United News of Bangladesh

A discussion meeting was held in the capital on Friday marking International Workers’ Day and May Day, with speakers stressing the need to ensure workers’ rights, safe workplaces and a corruption-free Bangladesh. The programme was organised by Citizens Against Corruption (CAC) at the auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) under the theme: “Workers’ Rights, End of Corruption: A Transparent Campaign for a Prosperous Future.” The event was chaired by Yusuf Hossain, chairman of CAC, while its General Secretary Salman Mahmud moderated the programme. Former secretary and former chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Margub Morshed attended the event as the chief guest. Among the special guests were adviser to CAC and businessman-researcher Dr Mostafizur Rahman, industrialist and film personality Khorshed Alam Khosru, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon, and poet Ashraful Islam. Speaking at the event, Yusuf Hossain said workers are the driving force of the country’s economy, yet many are still deprived of fair wages, workplace safety and social dignity. He called for the formulation and implementation of worker-friendly policies to eliminate such inequalities and ensure fair wages, healthcare facilities, social security and safe working environments for workers in the garments, construction, transport and industrial sectors. Chief guest Margub Morshed said sustainable development would not be possible without a corruption-free administration and worker-friendly policies. He stressed the need for accountability and coordination among the state, employers and workers. Salman Mahmud said CAC has begun its journey with the goal of building a worker-friendly, business-friendly and safe Bangladesh by eliminating corruption and irregularities from society. CAC Vice-President Shakhawat Hossain also spoke at the event. Dr Mostafizur Rahman said ensuring workers’ rights is not only a humanitarian responsibility but also a prerequisite for the country’s economic progress. Khorshed Alam Khosru said workers across different sectors, including the film industry, play a vital role in the country and deserve proper healthcare and welfare support. He also said CAC would continue reaching out to people across the country every month to campaign against corruption and irregularities. The speakers at the programme also underscored the importance of strengthening social movements and raising public awareness to prevent corruption at all levels of society.

Police have cracked the mystery behind the murder of a seven-year-old missing girl in Faridpur, arresting three suspects soon after the recovery of her body. The arrested are Israfil Mridha, 24, Sheikh Amin, 19, and Nasima Begum, 45. They were arrested during a drive on Thursday afternoon, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Ajmir Hossain at a press conference at Kotwali Police Station on Friday morning. Accused in Faridpur triple murder case arrested According to police and locals, Irin Akhter Bina, daughter of Baka Mia Biswas, was a student of Bokail Government Primary School. She went missing on April 24 from her home in Bakhunda Purbapara area under Gerda union in Sadar upazila. A general diary (GD) was filed with Kotwali Police Station the following day, and announcements were made locally through miking. Six days later, on Thursday morning, locals discovered a body in a banana plantation after noticing a foul smell. Family members later identified the victim as Irin. Police recovered the body and sent it to Faridpur Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. A murder case was subsequently filed, and an investigation was launched by police and Detective Branch (DB). Investigators found that the main accused – Israfil Mridha – allegedly lured the child to an abandoned tin-shed room of Ashrayan Kendra with the promise of chocolate. He then attempted to rape her and later strangled her when she threatened to inform her family, police said. To conceal the crime, he reportedly hid the body in a septic tank of a nearby house. A few days later, the house owner, Nasima Begum, noticed a problem with the toilet and informed her family members. Upon opening the tank, they found the body. Police said Nasima Begum later asked her son Sheikh Amin and another son Rahman to remove the body, fearing that they might be held responsible for the murder. They allegedly placed it in a plastic drum and dumped it in the banana plantation to avoid identification. Police recovered the victim’s clothes, sandals, the drum used to transport the body and a blanket from the scene. “As the incident is very sensitive, we are conducting the investigation with utmost importance,” said Ajmir Hossain, adding that the accused were identified and arrested quickly using information technology and intelligence inputs.

