United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad on Monday inspected preparations for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Feni, including the venue of a proposed roadside public meeting. The state minister visited Kheya Ghat in Parshuram upazila, areas along the Muhuri River and the proposed meeting venue. During the visit, he discussed the overall preparations with officials concerned. Forhad said people in Parshuram and adjoining areas of Feni are enthusiastic about the Prime Minister’s visit. “All departments concerned are working in coordination to ensure that the Prime Minister’s visit is completed smoothly, safely and successfully,” he said. The state minister also highlighted the importance of the Muhuri-Kahua flood control and drainage project, undertaken by the Ministry of Water Resources to address long-standing problems of flooding, waterlogging and river erosion in the river basin. “Once the project is implemented, it will bring positive changes to the livelihoods, agriculture, business and overall socioeconomic activities of people living across the riverbank areas. At the same time, people’s lives and properties and agricultural land will be better protected from flood damage,” he said. The approved cost of the project is Tk 1,542 crore, according to recent reports. Forhad instructed officials to give the highest priority to quality, environmental considerations and the interests of local people in implementing the project. He also stressed the importance of sustainable water management while taking into account the views and needs of local residents. Later, the state minister exchanged views with local journalists and said the Prime Minister’s visit would be significant for the people of Feni. He said implementation of the Muhuri-Kahua flood control and drainage project could help address the long-standing problems of flooding and waterlogging. “This will create opportunities to bring greater stability to agricultural production, transport and communications, local businesses and trade, and people’s normal lives,” Forhad said. “We want to permanently protect the people of Feni from the suffering caused by flooding and waterlogging. The Ministry of Water Resources is implementing necessary plans and activities to achieve this goal,” he said. “We hope the Prime Minister’s visit will further accelerate water management and development activities in this region,” he added. Feni-1 MP Munshi Rafiqul Alam, Feni-2 MP Joynal Abdin, Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Mahbubul Karim and officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, among others, were present during the visit.

Six aspirants including two from BNP and one from Jamaat-e-Islami filed nomination papers to run the Thakurgaon-1 parliamentary by-election slated for October 29. They submitted their nomination papers within the deadline that expired on Sunday (5:00pm), according to a factsheet sent by returning officer and Thakurgaon district election officer Md Kamrul Islam to the Election Commission Secretariat. The Thakurgaon-1 constituency fell vacant after Mirza Fakhrul Islam was elected the country’s 23rd president. The two BNP nominated aspirants are Mirza Faysal Amin, younger brother of President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Obaidullah Masum and Jamaat nominated aspirant is Delowar Hossain. Three other aspirants are Md Khademul Islam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Md Abdul Aleem Nizami of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan and Hussain Muhammad Omar Faruque of Bangladesh Congress. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on Sept 29, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is Oct 7. The voting in the parliamentary constituency will be held from 8am to 4pm on Oct 29. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the upcoming Thakurgaon-1 parliamentary by-election will be held in a praiseworthy manner, like the February-12 national election. “Insha'Allah, I can guarantee that just as we conducted the 13th parliamentary election— which earned acclamation both at home and abroad— you will similarly appreciate the way this one (by-election) is held,” he said. The CEC made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the monitoring cell set up at Nirbachan Bhaban to monitor the Thakurgaon-1 by-election in real time from the capital. He said all necessary measures have been taken to arrange Thakurgaon-1 by-polls in a fair manner and an adequate number of law enforcement personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order in the parliamentary by-election. The CEC said the monitoring cell will work for the Thakurgaon-1 by-election in exactly the same way as it did during the 13th parliamentary election. “We will monitor it centrally so that we can intervene in the right manner at the right time,” he added.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Sunday condemned the demolition of a health centre in Mirpur and the vandalisation of content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved. “Attacking a healthcare centre dedicated to public health and demolishing it to take possession is a reprehensible act of land grabbing,” he said in a statement, referring to the attack on the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1. Porwar alleged that BNP activists backed by a female lawmaker attacked the centre on the night of September 25, tied up its security guards, vandalised and looted the premises before demolishing the facility and putting up a signboard to claim possession of it. He demanded the arrest of all those involved, including the alleged mastermind, and urged the government to compensate for the damage, rebuild the centre and provide necessary medical equipment to restore healthcare services. The Jamaat leader also condemned the attack on Salman Muqtadir’s studio at New Greeny Properties in the ECB Chattor area on Saturday night. He claimed BNP activists armed with machetes and axes stormed the studio, vandalised equipment and looted valuable belongings. Citing media reports, Porwar said the attack was allegedly linked to a land dispute between two groups. He demanded the immediate identification and arrest of those responsible for the attack on the content creator’s studio. Porwar also condemned an attack on Islami Bank Specialized and General Hospital in Naya Paltan, where BNP activists allegedly vandalised the facility and assaulted staff members. He alleged that the attackers smashed glass panels and CCTV cameras and beat reception staff. Expressing concern over the incidents, Porwar said the country's law and order situation had deteriorated severely, with attacks on healthcare facilities and private establishments creating insecurity. He accused BNP activists of engaging in violence, extortion and land grabbing, while questioning the administration's role in preventing such incidents, particularly the attack on the Radda centre. Porwar urged the authorities to take strict action against those responsible and ensure the security of healthcare facilities, private establishments and citizens' property.