United News of Bangladesh

The interim government has banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League, designating it as a terrorist organization following demands from the anti-discrimination student movement. In the aftermath of the ban, parents of Abrar Fahad, a victim of BCL violence, shared their reflections. Rokeya Khatun and Barkat Ullah spoke to reporters from their home in Kushtia city, offering insights into their fight for justice. Rokeya recalled the last moments with her son five years ago: “Wash your hands and face, pray, and eat the food I prepared for you.” On the morning of October 6, 2019, she personally saw him off, an act now filled with heartache. “Last night I saw in the news that the Chhatra League has been banned. If Chhatra League was not enabled under a dictatorial regime, they would not be so dangerous. That night, they brutally tortured and killed my son. The entire nation knows that,” she lamented. Reflecting on the five years since Abrar's death, Rokeya expressed hope amid her grief: “Just as the people of this country were with us before, they will be with us now. Those who killed Abrar have not yet been brought to justice. Three of the accused are still absconding, and I demand that those who instigated the Chhatra League in the murder also face the law.” “Before August 5, 2024, thousands of mothers like me have lost their children. The government must ensure justice for every murder. Only a mother understands the pain of losing a child.” Barkat Ullah echoed his wife’s sentiments, highlighting the ongoing lack of justice: “The trial for my son's murder has not yet been completed. Many others involved in my son's killing, besides the Chhatra League, have not been accused. I demand action against anyone who commits injustice and oppression against ordinary students.” Abrar Fahad was brutally murdered on the night of October 6, 2019, by Chhatra League leaders and activists at the Sher-e-Bangla Hall of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), where he was a second-year student in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.  

At least 40 people were injured in a clash between two groups of Tabligh Jamaat in Natore on Thursday afternoon. A tense situation has been prevailing in the area centring the clash. Vehicular movement on Dhaka-Natore road remained suspended for a while. Police and locals said that followers of Mawlana Saad constructed a mosque in Tebadia Bypass area of the district headquarters after the split of Tabligh Jamaat. On August 7, another group took control of the mosque after evicting their opponents. 60-year old hacked to death in Natore Mawlana Saad’s followers went to the mosque to recover it, resulting in a clash between the groups, they said.  Kawsar Ali, a leader of Mawlana Saad's followers, alleged that their opponents accompanied by outsiders attacked them, leaving some 30 injured.  He, however, said they took control of the mosque with the intervention of police and army personnel. The Sadar police station’s OC said they deployed additional police personnel to avoid any unwanted incident. District administration’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Arif Hossain asked both the groups to meet with him on Sunday to settle the issue.  

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) authorities have suspended the movement of vessels on the internal routes in Barishal due to inclement weather caused by Cyclone Dana. The movement of vessels was suspended around 11 am due to rain and gusty winds, said Abdur Razzak, river port official of Barishal River Port. People have been experiencing rainfall since Thursday morning that caused waterlogging in various low-lying areas, leaving them in trouble. The low-lying areas including Sadar Road, Oxford Mission Road, Palashpur, Rasulpur, Mohammadpur, Kaunia, Parara Road, Rupatoli Housing, College Avenue and Battala areas of the city were submerged. Cyclone Dana: Hit by barge, Navy jetty destroyed in Cox’s Bazar Albert Ballob Ripon, a resident of College Avenue, expressed his frustration saying that even a little rain causes flood. He also demanded immediate steps to end waterlogging problem in the area. Pranab Kumar Roy, a senior meteorologist at the Barishal Meteorological Office, said Cyclone Dana is currently staying over the northwestern Bay of Bengal. However, there is no possibility of the cyclone to make landfall in Bangladesh. It is expected to strike Odisha and West Bengal either late Thursday night or early Friday morning, he added. Meanwhile, the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Payra and Mongla have been asked to hoist local cautionary signal no three. The local Met office recorded 33.33mm of rainfall in the district from 6 am to 12 pm on Thursday.  

A Navy jetty at Inani Beach in Cox’s Bazar has been destroyed after being struck by a barge, driven by tidal surges caused by Cyclone Dana. The incident occurred late Wednesday night, but no casualties have been reported. Cox’s Bazar Tourism Cell Magistrate Tanvir Hossain confirmed the incident. The tidal surge from Cyclone Dana caused a barge to repeatedly hit the Navy jetty at Inani Beach, breaking it into two, he said. Ferry service to Saint Martin’s Island is now uncertain. Cyclone Dana: Maritime ports asked to hoist local cautionary signal no 3 Local fisherman Siddiq, who witnessed the incident, described the scene: “The sea was very rough at night, and the barge kept crashing into the jetty. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and we saw the jetty break in two.” The jetty was inaugurated in 2023 by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with plans to remove it after the exercise. However, it remained in place until this recent destruction.    

