United News of Bangladesh

As the national election approaches, law enforcement agencies have stepped up operations to recover illegal firearms, aiming to prevent violence, sabotage and broader security threats. As in previous election cycles, police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and intelligence agencies are conducting special drives nationwide. Yet a critical question persists: how effective are these efforts on the ground? The concern is sharpened by the fallout from the student-led mass uprising on August 5 last year, when 5,763 firearms were looted or went missing from police stations and other installations across the country. Of these, 4,426 weapons have since been recovered, leaving 1,337 still untraced. A senior official at Police Headquarters, speaking on condition of anonymity, told UNB that most of the recovered looted weapons were heavy arms. The missing cache, however, largely consists of small firearms such as pistols and revolvers. While many unrecovered heavy weapons are believed to have been smuggled out through border routes, small arms pose a greater risk due to their portability and ease of concealment—raising fears of their potential use in election-related violence, he said. Election Pressure and Arms Challenge Historically, Bangladesh’s pre-election period is marked by heightened political tension and a greater risk of illegal arms use. Past elections have seen links between this period and incidents such as cocktail explosions, arson attacks and targeted violence. Consequently, arms recovery drives are treated as a top priority ahead of the polls. Read more: Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 to begin ahead of national election According to multiple law enforcement sources, coordinated nationwide operations involving police, RAB and specialised intelligence units are launched before every election with the aim of cutting off the supply of weapons before violence erupts. AIG (Media) at Police Headquarters, AHM Shahadat Hossain, told UNB that arms recovery operations are currently ongoing across the country, with weapons being seized almost daily. Checkposts have been strengthened and patrols intensified, he said, adding that operations would be further scaled up once the election schedule is announced. He also noted that upcoming drives would be more intelligence-based, as agencies have already identified violence-prone areas and enhanced surveillance ahead of the polls. Reward Announced, But Limited Gains Several months ago, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Police Headquarters jointly announced monetary rewards for the recovery of looted weapons still missing since the August 5 unrest. While the initiative was initially welcomed, officials now concede that the results have fallen short of expectations. Read more: Firearms, ammo seized at Airport Railway Station A responsible source at Police Headquarters told UNB that the reward announcement did not lead to any major breakthroughs, noting that almost all recovered looted weapons had been seized before the incentive was introduced. Analysts suggest the assumption that illegal arms holders would voluntarily surrender weapons in exchange for rewards did not hold true in practice. Many of the firearms are believed to remain in the hands of organised criminal groups or to be under political protection. Another senior police official said more than 80 per cent of the unrecovered looted weapons are small arms, making their recovery before the election particularly challenging. Intelligence Over Sweeping Raids In response, Police Headquarters has revised its strategy, moving away from sudden blanket raids and mass arrests towards intelligence-based, targeted operations. “A sweeping operation may produce short-term results, but intelligence-driven actions allow us to strike at the core holders and networks,” a senior police officer told UNB. Read more: Ex-JCD leader among 7 arrested with arms in Gazipur raid As part of this approach, the Detective Branch (DB), Special Branch (SB) and other units have intensified field-level intelligence gathering. Known criminals, arms dealers and their associates are now under closer surveillance. How Effective Is This Model? Security analyst Brigadier General (retd) Md Abdul Hamid believes intelligence-based operations are more effective in the long run, though their impact takes time to materialise. The key challenge, he said, is the limited time available before the election. Abdul Hamid, a former Defence Adviser at the Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi, added that the success of arms recovery efforts should not be judged solely by the number of weapons seized. “It also depends on how much election-time violence can be prevented. If major violence is avoided, the drive can be considered partially successful,” he said. Illegal arms recovery ahead of elections remains crucial. Yet despite reward announcements, strategic shifts and heightened intelligence activity, tangible results on the ground remain limited. Experts argue that sustained success will require coordinated action against weapon sources, trafficking networks and political protection. Ultimately, the real test of these operations will come during the election days themselves—when it will become clear whether the intensified arms recovery drive has been enough to ensure a peaceful vote. Read more: 10 foreign firearms, 30kg gunpowder seized in 24 hours

