United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain has said he briefly raised his licensed firearm in “self-defence” during an anti-drug drive in the capital’s Gendaria area on Saturday after receiving warnings of possible “security threats”. In a statement issued on Sunday, Ishraque said he, along with his security personnel, got out of their vehicles and raised the weapon briefly when a group of 30 to 35 people allegedly approached their convoy aggressively near a suspected drug den. He claimed that law enforcement agencies and his own intelligence sources had warned him of possible security risks, including the possibility of drug traders firing at them from rooftops. “The weapon was raised for a very short time in self-defence to protect lives and property amid fears of an imminent attack,” the state minister said, adding that it was put away as soon as the potential threat had passed. He said the firearm was licensed by the competent authority and that it was displayed for self-defence within the legal framework. In a video, Ishraque was seen carrying a firearm while chasing several people during an anti-drug operation in Gendaria on Saturday. According to the statement, the drive was part of a coordinated social resistance initiative involving local residents, law enforcement agencies and political and social leaders to curb drug trading in Gendaria and surrounding areas. Ishraque said he had received complaints from residents about drug trading and the spread of drugs among students in areas, including Ghantighar, Munshitek and Koratitola, since taking office as the elected representative of Dhaka-6. He said the area had become a major transit point for drug syndicates after the 2024 mass uprising. Following a drug-related violent incident in June in which three people were reportedly shot, the state minister said he visited the area and held several coordination meetings with senior law enforcement officials. He said he had also sent a demi-official letter to the relevant police station seeking to address manpower shortages and establish a permanent police outpost near the suspected drug dens. “The proposal has yet to be implemented.” About the operation, Ishraque said Gendaria police were informed shortly after the team reached the area and that joint drives were subsequently conducted with police assistance. He claimed that four to five illegal makeshift drug dens were dismantled during the operation. Heroin, foreign liquor, drug-use paraphernalia, locally made sharp weapons, cash allegedly linked to drug sales and mobile phones suspected to have been snatched were seized, he said. Six alleged drug traders were detained and handed over to police along with the seized items, according to the statement. The state minister also criticised reports by several media outlets, accusing them of presenting the firearm incident without its broader context. He alleged that the reports focused on images of him holding a weapon while overlooking the operation and the reported seizures and arrests. Ishraque urged media outlets to verify information and publish reports with the full context. Reiterating the government’s “zero-tolerance” policy on drugs, he said eliminating drug dens and making Dhaka-6 free of drugs are among his major commitments to the public. The state minister said anti-drug operations will continue in the public interest.

Leaders and activists of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) on Sunday paid tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at their graves, marking the foundation’s 27th founding anniversary. BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi led them in paying tributes at the Zia Mausoleum in Zia Udyan in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area in the morning. After laying the tributes, they offered prayers and joined a munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Zia and Khaleda. Among those present were ZRF Executive Director Prof Dr Farhad Halim Donar, Director and Convener of the 27th Founding Anniversary Celebration Committee Prof Dr Morshed Hasan Khan, and Member Secretary of the celebration committee Prof Dr Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed Shamim.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir on Saturday said that the fascist regime led by ousted Sheikh Hasina that forcibly held on to state power acted as a local agent of cultural aggression in Bangladesh over the past 16–17 years. “Attempts have been made to make Bangladesh one-dimensional over the past 16-17 years. Cultural aggression was carried out quietly and gradually. In this process, the fascist regime that forcibly held on to state power played the role of a local agent,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme featuring a paper presentation, discussion and a gathering of Lalon songs organised on Saturday night to mark the 136th death anniversary of mystic bard Fakir Lalon Shah. Culture for Unity Bangladesh organised the event at Payra Chattar on the Dhaka University campus, near the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). Rizvi said attempts at cultural aggression would continue in various forms, but Bangladesh's sovereignty and independence could be safeguarded by exploring, uncovering, practising and nurturing the cultural depth of its own people. He also alleged that the Awami League had practised “servitude to Delhi” in the name of upholding the spirit of independence over the past 17 years. Addressing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Rizvi questioned what she had given another country that the people of Bangladesh had no right to know about. “You say you are the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, an independent and sovereign country, and that what you have given will never be forgotten. But what have you given that the people of this country have no right to know about?” he said. He alleged that the previous government had sacrificed the country's interests to remain in power while repeatedly invoking the spirit of independence. Questioning the nature of those alleged concessions, he said, “What did you give? Was it gold, diamonds or jewels? Did you give the country's resources, soil or land? What was it that the people of the country had no right to know about?” He questioned why newspapers, intellectuals and cultural figures in Bangladesh had not raised their voices in protest at the time. Prominent contemporary performers, including Shafi Mondal, Dolly Mondal, Akash Gayan, Shanta Islam and Abu Rashed, were scheduled to perform at the event. Among those present were Bangladesh Television Director General Kazi Jesin, Dhaka University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Dr Abdus Salam, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir and Culture for Unity Bangladesh Convener Rashed Khan.

