United News of Bangladesh

A mobile court has sentenced two meat vendors to seven days’ imprisonment and fined them Tk 10,000 each for selling rotten beef in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat. The mobile court, led by Rampal Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Abhijit Chakraborty, conducted a drive at Foila Bazar on Sunday morning with the assistance of police and the upazila veterinary surgeon. The convicts are Harun Or-Rashid, 40, of Gobindapur village under Rampal upazila and Yamin Howlader, 28, of Khanpur village in Bagerhat Sadar upazila. Officials said the drive was conducted following information that the two vendors had been selling rotten and diseased beef at high prices for a long time. During the raid, the mobile court recovered spoiled and foul-smelling beef from their shop. The court found them guilty under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, and sentenced them to seven days of imprisonment each, along with a fine of Tk 10,000. They were later sent to Bagerhat District Jail. The mobile court judge said the accused admitted to purchasing a sick cow from Bagerhat and bringing it to Foila Bazar. The cow died later, after which they allegedly slaughtered it and sold the meat.

Two brothers went missing after drowning in the Dharla River while bathing on Sunday afternoon in the Zero Point area of Mogolhat Union under Sadar Upazila of Lalmonirhat. The missing boys were identified as Sabbir Hossain, a ninth-grade student, and his younger brother Sawon Hossain, an eighth-grade student. They are sons of Helal Hossain of the Mogolhat Tampu Stand area and students of Mogolhat High School. Police said the two brothers went to the river to bathe with their friend Mehedi at noon. At one stage, Sabbir and Sawon were swept away by the river's current and disappeared under the water. Mehedi, however, managed to swim to safety. Locals and members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) from the Mogolhat camp immediately launched a rescue operation after being informed of the incident. Later, personnel from the Lalmonirhat Fire Service joined the search operations. As the boys could not be located, a diving team from Rangpur was called in to assist with the operation. Rescue efforts were continuing until the filing of this report. Saad Ahmed, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, said police rushed to the spot after receiving the information and were assisting in the ongoing rescue operation.

Intern doctors at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH) on Sunday began an indefinite strike and sit-in programme, demanding the withdrawal of a recent government decision on FCPS training, increased allowances for intern and trainee doctors, and implementation of their six-point charter of demands. The protest started around 11am in front of the hospital's administrative building, according to the Intern Doctors Association. Despite the strike, emergency services, including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Coronary Care Unit (CCU), remain outside the purview of the work stoppage. The protesting doctors said their primary demand is the cancellation of a directive issued on May 19 by the Health Education and Family Welfare Division regarding FCPS training. They urged the authorities to withdraw the decision within 48 hours and issue fresh instructions. Among their other demands are raising the age limit for entry into the BCS health cadre to 34 years, enacting a Health Worker Safety Act to ensure the security of doctors, increasing the monthly allowance for intern doctors to Tk 30,000 and for private trainee doctors to Tk 50,000. They also called for the introduction of a specific salary structure for private doctors, strict action against fake practitioners through turning the BMDC Ordinance-2023 into law, and reducing the admission test fee for BCPS and Bangladesh Medical University to a maximum of Tk 1,000. The intern doctors said that despite playing a vital role in the country's healthcare system, medical professionals have long faced discrimination, neglect and insecurity. "We have been compelled to launch this movement to realise our legitimate demands," one of the protesters said. Leaders of the Intern Doctors Association described the demands as reasonable and justified, saying doctors continue to work under difficult conditions while carrying significant responsibilities. They said all emergency services remain operational during the programme and warned of tougher action if their demands are not addressed quickly. "If effective steps are not taken to implement our demands, the indefinite strike and sit-in programme will continue," a leader of the association said.

Police on Sunday detained a 68-year-old man on charges of attempting to rape a six-year-old girl in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet. The detainee was identified as Nur Uddin, a resident of the Ambari area under the Sadar union of the upazila. According to police and local sources, Nur Uddin allegedly enticed his minor neighbor into an isolated spot upon finding her alone on Sunday morning and attempted to assault her. The incident came to light when the child began crying out, alerting her family members. As the news spread, severe resentment sparked among the local residents. On information, a team from Gowainghat Police Station rushed to the spot, conducted a drive, and detained the accused. Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gowainghat Police Station, confirmed the matter, stating that the victim is being sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for a medical examination and necessary treatment. "The victim's family is in the process of filing a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. The detained man will be produced before the court following standard legal procedures," the OC added.

