United News of Bangladesh

Eight fishermen went missing when a trawler with 13 fishermen sank in the estuary of the Bay of Bengal at Shibchar in Charfashion upazila of Bhola district on Friday. Rubel Chowkidar, owner of the trawler, said the trawler with 13 fishermen on board went to Shibchar from Shuknakhali Fisheries ghat in the upazila on July 26. The trawler sank in the Bay of Bengal amid strong current when returning to Bhola on Friday afternoon. Boat capsizes in Teesta: Minor girl’s body recovered Five fishermen managed to swim ashore while the others including Humayun Kabir, Nur Uddin and Shah Alam remained missing, he said. On information, members of Coast Guard rushed to the spot and are conducting the rescue operation. However, it will take time due to the inclement weather, Coast Guard sources said.

The low-lying areas of Khagrachhari sadar upazila and municipality area have been inundated due to torrential rainfall and onrush of water from the upstream, leaving 1500 people stranded.Besides, the road communication on Dighinala-Sajek road and Dighinala-Langadu road was snapped as those went under water. The Maina River was flowing above its danger level due to the incessant rainfall coupled with onrush of water from the hill.The Chengi River was flowing above its danger level, inundating Muslimpara, Shantinagar, Banglakati, Khabongpria, Rajjyomonipara, Kaladhera, Footbil, Bottoli and Ganjopara of the municipality area in sadar upazila that left 1500 people stranded. Recent rains in North Korea flooded thousands of houses and vast farmland, state media saysThe Municipality Bus Terminal, kitchen market and adjacent areas were also submerged while the vehicular movement on Khagrachari-Chattogram road remained suspended as the road was inundated due to the flashflood.Meanwhile, the flood water entered 300 houses in Kamalchhari and Golabari unions of Sadar upazila.The local administration has opened 25 shelter centres and preparation was taken to deal with the flood situation, said deputy commissioner Md Shahiduzzaman.UNICEF provides support to flood-affected regions in South Asia

A Students Against Discrimination march was met with resistance from police in Sylhet. The protest, organized as part of the nationwide student movement, was disrupted when police fired sound grenades, tear gas shells, and shotgun pellets, scattering the demonstrators. During the confrontation, seven individuals were detained by the police. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Friday in the Akhalia area near Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). Reports indicate that at least 20 people, including students, police officers, and passersby, sustained injuries, though their identities have not been immediately confirmed. Additionally, Mithu Das Joy, a correspondent for the daily Kalbela newspaper, was reportedly injured by gunfire. The student protesters had planned a march across various religious sites following Friday prayers. As part of this, they attempted to gather at the main gate of SUST around 3:30 p.m., but were prevented from doing so by police. Subsequently, the students assembled in front of Mount Adora Hospital in Akhalia, only to face police aggression there too with sound grenades, tear gas, and shotgun fire. Azbahar Ali Sheikh, Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, stated that the police had instructed the students to disperse when they blocked the road and caused public inconvenience. According to him, the students responded by throwing bricks and stones at the police, prompting the use of crowd control measures. The police have detained seven individuals, though their names and affiliations have not yet been released.

At least 50 people were injured during a clash between police and anti-discrimination student movement protesters in Habiganj on Friday. The agitated students set fire to the district Awami League office. Additionally, they threw stones at the residence of Habiganj-3 constituency lawmaker, Abu Zahir, and burned several motorcycles. During the nearly three-hour-long clash, at least 50 people, including police officers, were injured, reports our local correspondent. Eyewitnesses said after the Juma prayer, the students gathered in separate groups and joined the main road of the town. When the procession reached near the Awami League office, a clash erupted between the students and some Awami League leaders and activists. At one point, when the Awami League activists retreated, the students set the Awami League office on fire. They also threw stones at the residence of district Awami League President and MP, Abu Zahir. Meanwhile, as the Habiganj police approached the scene, a clash ensued between the students and the police on both sides of the main road in front of the Muslim Quarter. The police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the protesters. As of 5 PM when this report was written, intermittent clashes were ongoing. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have joined the police.

Over 50 people, mostly students, were injured after police allegedly charged batons and fired rubber bullets in a mass procession organised by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Khulna on Friday afternoon. The incident began at approximately 3:15 PM when a large procession of students reached the Gallamari area. Police stationed near Zero Point responded by firing tear gas into the crowd, triggering a confrontation. The situation quickly escalated as students and police engaged in a series of chases and counter-chases. Bricks were reportedly thrown by the students, and local residents were seen joining forces with them. As the rally continued to advance, the police began to retreat, allowing the students to take up positions at Zero Point. Tensions flared once again at around 4:00 PM when a second round of clashes erupted as law enforcers attempted to disperse the gathered students at Khulna University. Students alleged that the police have been persistently firing tear gas and rubber bullets at them, further intensifying the conflict. Al Shahriar, one of the agitating students, claimed that the police unnecessarily fired tear gas and rubber bullets at their peaceful procession leaving many students injured. Some of the injured were taken to the Medical College Hospital. The exact number will be informed later, he added. Till 7 pm on Friday, 11 people including 7 people were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital with bullet wounds (rubber bullets and shotgun pellets). Among them, four are in critical condition. "More people suffering from injuries are coming." Several members of the police were injured in this incident. They have been admitted to the police hospital. The condition of a police car driver who was seriously injured is critical. Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mozammel Haque said that the students were supposed to carry out the program peacefully. But they attacked the police leaving many injured. They were admitted to the police hospital. One of the cops who was driving was seriously injured, added the commissioner. At this time, angry protesters also set fire to a police pickup.

