BGB
3 ‘smugglers’ arrested with 2.9 kg gold from Benapole border
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested three suspected smugglers along with 4 gold bars weighing 2.9 Kg from Daulatpur border of Benapole in Jessore district on Wednesday morning,
The arrestees were Saidur Rahman Majed, 33, son of Mohiuddin of Pirojpur village of Jhenaidah district, Saiful Islam, 36, son of Nasir Ali of Bagdanga village in Jessore Sadar upazila and Masud Chowdhury Babu, 31, son of Rezaul Chowdhury of Nischintapur village in Sharsha upazila of Jessore.
Read: BGB seizes six gold bars worth Tk58 lakh near Satkhira border
A special BGB patrol team arrested the three suspects from a private car around 11 am, said Lt Col Tanvir Rahman, commander of Khulna-21 BGB battalion.Later, the gold bars worth Tk 2.65 crore were seized searching their bodies.
Read: BGB recovers Indian sarees, cosmetics worth Tk 4cr along Sylhet border
With this, 21 BGB Battalion seized 112 kg of gold worth Tk 100 crore in the last one year.
A case will be filed with Benapole Port Police Station and the gold will be deposited to the treasury branch of Jessore, the BGB official said.
2 arrested with 43 gold bars in Jashore
Benapole, Aug 23 (UNB)-Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested two suspected smugglers along with 43 gold bars worth over Tk 13.5 crore in Boro Aunduliya village under Chaugachha upazila of Jashore on Tuesday night.
Also read : Two arrested with gold bars worth over Tk 13cr in Jashore
The arrestees are Shawon Hossain, son of Mohiuddin of Enayetpur village under Sadar upazila of Jashore, and Rafiqul Islam, son of Kuddus Mollah of Shalika upazila in Magura.
Also read : APBn detains Biman staff with 68 gold bars at Dhaka airport
Lt. Colonel Ahmed Hasan Jamil, commander of Jashore BGB Battalion, at a press briefing said they conducted a drive at the village after being informed that a big haul of gold would be smuggled to India from Bangladesh through the border.
Also read : Indian national held with 981 grams gold at Chattogram airport
As per the information, they took position at the village and signaled a motorbike carrying the duo, he said.
They recovered the gold bars from their possession.
The accused were handed over to Chaugachha police station to take legal action in this connection, the BGB officer added.
City corporation polls: Voting underway in Rajshahi, Sylhet
Voting in the elections to Rajshahi and Sylhet city corporations is underway today (June 21, 2023).
Voting started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.
People were seen standing in long queues to cast their votes in a festive atmosphere since morning in both cities.
Eight mayoral candidates, including Awami League-backed Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, are contesting the polls in Sylhet while four mayoral contenders, including Awami League-backed AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, are contesting in Rajshahi.
Security in Sylhet
At least 2600 law enforcers have been deployed for the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) election to ensure foolproof security.
Gazipur City Corporation election: Voting ends with no reports of violence
Besides, 14 judicial magistrates and 42 executive magistrates in 42 wards are perform their duties to take instant action in case of violence,
Forty-two mobile teams have been deployed in each general ward, with 24 striking teams in three general wards each, and six reserve striking teams at each thana. Alongside, RAB team, consisting of 22 members, and one platoon of BGB were set to patrol the wards.
Besides, 272 candidates are contesting for 42 general councillor posts, and 87 are contesting for 14 reserved female seats.
Khulna, Barishal city polls: Voting begins amid much enthusiasm, long queues of voters
This year, a total of 4,86,605 voters will exercise their franchise at the polls.
There are 190 polling stations and 1,364 polling booths. Besides, 132 centres out of 190 are deemed "vulnerable".
The movement of motorbikes remains off the road from June 19 midnight until June 22 midnight. Movement of trucks, buses, microbuses, private cars and easy-bikes remains off from June 20 midnight until June 21 midnight for the Sylhet city election.
Security in Rajshahi
The local administration has taken five-tier security to ensure foolproof security.
