United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Abdus Salam on Saturday warned that legal action would be taken and goods seized against those setting up illegal shops on roads and footpaths in the capital. “The days of requests are over. From now on, cases will be filed directly, and goods seized if illegal shops are set up on roads and footpaths,” he said. He made these remarks while speaking at a special mosquito control and cleanliness drive arranged by the DSCC to mark its weekly ‘Cleaning Day’. The program was conducted simultaneously in all 75 wards under the city corporation. The DSCC Administrator said illegal hawkers and makeshift shops were largely responsible for traffic congestion, indiscriminate waste dumping, and obstruction to pedestrian movement. “There is no scope for occupying roads and footpaths in the name of humanitarian considerations. Legal action will be taken and goods seized if shops are set up outside the rules set by the DSCC,” he said. Regarding the removal of illegal shops from roads and footpaths in the New Market area, he said another eviction drive would be conducted there next week. He made it clear that hawkers would not be allowed to occupy roads under any circumstances. Stressing the importance of cleanliness in preventing dengue, he said there is no alternative to maintaining cleanliness to control the mosquito-borne disease. “Water must not be allowed to remain stagnant for more than three days anywhere,” he said. He said awareness campaigns and rallies would continue alongside cleanliness drives to protect the capital’s environment, control air pollution, and ease traffic congestion. Regarding the relocation of a secondary transfer station (STS) from in front of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office in Malibagh, the administrator said it had been moved at the CID authorities’ request in the public interest, making way for parking facilities. Construction of another STS to manage waste in the area is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of October, he added. The cleanliness drive began at the CID office and passed through Shantinagar, Kakrail, and Naya paltan before ending at Fakirapool. During the drive, the DSCC administrator inspected waste removal activities and the clearance of illegal shops. Regular sanitation and mosquito control workers, along with local residents, took part in the daylong program. Loudspeaker announcements and awareness rallies were also held across the wards.

Model, actress and television presenter Tulona Al Harun, a familiar face in Bangladesh’s entertainment industry, died of cancer at a private hospital in Dhaka on Friday night. She was 39. Her mother, Amena Begum, a lawyer at the Bangladesh Supreme Court, confirmed her death to the media. Tulona was buried at the Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in Rayerbazar in the capital around noon on Saturday, her mother said. According to family sources, a tumour was detected in Tulona’s breast about six months ago. Following several medical tests, her treatment began at Ahsania Mission Cancer and General Hospital in Dhaka before she was moved to another facility. She was later treated at a private hospital in Panthapath. Tulona underwent surgery on October 20. A biopsy conducted after the operation confirmed cancer, and doctors found that the disease had already spread throughout her body. Describing her daughter’s final hours, Amena Begum told the media that Tulona had been doing relatively well for the first two days after surgery and had talked and laughed with family members. "Her condition started deteriorating from Friday morning and worsened very quickly. She suffered a heart attack while undergoing treatment at night, and the doctors declared her dead at 11 pm," she said. Tulona built her career across modelling, acting and television presentation. She also worked as a fashion choreographer and stylist, remaining involved in various events in the country’s entertainment and fashion industries throughout her career. Despite facing various ups and downs in her personal life, she maintained a lively presence on social media. Following news of her death, colleagues, fashion choreographers, designers and fans expressed their grief over her passing.

Authorities at the madrasah in Tongi where a teacher has been arrested for allegedly inflicting a ‘bad touch’ on one of his female students of Grade 1, have continued to insist that the teacher in question only promised to kiss his students as a reward for doing well in their exams, and never actually followed through on it. This line has also been picked up by the society of alem-ulema at large, many of whom have spoken out against the student’s father for confronting the teacher and subjecting him to a public thrashing before he was arrested at the madrasah premises. At the same time, many members of the same community have maintained that even if the teacher, Muslemuddin Ahmed, did kiss the 7-year-old-girl, he was within his rights to do so as long as there was no ill-intent behind the act. According to the case statement, the alleged sexual harassment took place on the stairs of the madrasah’s ground floor last Monday (Oct. 19). Police have said their preliminary findings supported the allegations. That has not stopped a wave of death threats from the community of Islamic scholars, and police cases against the father, Shahjalal Rumi, including one filed by the madrasah authorities for alleged vandalism at the madrasah premises, assaulting teachers, and looting Taka 17 lakh from the principal’s office, as well as five mobile phones. Almas Hossain, the madrasa’s founder and principal, has been claiming without any evidence to back him up that the incident had been orchestrated to damage the institution’s reputation. He also alleged that a group of 15 to 16 people, led by the child’s father, entered the madrasa and assaulted the teacher. He also said some of them were Hindus and suspected Rumi of being a ‘RAW agent’. Principal Almas said other teachers and security personnel were also beaten when they tried to intervene. He further alleged that the group vandalised the office and looted Tk17 lakh and 5 mobile phones.  Shahjalal Rumi, in a late night press conference on Friday, admitted to breaking the glass top of a table he had struck in anger when he showed up there on Wednesday, but the offending teacher wasn’t being produced before him. He also promised to compensate the madrasah for that financially. He has denied the allegations of looting. It is difficult to see how anyone could have looted the madrasah in those circumstances, in the presence of so many people. Even police arrived later to calm things down and take Muslemuddin away. That he assaulted Muslemuddin is not in question. But he denied showing up with so many people and trying to create a ‘mob’. He said he only took three of his friends with him. It may be noted that Almas Hossain in subsequent statements seems to be dialing down that number as well. From 15-16 on day one of the incident coming to light (Thursday), he has now come down to saying Rumi and his associates numbered 5-7. But he has continued to insist that no kiss or ‘bad touch’ - a somewhat euphemistic term for sexual harassment that parents may use to teach children how to recognise sexual abuse or harassment - actually occurred. Muslemuddin apparently only promised to kiss all his students, that none of them complained to their parents, except Rumi’s daughter, and he in fact distributed chocolates among them. In this situation, an important account has come forward, of the victim’s mother, that is Shahjalal Rumi’s wife. It is important because it was to her that the daughter opened up after the incident last Monday, and she was the one handling the complaint to the school authorities.  