Lalmonirhat’s Shibram Ideal Public School, located near the Circuit House at the heart of the district, has emerged as a bright example in the region’s education sector. Established in 2015, the unique institution is modelled on the cadet college system, according to its founder and director, Rashedul Islam Rashed. One of the school’s primary goals is to prepare its younger students for future admission into cadet colleges. Read more: Dhaka to get state-of-the-art special needs school A closer look reveals the school’s distinctive approach: students across all classes exhibit remarkably uniform handwriting, imbued with artistic flair. This meticulous attention to penmanship has consistently amazed parents and visiting officials alike. Alongside mother tongue education, the school places strong emphasis on English proficiency and provides tailored instruction in students’ respective religious teachings. This year, the school has distributed copies of the Holy Quran to all 42 students, further strengthening its commitment to holistic learning. 4th International Symposium on Quality Assurance in Engineering Education concludes The school has also been recognised at the Rangpur divisional level, securing first place in a handwriting competition. In addition, it has ranked among the top schools in the district in private scholarship examinations. Shibram Ideal Public School attracts students not only from within Lalmonirhat but also from neighbouring districts. For these students, the school offers a child-friendly residential facility. Local students attend regular daytime classes but often return in the afternoons or evenings to continue their studies in a stimulating and enjoyable environment. The school’s residential programme provides distant students with nutritious meals, comfortable accommodation, and attentive guidance in academics and character-building. Govt set to implement new project to digitise medical, nursing education

The Uttara Regional Passport Office is facing renewed scrutiny after an investigation found what appears to be an entrenched network of brokers, questionable processing practices and allegations of unauthorised facilitation of passports for Rohingya nationals. A week-long observation by journalists, conducted partly through covert visits, found more than 50 stationery and printing shops around the office operating as de facto broker hubs. Applicants attempting to navigate the process independently frequently reported harassment, opaque requirements and last-minute document demands. Sabbir Ahmed, a resident of Uttara, left the office visibly frustrated. He told UNB he was unexpectedly asked to provide a marriage certificate. Minutes later, a broker escorted him to a nearby shop where documents were printed immediately — a service that several shop operators openly marketed. “Everything can be arranged with money,” said Hridoy, who runs one such shop. “If someone does not have the right papers, we make arrangements. Even passports without national IDs are possible — they just cost more,” he said. Read more: E-passport booklets procurement gets CCGP nod The officials concerned, however, strongly denied what residents, applicants and industry insiders say reflect a systemic problem. Costs Balloon Through Informal Channels While the government’s official fee for a 10-year, 48-page passport is Tk 5,750, brokers typically charge Tk 6,200–6,500 for routine cases. More complex cases, including those requiring forged or recreated documents, can rise to Tk 10,000 and in some instances exceed Tk 100,000, according to brokers interviewed. Brokers claimed that 250–300 out of the 400–500 daily applications at the Uttara office come through their networks, generating an estimated Tk 1 crore in unaccounted monthly payments shared through multiple layers of staff. But it could not independently verify the total amount allegedly involved. Sensitive Allegations Over Rohingya Passport Processing The most sensitive allegation relates to the unauthorised facilitation of passports for Rohingya nationals using fake or manipulated documents, a recurring challenge for Bangladesh’s security and identity-management agencies. Roni, a gazetted July Warrior who previously worked in the area’s stationery sector, said the practice escalated after the fall of the former government, when oversight weakened. Read more: Human trafficking, instability erode global trust in Bangladesh’s passports Earlier, in February 2024, the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested 23 members of what it described as the largest syndicate directly involved in producing Rohingya passports. At the time, the DB said brokers operating inside passport offices and some