Alongside police, RAB, BGB and Ansar members are performing their duties to ensure a free and fair election for the people of Rajshahi, said Rajshhai Metropolitan Police Commissioner Anisur Rahman on Tuesday (June 20, 2023).
Read more: Election Commission monitoring Rajshahi, Sylhet city polls through CCTV cameras
Around 250 members of RAB and 10 platoons of BGB are patrolling in the city to check any kind of untoward incident.
Apart from it, 3,514 police members and 935 Ansar members are also on duty.
Returning officer Delwar Hossain, said there are 155 polling stations in 30 wards of the city. Of these, 148 are declared “vulnerable”.
Besides, 3,614 election officers, 30 executive magistrates and ten judicial magistrates are on the field to ensure a peaceful environment during the election.
A total of 1,560 close circuit cameras have been installed.
A total of 3,51,982 people including 30,157 new voters are scheduled to exercise their franchise in the Rajshahi city polls.
Peaceful voting underway; Law and order situation good: Zayeda
AL-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque wins Khulna City polls
Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque won the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election with 1,54,825 votes, according to unofficial results.
Khulna City Corporation elections Returning Officer Md Alauddin announced the results after counting of votes ended at all 289 polling centres.
His nearest rival, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md Abdul Awal got 60,064 votes, said Alauddin.
Also read: Voting in Khulna, Barishal city polls end; counting on
According to unofficial results, Jatiya Party’s Shafiqul Islam Madhu (plough) bagged 18,074 votes, Independent candidate SM Shafiqur Rahman (clock) got 17,218 and Jaker Party’s SM Sabbir Hossain (rose) got 6,096 votes.
Earlier, voting in the Khulna City Corporation (GCC) election began on Monday using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in all polling stations in a peaceful manner.
The voting began around 8 am and continued till 4 pm without any break.
Also read: Khulna city polls: BNP orders activists, supporters to stay away from voting
However, some minor irregularities were reported in both elections causing injuries to some people.
Out of 5,35,529 voters eligible for voting in elections across Khulna, 2,56,433 casted their ballots at 1,732 booths of 289 polling stations in Khulna City Corporation elections.
Alauddin said 45% voters cast their ballots today.
Also read: Voting underway in festive environment in Barishal, Khulna cities: EC Habib
Five candidates contested for the mayoral post in Khulna City Corporation election while 136 contested for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats. Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 were elected unopposed earlier.
Meanwhile, eleven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) carried out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Also read: Khulna city polls: Low voter turnout at many centres
Barishal city polls: Clash between AL, Islami Andolon supporters leaves several injured
Several supporters of mayoral candidates backed by Awami League (AL) and Islami Andolon Bangladesh were injured in a clash over entering a polling centre, as Barishal City Corporation election is underway today (June 12, 2023).
Islami Andolon candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, who is contesting the election with the ‘hand fan’ symbol, alleged that several of his supporters as well as he were injured in an attack by AL men when they were about to enter the Kawnia Secondary Girls School centre.
He said voters and his agents were forced to leave the Kawnia centre and Manik Miah centre.
“Activists of the AL mayoral candidate barred me from entering the Kawnia centre when I tried to lodge a complaint with the presiding officer,” the Islami Andolon candidate told UNB Barishal correspondent.
“I, along with several of my supporters, was injured in the attack,” he said.
Read: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates
Denying the allegation made by the Islami Andolon candidate and supporters, AL activist Biddyut said they only told them that they "should not enter the polling centre with such a big crowd."
“Rather they (Islami Andolon activists) carried out an attack on us with knives, leaving several men injured,” he said.
Khulna, Barishal city polls: Voting begins amid much enthusiasm, long queues of voters
Voting in Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and Barishal City Corporation (BCC) elections began amid much enthusiasm this morning (June 12, 2023).
Voters are seen standing in long queues at polling centres to cast their votes using electronic voting machines (EVM) in a peaceful manner.
Voting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break.
No untoward incident was reported till this report was filed around 8:30 am. The city corporation elections are being monitored by the Election Commission from Dhaka through CCTV cameras.
