United News of Bangladesh

Train movement on Santahar-Parbatipur rail route resumed early Thursday after seven hours of suspension due to derailment of an oil-carrying wagon in Joypurhat on Wednesday night. The Parbatipur–bound wagon veered off the tracks around 9:45pm in  Puranapail area of Joypurhat Sadar upazila, said Habibur Rahman, Traffic Inspector of  Bangladesh Railway’s Transport and Commercial Department. Following the derailment, train operations on the route were suspended, affecting movement of several trains including the Dhaka-bound intercity Nilsagar Express, Khulna-bound Simanta Express and local trains headed to Parbatipur. Prolonged rainfall causes severe waterlogging in Kurigram Passengers of these trains were left stranded at various stations.  A rescue crane was brought in from Parbatipur to remove the wagon. The services on the route resumed around 5am on Thursday.

Teachers at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) have called for the resignation of interim Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Hazrat Ali, expressing a lack of confidence in his leadership. The demand was made at a press briefing following a general meeting of the Kuet  Teachers’ Association held on Wednesday night at the university’s administrative building. The association also urged the government to appoint a competent VC to resolve the ongoing crisis on campus. As part of their protest, the teachers announced a human chain programme on the campus at 11am on Thursday.  Stalemate at Kuet as teachers continue class boycott General Secretary of the association Prof Dr Md Faruque Hossain said the teachers have lost confidence in Prof Hazrat Ali due to his disregard for university rules and regulations, indifference to student and teacher demands, and failure to perform his duties as the guardian of the institution. “For these reasons, he must resign immediately,” Faruque said. He said  since May 4, teachers have been boycotting classes, and since May 18, they have also abstained from administrative duties to press home their demand for justice against students who assaulted teachers. Despite this, the VC has taken no steps to address their concerns, thereby obstructing the normal academic activities at the university  and aggravating the crisis on the campus. Prof Faruque further said that the VC left for Dhaka on May 19 citing official work and assured the teachers of his return the next day. However, he has not returned since and even sent back the university vehicle he used for the trip. Meanwhile, the official assigned by the VC to manage routine tasks has submitted a written notice stating his inability to perform the duties on Wednesday, effectively leaving Kuet without leadership.  Search committee to appoint new Kuet VC, Pro-VC In this situation, a permanent VC must be appointed immediately, the teachers said. Earlier in the day, from 12pm to 1pm, teachers staged a sit-in in front of the VC’s office and the administrative building. A group of students also expressed solidarity with the teachers. However, another group of students, who have been protesting for the past three months, remained silent and undecided on their next course of action. The ongoing deadlock stems from a violent clash on February 18, after which the university was closed on February 25. In response to student protests and a hunger strike, the government removed the then VC and Pro-VC on April 25. Subsequently, Prof Dr Md Hazrat Ali of Cuet’s Civil Engineering department was appointed interim VC on May 1. Although classes were supposed to resume from May 4 as per the Syndicate’s decision, Kuet teachers have refused to return to classrooms until justice is served for the alleged assault on teachers. The classes and examinations have remained suspended since February 18, affecting around 7,500 students. The new academic session for freshers has yet to begin.  

A 12-year old child died after a wall collapsed during  Nor’wester in Baraigram upazila of Natore on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Bithi Khatun, a student of AgranGanajagaran non-formal Primary School. Family sourced said when she was washing her hands at the tap inside her home around 8 pm on Wednesday a guava tree and adjacent wall collapsed on her amid storm.  Inspector closed in Natore over July uprising shooting The family members quickly rescued her and took her to a local private hospital where the doctor declared her dead. Baraigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Golam Sarwar Hossain  said police visited the spot upon receiving the news and took legal steps accordingly.  Two locomotives derail in Natore’s Lalpur within span of 7 hrs  