Ansar members were directly linked to the racket. According to investigators, brokers at stationery shops near passport offices could arrange fake birth certificates within six hours and fake NIDs within three days. In this way, thousands of fake Rohingya passports have been produced over the years. Explaining how fake NIDs are made, Jahid, an employee of a stationery shop near the Uttara Passport Office, said, “Documents are collected in the names of people from villages or slum areas who have virtually no chance of obtaining passports. Rohingya passports are then issued using those identities. The name and NID number remain the same—the person changes.” Stating that the process is still ongoing, Roni said a syndicate operating in the Badda and Uttara areas remains secretly involved in producing Rohingya passports at the Uttara Regional Passport Office. Although the group lay low for several months, they have once again become active at regional passport offices in Dhaka. Read more: Govt plans to lower passport costs for overseas Bangladeshis He alleged that certain employees at the Uttara office were acting as intermediaries, receiving files and payments through WhatsApp channels. He named the Deputy Director, Muhammed Nurul Huda, as being aware of these activities, a claim the DD has categorically rejected. Shortly after talking to journalists, Roni was reportedly summoned to the office, where he says he was pressured into delivering a filmed apology. Since the large-scale influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh in 2017, senior officials said, attempts to obtain Bangladeshi passports using forged national identity cards and birth certificates have surged. The trend began in Chattogram and its neighbouring districts but has gradually spread to Dhaka and surrounding areas. Authorities say the rising forgeries reflect both the growing desperation among Rohingyas and the expanding networks of brokers facilitating these illegal activities. Read more: Getting e-passport without police verification in Bangladesh: Documents, fees, and online application process According to Saudi government estimates, roughly 69,000 Rohingyas are currently counted among Bangladeshi expatriates in the Kingdom, intensifying pressure on Bangladesh over passport renewals. Complaints of Applicants From Outside Dhaka Several applicants from outside the capital said their forms were rejected for ‘native district’ reasons — comments later reversed when they went through brokers. Antara from Kushtia said her application was initially cancelled but approved after she paid Tk 1,500 to a broker. Ipshita from Cox’s Bazar said the extra fee for her case was Tk 3,000. “Because I am from Cox’s Bazar, the rate was higher,” she said. A broker, who spoke seeking anonymity, said, “Rohingya files cost more. And the office knows which files are problematic.” Money Trail Allegations and Staff Responses Several brokers told UNB that payments are typically collected after office hours, mostly through informal channels. A former employee alleged that specific staff — including Upper Division Assistant Roni Sarkar and record keeper Subir Sarkar — handled the distribution of funds, with a senior official receiving the largest portion. Read more: Bangladesh moves up one step in global passport strength index He further claimed that ‘accounts are settled every Tuesday and Wednesday’ in a temporary third-floor room, and suggested reviewing CCTV recordings. These allegations could not be independently verified. Officials Push Back: ‘Prove It’ When approached inside the Uttara office, Deputy Director Nurul Huda strongly rejected the allegations, saying, “Do whatever you can. You cannot do anything to me. Prove I am involved if you can.” Asked about staff members named by brokers, he said some “do not work here” and insisted that night guards “are not on duty during daytime.” He dismissed claims of facilitating Rohingya passports: “Prove it. I will not say anything.” Headquarters Imposes Restrictions At the Agargaon Department of Immigration and Passports headquarters, journalists faced strict access protocols, including a requirement to deposit electronic devices before meeting officials. Director General Major General Md Nurul Anwar declined to comment directly but directed UNB to Director (Admin & Finance) Shihab Uddin Khan. Shihab Uddin later told UNB the department maintains a zero-tolerance policy. Read more: Why India’s passport is slipping in global rankings “Earlier, three officials of the Uttara office were dismissed. If irregularities are proven again, action will be taken — even if senior officials are involved. We encourage anyone with specific evidence to come forward," he said. Public Confidence Erodes Many residents of Uttara told UNB the passport office has become a ‘symbol of harassment’, saying it is now nearly impossible to receive services without informal payments. They called for immediate reforms, including digital monitoring, stricter oversight of scanning centres, and the removal of unregistered intermediaries from the premises.