A Class-IX student has been hacked to death in Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh district following a clash between two groups at a local fair. The deceased was identified as Siam, 14, a student of Mankon High School and son of Abdus Salam of Shibpur village in the upazila. The incident occurred around 8:30pm on Thursday at a Baishakhi fair held on the grounds of Podur Bari High School. According to police and family members, the altercation erupted between friends, which quickly escalated into a clash between two groups. Officer-in-Charge of Muktagacha Police Station Quamrul Islam said Siam was attacked on the head with bamboo sticks and locally made weapons during the clash, leaving him critically injured. He was initially taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where he was referred to Dhaka. However, he died on the way. Police said drives are underway to arrest those involved in the incident.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested another accused in the case filed over the killing of a self-proclaimed “Pir” Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Reza and Jahangir, in a mob attack at his shrine in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia. Rajib Mistry, 32, one of the four accused named in the First Information Report (FIR), was arrested during a drive in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi around 11:00pm on Thursday, said Additional Superintendent of Police Sudipta Sarkar, Company Commander of RAB-12 Kushtia camp. Rajib Mistry is the son of Gazi Mistry of West South Philipnagar village under Philipnagar union in Daulatpur. He is the No. 3 accused in the case, officials said. He was arrested in a joint operation conducted by RAB-5 Rajshahi and RAB-12 Kushtia. Rajib Mistry was sent to jail through a court on Friday. Officer-in-Charge of Daulatpur Police Station Arifur Rahman said a total of four people have so far been arrested in the case, while drives to apprehend others are continuing. Earlier, police arrested Biplob Hossain, 26, Alif Islam, 23, and Class X student Alamgir Hossain, 16, in connection with the murder. On April 11, Shamim Reza, 65, was beaten and hacked to death at his shrine known as “Shamim Baba’s Darbar Sharif” in Philipnagar union. According to locals, an old video from 2023 resurfaced, leading to allegations of blasphemy and triggering the attack. Three of his followers were also injured in the incident. Following the incident, victim’s brother Fazlur Rahman filed a case with Daulatpur Police Station on April 13 against four named individuals, including Rajib Mistry, and 180-200 unnamed ones.

Buddha Purnima, the most sacred and largest religious festival of Buddhists community, is being celebrated today across the country with traditional enthusiasm and due religious fervour. The United Nations declared Buddha Purnima as International Vesak Day in 2000. The day commemorates three key events in the life of Gautama Buddha – the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, his attainment of supreme enlightenment, and his entry into Nirvana, the sublime cessation of all longing. The occasion holds profound significance for Buddhists worldwide. The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh. The festival is also known as Ashwini Purnima, marking the conclusion of the three-month-long seclusion of monks inside monasteries for self-edification and atonement of defilements. It is followed by a month-long preaching of sermons by Buddhist monks for the welfare of all beings and humanity, along with a month-long yellow robes offering ceremony beginning the day after the Purnima. According to legend, Buddha once clipped some strands of hair from his head and said that if he was destined to attain supreme wisdom and enlightenment, the hairs would not fall but rise upwards—which they ultimately did. On the occasion, Buddhists release candle-lit air balloons made of coloured paper (fanush), which float into the autumn sky in the evening, one of the main attractions of the festival. The Buddha Purnima is being celebrated in monasteries, offices of religious organisations and educational institutions through daylong programmes. The celebrations began at dawn with the hoisting of national and religious flags at monasteries, followed by chanting of verses from the sacred Tripitaka. Other programmes include monks’ alms-breaking, mass prayers, blood donation, Sangadana, discussions, Panchashila, Asthashila and Pradip Puja. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages on the occasion, extending greetings to the Buddhist community at home and abroad. In his message, the President said Buddha Purnima marks the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha, making it a deeply sacred and significant religious festival. He said the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha continue to inspire humanity through the message of non-violence, equality, compassion and friendship, which are essential for building a peaceful and harmonious society. Describing Buddha’s philosophy as a timeless guide for moral, social and spiritual development, the President said the principle of “Ahimsa Paramo Dharma” (non-violence is the highest virtue) remains highly relevant in today’s conflict-ridden world. Highlighting Bangladesh’s tradition of religious harmony, he said people of all faiths in the country have long been practicing their religions freely in a peaceful environment. Shahabuddin urged Buddhists to uphold the ideals of Gautama Buddha and contribute further to national development through knowledge, skills and dedication. In his message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said Buddha Purnima is a sacred festival marking the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha. He said Bangladesh is a shining example of communal harmony, where people of all religions have long been celebrating their festivals in an atmosphere of mutual respect, harmony and peace. Referring to Buddha’s teachings, the Prime Minister said Gautama Buddha devoted his life to spreading the message of non-violence, equality, compassion and friendship for the welfare of humanity. These teachings remain timeless and especially relevant in a world affected by conflict, hatred and intolerance. He added that the values of peace, tolerance, compassion and humanity taught by Buddha can serve as a strong source of inspiration today. Tarique Rahman reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring religious freedom, constitutional rights and the welfare of all citizens, aiming to build an inclusive society for people of all faiths and beliefs.