With Eid-ul-Azha on the horizon, farmers and livestock rearers across Khulna are in full swing preparing sacrificial animals amid market uncertainty. This year, the supply has already exceeded local demand by 6,778 animals, highlighting both the region’s readiness and lingering concerns over market dynamics. According to the Department of Livestock Services, a total of 1,63,063 sacrificial animals have been prepared in Khulna’s nine upazilas and metropolitan areas. This number surpasses the projected demand of 1,56,285. While this indicates a well-prepared livestock sector, the surplus has notably decreased compared to last year, when 1,56,278 animals were available against a demand of 1,34,443—leaving a surplus of 21,835. Political Change Linked to Shrinking Surplus Stakeholders have attributed this decline in surplus to political changes that took place after August 5 of last year. According to sources, many investors with affiliations to the previous ruling party pulled out of the livestock business following the shift in power, causing the shutdown of several commercial farms across the region. Despite this, livestock officials remain optimistic. They say that in the event of an unforeseen shortfall, support from neighbouring districts would help bridge the gap. Grassroots Still Leading Production Most of the prepared animals have come from grassroots farms and individual households, which collectively raised 1,36,063 animals. The breakdown includes 42,393 bulls, 12,040 oxen, 14,505 cows, 246 buffaloes, 79,583 goats, 14,202 sheep, and 62 other animals.  Khulna University students stage protest over assault on a teacher On an upazila-wise basis, Dumuria leads with 79,954 animals, followed by Koyra with 18,131, Terokhada with 12,833, and Dacope with 11,725. Other areas include Batiaghata (11,452), Dighalia (7,143), Paikgachha (6,429), Phultala (4,128), Rupsha (4,535), and the metropolitan region (6,733). Health Concerns Cast Shadow Over Eid Preparations Amidst the enthusiasm, fears are growing over a potential outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), a mosquito-borne virus that affects cattle. According to a February 24 report from the District Livestock Office, samples collected from 67 percent of the cattle population revealed infections in both indigenous and crossbred animals. Farmers worry the outbreak may hurt buyer confidence, thereby impacting peak season sales. Vaccine Shortage and Preventive Guidelines Dr Md Sharif Ul Islam, Director of the District Livestock Department, said that last year’s vaccinations were effective in controlling the disease. But, this year, Tk 400 vials containing 16 doses each are unavailable at upazila offices due to supply chain issues. In response, he urged farmers to follow best hygiene practices and consult veterinarians when needed. He strictly discouraged the use of steroid hormones or chemical enhancers in animal feed and advised against feeding poultry or broiler feed to cattle. He also recommended ensuring adequate ventilation and natural light in barns, particularly for heat-sensitive breeds like Australian Friesians. For such breeds, bathing two to three times a day is advised to prevent heatstroke, while other breeds generally require just one. Farmers were also advised to sprinkle water around barns and rooftops to maintain cooler conditions. Premium Cattle Still in High Demand Despite uncertainties, some farms are attracting buyers with high-quality animals. Kamal Hossain Sujan, manager of Bismillah Agro Farm in Gutudiar of Dumuria upazila, said their bulls and oxen are raised on balanced feed and without artificial enhancers. The farm currently houses 67 bulls, with prices ranging from Tk 60,000 to Tk 600,000.  Relaxed market monitoring post-Ramadan sends onion prices soaring in Khulna Md Siddique, manager of M/s Purabi Agro Farm in Batiaghata, said their 20 sacrificial cattle are priced between Tk 1,50,000 and Tk 12 lakh, reflecting strong demand for naturally reared premium animals. As Eid-ul-Azha draws closer, the region’s farmers remain hopeful that both the quantity and quality of their offerings will ensure a successful season, despite the looming challenges.

A prisoner of Gopalganj district jail who fell sick in the jail died at 250-bed General Hospital on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Raton Mollah, 45, son of Md. Mujib Mollah of Pachuria village in Bera Upazila of Pabna District. Govt official dies after falling from moving train in Chuadanga Raton faced five robbery cases across various districts, including Gopalganj. Gopalganj Jail Super Tania Zaman said Raton was sent to the district jail on May 19 after showing him arrested in a robbery case.  He was taken to Gopalganj General Hospital around 1:45 pm on Wednesday after suddenly falling ill, where doctors on duty declared him dead upon arrival. 30 shops gutted in Rangamati fire Dr. Aftab Jilani from the hospital’s emergency department said that Raton Mollah died before reaching the hospital. The body has been kept at the hospital’s morgue. The exact cause of death will be determined after an autopsy, he added.

A government official died after falling from a moving train in the Joyrampur area of Chuadanga's Jibannagar on Wednesday, police said. The deceased, Gaffar Ali Akash, 29, son of Jinnat Ali of Senerhuda village in Jibannagar upazila, was an office assistant at the Water Development Board in Chuadanga. The accident occurred around 5:30 pm near the Akh Center area, close to Joyrampur railway station. Housewife found dead in Gazipur According to locals, Gaffar accidentally fell from the moving Khulna-bound Kapotaksha Express train as it was passing through Joyrampur while departing from Rajshahi. He died on the spot. Jagadish Chandra Basu, sub-inspector of the Chuadanga Railway Police Outpost, said that the body was recovered from the scene. Farmer trampled to death by wild elephant in Sherpur "If the family has no complaints, the body will be handed over after an autopsy," he added.

A fire at Muslim Block market in Baghaichhari pouroshova in Rangamati town burnt down over 30 shops. The fire that might have originated from an electric short circuit started around 1:00 am on Wednesday at a clothing store and soon spread to other shops, said witnesses. As there is no fire station in Baghaichhari, local residents, police, and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members brought the fire under control within half and an hour. Groceries, pharmacies, clothing stores and tea stalls were destroyed in the fire. The estimated loss ranges from Tk 1.5 crore to Tk 2 crore, said shop owners. Officer-in-Charge of Baghaichhari Police Station Humayun Kabir and senior BGB officials visited the spot. Locals and affected shop owners said despite land was acquired in 2018 to build a fire station in Baghaichhari, construction is yet to begin.