Born without sight and raised amid poverty, Hafiza Khadiza Khatun of Chinipara village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila has memorised all 30 paras of the Holy Quran simply by listening to recitations on a mobile phone. For years, Khadiza lived a fragile life in a dilapidated hut, where even light rain or a gust of wind posed a threat to her shelter. Her daily life was defined by economic hardship, physical vulnerability, and the struggle to survive. Yet, Khadiza’s story is not one of despair alone. It is a testament to resilience, spiritual devotion, and the transformative power of compassion. Today, sitting calmly on the veranda of her newly built brick house, she holds the Holy Quran gently in her hands. Though visually impaired, the sacred verses flow effortlessly from her lips, shaped by years of listening, repetition, and devotion. Her soft recitation fills the surroundings with a quiet serenity. After completing her recitation, Khadiza raises her hands in prayer, her voice low and composed, offering heartfelt supplications. Among her prayers, she also remembered former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, demonstrating her concern and inclusivity beyond personal or political considerations. Beside her, her husband Mahadi Hasan joined silently in prayer, the moment reflecting a shared sense of faith, humility, and humanity. From Vulnerability to Security Before receiving her new home, Khadiza and her husband lived in constant anxiety, unsure whether their fragile shelter could withstand even mild storms. That uncertainty has now been replaced with stability through a humanitarian initiative led by BNP National Executive Committee Organising Secretary and former deputy minister Asadul Habib Dulu. Dulu personally oversaw the construction of a modern brick house for Khadiza, which was inaugurated on Wednesday (December 10). For Khadiza, the house is far more than bricks and cement. It represents safety, dignity, and the promise of a new beginning. Speaking at the inauguration, Dulu emphasised the humanitarian spirit of the initiative. “We have not come here just to open a brick-built house. We are here to celebrate the triumph of humanity. Khadiza Khatun cannot see, yet she memorised the entire Quran by listening on a mobile phone.  

Once known as the New Hostel of Cumilla Victoria Government College, the century-old residential facility near Tomchom Bridge now stands in ruins, its abandoned wings swallowed by thick vegetation, broken walls and the quiet encroachment of drug users and vagrants. A major portion of the hostel has remained abandoned for more than a decade, leaving hundreds of students without accommodation.  Once home to nearly 450 students, the complex now houses barely 80 in its only surviving building, students said.  With almost 30,000 students enrolled in the 126-year-old institution, many arriving from distant districts say the reconstruction of the new hostel has become urgent to ease the college’s chronic accommodation crisis. Attack on principal of Cumilla Victoria College Founded on 24 September 1899 by Rai Bahadur Anand Chandra Roy, Cumilla Victoria Government College originally built several hostels for students: Nazrul Hall, Faizunnesa Hall, Sher-e-Bangla Hall, and the New Hostel—officially known as Suhrawardy Hall—located beside the Tomchom Bridge area. Although the four hostels together can accommodate around 1,200 male and female students, the New Hostel remains in the worst condition.  Three of its four buildings became unusable after 2000 and were fully shut down by 2013. A visit to the site reveals a stark contrast between the surrounding urban landscape and the hostel’s decaying structures.  Read more: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2026: How to Apply from Bangladesh Once arranged around a central pond, the blocks now resemble relics of neglect: • West block: Collapsed, covered by dense vines and parasitic plants.• East block: Mostly vanished, with only scattered remains.• North block: Barely standing, now a hangout spot for drug users; vagrants have set up makeshift latrines nearby. A fading inscription on the wall still reads: PWD 1947.• South block: A 1990s building, currently housing the remaining 80 students, though its condition is also worsening. Former residential student Jahangir Alam Tipu, who stayed at the hostel in 1986–87, fondly recalled its vibrant past.  “My home was in Chandpur. Without hostel accommodation, studying would have been very difficult,” he said. “We used to catch fish from the pond at dawn and cook together. I still miss those days. Seeing the hostel in ruins is heartbreaking. It should be rebuilt,” he added. Echoing the former resident, current students Arafat Hossain Jihad, Md Rahmat Ullah and Hasan Al Kabir said many learners from distant districts exhaust themselves commuting daily, while others live in poor conditions in messes and lodgings. Admitting the accommodation crisis, college principal Prof Abul Bashar Bhuiyan said, “We are aware of the accommodation shortage. We have proposed constructing two 10-storey buildings in the New Hostel and Nazrul Hall areas. If approved, they will provide residential facilities for an additional 2,400 students.” Read more: 3 female BAU students expelled from dormitory over ragging allegations Students now hope the proposal wins swift approval—so the ‘New Hostel’ may finally live up to its name once again. 

