United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested a man and his daughter-in-law with 740 bottles of Phensedyl syrup during a raid on Bagichapara of Durgapur municipality in Netrokona. The arrestees were identified as Shafiqul Islam and his daughter-in-law Nazmun Nahar Khanam of the area. Khandaker Shaker Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Durgapur Police Station, said police conducted a drive at their house on Thursday afternoon. During the operation, law enforcers recovered around 740 bottles of Phensedyl, a contraband Indian syrup, with an estimated street value of Tk 29.60 lakh. Police said the suspected owner of the drugs, Abdul Jalil Akond, who is Nazmun Nahar's husband and Shafiqul Islam's son, managed to flee before the raid. A drive is underway to arrest him, the OC added.  

A young man accused in a murder case was shot to death by unidentified assailants in the Dakkhin Tutpara Baro Khalpar area of Khulna city early Friday. The deceased was identified as Ismail, 32, son of Shajahan of the area. Witnesses said a group of assailants shot Ismail in the head near his house around 12:15am, leaving him seriously injured. Later, he was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where the doctor on duty declared him dead. Md Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Khulna Sadar Police Station, said the attackers also struck Ismail on the head with a sharp weapon to ensure his death. Police visited the scene and collected evidence, he said. The OC said Ismail had several cases filed against him, including one on murder charges. However, details about the cases were not available immediately. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for an autopsy. Police were investigating the motive behind the killing and conducting drives to identify and arrest those involved, Shafiqul said.  

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan on Thursday said only those who have worked for people and can demonstrate public service in their respective areas will be recommended for councillor nominations in the next local government election. Speaking at an exchange meeting with residents of Uttara under DNCC Zone-1, he said political positions alone would not be enough to secure nomination. “Councillors will not be nominated merely because of their party posts. They must stay close to the people and work for public welfare,” he said. Shafiqul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been entrusted with leading the country by the people after 17 years and is committed to public service, adding that officials would continue working in line with that vision. The DNCC administrator said the city corporation was working to address civic problems, including water shortages in several areas through the installation of pumps in coordination with the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA). He also said mosquito infestation had declined following canal-cleaning initiatives that helped prevent mosquito breeding, expressing hope that continued canal restoration with public support would further strengthen dengue prevention efforts. On street vendors, he said the city corporation had designated specific locations for their rehabilitation, but many had returned to footpaths instead of using the allocated spaces. He stressed the need for cooperation from both vendors and residents to resolve the issue. Shafiqul also highlighted plans to improve roads and street lighting with community participation and said the DNCC would consider reducing taxes following requests from business leaders. He urged local community leaders to work closely with law enforcement agencies to improve law and order in their neighbourhoods. The meeting, chaired by Regional Executive Officer Md Kamal Hossain, was attended by Dhaka-18 MP SM Jahangir Hossain, DNCC Chief Engineer, Chief Health Officer and local community representatives.

Two women were killed and at least 15 others injured after a speeding passenger bus lost control and crashed into several CNG-run autorickshaws in Anwara upazila of Chattogram on Thursday night. The deceased were identified as Poli Dutta and Ifa Shil, wife of Shimul Shil, both residents of Jhiuri village in Barkhain union of Anwara. The accident occurred around 8 pm at the Karnaphuli Tunnel connection point, where the bus reportedly ploughed into five parked autorickshaws before crashing into a roadside tea stall. Police and locals rescued the victims and sent them to hospitals. The two women were declared dead at Anwara Upazila Health Complex, while the injured were admitted to the same hospital and Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment. Confirming the incident, Anwara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Junayet Chowdhury said legal action would be taken.

Khulna University (KU) has fired a professor over allegations of sexual harassment and formed a high-powered committee to investigate similar allegations against another faculty member. The decisions were taken at the university's 237th Syndicate meeting held on Thursday. Prof. Md Rezaul Islam of the Agrotechnology Discipline was fired from service following allegations of sexual harassment. At the same meeting, the university administration constituted a five-member high-powered investigation committee to examine allegations against Prof. Dr Md Rubel Ansar of the Bangla Discipline, based on the findings of a report submitted by the university's Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre. Prof. Dr S M Mahbubur Rahman, Acting Registrar, said the committee had been formed after reviewing the investigation report prepared by the Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre. He clarified that the newly formed body is not a committee under the Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre but a separate high-level investigation committee constituted by the university administration. The committee has been instructed to submit its investigation report within 30 working days.

Police arrested an alleged female drug trader with 2,500 yaba tablets during an anti-narcotics drive in Matlab South upazila of Chandpur on Thursday. The arrestee, identified as Khuki, also known as Parveen, 60, is the daughter of Majed Sharif of Chapaid village in Madhupur upazila of Tangail. Police said she is currently living in the Karwan Bazar slum in Dhaka. She was detained after police stopped and searched a passenger Hiace vehicle on the bridge near Panir Tanki Bazar in the Dashpara area of Matlab municipality, recovering 2,500 yaba tablets from her possession. Police said a search of her mobile phone found no stored contacts or call records. During questioning, she allegedly gave misleading and inconsistent information. Further investigation revealed that she had previously been accused in a yaba trafficking case in Cumilla. Police also said she was arrested by Cumilla Sadar South Police with 700 yaba tablets on Feb. 14 last year. According to investigators, Parveen allegedly collected yaba from Chattogram and supplied the drugs through different routes, with the Chandpur-Hajiganj corridor being one of the key trafficking routes. Matlab South Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Hafizur Rahman Manik said the arrest was made based on a tip-off and the accused was sent to court after legal procedures. Assistant Superintendent of Police (Matlab Circle) Jabir Husnain Sani said drives against drugs, juvenile gangs and other crimes would continue as part of the police's zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.  

