United News of Bangladesh

A youth has allegedly been beaten to death over theft suspicion at a tea garden in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet, said police on Tuesday. The victim Imam Uddin, 35, hailed from Medi village in Jaflong. Police recovered his body from an office room beside a bungalow in Jaflong Tea Estate area on Tuesday morning. Locals alleged that around 3am on Monday night Imam was caught on suspicion of theft and beaten by estate staff and night guards, leading to his death. Gowainghat police have detained three suspects Niranjan Goala, Akkel Pradhan, and Kapil Uddin Liton, in connection with the incident. Denying the allegation of the theft, the victim’s family claimed the he was murdered deliberately. As news of the murder spread, angry locals besieged the tea estate gate, demanding immediate arrest of those involved. The protest ended after the three suspects were detained. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Gowainghat Police Station Sarkar Mohammad Tofayel said the body was sent to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital for autopsy. An investigation was underway, he added.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said he, on behalf of the interim government, will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner so that the Election Commission can hold the national election before the next Ramadan in February next. "Now it is our turn to fulfill our final duty - holding the election. As I address you on this great day, we will enter our final and most important chapter. We will now begin the process of handing over responsibility to an elected government," Prof Yunus said, referring to the approaching election to be held in 2026. In a televised speech on the occasion of July Uprising Day, Prof Yunus hoped that the citizens of this country can successfully move forward in the efforts of building a 'New Bangladesh' by conducting the election successfully. The speech was broadcast simultaneously on Bangladesh Television, BTV News and Bangladesh Betar. "We, on behalf of the government, will provide all kinds of help and cooperation so that this election can be conducted in a fair, peaceful and festive manner," Prof Yunus said. Stating that the election is approaching, he urged all those who are now staying away from their constituencies to start visiting them regularly from now on—so that they can be well prepared to elect the best candidates. “As we cast our vote, let the faces of those who shed their fresh blood to restore this precious (voting) right appear before our eyes,” the Chief Adviser said. He said February is not too far away, and by the time preparations for the election get underway, the voting day will arrive. “For many years, no one of us could exercise our right to vote. This time, we all will cast our votes. No one will be left out. Let each of us be able to say, ‘I cast my vote to set the country on the path to building a new Bangladesh. It was my vote that helped the country take that path,’” Prof Yunus said, pointing at the voters. Tarique urges all to stay vigilant against fascism ahead of election “On this July Mass Uprising Day, I urge all citizens—let us pass the first major test of building a ‘New Bangladesh’ together,” he said. Prof Yunus said they will all start mental preparations and institutional arrangements from tomorrow to complete all the arrangements so that this election becomes a memorable event in the history of the country in terms of joy and celebrations, peace and order, voter turnout, harmony and sincerity. Prof Yunus said the desired goal has been achieved in terms of reforms, as under the coordination of the National Consensus Commission, all political parties in the country engaged in continuous discussions over a long period, and as a result, the 'July Charter' has reached its final stage. “The July Charter is a historic achievement. It will be remembered not only in our political history but also in the broader political arena. Not just the document itself, but the process of drafting it will also be remembered,” he said. On behalf of the nation, the Chief Adviser expressed his deepest gratitude and thanks to the leaders of all political parties and the members of the Consensus Commission—especially Professor Ali Riaz, who led this initiative. He said representatives of the political parties took part in the discussions of the Consensus Commission in a very cordial atmosphere. Election ‘date’ within days: Asif Nazrul Despite differences of opinion, the Chief Adviser said, there was a sincere effort from all parties to build consensus. “We hope that, based on this consensus, the political parties will soon sign the July Charter and also reach an agreement on its implementation.” He also hoped that the July Charter would ensure the smooth transfer of power in Bangladesh, strengthen the independence and capacity of accountable state institutions, guarantee the genuine implementation of citizens' rights, and ensure proper management of state resources and capabilities. “We must ensure that no future government can ever become fascist again. The state must be reformed in such a way that any sign of fascism, anywhere, can be immediately rooted out. We should not have to wait another 16 years, and many people should not have to sacrifice their lives again. We should not need another mass uprising,” Prof Yunus said. Election as per schedule, not a day’s of delay: CA’s press secretary He said the trial in the cases filed in connection with crimes against humanity in July-August last year is progressing firmly. “The formal hearing phase of the trial has also begun. Those involved in the brutal massacres in history will be brought to justice on the soil of this country.” The Chief Adviser said the trial process and its outcomes will gradually be disclosed to the people. “The entire trial procedure is being kept transparent and visible to the people of the country.”