A vast tracts of uncultivated land in Chattogram region are set to be brought under productive use as the government has launched a major agricultural project aimed at raising crop output and strengthening food security. The Agriculture Ministry has taken the “Sustainable Agricultural Development in Chattogram Region” project at an estimated cost of Tk 255.96 crore, to be fully financed by the government and implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Spread in 47 upazilas and metropolitan thanas in five districts, the initiative seeks to bring at least 5 percent or 8,565 hectares of fallow and seasonally unused land back into production. Officials say this alone will help raise the region’s cropping intensity from 192 percent to 195 percent, offering a tangible boost to overall food output. The project comes at a time when agricultural land in Bangladesh continues to shrink due to rapid urbanisation, climate variability and soil degradation. Officials said the window for expanding cultivation through land recovery is narrowing, making efficient land use more critical than ever. To that end, the project aims for a three percent rise in crop production through the adoption of climate-resilient, environment-friendly and region-suitable technologies. A strong emphasis has been placed on community-based farming. The programme will form new Community Agro Farming Enterprise (CAFE) groups and 94 Women Agro Farming Enterprise (WAFE) groups, aiming to lift incomes especially for rural women by at least 30 percent while improving household nutrition. Irregularities deepen doubts over Khulna’s mega embankment project A total of 5,935 pieces of agricultural machinery will be procured and distributed to reduce labour shortages and speed up cultivation. To support commercial agriculture, the government also plans to set up a dedicated packing and export house in Chattogram, enabling farmers to process, preserve and export high-value crops more efficiently. The project includes extensive field-level capacity-building efforts- 770 Farming Development Sessions, 42,691 demonstration plots, and 4,200 farmers’ field days will be organised to help farmers adopt modern practices more rapidly. Beyond training and technology, the project features several major construction works, including an export-oriented packing house at Dewanhat in Chattogram and an office-cum-training centre at the horticulture hub in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar. Unchecked soil lifting threatens Gomti River, infrastructures in Cumilla Other infrastructure work includes facilities for the Plant Quarantine Wing in Chattogram, improvements at horticulture centres in Cox’s Bazar and Feni, and large-scale land development in key sites — all designed to build long-term agricultural capacity. Ensuring food security through smarter land use has become a national priority. Bringing fallow land under cultivation, improving soil productivity and adopting advanced agronomic practices are now seen as essential steps in reducing poverty, improving nutrition and sustaining agricultural growth in Chattogram region. The Planning Commission has said the project will help expand the cultivation of high-yielding and hybrid varieties, promote high-value commercial crops and encourage safe fruit and vegetable production. It also emphasises strong human resource development, particularly for disadvantaged rural groups and women. Big push for renewables: 220 MW Sonagazi solar plant gets green light Officials believe the project  has the potential to reshape the country’s food basket and catalyse commercial and export-oriented agriculture in the region reinforcing the rural economy through a more efficient and sustainable use of land. Over an eleven-year period, the amount of fallow agricultural land in the country has increased by 63 percent. According to the agricultural census of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) published in 22, the volume of fallow land stood at 244,000 acres in 2019, up from 150,000 acres recorded in the 2008 census. Meanwhile, the country’s net arable land continues to shrink. Between the two census periods, the amount of cultivable land decreased by nearly 12 percent. The new census shows that cultivable land now stands at 18.7 million acres, compared to 19.1 million acres in the previous survey.