Read:EC ready to hold Khulna city polls tomorrow, BGB deployed
A good number of law enforcers have been deployed to ensure tight security measures at each polling station so that voters can exercise their right.
In the Khulna city corporation election, five candidates are vying for the mayoral post, 136 for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats.
Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 were elected unopposed earlier.
Awami League-backed candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque cast his vote at Pioneer Secondary Girls School centre on the city’s South Central Road around 9:10am.
Read:Gazipur city polls will be free and fair, says EC commissioner
After voting, the mayoral candidate said the election is being held in a free, fair manner.
“I will accept whatever result coming from the voters,” he said, hoping that people will vote for him for continuation of the development.
Eleven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are carrying out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
There are 5,35,528 voters in the 31 wards of Khulna city and there are 1,732 polling booths under 289 polling stations.
Read more:BNP won’t join 5 city polls in any way: Fakhrul
Of them, 161 polling stations are considered “vulnerable”.
On the other hand, seven candidates are competing for the mayoral post in the Barishal city polls.
Besides, 119 candidates are in the race for the post of general councillor and 42 candidates for the reserved councillor post.
Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah Khokon Serniabat cast his vote at the Government Barishal College on Kalibari road in the city.
Read more: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates
Jatiya Party-backed candidate Iqbal Hossain Taposh exercised his franchise at Syed Abul Manan DDF Alim Madrasah on Gorostan road, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim at Rupatoli Housing Abdur Rob Serniabat Secondary School.
Zaker Party’s candidate Md Mizanur Rahman Bachhu also cast his vote at Chhutpur Secondary School while independent candidate Md Kamrul Ahsan Rupon at Alekanda Govt Primary School in the city.
A total of 276,298 voters will be able to cast their votes in 126 polling stations in 30 wards. Of the centres, 106 are considered “vulnerable”.
Ten platoons of the BGB remain deployed in the BCC election along with 4,500 members of the law enforcing agencies.
Read more: Jamaat's statement on resisting upcoming nat'l election came from BNP: Hasan Mahmud
EC ready to hold Khulna city polls tomorrow, BGB deployed
The Election Commission (EC) has completed all preparations ahead of the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election, scheduled to be held tomorrow (June 12, 2023).
Distribution of all electoral materials from the city’s Divisional Mohila Krira Complex will start from 11 am today.
Returning Officer Md Alauddin said voting at all centres in the KCC election will be held using electronic voting machines (EVM).
Read: KCC Election: 161 polling stations out of 289 vulnerable
He said five candidates for mayoral post, 136 for general councillors for 31 wards and 39 for reserved seats will compete in the election.
Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 have been elected unopposed, he said, adding that voting will start at 8 am and will continue till 4pm, without any break.
Khandaker Yasir Arefin, deputy commissioner of Khulna, said 11 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to ensure security in the KCC election and they have been patrolling since this morning.
Each platoon comprising 20 members of the BGB will assist 11 executive magistrates in conducting mobile court, the DC said.
Read:KCC polls: Formal electioneering begins through allocation of symbols
Campaigning for the election started on May 26 with the allocation of election symbols and stopped on Saturday midnight as per order of the EC.
The whole city has been wearing a festive look during the electioneering.
A total of 5,35,528 people are supposed to exercise their franchise in the 31 wards of Khulna city and there are 1,732 polling booths under 289 polling stations.
Read more:Will ensure level playing field in KCC polls: CEC
13,000 law enforcers to be on polls duty: GMP Commissioner
A total of 13,000 law enforcers will be engaged to maintain law and order during the Gazipur City Corporation election slated to be held on Thursday (May 25, 2023), said Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Molla Nazrul Islam on Wednesday (May 24, 2023).
“ 20-22 members of law enforcement agencies will perform duty at each centre. I hope a free and fair election will be held with the efforts of all amid foolproof security,” he told UNB.
Campaign in the Gazipur City Corporation election has ended and the local administration has taken all-out preparation to hold the polls.Twenty platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members have been deployed alongside 30 teams of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and Ansar members, said Returning Officer Faridul Islam.Already the EVM machines and all necessary materials have been sent to the polling centers while CCTVs were installed at all polling centres.
