United News of Bangladesh

Fifteen fishermen have reportedly been kidnapped by forest robbers from the Bay of Bengal in Dublar Char of the Sundarbans, their association and forest officials said on Wednesday. The victims were identified as Shah Alam, Azharul Islam, Jahangir Alam, Arafat Hossain, Alamgir Hossain, Shahjahan Gazi Russel, Shahjahan Dhali, Hafizur Rahman, Shahinur Alam, Matier Sardar, Khan Rafique, Ripon Morol, Nure Alam and Nathan Biswas. All of them hailed from Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat districts. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, president of fishermen group, said a group of forest robbers kidnapped the 15 fishermen along with a trawler on Sunday while they were staying in Alorkol Char for processing dried fish in the Sundarbans. Attempt to kidnap film actress Nijhum: Uber driver arrested A case has been filed with Sharankhola Police Station, said Md Shahidullah, officer-in-charge of the Police Station. However, other fishermen in the vicinity managed to catch three robbers while they tried abduct more people. The attackers were handed them over to the coast guards. Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim, divisional forest officer of Bagerhat East Sundarbans zone, said the forest guards have been asked to take necessary steps to rescue the kidnapped fishermen and a joint initiative will be taken with the coordination of coast guard and law enforcers to conduct rescue operations. DMCH physician kidnapped; released after 10 hrs  

At least 25 people were injured and several vehicles were torched during a violent clash between bus and CNG run autorickshaw drivers at the Birshreshtha Mostafa Kamal Bus Terminal in Bhola Sadar upazila on Tuesday.  The confrontation, which began around 7:30pm, escalated into brickbatting and arson, resulting in two buses and five CNGs being set on fire. Another bus was vandalised during the hour-long chaos. Bhola District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shariful Haque, who inspected the scene, said the clash stemmed from a dispute between bus terminal workers and CNG drivers. “Several vehicles were set on fire and people were injured. The situation is now under control. Those responsible will face legal action,” he said.  Law enforcement agencies and fire service personnel brought the situation under control after nearly an hour. The injured were rushed to Bhola’s 250-bed hospital, some in critical condition.  In protest, the Bhola District Bus Owners' Association announced a suspension of bus services on all internal routes of the district. Organising Secretary Md Kader Kibria Ripon alleged that CNG drivers launched an unprovoked attack, injuring at least five workers and causing damages worth crores of taka.  CNG Owners' Association Organising Secretary Hasan Mahmud countered the claim, accusing bus workers of vandalising their own vehicles and setting CNGs on fire. “Eight of our vehicles were burned, and eight drivers were seriously injured. Some were sent to Barishal for better treatment,” he said.  According to locals, the clash began during a heated argument over the eviction of unauthorised vehicles and structures from the bus terminal. Despite the fire service office’s proximity to the site, officials reported being delayed by crowd obstruction and stone-throwing.  Fire Service Inspector Faruk Hossain Howlader said, “We were unable to start our work on time due to interference from those present. Once law enforcement arrived, we managed to douse the flames in two buses and five CNGs.” 

Transport workers at the Barishal Rupatli Bus Terminal have called for an indefinite strike in protest of an attack and vandalism by students of Government Brojomohun, Barishal (BM) College over a dispute concerning half-fare payment. The strike, which began at 8pm on Tuesday, has led to the suspension of bus services on 19 routes across five southern districts, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. Barishal Traffic Department Inspector Bidyut Chandra Dey said that bus operations from the Rupatli Bus Terminal had been suspended and that both police and military personnel were present at the scene to restore order. Anwar Hossain, general secretary of the Barisal Divisional Bus Owners Group, condemned the incident, saying that conflicts could have been resolved through meetings, but instead, the terminal was unexpectedly attacked. Students and bus staff come to blows over half fare in Barishal He added that bus services would not resume until the matter was properly investigated. The workers have demanded the arrest of those responsible for the attack, as well as assurances regarding the safety of bus owners and workers. According to the workers, ten individuals from two groups sustained injuries during the incident. The incident unfolded earlier in the afternoon when a student from the BM College requested to pay half fare on a bus traveling from Barishal to Jhalakathi. The bus helper reportedly refused, sparking an argument. In response, BM College students gathered at the bus terminal to protest. Tensions escalated into clashes, with students allegedly vandalising the bus workers' union office, damaging five buses and injuring seven workers.