The government has ensured foolproof security for Durga Puja across the country, BNP Standing Committee member and Dhaka-3 MP Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said on Saturday. “This year, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, Sharadiya Durga Puja, is being celebrated across the country in a festive atmosphere,” he said. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting Durga Puja mandaps and exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community in Keraniganj, Dhaka. Gayeshwar said no untoward incident had occurred till today during this year’s celebrations. “BNP leaders and activists at all levels are working to guard the puja mandaps. As a result, no disorder has occurred. This is a message of communal harmony,” he said. He added that people from other religious communities are also joining the celebrations alongside members of the Hindu community.

Liberation War Affairs State Minister and Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain conducted a surprise raid on a suspected drug den in a slum beside the railway tracks in Ward No. 45 under Gandaria Police Station in Dhaka-6 on Saturday. Six people were detained on suspicion of involvement in drug trading. Ishraque has announced that anti-drug drives will continue until his constituency is free of drugs, warning that drug traders will not be spared regardless of their political affiliation. He said punishment would be even harsher if anyone from his own party was found involved in drug trading. Addressing local residents during the drive, Ishraque said, “Those who sell drugs in this area have no place in my Dhaka-6 constituency. We brought down the government through a movement against the authoritarian regime. Do these drug traders have any time left? No matter how influential a drug trader is or which party they belong to, if they are from my party, their punishment will be even harsher.” Highlighting the damage caused by drug addiction to young people, the state minister said, “Our youth are being destroyed because of drugs. For the past six months, I have been collecting information through intelligence sources. I will hold in high regard those who can help apprehend the people who come from outside to supply drugs.” He said the anti-drug campaign had begun in his constituency and would spread across the country, adding that there would be no place for drugs anywhere in Bangladesh. When the detained individuals pleaded with folded hands to be released, Ishraque sought to reassure them. “No one will lay a hand on you, and no one will harm you. You will go to the police station, and the police will take the necessary action. We have not come here to beat you. This country will be governed by law. You will face trial, and you will be punished through the judicial process,” he said. Ishraque has previously conducted anti-drug drives in different areas of Dhaka-6. He has sought the cooperation of local residents while pledging to continue the campaign to make the constituency drug-free. Contacted on the matter, Gandaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Moniruzzaman Monir said Ishraque had detained six people and called the police station. Police personnel later went to the spot and brought them to the station. The OC said a white powder-like substance had been found in the possession of the detainees. Tests would be needed to confirm whether the substance was heroin.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday accused opposition parties of staging fresh political dramas in the streets to conceal their internal conflicts and failures, saying they were trying to mislead people instead of playing a constructive role amid the country's various challenges. “Whenever you open a newspaper, you see the opposition parties only talking about what is lacking and what has ended. They have no concern for the country's development or people's welfare,” he said. He made the remarks as the chief guest at a protest rally held in front of the National Press Club in the noon. The Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh (JTEB) organised the rally to protest what it described as planned anarchy and conspiracies by the Awami League across the country. Rizvi said opposition parties are looking for new excuses to take to the streets and arranging various programmes to cover up their internal divisions. He said opposition parties had previously organised long marches and were planning further programmes on issues including the July Charter, while different parties in their alliances continued making various statements. The BNP leader also referred to criticism of the government's social protection programmes, including the Family Card, Farmer Card, Expatriate Card and Health Card. “You may criticise the government, but speak the truth and make reasonable arguments. If you try to mislead people with falsehoods, they will never believe you,” he said. Rizvi accused opposition parties of focusing on finding faults and organising political programmes instead of recognising these initiatives. He said people are increasingly questioning whether such activities were intended to conceal internal conflicts within opposition parties that had become visible in different places. Rizvi said the government is working day and night to keep supplies as normal as possible despite the crisis. He said Bangladesh imported fertiliser from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), adding that a UAE fertiliser shipment had already arrived at Mongla port. He said the fertiliser shortage, which had been anticipated and had affected supplies to some extent, is now being addressed through the government's efforts. He said another fertiliser shipment from Saudi Arabia was being prepared and was expected to arrive within a few days. With the winter growing season approaching, he said, fertiliser was essential for cultivating potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages and