United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested a local leader of the BNP's student wing in Lalmonirhat in connection with a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act on Thursday noon. The arrestee, Khokon Mia, 22, was detained from his residence. He is the member secretary of Bhelabari Union unit of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatradal (JCD) in Aditmari upazila and the son of Md Chakamal Hossain of East Bhelabari village. According to police and the case statement, detectives launched an anti-drug operation at Bhelabari Bazar on June 25 after receiving intelligence that two alleged drug peddlers were heading towards the market on a motorcycle carrying Tapentadol tablets. A drug case was filed against Khokon Mia at Aditmari Police Station on June 26. Acting on the case, police arrested Khokon from his home on Thursday. Rowshan Kabir, DB Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Lalmonirhat confirmed  the matter. Reacting to the incident, Aditmari upazila Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Amir Hamza Nannu said he had heard that Khokon, who serves as president of the Bhelabari Union unit of the organisation, was facing a drug case, although he was not immediately aware of his arrest. Amir Hamza Nannu, Jatiotabadi Chatradal Member Secretary of Aditmari upazila said, the matter had been reported to the district unit of JCD and organisational action would be taken against Khokon once directives were received from the district leadership.

Workers of JMI Syringe Factory blocked the Chattogram-bound lane of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Cumilla's Chauddagram upazila for nearly three hours on Thursday, demanding a hike in basic wages and implementation of a seven-point charter of demands. During the protest, workers attempted several times to force their way through the factory's main gate and allegedly pelted bricks, damaging the factory's glass windows. The demonstrators later withdrew the blockade after receiving assurances from the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). The protesting workers said they had resumed work in 2024 after the factory authorities assured them that their demands would be met following an earlier movement. However, they alleged that most of those promises remained unfulfilled. As a result, they suspended work on July 27 and launched fresh demonstrations, demanding increased wages and allowances, improved workplace safety, separate prayer facilities and implementation of their seven-point demands. Golam Mostafa, Factory owner, claimed that most of the workers' previous demands had already been fulfilled after the 2024 movement. He said workers began their latest protest on Monday and a meeting was later held involving worker representatives, the UNO, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Chauddagram Police Station and local BNP and Jamaat leaders. According to him, the worker representatives agreed to return to work after being assured that their demands would be addressed. However, he alleged that a small group of workers resumed the unrest. Mostafa also said it was not possible for the factory to meet the current wage hike demand and warned that he might shut down the factory if necessary. Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, Chauddagram UNO, said the workers had temporarily blocked the highway but removed the blockade after discussions with the administration. He said efforts were underway to resolve the labour dispute as quickly as possible.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu on Thursday said the government will investigate allegations of irregularities in canal excavation projects and take action if any wrongdoing is found. Speaking to reporters after visiting the Zia Canal in Kukrul area of Rangpur city, the minister said authorities have received reports of irregularities in some canal excavation works and those complaints would be thoroughly investigated. He also said the government is planning to bring the maintenance of trees along both sides of canals under a social agreement scheme. Under the initiative, poor local residents, particularly women, will be entrusted with maintaining one to two kilometres of roadside trees. They will receive a share of the benefits from the trees while ensuring their protection and care. Referring to the government's election pledge, Dulu said the ruling party had promised to excavate 25,000 kilometres of canals within five years. He said the Prime Minister inaugurated the programme soon after assuming office and canal excavation work is currently underway across the country. Earlier in the day, Dulu attended a meeting of the management committee of Rangpur Medical College Hospital and later inspected its facilities. During the visit, he announced that 10 additional ICU beds would be introduced at the hospital within the next two months, raising the total number of ICU beds to 20. He also said the entire hospital would be brought under CCTV surveillance to strengthen security. The minister said all illegal structures inside the hospital premises would be removed and additional manpower would be recruited through outsourcing to improve healthcare services.

Four Bangladeshi nationals returned home from Algeria on Thursday. The Algerian police had arrested them on the ground of illegal stay in Algeria without valid visa and work permit. A total of 14 Bangladeshis were detained by the Algerian Police on 13 January 2025, most of whom had entered the country illegally through the human traffickers, according to the Embassy of Bangladesh in Algiers. Upon being notified by the Algerian authorities, the Bangladesh mission immediately contacted the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other related authorities. With requisite financial support from the government of Bangladesh, the embassy appointed a lawyer to assist the Bangladeshi detainees in the judicial process and had been following up the matter on a regular basis, including participation in court hearings and jail visits, it said. Finally, on 30 June 2026, the court gave verdict releasing four individuals from custody. The embassy said it remains fully engaged with the relevant host authorities for securing the earliest possible release of the remaining 10 Bangladeshi detainees and for their safe repatriation to Bangladesh. It also keeps the families of the detainees updated of their situation regularly.