Carew & Company (Bangladesh) Limited has booked the highest net profit in its history for the 2024–25 fiscal year, even as its sugar operations continue to haemorrhage money. This underscores the widening divide between its modernised businesses and ageing core mill, officials said. The state-run enterprise reported a net profit of Tk 129.44 crore, up from Tk 112.07 crore a year earlier, according to company data. Revenue contributions to the government stood at Tk 140.36 crore, broadly unchanged from last year. The surge came overwhelmingly from the company’s distillery unit, which continues to act as Carew’s financial backbone, said an official sharing the data. Chapainawabganj farmer sparks local excitement with amazing Chinese orange harvest Meanwhile, the sugar division once again posted a steep loss — Tk 62.35 crore — extending a trend that has plagued the mill for years. Why the Sugar Unit Keeps Losing Money Internal records and accounts from officials, workers and farmers reveal a cluster of entrenched problems behind the continued slide. Low-quality and old sugarcane varieties: Most sugarcane supplied to the mill consists of outdated varieties with weak recovery rates. Crushing such cane increases production costs while yielding less sugar. Declining sugarcane farming: Farmers cite delayed payments, high irrigation costs and uncertain returns as key reasons for shrinking acreage. Reduced supply has further hit both output and quality. Outdated machinery: Much of the equipment on the production line is decades old, requiring frequent repairs and driving up maintenance costs while depressing efficiency. Irregularities deepen doubts over Khulna’s mega embankment project Market pressure and cheaper imports: Inexpensive imported and adulterated sugar continues to dominate retail markets, forcing locally produced sugar to compete at lower price points and eroding revenue. Management Banks on Modernisation to Stem Losses Company's Managing Director Rabbik Hasan said record earnings were powered by the distillery but admitted the sugar division remains burdened by a “low recovery rate, low-quality cane and old machinery”.

A worn-out bridge in Lalmonirhat has become a daily nightmare for more than 30,000 residents, who continue to cross it despite the looming threat of a major accident.  The decades-old structure, long past its lifespan, shakes violently under the weight of passing vehicles, raising fears that it may collapse at any moment. Built in the 1980s, the bridge over the Ratnanai River at Kalirhat on the Durgapur-Bhelabari road has stood without any major repair work for years.  Although its railings and pillars have already crumbled, hundreds of vehicles still cross it every day, taking severe risks.  Plaster regularly falls off when vehicles move over it, and when one vehicle climbs onto the bridge, others must wait on either side for it to pass.

A quiet village in Chapainawabganj has become the centre of local curiosity and inspiration after an agricultural entrepreneur successfully cultivated Chinese oranges, an achievement many had believed impossible in Bangladesh. Forty-one-year-old farmer Sayem Ali has drawn visitors from across the area, all eager to witness the clusters of bright, ripe oranges hanging heavily from the trees in his orchard. The scene has created both excitement and a stir among villagers, who until now had only seen Chinese oranges in markets as imported fruit. Sayem, who previously relied on mango farming, said he struggled to maintain a steady income from the crop. Read more: The young entrepreneur who brought orange farming to Naogaon His interest in Chinese oranges began when he noticed the fruit increasingly available in local markets. Intrigued, he approached the local agriculture office for advice. With guidance and technical support from agricultural officials, he brought three bighas of land under cultivation in Baharam of Sadar Upazila in 2022. The initial investment stood at Tk 1.5 lakh. Now, just a few years later, the orchard is teeming with fruit. “I managed to recover my costs and even made a small profit from my first harvest in 2024,” Sayem said, adding, “But this year the trees are full. I’m selling the oranges at Tk 100 per kilogram, and after expenses, I expect to earn Tk 6 to 7 lakh.” Read more: Youth's success in orange farming sparks an agricultural trend in Kurigram Farm worker Anarul Islam, who has cared for the orchard since its early days, echoed the optimism. “The harvest has been excellent. These oranges taste very good, and the demand is high. We don’t even need to take them to the market, as buyers come directly to the orchard,” he said. Sayem’s success has quickly inspired others. Curious farmers and residents have been flocking to Baharam, many considering whether they too should switch to or start cultivating Chinese oranges. Local resident Abdul Malek admitted he had never imagined the fruit could grow locally. “We always thought Chinese oranges came from abroad. After visiting the orchard and speaking with the owner, I’m convinced it’s profitable. I plan to start cultivating them too, with support from the agriculture office,” he said. Read more: Chuadanga farmers thrive as cauliflower yields hit new high