cauliflowers. The government had made preparations to ensure supplies for the season, he said, adding that fertiliser imports from the UAE, including Dubai, and Saudi Arabia were part of those efforts. Rizvi said a people-oriented government should formulate policies by considering the suffering and hardships of ordinary citizens. Rizvi also referred to remarks by an Indian minister who reportedly said that a conspiracy was underway to overthrow the government in India, similar to the way the government in Bangladesh had been removed. He said Bangladesh had the right to respond when comments about political developments in another country referred to events in Bangladesh. Rizvi said mass movements emerged when rulers governed unjustly or illegally, adding that the circumstances surrounding the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government should be understood in that context. Referring to the reported remarks by an Indian minister that a conspiracy is underway to topple the Indian government, similar to the ouster of the government in Bangladesh, Rizvi said Bangladesh had the right to respond when it was referred to in such comments. “Whatever is happening in a neighbouring country is not something we need to comment on. But when Bangladesh is referred to, we have the right to speak,” he said. Addressing the Indian minister, Rizvi said mass movements, popular awakenings and uprisings could emerge when a country was governed unjustly and unlawfully, forcing rulers accused of wrongdoing to flee. He said Sheikh Hasina had not been a legitimate ruler, alleging that she had repeatedly remained in power by undermining elections and denying people their voting rights. “Ultimately, she was forced to flee in the face of a massive uprising by students and the public,” Rizvi said, adding that this was the fate of rulers who committed crimes and acted against the interests of the people.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said Durga Puja is not merely a festival of the Hindu community but a celebration for everyone, as it transcended communal boundaries and strengthened the bonds of brotherhood among people. “In this land of Kartik and Nabanna, Durga Puja does not remain the festival of any single community. It turns into a universal celebration,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks after visiting Mirpur Central Temple in the capital in the morning on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja. He said, “Durga Puja is not a communal celebration. In fact, no festival creates divisions or boundaries along communal lines. Rather, every festival transcends all such divisions and enriches and inspires a sense of brotherhood among people,”. “This is the message of a festival, this is its central spirit,” he added. “Just as fire destroys all impurities, it also purifies our souls. That is why poet Rabindranath Tagore said, ‘Aguner Parashmoni Chhoao Prane’ (Touch my soul with the philosopher’s stone of fire),” he said. “Durga Puja is not just a festival for Hindus; it is our festival too,” Rizvi added. He said the government, under the Prime Minister’s instructions, had arranged security for the Hindu community in line with its needs after holding discussions with its members. “The government has increased various facilities for Hindus, including financial allocations and rice allocations. The government is keeping track of all temples at all times,” he said. Rizvi wished the festival every success and hoped it would be filled with joy, allowing everyone to embrace a new horizon of happiness.

A total of 68 women submitted nomination forms to the BNP on Saturday for the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. The forms were submitted throughout the day at the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan, said BNP Assistant Office Secretary Tarikul Islam Tenzing. He said interviews of the nomination aspirants would be held on Monday (October 19) at the office of the BNP chairman in Gulshan. Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with members of the party’s National Standing Committee, will be present at the interviews. The committee will serve as the party’s nomination board. Party sources said the women who collected nomination forms included former BNP lawmakers, central leaders and organisers at the district and metropolitan levels. The party’s National Standing Committee meeting effectively served as its nomination board. According to sources at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, the women who submitted forms included BNP Assistant Secretary for Human Rights Affairs and former MP Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papiya, and members of the party’s National Executive Committee, Shahana Akter Sanu and Ayesha Siddika Moni. Others included Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal Central Office Secretary Shahinur Nargis, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal Central Joint Secretary Shahinur Begum, Mohila Dal Central Secretary for Human Development Affairs Khandaker Farhana Atika, Barishal Metropolitan BNP Senior Joint Convener Afroza Khanam, Chapainawabganj District Mohila Dal General Secretary Masuda Afroz Haque, Dhaka North Metropolitan Mohila Dal President Runa Laila and Dinajpur District BNP Organising Secretary Hasnahena Hira. Veteran women’s leader Jelly Chowdhury also collected a nomination form, along with BNP National Executive Committee members Sabera Alauddin Hena and Shimki Imam Khan. Former Chattogram Metropolitan Mohila Dal Publicity Secretary Dewan Mahmuda Akter, Syeda Adiba Hossain, who was among the aspirants discussed for nomination in the 13th parliamentary election, and Eden Mohila College Chhatra Dal Convener Rehana Akter Shirin were also among those who collected forms. The nomination aspirants said they had actively participated in street movements and struggles in the past, and many of them had faced repression at different times. They