A young worker was killed after being struck by a machine while working in a plywood factory in the Kamrangirchar area of the capital on Thursday night. The deceased was identified as Md Miraj, 19, son of Shahjahan Mia of Amua village under Kathalia upazila in Jhalakathi district. He had been living on the factory premises. The incident occurred at a factory of City Plywood. According to factory supervisor Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Miraj was seriously injured after being hit by a machine while working around 9:30pm. He was rescued and rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead around 11:00pm. The supervisor said Miraj had been working at the factory for nearly seven years. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

A farmer was killed after a goods-laden truck lost control and overturned into a chilli field in Sadar upazila of Lalmonirhat on Friday morning. The deceased was identified as Monser Ali, 63, son of Poyer Ullah of the Chini Para Airport area under Mahendranagar union of the upazila. According to police and witnesses, Monser Ali went to inspect his chilli field beside his house in the morning. At that time, a goods-laden truck travelling from Rangpur to Lalmonirhat lost control and overturned on the roadside. The farmer was crushed under the truck and died on the spot. Following the incident, angry local residents caught the driver and his assistant, and staged a road blockade, demanding safer roads. The blockade continued for around an hour, causing disruption on the Lalmonirhat-Rangpur highway, before police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Police also recovered the body and handed it over to the family without autopsy, said Officer-in-Charge of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station Saad Ahmed. He added that the detained driver and helper were also released as the victim’s family had no complaint.

The flood situation in Habiganj has deteriorated over the past 24 hours till Friday morning, with rising water levels submerging vast Boro paddy fields and seasonal vegetables across the district. Continuous upstream water flow from India’s Tripura, coupled with heavy rainfall, has caused water levels in all major rivers in the district to swell, leading to fresh inundation of low-lying haor areas. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 11,538 hectares of Boro paddy and 55 hectares of summer vegetables across nine upazilas have been affected by floodwaters. Of the affected cropland, around 5,623 hectares have been completely damaged, while 5,915 hectares have suffered partial damage. The worst-affected upazilas include Baniachong, where about 3,350 hectares of cropland have been damaged, followed by Lakhai with 2,370 hectares, Ajmiriganj with 2,070 hectares, and Nabiganj with 2,020 hectares affected. On Wednesday night, a 50-metre section of an embankment on the Khowai River in Sujatpur area of Baniachong upazila collapsed, inundating vast areas. Affected farmers said the flooding occurred just days before they harvest paddy, leaving them devastated.

A teenage girl has been rescued after being kept in chains at her family home in Machuapara village of Taraganj upazila, in an incident that highlights the tensions between early marriage, family authority and a young woman’s choice. The girl, aged 17 years and nine months, had left home three months ago and married Mahbub Alam of neighbouring Nilphamari district following a relationship. The couple had been living at the husband’s family home without any issues. On April 13, she returned to her parents’ house for a short visit after being assured by her family. But within two days, the situation changed. When she expressed her wish to go back to her husband’s home, her family refused. According to a complaint, she was then confined and kept in chains from April 15. The situation came to light when her father-in-law Majnu Mia filed a written complaint with Taraganj Police Station on Thursday afternoon. Police, along with the upazila administration, carried out an operation to rescue the girl. Speaking about the incident, Majnu Mia said he had accepted the couple when they came to his home and allowed them to live together. He claimed that relatives from the girl’s family had earlier visited and assured him they would accept the marriage before taking her back. “When my son later went to bring his wife home, he found she had been kept in chains and even beaten,” Manju Mia said. The girl’s father, however, stood firm in his position, arguing that the young man was unable to support his daughter financially and that he would not send her back. Officials said she was found chained inside the house and was later sent to an Integrated Child Rehabilitation Centre in Rangpur. Ruhul Amin, Officer-in-Charge of Taraganj Police Station, said the girl was rescued and handed over to the Department of Social Services for protection. Upazila Social Services Officer Mahmudul Haque said the girl’s marriage was not legally valid, as she is still under 18. She was sent to the Integrated Child Rehabilitation Centre in Rangpur and will remain there until she reaches adulthood. The case has drawn attention to the complex realities faced by young people in rural areas, where personal choices, economic concerns and legal boundaries often collide, sometimes with deeply distressing consequences.

The Bangladesh chapter of SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF) has decided to organise the Dhaka Conference of the forum later this year. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Bangladesh chapter held at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Thursday with its President Nasir Al Mamoon in the chair. The proposed conference aims to bring together journalists and media professionals from across South Asia to deliberate on key issues – strengthening professional collaboration, revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and promoting people-to-people connectivity, according to a press release. Members of the Executive Committee expressed their commitment to making the Dhaka conference a significant platform for dialogue on media, democracy, and regional cooperation. The meeting also congratulated Khondoker Kaosar Hossain, a senior journalist and Executive Committee member of the forum, on his recent appointment as Media Coordinator to the Information and Broadcasting Minister. The meeting was attended by Central Secretary General Md Abdur Rahman, Bangladesh Chapter Vice Presidents Asif Hasan Nabi & Md Shariful Islam, General Secretary Shiabur Rahman, Joint General Secretary Shahed Motiur Rahman, Treasure Reza Mahmud, Executive Members Rafiqul Islam Azad & Md Mostafa Khan, Ayon Ahmed and MM Gias Uddin. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the objectives of the SAARC Journalist Forum and strengthening cooperation among journalists in the region.