Riverbank erosion has long haunted the people of Koyra, a coastal upazila in Khulna, but this year their fears have intensified. Despite a massive government project meant to offer lasting protection, irregularities and sluggish progress are raising serious questions about whether the embankments will withstand the next tide. Experts say climate change, rising tidal pressure and shifts in river flow continue to intensify threats along the Bay of Bengal coast. Read more: Sand syndicates tighten grip on Bangladesh's northern region The government’s long-awaited sustainable embankment project—worth nearly Tk 12,000 crore—initially offered hope to thousands who face erosion every summer and monsoon. But allegations of mismanagement now overshadow the initiative. Illegal Sand Extraction, Tree Cutting Undermine Safety Locals and environmental groups report that sand is being illegally extracted from the Kopotakkho and Shakbaria rivers to support embankment construction. At the same time, riverside trees are being cut indiscriminately, weakening natural buffers meant to stabilise the structures. On December 4, these fears materialised when nearly 200 metres of embankment collapsed at Matiabhanga in South Bedkashi union—without strong winds or floods. The sudden breach inundated nearby areas. Two days later, fresh cracks appeared between Doshahalia in Maharajpur union and Hoglar, forcing residents to patch the damage themselves. Residents say they heard unusual soil-lifting sounds late at night before the embankment gave way. Many believe the incident was linked to unchecked extraction and construction malpractice. Read more: Teesta Dam ‘renovation’ in Rangpur turns into a 'sand bonanza' “The embankment just vanished before our eyes. We thought our homes and everything would be washed away,” recalled Masum Billah, a resident of Matiabhanga. Abdus Salam, another villager, said erosion has been intensifying daily. “Three houses have already been lost. Despite the long-standing vulnerability, no repairs were undertaken,” he said. Warnings Ignored, Cracks Left Unrepaired The breached area is part of a Tk 1,200-crore Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) mega project in Koyra and adjoining regions. The work includes raising and widening 32 km of embankments, slope protection, river management and riverside afforestation. But locals say they have seen little evidence of strong, sustained work on the ground. Didarul Alam, a member of Ward No. 3 of South Bedkashi union, said cracks had been reported a month earlier near the mouths of the Arpangasia and Kopotakkho rivers. “No effective measures were taken. Only a few sandbags were placed, which allowed the crack to widen and collapse,” he said. Read more: 130 metres of Teesta bridge embankment collapses threatening 1700 families BWDB Satkhira-2 Division Deputy Assistant Engineer Alamgir Kabir insisted that repair work is underway and that a temporary ring embankment has helped halt further flooding. Environmentalists Alarmed by Project Irregularities Environmental activists say the recent embankment breach in winter—traditionally a calm season—is highly unusual and signals structural weaknesses. Anwar Hossain, convener of the Coastal and Sundarbans Conservation Movement, expressed deep concern over illegal sand lifting and deforestation along river chars. These destructive practices, he said, directly undermine embankment durability. “Breaches like this in winter are unprecedented,” he said, pointing to irregularities in project execution despite substantial government funding. A Coastal Region Running Out of Time For vulnerable communities already living on the edge, the collapse has renewed fears of a future defined by unchecked erosion, tidal surges and displacement. With the monsoon months only half a year away, residents worry that without transparency, accountability and swift action, the mega project may fail to deliver the protection it promised. Read more: Illegal sand extraction in Feni continues despite political shift Locals say they cannot afford another collapse, or another year of neglect.