Robbers looted valuables and ‘sexually harassed’ female passengers on a Rangpur-bound bus on Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway late Tuesday night, less than three months after a similar incident in the district. Tangail Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) HM Mahbub Rezwan Siddiqui said a case was filed at the Sadar Police Station by a passenger, Minu Mia, against 8 to 10 unidentified people. The case also mentioned the incidents of alleged sexual harassment. Passengers said the robbers looted all valuables from the passengers, including mobile phones, cash and gold ornaments, from 11:30pm Tuesday to 5am on Wednesday on an ‘Al Imran Paribahan’ bus. A group of 8 to 10 robbers posing as passengers took control of the vehicle at knifepoint after it crossed Elenga. They blindfolded and tied up the driver, his assistant and other passengers before turning the bus around near the eastern approach to the bridge and heading back toward Dhaka. They abandoned the bus around 5:30am at Shibpur on Tangail bypass. Later, on information, police recovered the bus and brought it to Tangail Sadar Police Station. The bus, carrying 45 passengers, including around 10 women, had departed from Dhaka’s Abdullahpur around 8pm Tuesday. It picked up more passengers from Narsinghpur, Baipail and Ashulia before heading towards Jamuna Bridge via Elenga in Kalihati upazila. One passenger, Md Afaz Uddin, said one of the robbers drove the bus while others tied up the passengers. Another passenger, Jewel Mia, said his eyes and mouth were tied, but he could hear female passengers crying and pleading.  “They were harassed during body searches for valuables,” he added. Driver Atiqur Rahman said, “We couldn’t tell that some of the passengers were robbers. Once we were on the highway, they tied us up and took control of the bus.” Several police teams, including detectives and Sadar Thana officials, are working to identify and arrest the culprits, ASP Rezwan Siddiqui added. On February 17, a robbery took place on Dhaka-Rajshahi bus of Unique Road Royals’ ‘Amri Travels’ when two female passengers were allegedly harassed.

A group of students under the banner of 'Students Against Terrorism' held a sit-in program demanding the arrest and trial of all involved in the murder of fellow student and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Shahriar Alam Shammo and the resignation of the VC and the Proctor . They locked the gate of the Proctor’s Office at Dhaka University and staged the sit-in at 2pm.  Confusion clouds Shammo murder probe as key suspect remains elusive Leaders and activists of Dhaka University unit Chhatra Dal and leftist organizations were present. Claiming that the administration was negligent in terms of security, Surja Sen Hall unit Chhatra Dal's Literature and Publications Secretary Abidur Rahman Mishu said, "This administration is being negligent in security and in all other matters. They are still keeping classes and exams ongoing, which is a betrayal to Shammo's blood. The report that was supposed to come in three days—it's been eight days today, yet we haven't seen any resolution."  JCD activists block Shahbagh for 2hrs demanding Justice of Shammo  Biplobi Chhatra Moitri's organizing secretary Zahidul Islam said, "We thought the VC and the Proctor appointed after the uprising would be a source of trust for the students. But they have disappointed us."

Water levels in major rivers in Sylhet continue to rise following several days of heavy rainfall and onrush of water from the upstream. Although none of the rivers have yet crossed the danger level, Water Development Board (WDB) officials warned that the situation may worsen if the rain and flow of upstream water persist. According to the Sylhet Meteorological Office, the region recorded 193.8 millimetres of rainfall between 6am Tuesday and 6am Wednesday. Besides, 28 millimetres of rainfall was recorded between 6am and 12 pm on  Wednesday. Dipak Ranjan Das, executive engineer of WDB in Sylhet, said that water levels in Sylhet’s rivers have been rising continuously for the past few days. “The primary reason is the hill runoff from India. If rainfall decreases there the situation will start to normalise. Persistent heavy rainfall in Sylhet is also contributing to the rise in water levels in the rivers,” he said. Low-lying areas in several upazilas—Gowainghat, Companiganj, Kanaighat, and Jaintiapur—have already been inundated due to the swelling rivers.  Rains, thundershowers likely across country Popular tourist spot Zero Point in Gowainghat’s Jaflong area is now submerged. Water level at the tourist site Sadapathar in Companiganj have also risen significantly. Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ratan Kumar Adhikari said that no villages in his upazila have yet been inundated. “However, the rivers are rising and water has started to enter the haor areas. The local administration is fully prepared in case of early flooding,” he added.  Prolonged rainfall causes severe waterlogging in Kurigram Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad said, “No flood situation has developed in Sylhet as of now. None of the rivers have crossed the danger mark. However, the local administration has prepared up to the union level. If the situation deteriorates, volunteers, government officials, and other relevant personnel are ready to respond.”