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the upcoming Thakurgaon-1 parliamentary by-election will be held in a praiseworthy manner, like the February-12 national election. “Insha'Allah, I can guarantee that just as we conducted the 13th parliamentary election— which earned acclamation both at home and abroad— you will similarly appreciate the way this one (by-election) is held,” he said. The CEC made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the monitoring cell set up at Nirbachan Bhaban to monitor the Thakurgaon-1 by-election in real time from the capital. He said all necessary measures have been taken to arrange Thakurgaon-1 by-polls in a fair manner, which is scheduled to be held on November 29 next. Nasir Uddin said an adequate number of law enforcement personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order in the parliamentary by-election. He said the monitoring cell will work for the Thakurgaon-1 by-election in exactly the same way as it did during the 13th parliamentary election. “We will monitor it centrally so that we can intervene in the right manner at the right time,” he added. The CEC said the overall environment in the election field  is currently very good. According to the election schedule announced by the EC, the deadline for submission of nomination papers expired on Sunday afternoon (5pm) in the by-election. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on Sept 29, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is Oct 7, and voting will be held on Oct 29 from 8am to 4pm. Meanwhile, the EC held a meeting with representatives of law enforcement agencies at Nirbachan Bhaban on Sunday afternoon ahead of the by-election. Other election commissioners attended the meeting chaired by CEC AMM Nasir Uddin. Asked about the meeting, the CEC said an adequate number of law enforcement personnel would remain deployed in the field to keep the law and order situation fully under control during the election.      

National Citizen Party (NCP) Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain on Sunday demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack, vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in the capital’s Mirpur area and called for a neutral investigation into the incident. He visited the health centre around noon with party leaders and activists, inspecting the sections damaged in the vandalism and looting. Asif spoke with patients who were still receiving treatment at the facility and demanded that the damaged centre be rebuilt and health services restored as soon as possible. During the visit, NCP activists removed a signboard of a shopkeepers' co-operatives society, which was put up in front of the centre. Speaking after the inspection, Asif said the facility had long been providing essential maternal and child healthcare services, including vaccination. “Such destruction of a healthcare facility is completely unacceptable,” he said. He said medicines, vaccines, injections and medical equipment were also looted from the centre. The NCP leader alleged that the incident was not isolated and involved a BNP lawmaker, a city corporation administrator and local police, describing it as an “organised crime” and “state-sponsored looting.” He further alleged that police were present at the scene when the vandalism began but left the spot, returning only after the incident ended. Asif demanded action against those involved in the attack as well as those accused of negligence of duty. He said the Radda clinic will not be allowed to be grabbed, adding that health workers will try to keep maternal and child healthcare services running even amid the debris.

BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin submitted his nomination paper on Sunday for the upcoming by-election to the Thakurgaon-1 constituency. He submitted the nomination paper to Returning Officer and District Election Officer Md Kamrul Islam at his office at noon. Local leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies were present at that time. After submitting his nomination paper, Mirza Faisal said he wants to work to fulfil the expectations of the people and sought cooperation from all, including party leaders and activists and voters. Political activities in the constituency have already intensified ahead of the by-election, with nomination collection and submission generating enthusiasm among candidates and their supporters. Earlier, on September 20, district BNP Treasurer Md Nur-e-Shahadat Swajan collected the nomination paper on behalf of Mirza Faisal. Meanwhile, Delawar Hossain submitted his nomination paper on Saturday as the candidate of the 11-party alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. According to the election schedule, voting in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election will be held on October 29.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Friday said government jobs should not be treated as rewards for political loyalty, alleging that political and family identities had influenced the recruitment of assistant teachers at government primary schools. “Government jobs are not rewards for allegiance to any political party,” he said in a press statement issued yesterday “Political or family identity cannot be a substitute for merit and qualification,” he added. Porwar expressed concerns over reports that at least 778 finally selected candidates in 27 districts had not received appointment letters despite passing the written and viva examinations. He alleged that many candidates had been excluded from the recruitment process in the name of verification, raising questions about transparency and impartiality in public sector recruitment. Questioning the exclusion of candidates after their final selection, the Jamaat leader asked under what law and criteria, and on whose decision, they had been dropped. He said the government must publish a full list of the candidates who had not received appointment letters and disclose the specific reasons for excluding each of them. Porwar also demanded that the authorities make the verification criteria public and launch an impartial investigation into allegations of irregularities and discrimination in the recruitment process. He called for accountability for those responsible and immediate appointments for any candidates found to have been unfairly excluded.