United News of Bangladesh

Police suspect a land dispute behind the murders of four members of a family, who were found slaughtered at their house in Niamatpur upazila of Naogaon district early Tuesday. District’s Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam said during primary investigation, they found that the murders took place due to enmity over land dispute, not robbery. He came up with the information while talking to reporters during a visit to the spot in the afternoon. Parents, 2 children found dead in Naogaon Four people have so far been taken into custody for interrogation, the SP said. They are victim Habibur Rahman’s father Namir Uddin, 70, sisters Dalima Khatun and Halima Khatun, and nephew Sabuj Rana, 25. “Prima facie, it does not appear to be a case of robbery. It may have occurred over a family or land-related dispute. Victim Popy Sultana still had earrings in her ears, indicating valuables were not taken away,” the SP said, adding that mystery behind the incident will be uncovered soon. Habibur Rahman, 32, his wife Popy Sultana, 25, their son Parvez, 9, and three-year-old daughter Sadia Akter were found dead at their house at Bahadurpur village in the upazila, with their throats slit. Neighbours first spotted the bodies after entering the house following Fajr prayers when they found the door open and later informed police. Locals said there had been a long-standing feud between Habibur Rahman and his sister Shirina over land-related issues, and threats had reportedly been made earlier. Popy’s father Moazzem Hossain alleged that Shirina and her son Sabuj Rana were involved in the killings, claiming they had previously attempted to kill his daughter and son-in-law.

At least 10 people were injured in two rounds of clashes between Chhatra Dal(JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists at Chattogram Government City College on Tuesday over the writing of the word “Gupto” on a graffiti drawn during the July movement. Witnesses said a graffiti drawn during the July-August movement on the college building initially carried a slogan declaring the campus free from student politics and Chhatra League. Later, a group of Chhatra Dal activists allegedly led by JCD leader Abdullah Al Mamun removed the word “student” from the slogan and replaced it with the word “secret (gupto).” Tensions escalated after a video of the incident spread on social media, leading to clashes on the campus around 4:30 pm. The injured were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment. Among them, a Shibir activist reportedly suffered a serious leg injury after being attacked during the clash. Principal of Government City College Abu Saleh Mohammad Nayeem Uddin said a scuffle broke out between the two groups and teachers initially tried to control the situation before police intervened. Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Md Aftab Uddin said additional police were deployed on the campus to maintain law and order.

Three youths were found dead in a remote hilly area at North Shilkhali in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Tuesday morning. The deceased were identified as Aminul Islam Robi, 19, son of Ruhul Amin, Mujibur Rahman, 38, son of Nurul Kabir and Nur Bashar, 20, son of Nurul Islam of Baharchhara union of the upazila. Ruhul Amin, father of one of the victims, Robi, said that after being informed by local people, he went to the area and identified his son. A police team rushed to the spot and is conducting a rescue operation, said Durjoy Sarkar, in-charge of Shamlapur police camp. However, the exact cause of their death will be determined after the post-mortem. The matter is being investigated with the highest importance, said ANM Sajedur Rahman, superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Police.

A gynecologist in Rangpur has been accused of leaving a piece of gauze cloth inside a patient’s abdomen following a caesarean section surgery, causing severe complications. The accused doctor has been identified as Rajia Begum Mukta. According to the victim's family, housewife Habiba Jannat from Baro Ambari village under Pirganj upazila underwent a C-section at Bondhon General Hospital in Rangpur city on March 8, performed by Dr Rajia Begum Mukta. Since the operation, she has been suffering from severe abdominal pain and complications. The family said they repeatedly informed the doctor about her condition, but she advised an ultrasound and allegedly dismissed further concerns. Later, when they consulted another gynecologist, Dr Mousumi Hasan, a CT scan confirmed the presence of a foreign object inside the abdomen, suspected to be surgical gauze. The victim’s husband, Shaon Mia, alleged that when the matter was brought to Dr Mukta’s attention, she ignored it and avoided responsibility. He also claimed that during attempts for a corrective surgery, the doctor’s husband and others allegedly threatened both the family and medical staff involved. Eventually, the gauze was removed through another operation at a private hospital. The victim’s family has demanded justice and punishment for those responsible. Meanwhile, Dr Rajia Begum Mukta could not be reached for comment at her chamber. When contacted by phone, a staff member said she was seeing patients and would respond later, but the call was later disconnected. Subsequent attempts to reach her went unanswered. Rangpur Civil Surgeon Dr Shahin Sultana said authorities would investigate the matter if a formal complaint is submitted. “It is a very unfortunate incident. We will take action after investigation if we receive a written complaint,” she said.