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury Saturday said the government wants to establish the creative industries as a mainstream part of the economy and as a source of the country's "soft power". "Art and culture, rural handicrafts, music, cinema and theatre must be brought into mainstream economic activity, turning them into a key driver of the country's new GDP growth and building Bangladesh's soft power, or cultural strength, on the global stage," the finance minister made the remarks at the launch of the book Creative Footprints in Banani. Noting that conventional economic thinking has long kept art and culture on the margins of economic activity, he said the present government has decided to move away from that mindset and treat the creative economy as a new component of the country's economic aspirations and growth. "The government alone cannot implement everything," he said, adding that, alongside policy and funding, the sector will be advanced through strong partnerships with the private sector and NGOs. The government has already allocated the necessary funds in the budget, he said, while the private sector is also coming forward with significant financing. Outlining the government's plans, the finance minister said local craftspeople, painters and cultural workers will receive financial assistance, along with skills development, design and branding support, and marketing help through international e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, eBay and Alibaba. He expressed hope that this would ensure fair value and proper monetisation of products made by marginalised artists and artisans, improving their living standards while creating jobs and earning foreign exchange. Stressing the importance of cultural elements in projecting Bangladesh globally, he said, "This is not merely about art, crafts or business; it is Bangladesh's soft power. Our goal is to strengthen the country's position on the world stage through music, theatre, cinema and handicrafts." He thanked the organisers for the commendable initiative and voiced optimism that joint efforts by the public and private sectors would bring about a cultural and economic revolution in the country in the days ahead. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke attended the programme as special guest.  

Two passengers were killed and at least 15 others injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a sand-laden truck in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria on Saturday morning. The deceased were identified as Sourav, 32, son of Abu Bakar of Kajipara area in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur, and Asif, 18, son of Mominul Islam of Harkali Choupara area in Rangpur Sadar upazila. The accident occurred in the Berotola area on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, leaving the bus overturned on the road. Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge of Khatihata Highway Police Station, said a bus of Diganta Paribahan had left Rangpur for Sylhet on Friday night. It collided head-on with a sand-laden truck coming from the opposite direction in Berotola on Saturday morning.

Police have filed a general diary (GD) over a heated exchange between independent MP Barrister Rumin Farhana and Sarail Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Monzur Kader Bhuiyan. The GD was recorded following the incident on Thursday night, which became public on Friday evening. Police are also reviewing CCTV footage to identify people who accompanied the MP to the police station and allegedly engaged in disorderly or provocative behaviour. Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Arafatul Islam said police record significant incidents through GDs as a formal measure. He said the entry was not a regular case or a personal complaint and that the situation remained under police control. The incident has sparked conflicting accounts from the two sides. Supporters of Rumin Farhana alleged that the OC had ignored repeated calls for security during her visits to Durga Puja mandaps. The OC, however, said police were busy maintaining security across Sarail during the festival and could not assign a separate team to an individual. He also alleged that hundreds of people entered the station without prior notice and created tension. Videos circulating on social media show a person accusing the OC of taking Tk 30,000 in bribes during the argument. The OC denied the allegation and claimed the person had been coached by the MP. Rumin Farhana, in response, referred to the OC’s political past. The MP’s personal assistant, Zakir Hossain, said a two-page written list of alleged irregularities, corruption and negligence by the OC was being prepared for submission to senior police officials. Rumin Farhana said she wanted to be named as the number one accused if any case was filed over the incident. She said she submitted a complaint against the OC to the district Superintendent of Police on Friday, and was waiting for the authorities to decide on departmental action. She warned that she would announce further programmes if appropriate action was not taken. The MP went to the police station around 8pm on Thursday to seek an explanation for the lack of security during her Durga Puja visits and to raise allegations of irregularities against the OC. She remained in his office until around 9pm. According to Rumin Farhana, she had called the OC eight to 10 times but he did not answer. The OC reportedly told her, “You are an MP elected by the people; the people will provide you security.”