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Saturday questioned whether any government exists in the country, after a maternal and child healthcare facility, which had served the community for five decades was demolished overnight in the capital. In a statement, Nahid said the razing of the Radda MCH-FP Centre, which had run maternal care and vaccination programmes for 50 years, exposed how fragile the country's law and order situation has become, as vandalism and looting continued through the night while law enforcement remained silent and unmoved. "A country cannot run this way," he said, adding that the demolition and takeover of a hospital in the heart of the capital, carried out like illegal land grabbing, raised public questions over the very existence of a functioning government. Nahid said locals allege that BNP reserved-seat lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Misty and an influential leader of Dhaka North BNP were behind instigating the vandalism and occupation of the facility. He further said the home minister's largely inactive role, despite the steady deterioration of law and order over recent days, was a matter of shame for the entire nation. "Our clear demand is that everyone involved in the vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre must be arrested immediately and brought to justice," Nahid said. He also demanded that the masterminds behind the incident be identified and brought under the law, ensuring exemplary punishment for the guilty.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has urged students to engage in debating, cultural and other creative activities alongside their academic studies. He said the integrated development of academic and co-curricular activities is essential for producing capable citizens and future leaders. The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘DUDS-ActionAid National Debate Festival 2026’, organised by the Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS) in collaboration with ActionAid at the TSC Auditorium of Dhaka University on Saturday. He formally inaugurated the debate competition, in which 24 teams from different universities across the country are participating. The LGRD Minister said students are the future leaders of the country and will take responsibility in various sectors over the next 10, 15 or 20 years. “Therefore, they have to start preparing themselves for the future from now. Even if they play a role in politics, social affairs or the economy, they must not neglect their studies in any way,” he said. He said debating plays an important role in developing students’ logical thinking, ability to express opinions and leadership skills. “However, merely participating in debate competitions is not enough. Students need to engage in various creative and co-curricular activities to develop their overall knowledge and skills,” he said. Recalling his student life, Dr Moyeen Khan said he participated in debate competitions as a student of Fazlul Huq Hall at Dhaka University nearly 60 years ago. He also recalled his experience of representing the hall and becoming champion for three consecutive years. The minister said one of the special strengths of the student community is its ability to speak out against injustice and irregularities. “Throughout the history of Bangladesh, students have played an important role in bringing about change at different times,” he said, urging the younger generation to use this strength and sense of responsibility positively. Dr Moyeen Khan said quality education and universities are among the key foundations of a country’s progress. “A country can move forward in the long run only on the strength of knowledge, research and education,” he said. He stressed that teachers and students must properly fulfil their respective responsibilities to preserve the glorious tradition of Dhaka University. Thanking DUDS, the minister said the organisation should not limit itself to organising debate competitions but should be developed as an effective platform for advancing academic and co-curricular activities at the university. “Through this, a new generation enriched with knowledge, skills, values and leadership can be developed, who will contribute to taking Bangladesh to a more dignified position globally in the future,” he said.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday urged opposition political parties not to “encourage” or give any concession to what he called the defeated forces of 2024, alleging that they are trying in various ways to create instability in the country. He said acts of violence and sabotage are being carried out as part of those efforts. Rizvi was speaking as the chief guest at a rally organised by the BNP's three main affiliates - Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, in front of the BNP central office in Nayapaltan before a protest procession. He said conspiracies are being hatched to politically rehabilitate ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and restore the previous political system. “None of the attempts to undermine the political change that came through the mass movement of 2024 can be allowed to succeed,” he said. Rizvi was clear in stating that the defeated forces had no right to conduct activities on the streets. while all other political parties have full rights to hold rallies and programmes on the streets. While asserting that holding political programmes and criticising the government are democratic rights, Rizvi also reiterated that  "no activity should be carried out that could provide an opportunity for the defeated forces to organise politically again.” Rizvi said some opposition figures are making what he described as “irresponsible remarks”, spreading propaganda and making allegations, but the government led by Tarique Rahman had created a democratic environment in which opposition parties could hold long marches, rallies and speak from stages. “You are holding long marches, organising protest rallies, making threats from the stage to beat people like dogs, chasing people and destroying government property, as was done at Rajshahi Railway Station by these covert and dormant people. You know this, don’t you? You knowi,” he said. Referring to comments by the secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, Rizvi said the Jamaat leader had claimed that the BNP and its government had created an opportunity for the defeated “fascists” to carry out their activities. “If that is the case, then under what opportunity are you vandalising railway stations? On what basis are you telling Chhatra Dal activists that you will beat them like dogs? Under what opportunity are you saying this? You are talking about them!” he said. Rizvi asked who was setting vehicles and CNG-run auto-rickshaws on fire and who was setting trains on fire in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh. “You are creating that opportunity today,” he said, alleging that the situation created by what he called their “petty forces” and “covert and dormant” elements is encouraging the defeated forces. Rizvi said the current situation should not be allowed to tarnish the sacrifices made during the July Uprising and the victory of August 5, 2024. Rizvi also congratulated and thanked the prime minister for the speech and expressed full solidarity with the rally and procession organised by the three front bodies. Jubo Dal, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal.