengalis), vandalism, attacks on ambulances, and road blockades. The unrest reportedly deteriorated the law and order situation in the entire Khagrachhari municipality area, taking on the appearance of a communal riot. In response, the district administration imposed Section 144 in Khagrachhari and Guimara. To restore order, the Army, BGB, and other law enforcement agencies worked through the night with restraint and coordination, ultimately preventing what the Army described as an "inevitable communal riot." However, on September 28, UPDF activists reportedly violated Section 144 in the Ramsu Bazar area of Guimara upazila. From early morning, they allegedly incited the public to block roads, completely shutting down the Guimara–Khagrachhari route. Home Ministry condoles Khagrachhari killings, vows justice At around 10:30 am, UPDF workers and local Bengali residents clashed in the area. When army personnel intervened, they were attacked with indigenous weapons, bricks, slingshots, and batons, injuring 10 personnel, including three officers. Simultaneously, BGB vehicles were vandalised in the Ramgarh area, and BGB members were injured. Around 11:30 am, members of the UPDF (Main) reportedly opened fire—firing 100 to 150 rounds from automatic weapons from a hilltop west of Ramsu Bazar—targeting army personnel, hill people, and Bengalis involved in the clash. Several civilians were injured by gunfire. In response, an army patrol team pursued the armed attackers, while other UPDF operatives reportedly set fire to homes in the Ramsu Bazar area and continued clashing with Bengali locals. Additional troops were deployed to Ramsu Bazar and Guimara, bringing the situation under control by around 4:30 pm. The Army claimed that in recent days, UPDF and its affiliated organisations have been systematically forcing women and schoolchildren to participate in their subversive activities in an effort to destabilise the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They also alleged that UPDF has been attempting to bring in external militants equipped with indigenous weapons to incite communal violence. On the same day (September 28), a large cache of indigenous weapons was seized from a passenger bus at a checkpoint operated by the Kaptai Battalion of the BGB—further evidence, the Army said, of UPDF’s alleged efforts to escalate unrest. The Army views the incidents between September 19 and 28 as part of a larger, orchestrated conspiracy. Relevant evidence is currently with law enforcement agencies. It called on all political leaders from different ethnic groups in the Hill Tracts, as well as the general public, to act with restraint. It urged all law enforcement agencies, including the Army, to work together to restore peace and stability in the region. Despite propaganda, misinformation, and provocation, the Army reaffirmed its firm commitment to protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh and ensuring the safety of all communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea’s leading development cooperation agency, successfully institutionalized a comprehensive Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) under the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE), 13 local large enterprises, 1 association, and 10 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BEIOA). The formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) took place on Sunday at the Inter-Continental Dhaka. This expanded agreement, a key component of the multi-year “Better Employment with Competency-Based Skills Training (BEST)” project (2018–2028, USD 8.5 million), establishes a practically guaranteed model of industry-academia cooperation aimed at directly aligning vocational training with industrial demand. A foundational achievement of this initiative is the successful implementation of the Training-of-Trainers (TOT) program, resulting in Bangladeshi vocational trainers, for the first time, officially obtaining National Technical and Vocational Qualification Framework (NTVQF) Level 3–4 certifications. This marks the first official national recognition of vocational trainers meeting the highest industry-required competency levels, thereby institutionalizing the capability of Technical Training Centres (TTCs) to produce verified, high-quality human capital.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Sunday expressed strong outrage and condemnation over the extensive violence and reported multiple deaths that occurred when vested interests turned a peaceful movement into violence in Khagrachari, Chittagong Hill Tracts, where indigenous communities were demanding justice for the rape of a 12-year-old girl. TIB highlighted that despite seven indigenous women being raped in Khagrachari district over the past year according to media reports, none of these cases have seen justice yet. The organization questioned what crime exists in the indigenous community's legitimate demand for justice following another barbaric rape of a young girl, stating that the army-controlled administration must answer this fundamental question. TIB has demanded a comprehensive judicial investigation into the incident, calling for exemplary punishment of the rapists as well as identification and accountability of those who transformed the peaceful movement into violence and the instigators who played manipulative roles in escalating the situation. 3 killed in Khagrachhari attacks, tensions escalate in hills In a statement issued on Sunday, TIB's Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that the attempts to normalize the rape of indigenous women are not new. He questioned: Why could the local administration and police under army authority not adopt timely, active and effective strategies to prevent this violence? Is this indifference or complicity towards the destructive conspiracies of vested interests, through which the process of systematic deprivation of indigenous rights and ethnic suppression is being normalized? “Deliberate attempts to protect rapists are evident throughout the entire judicial process, from medical examinations of rape victims to case registration and the complete trial proceedings,” he added. “Under these circumstances, the ongoing movement by indigenous communities stems from legitimate concerns about the denial of justice, making their protests entirely justified. Sensitive behavior from the administration and all concerned parties was expected in this matter." Dr. Iftekharuzzaman highlighted the constitutional rights of indigenous populations as citizens to secure and safe living. Home Ministry condoles Khagrachhari killings, vows justice He mentioned that there must be judicial investigations to guarantee justice for all victims of violent crimes including rape, with exemplary punishment ensured through proper identification of perpetrators. “Without such measures, preventing the repetition of these incidents remains impossible. Concurrently, administrative authorities and relevant officials must face accountability for their visible failure to adopt effective interventions appropriate to the gravity of the situation," said Iftekharuzzaman. Journalists in Jashore protest ‘false case’ against colleague TIB's Executive Director further stated, "We believe that the primary capability for establishing peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts rests with the Bangladesh Army, which has earned global recognition for peacekeeping efforts across different regions of the world.” He hoped that the army will make timely and positive use of this capacity by taking effective initiatives to establish rights-based peace for indigenous communities in this region, striving to play a role equivalent to their commendable achievements at the global level.