Experts, policymakers and environmental advocates on Thursday called for coordinated national action, stronger implementation and greater public participation to tackle Bangladesh's growing electronic waste (e-waste) challenge, stressing that the country must adopt sustainable and circular economy-based solutions. The call came at a national public dialogue titled "Electronic Waste Management in Bangladesh: Towards Sustainable Solutions", organised by rights-based advocacy organisation VOICE with support from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) at the YWCA auditorium in Dhaka. The discussion focused on strengthening environmental governance, accountability and sustainable e-waste management as Bangladesh's digital economy continues to expand. According to a recent assessment presented by VOICE, Bangladesh generates around 30 lakh tonnes of e-waste annually, a figure projected to rise to 46.2 lakh tonnes by 2035 if current trends continue. At present, only about 10 percent of the country's e-waste is processed through 14 formal recycling facilities, while the remainder is handled by the informal sector, raising serious environmental and public health concerns. Presenting the keynote paper, VOICE Deputy Director Musharrat Mahera highlighted existing policy and implementation gaps and outlined recommendations for improving the country's e-waste management system. Speaking as the chief guest, Department of Environment Director Mohammed Solaiman Haider said sustainable e-waste management requires collective responsibility beyond government initiatives. "Every institution must identify its own challenges and take responsibility for addressing them. Alongside government efforts, private investment, decentralised approaches and multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential for sustainable electronic waste management," he said. Prof Mostafizur Rahman of Jahangirnagar University's Department of Environmental Sciences warned that Bangladesh should prepare for the increasing volume of e-waste generated by renewable energy technologies, particularly solar panels. He stressed the need for safe recycling systems, stronger research, greater private sector investment and closer collaboration among government agencies, industry and the informal sector. Consultant (Medical Waste Management) at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Tarit Kanti Biswas said effective e-waste management requires adequate infrastructure, stronger enforcement and sustainable financing alongside policy reforms and awareness campaigns. Concluding the event, VOICE Executive Director Ahmed Swapan Mahmud emphasised that public awareness should become a national priority. He said awareness campaigns, outreach programmes and workshops should be expanded across public and private universities to equip young people with the knowledge needed to adopt responsible e-waste practices and contribute to sustainable management. Representatives from Citizens' Initiative, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, recycling companies and media organisations also attended the dialogue. Participants recommended implementing a coordinated national policy, establishing an effective monitoring mechanism and ensuring active engagement of government, private sector and civil society to build a sustainable e-waste management system. They also highlighted the importance of promoting environmentally sound recycling practices and advancing circular economy initiatives so that electronic waste can be transformed from an environmental burden into a valuable resource.

Nazrul Islam Khan, the prime minister's political adviser and a member of BNP's Standing Committee, on Thursday said 43 percent of the tree plantation target set for 2026 under the government's five-year, 25-crore tree plantation programme has already been achieved. "A total of 5,14,88,930 saplings were planned to be planted across various ministries, divisions and agencies in 2026, of which nearly 43 percent had already been planted so far," Nazrul made the remarks while addressing the 4th meeting of the cell formed to implement the government's election pledge of planting 25 crore trees in five years. DSCC to plant 300,000 trees over five years The meeting was held at the conference room of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, where Nazrul currently oversees the cell's activities. He said ministries and agencies lagging behind in achieving their targets have been instructed to accelerate plantation activities by making full use of the current monsoon season. The programme must be turned into a nationwide social movement, Nazrul said, stressing the need to involve women, the younger generation, students and rural communities from all sections of society. He said concerned institutions must act responsibly to ensure that native tree species suited to local soil, climate and biodiversity are planted at appropriate locations, while also ensuring the survival rate of the saplings. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said that beyond planting saplings, ensuring regular post-plantation care, protection and effective monitoring is essential to make the government's election pledge of planting 25 crore trees in five years a success. He called for enhancing the capacity of both public and private nurseries and stressed prioritising native species by following the "right tree, right place" policy. The minister urged encouraging people to plant economically beneficial trees such as coconut, palm, date palm and betel nut, and suggested planned plantation on government khas land, roads, railways, riverbanks, chars and coastal areas. He also emphasised involving students, scouts, the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Rovers, youth organisations, voluntary bodies, the private sector, industrial establishments and NGOs in the programme. State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam said two crore trees will be planted in coastal areas between December and January, which would help achieve this year's target by next January. He said an integrated monitoring system will be developed to oversee the care, protection, replanting where necessary, and survival rate of the planted saplings. Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister on environment, forest and climate change affairs, said effective action plans must be formulated to create more than three and a half lakh green jobs through the participation of women, youth and rural communities in the plantation drive, alongside developing new nursery entrepreneurs across the country. The meeting also discussed progress on developing a "Tree Monitoring App" to digitally record the GPS-based location, species, plantation date, geo-tagged photographs and care details of every planted tree. The app is designed to display the survival rate of trees, replacement plantation data, district- and institution-wise progress, and real-time reports on a national dashboard.