Read more: SCC elections: 387 aspiring candidates inc.11 for mayor submit nomination papersMobile teams will be there in 57 wards while 19 striking forces led by 19 magistrates will remain vigilant at the polling centers.
Already 351 polling centres out of 480 have been declared vulnerable and additional forces will be deployed at these centres, said FDaridul.Gazipur City Corporation election will be held on Thursday, using electronic voting machines (EVMs) at all polling stations.Eight candidates will contest for mayoral posts in the election and there are 248 councillors and 79 female councilor candidates.A total of 11,79,476 voters are expected to exercise their franchise and of them, 5,92,762 are males while 5,86,696 are females and the number of transgender is 18.
Read more: SCC elections: 387 aspiring candidates inc.11 for mayor submit nomination papers
Joint operation to prevent crime, violence in Rohingya camps soon: Home Minister
Bangladesh's Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said a joint operation will be conducted very soon to seize arms and drugs and to prevent terrorist activities in the Rohingya camps.
If necessary, the army will also be involved in this operation, he said.
The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after attending a meeting of the National committee for coordinating, managing and maintaining law and order of Rohingyas at the Secretariat on Tuesday (May 23, 2023).
Also Read: Dhaka seeks global support in pilot Rohingya repatriation project
Highlighting the decision of the national committee on coordination, management and law and order of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals displaced, the minister said: "There is an increasing trend of violence in the Rohingya refugee camps. Terrorist activities are on the rise. In light of this, it was decided in the meeting to increase law enforcement patrols, checkpoints, and intelligence surveillance to stop Rohingya miscreants from committing acts of violence within the camp.”
Asaduzzaman Khan said the authorities will conduct a joint operation – based on intelligence – to prevent members of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Arakan Army (AA) from entering the camps.
Also Read: Countries investing heavily in Myanmar should come forward to solve Rohingya crisis: Momen
"We have set up barbed wire fences and watchtowers to prevent Rohingyas from leaving the camp, and we conduct regular patrols," he said. “The security measures will be strengthened further so that they cannot escape. Members of law enforcement agencies are on high alert.”
Asked whether the army will be involved in the joint operation, the minister said, "If necessary, we will call the army."
“We will not allow drug trade. We will make sure that there is no more bloodshed.”
Meanwhile, the home minister said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will be instructed to stay on high alert on the border to prevent anymore Myanmar nationals from entering the country.
Also Read: Rohingya man shot dead at Ukhiya camp
Among other things, discussions were held to speed the diplomatic efforts to send Rohingyas back to Myanmar. Various issues including rohingya health, birth control were also addressed at the meeting.
The home minister said, "The decision to repatriate the Rohingyas is still active. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on it. We hope (repatriation process) it will continue. ’
When asked about the Rohingyas who are hesitant to go back to Myanmar, he said, "It’ll pass. How long will we keep them? We want them to go back to their country.”
The Home Minister said the registration process of Bangladeshi fishermen fishing in the Naf River is ongoing.
Read more: Norway announces $6.5 million support for Rohingya refugees
Biggest haul of crystal meth seized in Cox’s Bazar: BGB
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized 21 kg of crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth or ice) from Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar early Wednesday.
A team of BGB 34 battalion arrested three people with the drug worth Tk 100 crore from Balukhali cyclone shelter area of the upazila, said Lt Col Saiful Islam Chowdhury, chief of the battalion.
This is the biggest ever consignment of crystal meth seized in the country, according to a press release sent by the force.
Also Read: Myanmar national among 3 held with Crystal meth, Yaba pills in Teknaf
The arrestees are Bujuche Mia, 51, Md Ismail, 23, and Syedul Bashar, 40.
Tipped off that a drug consignment from Myanmar was being smuggled into Bangladesh, the BGB team conducted the drive.
The drugs will be destroyed later, Saiful Islam said.
Legal action will be taken in this regard, he added.