Students held a mass procession on Friday on the Dhaka-Pabna highway to press for their nine-point demand, including justice for the killings during the quota reform movement and the withdrawal of cases.In response to the call of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, students from various educational institutions gathered at the main gate of Pabna University of Science and Technology after Juma prayers.When the students gathered on the highway, members of the law enforcement agencies, including the police, BGB, DB, and RAB, took positions. Armoured police vehicles were also seen deployed at this time.However, police officers first spoke with the students. When the students promised to march peacefully, the law enforcement officers cooperated with them. Later, the students marched and dispersed in front of Pabna University of Science and Technology.Additional Superintendent of Pabna Police Masud Alam said, "The students of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have peacefully marched in front of Pabna University of Science and Technology. Since they marched peacefully, the police assisted them."

At least 10 protesters were injured in an attack allegedly by the Chhatra League and Jubo League while they were observing the pre-scheduled “Remembering Our Heroes” programme in Chandpur Bus Stand on Thursday afternoon. Witnesses said the protesters started gathering at the bus stand area, defying downpour since 3pm. However, traffic movement on the busy road was normal upon the intervention of police.  Suddenly, members of the ruling Awami League’s student and youth wings, Chhatra and Jubo League, attacked the protesters with sticks and locally-made weapons, leaving 10 injured, they said. Additional Superintendent of Chandpur Police, Sudipta Roy, told UNB that students took to the street with some demands, but they were asked to observe the programme away from the street. Regarding the attack, the police officer said he had no knowledge about the matter.

Four people, including two brothers, died and 21 others were injured after a Sakura Paribahan bus collided with a battery-run autorickshaw in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj on Thursday. The accident happened in front of the Lam-Mim Hotel at Domrakandi on the Dhaka-Barishal Highway. Ashraful Alam, officer-in-charge of Muksudpur Police Station, confirmed the matter. The deceased were identified as siblings Bashar Sheikh (40) and Khair Sheikh (35) of Bishwambhardi village in the upazila, Hasan Sheikh (29) from the same village, and Iyar Ali (38) from Dignagar village. Police recovered the bodies and sent them to the Gopalganj morgue, while the injured autorickshaw driver Hasan Sheikh (28) was admitted to Rajoir Hospital for treatment. The 21 injured have been admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, Rajoir Upazila Health Complex, and other hospitals. In the afternoon, Iyar Ali and Hasan Sheikh died while undergoing treatment at Faridpur Medical College Hospital, said Bhanga Highway Police Station, OC Abu Saeed Md Khairul Anam.

Police picked up 12 students of Barishal University Thursday noon as they tried to gather on the campus to observe the "Remembering Our Heroes" programme announced by Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. University coordinator of the platform Sujoy Shuvo and co-coordinator M H Tamal were among them. AR Mukul, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bandar police station, said they took the students into custody for security purposes.  Meanwhile, since the establishment of the university, although there was no committee of the BCL on the campus, a section of the BCL activists took position on the campus. They said that they took position so that no one can create anarchy on the campus. The Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement  announced the nationwide campaign titled "Remembering Our Heroes," on Wednesday in response to the mass killings, widespread arrests, attacks, cases of enforced disappearances, and the assaults on teachers that occurred in connection with the quota reform movement across the country. It also demanded an investigation by the United Nations and fulfilling the nine-point demands of the students.

 -Heavy rains for a few hours in Chattogram city have submerged roads and created widespread waterlogging in the city's low-lying areas. This current situation has also raised concerns about possible landslides. In some areas, vehicular movement has been halted due to flooding. Heavy rain started early Thursday morning (August 1) and the Meteorological Department issued a local cautionary signal number 3 for the Chattogram sea port. The Patenga Meteorological Office recorded 114 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. According to weather officials, the rain may continue for the rest of the day and tomorrow. There are chances of intermittent rain with gusty or stormy winds accompanied by lightning. Some parts of the city went under knee-deep water, while others under waist-deep water, causing extreme hardship for people going out for various needs. Roads and alleys in areas including Sholashahar Gate No. 2, Muradpur, Bahaddarhat, Faridarpara, Chandgaon Residential, Katalganj, Kapasgola, Baraipara, DC Road, Bakalia, Chawkbazar Raw Market, Rahmatganj, and Aturar Depot were flooded. Munira Moni, a private bank officer in the Chawkbazar area, said, "I stepped out of the house to find knee-deep water on the streets. On top of that, there were no rickshaws or CNG autorickshaws. I reached work an hour late." Additionally, waterlogging on various city roads created traffic chaos. Most roads in low-lying areas became muddy and waterlogged, making it difficult to walk. Abdul Malek, a resident of Agrabad, said, "It has been raining since last night. Even light rain causes waterlogging here. Additionally, road construction is ongoing in our area. No vehicles come here due to poor road condition caused by digging. I had to wade through dirty water to get back home after going out to buy breakfast this morning." Assistant Meteorologist Ali Akbar Khan of the Patenga Meteorological Office said, "High variations in air pressure are present in the northern Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. This has resulted in the continued formation of deep convective clouds in the northern Bay of Bengal region, leading to moderate to heavy rainfall in Chattogram. This rain is likely to continue for another day or two."