Three members of a family died from electrocution at a house at Kadamtala in Sadar upazila of Kurigram district on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Md Salam, 40, his wife Rupa Khatun, 35 and their daughter Saba Khatun, 13  Dr Sajib Uddin, duty officer of Kushtia 250-bed General Hospital, said Rupa got electrocuted when she came in contact with a live electric wire hanging in one corner of the house around 4 pm. Man trampled to death by elephant in Ctg Salam and his daughter met the same fate as they tried to save her. Later, they were taken to a hospital where the doctors declared them dead.

Rail communication between Khulna and the rest of the country snapped after eight oil tankers of a Khulna-bound freight train derailed near Ansarbaria station in Jibannagar Upazila of Chuadanga early Wednesday . Uthli Railway's Station Master Mintu Roy said that a train carrying 32 empty tankers was heading to Khulna from Bogura on Tuesday night when the derailment occurred. “Around 1 am, near the 11-number point of the railway line close to Ansarbaria station, eight tankers derailed,” he said. Derailment in Gazipur halts rail communication with northern Bangladesh A rescue train from Ishurdi in Pabna has been working on the derailed tankers since dawn. The rescue operation is still ongoing, with the authorities striving to restore rail communication. With operations halted at Ansarbaria station, Chuadanga station Master Mizanur Rahman said, “The recovery of the derailed tankers is in progress, and train operations may resume after the rescue work is complete.” Shanto Kumar Biswas, the point man at Chuadanga station, confirmed that passenger trains traveling from Dhaka to Khulna and those heading from Khulna to Goalanda are now stuck at Chuadanga station and Mobarakganj station. Rail communication between Sylhet and rest of the country resumes after 8 hours He stated, “Midnight onward, rail communication with the entire country has been suspended.” Rescue operations began at dawn, with efforts underway to clear the tracks and resume services. “A passenger train is currently stuck at Chuadanga station. Further details will be known after the completion of the rescue operation,” he added.

Gas supply will remain off for 12 hours at different areas in Narsingdi on Wednesday (October 23). According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, gas supply will remain off from 10 am to 10 pm on Wednesday at Chinishpur, Abed Textile, Ghoradia, Narsingdi, Thermax Group, Boishakhi Spinning, Kararchar area. New gas reserve found in another Sylhet well During the period, the low pressure may prevail in gas supply in the adjoining areas, said Titas Gas regretting the temporary inconvenience to the consumers.

A 60-year-old female Dutch tourist was injured when a truck hit her bicycle on Srimangal-Bhanugach road in Srimangal upazila of Moulvibazar district on Monday. The injured was identified as Tosca Marianne. The accident occurred on Monday afternoon in front of the Tea Museum when a sand-laden truck hit the tourist's bicycle while she was heading towards Srimangal town, leaving her injured, said Md Yusuf, a tour guide. Later, she was first taken to the 50-bed upazila health complex and then shifted to Sylhet Osmani Medical College and Hospital after being given first aid from Moulvibazar 250-bed Sadar Hospital. Dr Sharmin Akter, resident medical officer of Srimangal Upazila Health Complex, said Tosca had injuries on her head, chest and back. Quamrul Islam, in-charge of Srimangal Tourist Police, said the truck was seized but the driver managed to flee the scene.  

Movement of containers at Chittagong Port remains suspended since Tuesday morning as prime movers (trailer) enforced a strike, demanding their wages as declared from the government. The workers, who operate the trailers loaded with containers to their designated vessels, began gathering in the morning. They left their vehicles stranded at the port, halting the movement of goods-laden containers. Indian Minister’s visit: Decision on suspending trade for 3 days through Benapole port withdrawn The Prime Mover (trailer), Concrete Mixer, Flatbed, and Dump Truck Workers' union called a two-day strike, demanding government-declared wages, job appointments after recruitment, and ID cards with photos. Every day, around 2,000 containers are moved in the port area. Ruhul Amin Shikdar, General Secretary of the Government Depot Association, said that if the situation continues, export activities will be delayed. Md Omar Faruk, Secretary of Chittagong Port, said the jetty, yard, and terminal activities were normal. An initiative has been taken to hold a meeting between the workers and owners regarding the ongoing strike, he added.  

Three hundred families in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram district have been without power for the past two weeks. Sources said the submarine cable and electric poles were under threat of river banks erosion in Chilmari upazila, prompting the authorities to disconnect power from the main grid two weeks back. Despite the crisis the Palli Bidyut office has yet to take any initiative to restore the power connection. Erosion takes a serious turn in Kurigram’s Ulipur, as authorities await allocation to start tackling it Local residents alleged negligence from the local power office saying that government property worth Tk several crores is now at risk of further damage from the erosion. Aminul Islam, chairman of Chilmari union, said they had informed the Deputy General Manager and the engineer of the local power office about the erosion but no steps have been taken yet. Md Alamin, assistant general manager of the Chilmari Zonal office, said they are unable to repair the line independently as it requires a formal plan.