A half-decomposed body of an unknown man was recovered from a canal in Kahaloo upazila of Bogura on Tuesday. The deceased, aged around 35, was killed and dumped around four to five days ago, police suspected. According to the locals, they spotted the body floating in the canal and informed the police immediately. His body was recovered from the water body of Kalai Uttar Hindu para after being informed by locals, said Nimai Chandra Sarker, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kahaloo Police Station. The OC also said that the identification process of the deceased has become very difficult as it was badly decomposed.

Marking the July Mass Uprising Day, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday visited the construction site of the 'July Uprising Memorial Museum' at Ganabhaban which was the official residence of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prof Yunus inspected the progress of the construction work of the 'July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum' there. The museum is under construction as a document of the context, struggle, martyrs and victory of the historic July Uprising of 2024. Upon reaching the construction site, the Chief Adviser exchanged views with the engineers, architects and workers concerned, and directed them to complete the work on the museum as soon as possible. Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and other members of the Museum Implementation Committee were present on the occasion.

The Paturia launch terminal in Shibaloy upazila of Manikganj district collapsed into the Padma River on Tuesday afternoon due to strong currents, disrupting launch services on Paturia-Daulatdia route. Launch terminal supervisor Panna Lal said a jetty completely gave way around 3pm and another collapsed two hours later, causing erosion beneath the jetty pillars and damaging structures to sink into the river. As a result, launch services were suspended, stranding passengers traveling between Dhaka and 21 southwestern districts. Many were forced to switch to ferries for crossing. Locals alleged that every year during the monsoon season, this problem arises but the authorities do not make any preparations in advance. This time too, due to not taking timely measures, a major disaster has occurred. All Daulatdia ferry terminals face erosion threat as Padma swells BIWTA Aricha Port Deputy Director Md Selim Sheikh said emergency measures have been taken. “We’ve decided to shift launch operations temporarily to reserve No-2 Ferry Terminal to ease passenger suffering.” He added that due to the ongoing monsoon, immediate repairs are not possible. The jetties will be recovered and stored, with permanent repairs planned after the rainy season ends.

A surpise visit by five top leaders of National Citizen Party to Cox's Bazar staying away from the celebration of the first anniversary of July uprising in Dhaka on Tuesday stirred social media speculation and public curiosity. The NCP leaders who came to seaside town are NCP's,Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah, and senior Joint Member-Secretary Dr Tasnim Zara, her husband and NCP Joint Convenor Khaled Saifullah. Sarjis is being accompanied by his wife. Speculations have been rife with some media outlets reporting that the NCP delegation was in Cox’s Bazar to meet former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas. However, Nasiruddin Patwari has dismissed these claims as ‘baseless,’ saying in an audio message that no such meeting took place. According to Cox’s Bazar police, the NCP leaders are staying at Hotel Sea Pearl in Inani since around noon. Additional SP (Traffic) Md Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said the visit appears to be personal, and no foreign dignitaries, including Peter Haas, were at the hotel. Nahid unveils NCP's 24-point manifesto envisioning 'new Bangladesh' Hotel’s chief security officer, army official (retd) Kamruzzaman said that three rooms were occupied by NCP leaders, and no guest by the name of Peter Haas had checked in. Still, BNP activists gathered outside the hotel demanding transparency, calling the timing of the visit and secrecy surrounding it ‘suspicious.’