Bangladeshi man was killed in a land dispute with an Indian national near the Kulaura border in Moulvibazar on Sunday.  The incident took place approximately five yards inside Bangladesh territory, near the Muraichara Border Outpost (BOP) under the Sreemangal Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).   The deceased, identified as Md Ahad Ali, 45, was a resident of Prithimpasha Aolachhara village in Kulaura upazila.  According to a press release issued by the BGB on Monday, the dispute involved Ahad Ali and Md Haider Ali, an Indian national from Purba Irani village in Unukoti district under Tripura.   During an argument over a long-standing land dispute, Haider Ali allegedly attacked Ahad Ali with a sharp weapon, striking him on the head. Ahad was rushed to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 3:50pm on Sunday.   Investigations revealed that the families of the two men were connected by marriage. Ahad Ali had married Jamirun Nesa, a resident of Purba Irani village, while Haider Ali was married to Ahad Ali’s sister, Qutubun Nesa.   A murder case has been filed with Kulaura Police Station.  The Border Guard Bangladesh has also lodged a formal complaint with India’s Border Security Force (BSF), urging legal action against the accused. The BSF has assured cooperation, according to the BGB press release.

At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two groups of BNP in Feni’s Dagonbhuiya over the distribution of winter clothes. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in South Karimpur of the upazila. According to local sources, an event for the distribution of winter clothes was organized under the leadership of BNP’s local convenor Akbar Hossain. One group of BNP activists unexpectedly attacked the event, leading to retaliatory violence. Both sides have made counter-allegations regarding the incident. Akbar Hossain, the upazila BNP convenor, held a press conference after the incident and claimed that “notorious gangster and extortionist” Kazi Saifur Rahman Fotik of Dagonbhuiya was responsible for the incident. He also claimed that 20-25 motorcycles were damaged during the attack. District Jubo Dal vice-president Kazi Saifur Rahman Fotik and upazila Jubo Dal convenor Kabir Ahmad Diplu, countered the allegations, saying that Awami League cadres Nizam Hazari and Didarul Kabir Raton's gunman Akbar organized the blanket distribution. When the victims protested, Akbar's group attacked and severely beat the protesters. As a result, Jubo Dal leader Mohammad Ripon was injured. Dagunbhuiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Lutfor Rahman said that the situation is under control, and police are stationed with joint forces to maintain peace and order.

A dispute over refusal of a half fare to a female student escalated into a violent clash between students of Government Brojomohun College, Barishal (BM) College and bus staff at Rupatali Bus Terminal of Barishal city on Tuesday evening, leaving three students injured. The injured students have been identified as Sabbir Ahmed, Rafi, and Riaz, all from BM College. The incident caused widespread panic as agitated students set a bus on fire and vandalised several others. Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman said police were deployed to the terminal to control the situation. “The situation is currently calm,” he said. The trouble began earlier in the afternoon when a student of BM College requested a bus helper to allow half fare on the Barishal-Jhalakati route, a facility often provided to students. The helper allegedly misbehaved with the student, sparking protests. 20 injured, inc 2 shot, in clash between BNP's front organisations in Rupganj BM College students soon gathered at the terminal, blocking roads in protest. “We were holding a peaceful demonstration, but the workers chased us with sticks and sharp weapons,” claimed Sabbir Ahmed, one of the injured students. He added, “Three students were beaten up and we will continue our movement until those responsible are held accountable and half fare is ensured.” In response, Rupatali Bus Owners’ Association President Zia Uddin Sikder condemned the incident, saying, “If the students hadn’t resorted to violence and vandalism, we could have resolved the matter through appropriate measures.” Inspector Bidyut Chandra Dey of the Barishal Traffic Department said there were repeated chases and confrontations between students and bus workers. Police and army personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control.