Mohd Jahangir Alam, a special correspondent of UNB, has been honoured for his contributions to humanitarian service. He received the award at a correspondent conference and awards ceremony organised by online news portal Bangladesh Mail24.news to mark its third anniversary. The day-long event was held at the Crime Reporters Association auditorium in the capital on Friday. M A Rashed Talukdar, editor of Bangladesh Mail24.news, chaired the event, which was moderated by the portal’s staff reporter Md Zaherul Islam and news presenter Jannatul Naim Tumpa. A B Ziauddin Hossain, editor-in-chief and publisher of Bangladesh Mail24.news, attended the event as the chief guest, while Shamim Chowdhury, sports editor of The Daily Sun, delivered the keynote speech. Dinesh Mahato, a special correspondent of Prothom Alo, attended as a special guest. Officials and staff of Bangladesh Mail24.news, including bureau chiefs and district, upazila and university correspondents, as well as journalists from other media outlets, cultural figures and other guests, attended the event. In the ‘Reporter of the Year’ category, Md Asaduzzaman, a special correspondent of Bangladesh Mail24.news, secured first place. Sohrab Hossain, the portal’s Singair correspondent in Manikganj, came second, while Shakil Hossain, its Kaliakair correspondent in Gazipur, took third place. Biplob Talukdar, the portal’s correspondent in Khagrachhari, was named ‘Multimedia Reporter of the Year’ for his contributions to multimedia journalism. Shamim Chowdhury was also honoured for his contributions to sports journalism, while Mostafa Matihar, a senior reporter of Bangladesh Pratidin, received an award for his contributions to entertainment journalism. Dolon Bhowmik was recognised for her contributions to grassroots education, while Rafiqul Islam, also known as Khokon, was honoured for his social service. Film actor Joy Chowdhury received an honorary memento for his contributions to the film industry. Speakers at the event said Bangladesh Mail24.news had gained popularity among readers within a short period. They praised the portal for promoting positive and objective journalism at home and abroad. They expressed hope that the news portal would continue to maintain professionalism, responsibility and objectivity in its reporting and play a meaningful role in the country's media landscape.

An auto-rickshaw driver died early Saturday after hijackers posing as passengers hit him on the head and fled with his battery-powered vehicle in Chhagalnaiya upazila of Feni. The deceased was identified as Abdul Haq, 45, son of Osman Hawlader of Matiagoda village under Mohamaya union. Hijackers hired Abdul's auto-rickshaw from Chandgazi Bazar on Friday evening for Bangla Bazar. Upon reaching Bangla Bazar Brickfield on the Chhagalnaiya-Feni road, they hit him on the head, dumped him on the road, and fled with the auto-rickshaw, family members said. Police rescued Abdul around 8:30pm Friday and admitted him to Feni Sadar Hospital. He was later shifted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, where he died early Saturday. Mohammad Abu Taher, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chhagalnaiya Police Station, said police suspect the attack was carried out to hijack the vehicle, which Abdul bought on installments a month ago. Drives are underway to arrest the perpetrators.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad on Saturday has warned that the government will take strict measures to prevent the recurrence of rape and other indecent incidents in madrasas, describing such incidents as “regrettable”. He issued the warning while attending the triennial council session of the Bangladesh National Imam Samity at Agargaon in the capital in the morning. Speaking to journalists after the event, the minister said imams had been instructed to raise awareness through Friday sermons and other awareness messages to ensure that such heinous crimes do not recur in sacred institutions like madrasas. Addressing imams from across the country earlier, he urged everyone to remain highly vigilant so that no one could incite unrest and undermine religious harmony in the country. Emphasising the role of religious scholars in combating social crimes, Kaikobad said imams should speak strongly against drug abuse, terrorism and other social offences during Friday sermons. He said imams enjoyed considerable public acceptance and influence in society, making their role important in raising awareness and preventing crime.

Locals intercepted two muggers, gave them a mass beating, and handed them over to police after they attempted to rob a guava trader at gunpoint on the Kushtia-Pabna highway in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 6:00am near Noy Mile Kasari Para area under Bahulbaria union on the highway. Police seized a cleaver (chapati) and a toy pistol from their possession. The arrestees were identified as Suman from Chandgram and Mahabul from Baromile in Bheramara upazila. According to locals, a group of muggers blocked a vehicle carrying a guava trader on the highway and demanded money at gunpoint. Spotting the incident, locals rushed to the scene, resisted the robbers, caught two members of the gang, and administered a mass beating. They later handed the duo over to Mirpur Police Station. Md. Shahidul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mirpur Police Station, said the process of filing a case against the two arrestees is underway.