Journalists in Sharsha Upazila of Jashore district formed a human chain and held a protest rally on Sunday afternoon in front of the Sharsha Upazila Parishad, demanding the withdrawal of what they described as a conspiracy-driven and false case against Benapole Press Club Organising Secretary Monirul Islam Moni. Around a hundred media professionals from both electronic and print outlets participated in the protest to express solidarity with Moni and to call for justice. Several prominent media figures spoke at the rally, including Dainik LokSamaj Acting Editor Anwarul Kabir Nantu, Jessore District Journalists Union President Sheikh Deen Ahmed, General Secretary Dewan Morshed Alam, Benapole Press Club General Secretary Bakul Mahbub, and Jamal Hossain. Leaders of various press clubs also addressed the gathering, including Sharsha Press Club President Ahmed Ali Shahin, General Secretary Abdul Mannan, and Jhikargacha Press Club President Rafiqul Islam. Benapole Press Club President Mohsin Milon, along with journalists Muslim Uddin Pappu (Ekattor TV), Nazrul Islam (Daily Khoborer Kagoj), Sheikh Nasir Uddin (SA TV), Selim Reza (Boishakhi TV), Moshiar Rahman (Ei Somoyer TV), Sheikh Sadaf Hossain (Nagorik TV), and Al Mamun (Dipta TV), among others, issued statements condemning the alleged false charges against Moni. They collectively demanded an immediate withdrawal of the case and urged the authorities to ensure that journalists are not harassed for performing their professional duties.

A new platform titled the Investigative Journalists Association of Bangladesh (IJAB) has been formed with the aim of enhancing the professional standards and training opportunities for investigative journalists in the country. The newly formed organisation has appointed Nesarul Haque Khokon, an investigative journalist at Daily Jugantor, as president, and Alauddin Arif, joint editor of Daily Kalbela, as general secretary. The announcement came during a formal gathering held at a restaurant in the capital recently. Other office bearers of the organisation include Apurba Alauddin of Jamuna TV as senior vice president, GM Faisal Alam of Channel 24 as vice president, Jamil Khan of The Daily Star as senior joint general secretary, and Shakil Abdullah Rafi of Independent TV as joint general secretary. Taimur Hasan Shuvo of News24 has been named finance editor, while Bakul Ahmed of Samakal will serve as organising secretary. Manik Muntasir of Bangladesh Pratidin has been selected as training and research affairs secretary, Sayedul Islam of Ittefaq as publicity and publication secretary, and SM Mintu of Naya Diganta as office secretary. Kawsar Soheli of Maasranga TV will serve as law and media affairs secretary, and Shahriar Hasan of Ajker Patrika as international affairs secretary. The role of welfare secretary has been assigned to Shahriar Arif of Channel 24. The executive committee members are Elias Hossain of RTV, Jahangir Alam of UNB, Shafiq Shahin of NTV, Mamunur Rashid of The Daily Observer, Abdullah Tuhin of Jamuna Television, and Sanaul Haque Sunny of Kalbela. IJAB aims to foster collaboration among investigative journalists across various media platforms and organise training initiatives, research, and advocacy to strengthen journalistic integrity and accountability in Bangladesh.

Amid growing tensions following the recent rape of a schoolgirl in Khagrachari, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma has called on both hill communities and Bengali residents to unite in addressing the evolving situation. He made the call during a special law and order meeting held at the Khagrachari District Administration’s conference room on Sunday morning. The meeting was convened to discuss possible measures to restore peace and order in the region. The adviser urged the administration to take strict action to maintain law and order in the hills and to prevent any further loss of life or property. He also called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant so that such incidents are not repeated in the future. The meeting was presided over by Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khandaker. Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Khagrachari following the rape incident and an ongoing road blockade. Public anxiety is palpable, and a heavy presence of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police has been deployed in an effort to maintain order and prevent further unrest. Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors unless there is an emergency. Section 144 is currently in effect across Khagrachari Municipality, Sadar Upazila, and Guimara Upazila, prohibiting public gatherings. The indefinite road blockade—now in its second day—has been enforced under the banner of Jumma students and local residents. Protesters are demanding the immediate arrest of all perpetrators involved in the rape, compensation for the victim’s family, and justice for those allegedly assaulted during related protests. As a result, all types of vehicular movement remain suspended in the district. Tensions escalated further in Guimara Upazila on Sunday evening after an armed attack by miscreants left three people dead and several others injured. On September 23, a schoolgirl was reportedly raped in the Singinala area of Khagrachhari Sadar. Her father filed a case at the Sadar Police Station against three unidentified individuals. The following morning, acting on a tip-off, police—with the assistance of the army—arrested a suspect, Shayan Shil.