The Dhaka University authorities have suspended three teachers and one university official, while relieving four other teachers of all academic and administrative responsibilities over separate allegations. The decisions were taken at a Syndicate meeting held on July 28, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam. The Syndicate suspended Prof Dr Sadeka Halim of the Department of Sociology over allegations of unbecoming conduct inside and outside the classroom, moral misconduct and other complaints. Sada Dal protests Bobby Hajjaj’s remarks about Dhaka University It also suspended Prof Dr Md Shafiqul Islam and Prof Dr Afroza Shelley of the Department of Nuclear Engineering following complaints from students of different batches and based on the findings of an inquiry committee. Prof Dr Md Abdul Muhit of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology was removed from his position as department chairman and relieved of all academic and administrative responsibilities over allegations of activities contrary to the spirit of the July mass uprising, spreading propaganda against the university administration and the government, supporting a banned organisation and issuing threats. On the same allegations, Prof Dr Abu Shara Shamsur Rouf of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Prof Dr Rafiqul Islam (Rafiq Shahariar) of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies were also relieved of all academic and administrative responsibilities. The Syndicate further relieved Prof Dr Mohammad Bahauddin of the Department of Persian Language and Literature of all academic and administrative duties over allegations of various irregularities in the department and plagiarism involving MPhil and PhD theses. The meeting also formed a committee, headed by Pro-VC (Education) Prof Dr Abdus Salam, to review alleged irregularities in recruitment at the university between January 1, 2009 and June 2024 and examine the transparency of the recruitment process. All deans of the university's faculties have been included in the committee. Another committee, headed by Pro-VC (Administration) Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, was formed to review research activities conducted under the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP), funded by the World Bank and the University Grants Commission, during the same period and examine whether project funds were properly utilised. The Syndicate also decided to take action against individuals, groups and organisations allegedly involved in activities contrary to the spirit of the July mass uprising. It said further decisions will be taken after verification. In a separate decision, the Syndicate suspended AKM Mahbub Mustafa, supervising engineer (Civil) at the Office of the Chief Engineer, over allegations of activities violating office discipline. The meeting approved the construction of a July Memorial at the Mall Chattar adjacent to the university's administrative building in memory of those killed during the July mass uprising. The foundation stone of the monument is scheduled to be unveiled on August 5.