Gas supply will remain suspended for 24 hours in Savar, Ashulia and adjoining areas from Friday morning due to urgent pipeline relocation work for the Dhaka–Ashulia Elevated Expressway project, authorities said. According to a press release, the shutdown will begin at 7:00am on Friday (April 24) and continue until 7:00am on Saturday (April 25). During this period, gas supply will remain suspended in areas including Ashulia TBS to Baipail road on both sides, Dhaka EPZ, Malancha Power Plant, Beximco Industrial Complex (DRS), Kashimpur, Saradaganj, Haji Market, Sripur, Chandra, Nabinagar, Savar town, Bank Colony, Savar Cantonment, Ulail, Bank Town, Radio Colony, Kolma, Doshaid, Kumkumari, Akran, Charabag, Baro Ashulia, Tongabari, Kathgara, Zirabo, Gazirchat, Nayapara, Dewan Idris Road, Nayarhat, Balibhadrapur, Palli Bidyut, Dendabor, Vaidail and Latifpur, among others. Officials said gas pressure may also remain low in surrounding areas during the shutdown period. The authorities expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to consumers.

Police recovered the hanging body of a university student from a residential area in Khulna city on Monday night. The body was found around 11:30pm at Nirala residential area in the city. The deceased was identified as Utsab Roy, a student of North West University, Khulna. He was the son of Konok Kanti Roy of Ramnagar village in Dacope upazila. Police said they recovered the body from the sixth floor of house no. F-85 on Road no. 7 in the Nirala area after receiving information from locals around 10:30pm. According to police, the student had reportedly been suffering from depression in recent days and allegedly took his own life by hanging himself from a ceiling fan using a towel. Officer-in-Charge of Khulna Sadar Police Station Md Shafiqul Islam said police were sent to the scene after receiving the report. He said the family of the deceased has been informed and legal procedures are underway before handing over the body to the family.

The Coast Guard recovered around 4,000 litres of illegal fuel oil during an operation in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola on Monday night. The seizure was made in the Meghna River near Chokighat area under Daulatkhan upazila, according to officials. Media officer of Bangladesh Coast Guard South Zone Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Suzan confirmed the matter. Coast Guard officials said acting on a tip-off, a team conducted a drive in the Meghna River and searched a trawler, recovering the fuel oil. Sensing the presence of law enforcement, the people on board the vessel managed to flee the scene, leaving no arrests. Later, a mobile court led by Daulatkhan Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shaon Majumder Suman sold the seized fuel at market price and deposited the proceeds into the government treasury.

Four members of a family including two children were found with their throats slit at Bahadurpur village in Niamatpur upazila of Naogaon early Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Habibur Rahman , 32,his wife Popy Sultana, 25, their son Parvez, 9, and three-year-old daughter Sadiya Akter. According to locals and police, Habibur Rahman went to sleep with his family after dinner on Monday night. On Tuesday morning, a neighbour noticed the door of their house open and found the bodies inside all with their throats slit. Her screams alerted villagers who then informed police.

A teenage boy was killed and his friend was injured after being hit by a truck in Chapainawabganj municipality area on Monday night. The accident occurred around 8 pm in the Haripur area, triggering protests by locals who blocked the road for nearly two hours. Ekramul Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station, confirmed the incident. The deceased, Abir Rahman, was the son of Sujan from Shyampur in Katakhali, Rajshahi. The family currently lives in a rented house in the Shahibagh area of Chapainawabganj town. According to police, Abir and his friend Abu Talha had gone to Haripur market and were returning home on a bicycle when a truck hit them in front of the Haripur-Churki Market area. Abir died on the spot. Locals rescued Abu Talha and took him to Chapainawabganj 250-bed District Hospital. He was later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. The OC said angry locals blocked the Chapainawabganj-Rajshahi highway following the accident. Police later brought the situation under control and resumed traffic after about two hours. The driver fled the spot with the truck immediately after the incident. Police said preparations are underway to file a case in this regard.

A joint drive in Sylhet city has fined four businesses a total of Tk 2 lakh for multiple violations under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. The drive was carried out on Monday in the Kalighat area by a team comprising RAB-9, the Consumer Protection Cell (CPSC) Sylhet, the Bangladesh Army, and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection. According to officials, the drive targeted offences such as illegal production and sale of goods, overcharging customers, failure to provide promised services, and not displaying mandatory product information. During the drive, four establishments were fined for selling edible oil at inflated prices, using banned chemicals in food items, and not displaying price lists. The fined establishments are: Saudia Traders, Kalighat, Tk 50,000; Messrs A.S Traders, Kalighat, Tk 80,000; Khan Traders, Kalighat, Tk 50,000; and Rahman and Brothers, Kalighat, Tk 20,000. Officials said the businesses committed punishable offences under sections 40 and 45 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. Additional Superintendent of Police of RAB-9, KM Shahidul Islam Sohag, confirmed the matter and said such drives will continue to protect public interest and maintain market discipline.