The people of Bangladesh have expressed their desire for ensuring good governance and fair elections, the rule of law and economic and social justice, according to the ‘July Declaration’ unveiled by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday. People also expressed their desire to introduce lawfully democratic reforms for all state and constitutional institutions, the 28-point declaration reads. It mentioned that the people of Bangladesh expressed a strong desire to bring under trial crimes involving all kinds of oppression, violence and looting of state property and also crimes of enforced disappearance and murder, individuals and mass killings, and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the fascist Awami League government during the 16 years long anti-fascist agitation of the people of Bangladesh and during the July Mass Uprising of 2024. “The people of Bangladesh express their desire to recognise the martyrs of the July Uprising as national heroes and provide necessary legal protection to the students and people participating in the movement,” reads the declaration. It said the people of Bangladesh expressed their aspirations for establishing a society and a democratic state system that upholds the rule of law and human rights and moral values, and is free from corruption and exploitation. They also expressed their expectations to protect the rights of the present and the future generations through an environmental friendly, climate resilient, sustainable and inclusive development strategy. Prof Yunus unveils ‘July Declaration’, says it reflects people’s aspirations The people of Bangladesh expressed their desire that the student-people uprising of 2024 will get proper state and constitutional recognition and that the July declaration will feature in the schedule of the reformed constitution as framed by the government formed through the next national election. The document of declaration is written to reflect the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh at the event of the victory in the mass uprising of August 5, 2024. At the beginning of the July Declaration, it was mentioned that in continuation of the historical struggle against colonialism, the people of this land rose against the deprivation and exploitation inflicted by the authoritarian Pakistani regime, and established the state of Bangladesh through the bloody Liberation War following the Declaration of Independence made on 26 March, 1971 for achieving freedom. Finalised by the interim government, Prof Yunus started reading it out at 5:21 pm in presence of all political parties. Top leaders from the major political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and National Citizen Party (NCP), joined the event at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP standing committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is Professor Mia Golam Parwar, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and representatives from other political parties were present. The programme began with the playing of the national anthem. A video documentary was also screened.

A local BNP leader died of a suspected heart attack on Tuesday while heading to a rally in Gournadi of Barishal to mark the first anniversary of a ‘July Mass Uprising.’ The deceased was identified as Miraj Fakir, 46, president of ward No-3 BNP under Bakal Union in Agailjhara upazila and an office assistant at Rajihar High School. He fell sick en route to the rally venue at Gournadi upazila College field and he was rushed to Gournadi upazilaUpazila Health Complex where physicians declared him dead. Dr Munim, a physician at the emergency unit of the hospital, said the patient was likely suffering from cardiac complications. Sikder Hafizur Rahman, acting convenor of Agailjhara BNP, said Miraj was a supporter of BNP Chairperson's adviser and former MP Zahir Uddin Swapan. Jamaat activist killed in Jamaat-BNP clash in Kushtia “We were travelling from Agailjhara to attend the rally when Miraj suddenly collapsed. Physicians confirmed he had passed away upon arrival,” he said. Moreover, ten other BNP activists fell ill due to heatstroke while participating in the procession and were treated at the same hospital. Earlier in the day, BNP leaders from Gouranadi and Agoiljhara held a discussion meeting at 10:30am at Gouranadi College Mosque field where former MP Swapan attended as chief guest.

The United Kingdom (UK) has invited applications for prestigious Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK. The applicants can apply from August 5 to October 7, 2025. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Tuesday said the Chevening Scholarship programme continues to empower Bangladesh’s brightest minds, fostering leadership and innovation. “We are proud to support these talented individuals as they pursue world-class education in the UK, building bridges for a stronger, more connected future,” she said. Since the programme started in 1983, more than 372 Bangladeshi individuals have been awarded Chevening scholarships, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow, said the UK government in a media release. The Chevening programme offers fully-funded master’s degrees at UK universities to individuals who are ready to lead positive change in their home countries and around the world. For more than 40 years, Chevening has attracted hundreds of thousands of applications globally. Successful applicants are individuals who can clearly demonstrate outstanding leadership, influence, and networking skills through compelling, evidence-based examples.

Dhaka University on Tuesday observed the first anniversary of the historic July Uprising with a series of events to honour people who sacrificed their lives during last year’s movement that toppled the Awami League government. The DU administration, teachers, and student groups organised the events. Pro-BNP teachers’ platform ‘Sada Dal’ held a rally commemorating the fall of ‘fascist Awami rule’ and the flight of Sheikh Hasina. Beginning at 12:45pm from the base of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture, the rally moved through Raju Sculpture and ended near the VC Chattar. Before the rally, the participants observed a one-minute silence in memory of those killed during the July movement and the Milestone School tragedy. ABM Obaidul Islam, vice chancellor of Open University, said the 5th of August marked the fall of a 17-year-long oppressive regime. “The blood of martyrs and the spirit of the July movement forced Sheikh Hasina to flee. Today, as we celebrate victory, we also remember the pain behind it.” He called for swift justice against the acts of repression by the former government. “Delaying justice only encourages injustice and undermines our social fabric,” he added. DU Treasurer Prof M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said over 1,400 people died and 30,000 were injured in the July movement. “This country is a result of that sacrifice. We now dream of an inclusive and equitable Bangladesh, something that was denied after our Liberation War.” Mother of Abu Sayed wishes to see her martyred son's dream for Bangladesh fulfilled