Two passengers were killed and four others, including the driver, were seriously injured after a CNG-run autorickshaw rammed into the rear of a parked truck on the Sylhet-Sunamganj regional highway in Chhatak upazila early Thursday. The accident occurred near the house of Musabbir Mia at Jatua village under South Khurma Union. According to police and locals, a truck had been parked on the roadside in the Sylhet-bound lane when a CNG-run autorickshaw lost control and crashed into its rear. The impact crushed the front portion of the autorickshaw, killing two passengers on the spot.   Locals rushed to the scene, launched rescue efforts and informed police. The deceased were identified as Rajab Ali, 50, of Kalyanpur village in Dowarabazar upazila, and Md Nur Uddin, 35, of Joti village in Chhatak upazila. Four others, including the CNG driver, sustained serious injuries, with some reported to be in critical condition. Md Zahirul Islam, SI (Investigation) of Joykolosh Highway Police Station, along with his team, reached the scene. The injured were rescued with the help of locals, provided primary treatment and later referred to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for advanced care. Police recovered the bodies, prepared inquest reports and sent them to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. The truck and the damaged autorickshaw were seized and taken into police custody.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 on Thursday ordered former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui to be sent to jail after showing him arrested in a crimes against humanity case filed over the alleged massacre during a rally of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh at the Shapla Chattar in the capital in 2013. Prosecutor Mizanul Islam appeared for the prosecution. During the hearing, he told the tribunal that Latif Siddiqui was arrested under a warrant and produced before the court. Since the defence did not file any application, the prosecution sought an order to send him to jail. After hearing the submissions, the tribunal accepted the prosecution's plea, showed Latif Siddiqui arrested in the case and ordered that he be sent to prison. Earlier, Latif Siddiqui was arrested from Gulshan by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Wednesday night in connection with the case. The tribunal earlier took cognisance of the formal charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others in the case. It also issued arrest warrants for 31 absconding accused, including Latif Siddiqui. The tribunal fixed August 16 for the next hearing and directed authorities to produce the 10 accused currently in jail in connection with various cases before the tribunal on that date. Allegations against the accused Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Prosecutor Mizanul said the then government had planned at different levels to foil the Hefazat grand rally and remove its leaders and activists from the Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013. He alleged that Latif Siddiqui attended a meeting of senior Awami League leaders before the operation, and that the decisions taken at the meeting were later presented to the then prime minister. According to the prosecution, those decisions led to the joint operation carried out by members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) against the unarmed gathering. The prosecution said its investigation found evidence that 61 people were killed in the operation and alleged that Latif Siddiqui was among those involved in planning, instigating and making decisions regarding the operation. Asked about Latif Siddiqui's specific role, Mizanul said he was a participant in the meeting. Although investigators could not establish every discussion held there, he was accused based on the collective decisions taken and the subsequent actions. After the hearing, defence lawyer Abdullah Al Harun Bhuiyan sought the tribunal's permission to sign the okalatnama (power of attorney) on behalf of Latif Siddiqui and requested permission to meet him at the tribunal lock-up. The tribunal granted both requests. At that point, Latif Siddiqui stood up in the dock and repeatedly tried to draw the tribunal's attention, saying, "My Lord, I seek your attention. I seek the attention of the honourable tribunal." He repeated the request several times, but by then the proceedings had already concluded. Latif Siddiqui then remarked, "If this is how the court functions, where shall I go?" Police personnel approached him and asked him to place the microphone down and proceed to the lock-up. He appeared agitated and responded when officers asked him to sit down, saying, "Whether I sit or stand is my decision. Who are you to tell me?" "I wanted to tell the court to sentence me to death. I am prepared to die. But the court did not want to hear me," the former minister said while leaving the courtroom. A brief verbal exchange was also witnessed between him and the police personnel escorting him. Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Latif Siddiqui's younger brother Kader Siddique said he came to protest what he described as the inclusion of an innocent person in the case. "Every accused person has the right to address the court. That is his legal right. Latif Siddiqui also wanted to speak, but he was not given the opportunity. I believe respected individuals deserve to be treated with respect," he said. Asked about the allegations against his brother, Kader Siddique said Latif Siddiqui is now 87 years old. "If he is sentenced to death for an offence he did not commit, we will accept it. Allah will then grant him freedom," he said. Responding to a question about the allegation that Latif Siddiqui was among those who planned the Shapla Chattar operation, Kader Siddique rejected the claim. "He cannot be described as a planner because he was not part of the government's 'kitchen cabinet.' He was the jute minister at that time. People are not killed over jute. In fact, he was already a controversial figure within the Awami League and to Sheikh Hasina over certain issues," he said. Comparing handcuffs to bridal bangles, he said, "There is nothing much to say about handcuffs. We have worn handcuffs many times. We do not consider it anything shameful. Just as a bride wears bangles during marriage, we see handcuffs in much the same way."

Country’s leading job portal Bdjobs and ‘Tarunner July Foundation’ have joined hands to create employment opportunities for the injured and unemployed fighters of the July 2024 mass uprising. On the occasion of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a press conference held in the capital’s Karwan Bazar on Thursday (July 30). Fahim Mashroor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bdjobs, and Md. Sagar Uddin, President of Tarunner July Foundation, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Under the initiative, Bdjobs and Tarunner July will provide tailored technical and vocational training to injured and currently unemployed July fighters to prepare them for the job market. Career development workshops covering CV writing and interview techniques will also be organized to help them secure suitable employment. Additionally, candidate profiles will be given special highlighted visibility on the Bdjobs platform to capture the attention of prospective employers. Speaking at the event, Bdjobs CEO Fahim Mashroor noted that over 1,400 people were martyred and around 20,000 were injured or disabled during the anti-autocracy movement in July and August 2024. "Although some rehabilitation projects have been undertaken by the government, many injured fighters and their families are currently facing severe financial hardship," Mashroor said. "Many lost their jobs following the 2024 movement due to medical treatments, while others are struggling to find employment due to physical disabilities,” he said. Aamar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) President Mujibur Rahman Manju highlighted the historical significance of the uprising, noting that politicians across government and opposition parties are now able to practice politics freely because of the July movement’s success. He urged all sectors out of a sense of gratitude to step forward to alleviate the financial distress of the injured, thanking Bdjobs for taking the initiative. Manju also requested the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to facilitate low-cost overseas employment opportunities for July fighters. Rehana Sultana, an injured victim from Narsingdi, shared her ordeal at the event while carrying her child. She recalled being pregnant in July when a bullet passed through her body during police firing. Despite surviving against all odds, she brought her child to the event as a testament to her survival. Md. Sagar Uddin, President of Tarunner July Foundation, reaffirmed the foundation's commitment to working for the welfare of those injured in 2024, stating that the joint initiative with Bdjobs is a continuation of these ongoing efforts. The event was moderated by Ahadul Islam, General Secretary of Tarunner July. Among others present were Rokeya Begum, Member of Parliament and mother of martyr Jabir; Sajjadul Islam Miraj, Member Secretary of BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal; and several injured July fighters, according to a press release.