A violent clash between Chhatra Dal and Swecchashebak Dal, the BNP's student and volunteer fronts respectively, over local  influence centring a disputed shop left at least 20 people injured, including two with gunshot wounds, in the Saoghat area of Golakandail union in Rupganj on Tuesday afternoon. The clash saw vandalism and arson, with a jeep and 10 motorcycles set on fire. Injured individuals, including Rafi Ahmed Swapan and Raju Bhuiyan, who sustained bullet injuries, were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. According to eyewitnesses and locals, the dispute arose over a warehouse at Bismillah Arat on land adjacent to the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway. Businessman Mojibur Rahman claimed he had rented the land from Selim Pradhan, chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Group, for 10 years under a contract. Mojibur alleged that Selim was trying to evict him using force. On the other hand, Selim accused Mojibur of fabricating the contract and occupying the land illegally. 13-year-old girl killed, mother injured in Narsingdi attack Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mehedi Islam said, “There has been a longstanding dispute over the land. We are working to recover any firearms used during the incident. No arrests have been made yet.” The tensions escalated when former district Chhatra Dal vice-president Masudur Rahman, aligned with Selim, reportedly positioned his supporters near Selim’s house. Simultaneously, district Swecchashebak Dal joint convener Rafiqul Islam, who sided with Mojibur, led procession near the disputed warehouse. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saiful Islam, accompanied by joint forces, intervened to bring the situation under control. “We are investigating the incident and will take action against those involved,” said the UNO.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah has said that preparations for the national election are underway, with December as the target timeframe. "The entire election process will be transparent. We are cautious based on past experiences and using those lessons, the Election Commission is diligently working on the election process,” he said. The Election Commissioner was speaking to reporters after a meeting on updating the voter list at the Degree College in Thakurgaon district. Noting that the Election Commission does not control the election date, the commissioner said it is entirely in the hands of the government. BNP’s Khosru seeks impartial interim govt for national election In response to a question, Sanaullah said that reform activities are ongoing. Reforms will be made in all areas of election management including at the district and upazila levels. “As per the Chief Adviser’s directives, the election date may be set between December this year and June 2026. The specific date will be determined following discussions with political parties,” he added. Sanaullah also mentioned that if the draft list is completed on schedule, the final voter list will be ready by March 2. AL won’t be allowed to contest elections: Mahfuj Alam Referring to the complaints regarding the voter list, Sanaullah assured that it will be updated by visiting every household. The update aims to eliminate issues such as fake voters, deceased voters, foreign nationals, and dual voters. The Commission will take great care to prevent any complaints. "Our goal is to conduct a free, fair, acceptable and unquestionable election in the future,” he said. Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana, Superintendent of Police Zahidul Islam, District Election Commissioner Manjurul Hasan, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairul Islam, and other concerned officials were present at the meeting.  

Miscreants have attempted a robbery by digging a tunnel at a Sonali Bankbranch  in Lalmonirhat. The incident happened around 1:30 am on Tuesday at the sub-branch of Sonali Bank in Boro Badi area of the Sadar upazila, said Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Noor Nabi. After being informed, police along with the army and law enforcement agencies, have surrounded the bank. For security reasons, no one is being allowed near the bank. Woman killed being hit by car in Dhaka's Shanir Akhra According to locals, around 1:30 AM, a clerk at the bank noticed something and screamed. When the locals rushed to the scene, they saw a tunnel behind the bank's wall. They then informed the police and law enforcement agencies, who arrived and cordoned off the entire area. Meanwhile, the bank authorities have not commented on whether any money has been looted. However, law enforcement agencies have stated that an investigation is underway. Rickshaw driver killed, three-wheeler snatched in Dhaka Boro Badi Union Parishad Chairman Nazmul Huda Limon said that the bank authorities, along with the police and the army, are investigating whether any money or other items have been stolen from the bank. An investigation is ongoing and further details will be provided once the investigation is complete, the OC added.

Miscreants have hacked a 13-year-old girl to death and left her mother critically injured after breaking into their home. The incident happened at the house of Mofazzal Hossain, a tea vendor, near the Shekherchar-Baburhat market in Narsingdi Sadar Upazila on Monday, said Narsingdi Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Emdad Hossain. The deceased was identified as Sumona Akter Tithi, and the injured is her mother, Asma Begum, 40. Child killed in road accident in Meherpur Neighbours rushed Asma to a private hospital in Madhabdi for initial treatment before transferring her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Tithi was taken to Sadar Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. According to family members, Mofazzal discovered the gruesome scene upon returning home around 10:30 pm after closing his tea stall. He found his wife and daughter lying in pools of blood in their second-floor room. His physically disabled child, however, was found unharmed in the bathroom. 2 teenagers die in Natore motorcycle crash Law enforcement officials, including Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Md. Anwar Hossain and officers from Sadar Police Station and the district detective branch, inspected the crime scene and surrounding areas. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the reason and identify those responsible for the crime, said the OC.