A 15-day ultimatum has been issued demanding the return of the only crocodile from the historic Dighi of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA) shrine in Bagerhat. The ultimatum was announced at a press conference held under the banner of “people from all walks of life” at the Bagerhat Press Club on Sunday afternoon. Speakers expressed deep concern and anger over the removal of the crocodile from the shrine pond, saying that local residents were shocked and disappointed by the decision. Khadem Fakir Tariqul Islam, head of the shrine, read out a written statement at the event, describing the crocodile as an inseparable part of Bagerhat’s history, heritage and cultural identity. He said the shrine, the Dighi and the crocodile have attracted visitors and devotees from home and abroad for centuries. The statement said the crocodile was not merely an animal but a symbol of local heritage and a living monument of history. The speakers also expressed condolences over the death of an eight-year-old girl, Fatema Akter, who was killed in a crocodile attack while bathing in the pond earlier this month. They argued that the authorities could have ensured safety through fencing, warning systems and proper supervision instead of removing the crocodile. It was alleged that the decision was made hastily without consulting local people, shrine authorities and other stakeholders. The press conference noted that the crocodile is part of Bagerhat’s cultural and tourism heritage and demanded its immediate return to the Dighi. The speakers warned that if the crocodile is not returned within 15 days, they will announce a fresh programme of agitation. On June 1, Fatema Akter was dragged by a crocodile while bathing at Mahila Ghat of the shrine pond. Her body was recovered the following morning. Following the incident, the district administration held an emergency meeting and decided to remove the crocodile from the pond in the interest of public safety. On June 3, a team from the Forest Department rescued the crocodile and transferred it to the Khulna Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre, where it is currently being kept. Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner (DC) Golam Md. Baten said that, based on expert advice, a secure enclosure could be constructed in the pond in the future to allow the crocodile’s return. According to the Sundarbans Division, the crocodile is a female, around 45 years old, weighing about 600 kg and measuring 9 feet 3 inches in length. Historical records show that freshwater crocodiles have long been part of the shrine’s identity. The pond, known as Thakur Dighi, was excavated by Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA) in the 15th century. The last crocodile pair, popularly known as “Kalapar” and “Dhalapar,” gradually died out, leaving only one crocodile in recent years. Officials said the crocodile had been part of a conservation effort dating back to 2005, when Bangladesh received freshwater crocodiles from India for breeding and conservation.

The bodies of two Bangladeshi expatriates killed in an Israeli drone strike in Lebanon arrived at their homes in Satkhira district on Sunday. The bodies of Shafiqul Islam, 43, of Purbapara village in Sadar upazila and Nahidul Islam, 22, of Kadakathi village in Ashashuni upazil, reached their respective villages at around 10:00 am, where relatives, neighbors, and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects. The arrival of the coffins plunged the entire communities into sorrow. A flight of Qatar Airways QR-0642 carrying the bodies arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Sunday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After receiving the bodies at the airport, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam handed them over to the family members of the victims and expressed deep sorrow over their untimely and tragic deaths. The Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut made all necessary arrangements for the repatriation of the bodies. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy maintained close coordination with the Lebanese authorities to obtain certified police reports, repatriation permits and other required documentation to facilitate the return of the bodies. The government is closely monitoring the situation of Bangladeshi nationals working in Lebanon through the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut and will continue to provide necessary support to ensure their safety and welfare, the ministry said. The two Bangladeshis were killed on May 11 in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon. Their bodies were brought back home after completion of all required formalities. Family members said both the deceased went to Lebanon only a few months ago in search of better livelihoods and were working hard to support their families. Khaledur Rahman, assistant director of the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Khulna office , visited the bereaved families and said the families of the deceased received cheques worth Tk 35,000 and Tk 50,000 as emergency support at the airport. Besides, the Ministry will later provide Tk 10 lakh in financial assistance, while the state-run Jiban Bima Corporation will extend an additional Tk 3,00,000 to each famiy.

A tea worker has died after being punched during an altercation over allegations of harassing a neighbour’s daughter at Chawratal Tea Estate in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet. The deceased was identified as Chaitanya Goala, 43, a worker at the tea estate. Police have arrested Sumon Pradhan, 42, in connection with the incident. Youth held over alleged rape of street child in Sylhet According to police and local sources, the altercation erupted around 4:00pm on Saturday after allegations surfaced that Chaitanya Goala had been harassing Sumon Pradhan’s daughter. The dispute between the two neighbours, who both worked in the same tea garden, quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, Sumon Pradhan punched Chaitanya Goala, leaving him dead on the spot. A team from Gowainghat Police Station recovered the body from the scene and sent it to hospital for autopsy. Officer-in-Charge of Gowainghat Police Station Md Moniruzzaman said legal proceedings are underway.