Police recovered the hanging body of a young man from the Upashahar area of Sylhet city on Thursday morning. The deceased was identified as Rabby Ahmed, 29, son of Md Abu Taher of Duspur area under Jagannathpur thana in Sunamganj district. He had been living with his family at a rented house of Upashahar. Police said Rabby was found hanging from a ceiling fan with a scarf around his neck inside his room after family members broke open the door when he did not respond to their calls. He was taken to Ibn Sina Hospital in Subhanighat, where doctors declared him dead. Shahporan (R.) Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Monir Hossain confirmed the incident, saying the body was sent to the morgue of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for autopsy. A case of unnatural death will be filed, he said, adding that police primarily suspect it to be a suicide.  

Members of Barishal’s floating Manta fisherfolk community have urged authorities to ensure better access to public services, social protection and recognition of their rights. The demand was raised at a dialogue titled “Dialogue with Local Authorities” held at Barishal Club on Thursday under the MantaConnect project, implemented by YouthNet Global with support from The Asia Foundation. The event brought together local authorities, government officials, development partners and Manta community representatives to discuss challenges faced by river-dependent families, including limited access to education, healthcare, financial services, land rights and government support. Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, who attended the event as chief guest, said all people are equal and pledged to support marginalised communities. She said, “We are all human beings, and we have to live together. Everyone is equal to me. We cannot move forward by creating divisions among people based on identity or background.” She added, “It is our responsibility to work for communities that have been left behind. Land rights and basic services are important issues for sociallly excluded people. At a personal level, I will work for the Manta community. They can come to the City Corporation with their needs, and I will always stand beside them.” Jashim Sardar, a Manta community representative said access to education, healthcare and social protection remains a major challenge for families living in river areas, stressing the need for stronger connections with public institutions and long-term support. YouthNet Global Executive Coordinator Sohanur Rahman said the Manta people should be recognised first as citizens with equal rights and dignity. “Ensuring their access to education, healthcare, financial inclusion and social dignity is a matter of fundamental rights,” he said. YouthNet Global General Secretary Arifur Rahman Shuvo said the Manta people are an integral part of Bangladesh’s society and have the right to participate fully in social and economic development. Government officials attending the dialogue assured continued cooperation to improve access to available services, while participants stressed the need for stronger coordination among institutions to ensure sustainable development and inclusion of the community.

A man accused in a case filed over an alleged attempt to rape a seven-year-old child died while in police custody in Faridganj upazila of Chandpur on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Mizanur Rahman, 55, a resident of Babur Bari in Kairatali village of the upazila. Police said a case had recently been filed against Mizanur over an alleged attempt to rape the child. He was arrested from his home on Thursday morning in connection with the case. On the way to the police station, Mizanur reportedly fell ill. Police immediately took him to Faridganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Dr Asaduzzaman Jewel, health and family planning officer of the health complex, said Mizanur had died before he was brought to the hospital. No injury marks were found on his body, and doctors suspected that he died of a heart attack. Additional Superintendent of Police of Chandpur Md Lutfar Rahman said the accused became sick after his arrest and police rushed him to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. However, Mizanur’s family made a different allegation regarding his death. The deceased’s relative Mamun Patwari claimed that a group led by Moshfiqur Rahman Imu, Asif Bhuiyan and Kalu Mia of Kairatali village had been demanding Tk 5 lakh in extortion from Mizanur for several days. He alleged that police arrested Mizanur without proper investigation due to the group’s influence and subjected him to mental harassment. The family claimed that he died unable to bear the social stigma and psychological pressure over the rape attempt allegation. Officer-in-Charge of Faridganj Police Station Mohammad Ershad Ullah said the body would be handed over to the family after completing legal procedures.

The United States has updated its travel advisory for Bangladesh, and the improvement in the advisory "reflects growing US confidence" in Bangladesh's overall security environment and stability, Dhaka said on Thursday night. The overall travel advisory has been lowered from Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) to Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), reflecting that Bangladesh is safer for travel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said. The positive development follows the "productive" bilateral meeting held in Dhaka between Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor. Immediately after the meeting, Gor conveyed the development to the Foreign Minister in a text message, the Ministry said. "This evening, I informed Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman that the State Department has taken into consideration the stable conditions on the ground and has deemed that Bangladesh is safer for travel. Accordingly, the United States' overall travel advisory has been downgraded from Level 3 to Level 2. A few areas have additional restrictions and should be avoided. Great news!" Gor said in a separate message. Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister, Humaiun Kobir, was present during the discussions. Over the past six months, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the present government has achieved visible progress in strengthening law and order across the country, Dhaka said. The decision also underscores the positive trajectory of the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the United States. The government of Bangladesh views the improvement as recognition of its sustained efforts to ensure security, stability, and an enabling environment for international travel, trade, investment, and people-to-people connectivity.