expressed hope that the party’s top leadership would nominate them in recognition of their sacrifices. Earlier, on Friday, a total of 70 women collected BNP nomination forms for the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. According to the Election Commission’s schedule, October 26 is the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on October 27, the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is November 1, and voting will take place on November 12. Earlier, on October 1, BNP reserved-seat MP Ferdousy Ahmed Mishti resigned after being instructed to step down by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Parliament Secretariat subsequently issued a gazette notification declaring the seat vacant under Article 67(2) of the Constitution. The development came amid allegations of her involvement in an attack, vandalism, looting and demolition at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, a maternal and child healthcare facility in Mirpur. The health centre was attacked and vandalised around midnight, with allegations that ruling party leaders and activists at different levels were involved. Mishti, however, denied any involvement in the incident.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday said this year, under the BNP government, has witnessed the highest number of Durga Puja mandaps, the highest allocation of funds, the longest holidays and the biggest celebrations. “The highest number of puja mandaps have been set up this time, the highest allocation has been made, the longest holidays have been given, and the celebrations are at their peak. The highest number of votes was also recorded this time, and it will happen again,” he said, while speaking as the chief guest during a visit to a Durga Puja mandap at Banani field in the capital on Friday night. He stressed the importance of ensuring religious freedom, constitutional rights and security for people of all faiths in Bangladesh, saying there should be no discrimination on religious grounds. The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practise religious rituals freely, worship according to their faith and establish places of worship, he said. Salahuddin said it is unfortunate that the issue of security repeatedly came up during Durga Puja celebrations. “It makes us feel bad when, during Durga Puja, we repeatedly hear calls to ensure security, celebrate Puja safely and cover everyone with a blanket of security,” he said. He said people of all religions should be able to celebrate their respective festivals without hindrance, adding that a situation in which people had to seek security to observe religious festivals was regrettable for the country. “It is very unfortunate for our national life that this issue continues to arise. This should never happen,” he said. The minister said he preferred the term “religious harmony” to “communal harmony”, which he said was often used when discussing relations among people of different faiths. He said people had not come together as separate communities and that the country's laws did not classify citizens on the basis of religious communities. “We are all citizens of Bangladesh, and we all have equal rights,” he said. The minister said people of all religions had equal rights as citizens and that such rights were recognised in countries around the world, regardless of which religion formed the majority. He said people of the Hindu community should be regarded as followers of their religion, rather than as a separate community. “Some people may regard you as a community, and many have used you in the past for political gain. We will not go into that issue,” he said. “But as citizens of Bangladesh and as free citizens, you will judge for yourselves during which democratic period your democratic and constitutional rights remain protected. The decision is yours. You do not need to be anyone's vote bank. You are accountable to your own conscience,” he said. The minister expressed hope that people would be able to celebrate Durga Puja and all other religious festivals freely, peacefully and joyfully this year, next year and in the years to come. Earlier, Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, the British high commissioner, and the ambassadors of Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Nepal addressed the programme.

A total of 70 women collected BNP nomination forms on Friday for the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. The forms were sold throughout the day at the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka. Each nomination form cost Tk 5,000, bringing the BNP’s total revenue from the sale of the 70 forms to Tk 350,000 (3.5 lakh). Aspirants who go on to submit their forms must pay an additional Tk 50,000, bringing the total cost of collecting and submitting a nomination form to Tk 55,000 per aspirant. BNP Media Cell member Sairul Kabir Khan confirmed the information. According to sources at the party’s central office, nomination forms were distributed among aspiring female candidates from 10am to 5pm on Friday. A total of 70 forms were sold within the stipulated time. The aspiring candidates have been instructed to submit their completed nomination forms to the BNP’s central office between 10am and 5pm on Saturday (October 17). Earlier, the BNP announced the schedule for distributing and submitting nomination forms in a press release issued from its central office on Wednesday. The notice called on interested female candidates to collect and submit the forms within the stipulated time. According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the by-election to the vacant reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad will be held on November 12. The seat fell vacant after its previous occupant Ferdousy Ahmed Mishti resigned on October 1, 2026, after Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman instructed her to step down over the attack on the Radda Clinic in Mirpur.