Rail communication between Chattogram and the rest of the country resumed after nearly two hours of suspension as a truck crashed into  a train in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram on Sunday morning. The accident occurred around 8:55 am at Sonapahar when the Sylhet-bound  ‘Pahariaka Express’ train collided with the  sand-laden truck on an unmanned level crossing, said witnesses. Man travelling on train roof killed by lightning in Narsingdi No casualties were reported but the truck was slightly damaged, disrupting train movement between Chattogram and rest of the country from 9am to 10:45 am, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chattogram Railway Police Station (GRP) Mohammad Rofiqul Hasan. OC Rafiqul Hasan said rescue operation was launched immediately after the collision and train movement returned to normal after the truck was removed from the tracks.

The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has called for an immediate end to the practice of leasing Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) buses to educational institutions, and other public and private organisations, arguing that it deprives ordinary commuters of affordable public transport services. In a joint statement on Sunday, RSF Chairman Prof Dr AI Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, Vice Chairmen Prof Hasina Begum, Dr Kamran ul Baset and Abdullah Md Ferdous Khan, and Executive Director Sayedur Rahman said BRTC is a state-owned transport service established with taxpayers' money to serve the public. Govt to operate women-dedicated BRTC buses They alleged that instead of providing the expected level of transport services to the general public, BRTC has long been leasing a large number of passenger buses to educational institutions as well as government, private and autonomous organisations. According to the statement, leased buses typically transport students or staff to their destinations in the morning and return them in the afternoon, remaining unused for most of the day, while thousands of commuters in the capital endure overcrowded and poorly maintained private buses. The foundation questioned the legal basis of leasing publicly owned buses and urged authorities to review whether such arrangements comply with the intended purpose of BRTC's operations. It alleged that some dishonest officials and employees within BRTC have deliberately reduced passenger services, leased out buses and rendered many vehicles inoperative before the end of their economic lifespan, eventually disposing of them as scrap, in the interest of private bus owners. The RSF also raised concerns over the whereabouts of a large number of Volvo articulated and air-conditioned buses purchased at significant public expense, claiming that many of these vehicles have disappeared from city roads despite not reaching the end of their service life. It said had the government been able to develop adequate transport capacity through BRTC, private bus owners would not have been able to resort to fare irregularities and disorder on the roads. “Dishonest officials and employees of BRTC assist private bus operators in perpetuating this chaos. As a result, BRTC has failed to provide the level of transport service expected by the public." The organisation noted that BRTC passenger services on various routes in the capital had remained suspended since the Eid holidays until Saturday, causing significant financial and physical hardship for low- and middle-income commuters. Demanding greater accountability, it called for the cancellation of the bus leasing system and urged the government to form an independent investigation committee comprising judges, economists and public transport experts. The committee should investigate the number of buses purchased by BRTC, the number currently in operation, the number officially retired and dumped after reaching the end of their service life, and the actual causes of the corporation's financial losses, the statement said. The foundation also sought appropriate punishment for those responsible for any irregularities and appealed to the Prime Minister to take effective measures to ensure transparency and accountability within BRTC.

A mysterious rise in ground temperature at the premises of Gosairhat Upazila Health Complex in Shariatpur has sparked concern and curiosity among local residents, with authorities launching efforts to determine the source of the unusual phenomenon. According to locals, an area spanning nearly 50square feet within the health complex compound has remained unusually warm for more than 48 hours. Child's wrist severed by suspicious explosion in Shariatpur The incident came to light on Saturday when residents noticed abnormal heat emanating from a specific spot on the ground. Subsequent digging revealed that heat was also coming from beneath the surface, raising concerns among locals. A team from the Gosairhat Fire Service rushed to the scene after being informed and inspected the area. Firefighters initially tried to reduce the temperature by pouring water on the affected spot. ABM Abul Bashar, station officer of Gosairhat Fire Service, said they observed unusual heat concentrated in a specific section of the ground. “We have attempted to lower the temperature by applying water. However, it is not yet possible to determine the exact cause of the heat. The matter has been reported to the relevant authorities. If necessary, experts will be engaged to conduct further tests and identify the source,” he said. Local residents speculated that the heat could be linked to underground gas, a chemical reaction or another geological factor, though no official explanation has yet been confirmed. Authorities at the health complex and local administration are closely monitoring the situation and said necessary measures will be taken to identify the source of the heat and assess any potential risks. The unusual incident has drawn crowds of curious onlookers to the health complex as residents await answers about the mysterious underground heat.