United News of Bangladesh

Central committee of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad on Friday relieved its Chattogram chapter President Ashish Bhattacharya and General Secretary Hillol Dey for failing to perform their responsibilities adequately. Earlier, the Chattogram unit issued a lifetime termination of Joint Secretary Sajal Dutta for allowing a group that rendered songs, including one having Islamic theme, at JM Sen Hall Puja mandap on Thursday evening, as stated in a release signed by Sachin Chandra Baroi, office secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad. Besides, central Puja Udjapon Parishad strongly condemned the incident. Six youths to be arrested for disrupting Puja celebration in Ctg The President of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad Shri Basudev Dhar and General Secretary Shri Santosh Sharma said in a statement that people of the Hindu community have been deeply hurt by this unexpected incident. The Parishad demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and exemplary punishment. Simultaneously, the Puja Udjapon Parishad emphasized that the government has implemented necessary measures to ensure the successful celebration of Durga Puja. Such incidents can understandably hinder these positive efforts, it said.

The Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has announced a five-day ban on all fireworks and sky lanterns in Sylhet town in celebration of Durga Puja, the largest festival for the Hindu community. Additionally, the sale and consumption of all drugs are prohibited in all mandap areas during this time, according to a notice issued by SMP Commissioner Md Rezaul Karim on Friday. The notification states that to ensure the peaceful and smooth observation of Durga Puja rituals, the use of firecrackers is banned across Sylhet city from October 9 to 13. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone who violates these directives, it added.

A case has been filed seven years after the attack on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's motorcade in Feni's Chhagalnaiya. The case names 251 individuals, including the former MP of Feni-1 constituency and ex-protocol officer of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, as the prime accused. An additional 150-200 unidentified people have also been charged. Sultan Mohammad Sikandar Bhutto, former finance secretary of Chhagalnaiya upazila unit of BNP, filed the case at Chhagalnaiya Police Station on Wednesday. Md. Nazrul Islam , Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chhagalnaiya Police Station confirmed the details on Thursday night (October 10). According to the case statement, on October 28, 2017, during Khaleda Zia’s trip to Cox's Bazar to visit Rohingya refugee camps and distribute relief, her motorcade was attacked by Awami League activists at Muhuriganj on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. The attackers allegedly hurled bombs and fired shots, injuring several people, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Other notable accused include Jalal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury Pappu, member of the Awami League’s central relief and social welfare subcommittee; Khaerul Bashar Majumdar Tapan, former chairman of Feni District Council; Mezbabul Haider Chowdhury Sohel, former chairman of Chhagalnaiya Upazila Parishad; Abdul Alim Majumdar, former chairman of Phulgazi Upazila Parishad; Harun Majumdar, former chairman of Phulgazi Upazila Parishad; Kamal Uddin Majumdar, former chairman of Parshuram Upazila Parishad; Nizam Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury Sajel, former mayor of Parshuram Municipality; and Mohammad Mostafa, former mayor of Chhagalnaiya Municipality. Sikandar Bhutto alleged that the attack was aimed at assassinating Khaleda Zia. He claimed that 25-30 vehicles were vandalized during the attack, causing losses amounting to Tk 1 crore and 5 lakh. He further explained that it was not possible to file the case under the previous government, but with the restoration of democratic conditions in the country, he is now able to proceed with legal action. OC Md. Nazrul Islam said that police have begun investigating the case and will take necessary legal actions against those involved.

In a remarkable display of religious harmony, the Muslim and Hindu communities in Lalmonirhat have continued their tradition of peacefully sharing a common courtyard where both a mosque and a temple stand side by side. This rare coexistence highlights the enduring spirit of unity in a time marked by religious intolerance. The Puran Bazar Jame Mosque and Kalibari Central Temple, located in the Kalibari area of Lalmonirhat, have become a symbol of interfaith understanding. These two institutions are celebrating another year of their shared legacy during the Durga Puja festival, being observed in a serene atmosphere of mutual respect. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, has been a fixture in the community since its establishment in 1836. Around the same time, Muslim traders created a space for daily prayers, which later evolved into the Puran Bazar Jame Mosque. Today, the mosque and temple stand together, reflecting a tradition of peace and coexistence that has endured for nearly two centuries. Each year, ahead of Durga Puja, the executive committees of both the mosque and the temple meet to coordinate their schedules, ensuring that religious practices are conducted smoothly and respectfully. This annual collaboration serves as a model of cooperation between the two faiths. The unique relationship between the mosque and temple attracts visitors from near and far, including foreign envoys, who come to witness this living example of religious harmony. The vibrant activities and peaceful atmosphere within the shared courtyard leave a lasting impression on all who visit. Imam Mohammad Alauddin of Puran Bazar Jame Mosque emphasized the longstanding history of peaceful coexistence. "The temple was established long before the mosque, and despite our different religions, people from all walks of life practice their faith here peacefully. There has never been any disorder," he said. Shri Shankar Chakraborty, head priest of Kalibari Temple, recounted the history of the area. "After the temple was built in 1836, the area became known as Kalibari. Later, when the bazar developed, local traders and Muslim devotees built the Puran Bazar Jame Mosque adjacent to the temple. Since then, both communities have coexisted harmoniously in this shared space. This is the tradition we know, and we continue to respect each other’s faith," he explained. Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner HM Raqib Haider praised the unique bond between the two religious institutions. "A mosque and a temple sharing the same courtyard is truly a rare example of peaceful coexistence. People here believe in living with peace and compassion, regardless of their religion. This temple and mosque are a proud symbol of our values and tradition," he said.

Police have recovered the body of Salah Uddin Mahmood, former additional secretary of Industries Ministry, from Balishira resort in Srimangal upazila of Moulvibazar district on Thursday morning. Srimangal Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Aminul Islam said, “ On information, we went to the resort and recovered the body. He died sometime between 10 pm last night and 8:30 am this morning.” Salah Uddin was most recently serving as the Deputy Managing Director of the SME Foundation, said police. He participated in several programmes of the SME Foundation in Moulvibazar on Wednesday. After the programmes, at around 10 pm, he went to Balishira Resort in Srimangal. His door was found locked from the inside on Thursday morning. The OC added that due to traffic delays, the family was handed over to Masudur Rahman, AGM of the SME Foundation, a colleague of the secretary.

A Bangladeshi fisherman was killed and two others were injured in firing from Myanmar in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday. The deceased fisherman was Md Osman,50 while the identities of the injured could not be known yet. Bullets fired from Myanmar hit a fishing trawler in the Bay, approximately 50 kilometers south of the Saint Martin’s Island, leaving Osman dead, said  Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Teknaf Md. Adnan Chowdhury.  

A man was killed in a lynch-mob attack on Thursday morning after allegedly attacking a local mosque's imam in the Shimultala area of Sadar Upazila in Chapainawabganj.  Mizu Islam was severely beaten by locals around 8 am after he stabbed Imam Mohammad Hossain, said police and witnesses. Harunur Rashid, a resident of the same area, was also injured while attempting to save the imam. Four killed, 10 injured in Tangail road crash Mizu was taken to the 250-bed district hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Mizu had long been involved in drug dealing, said S.M. Zakaria, officer-in-charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station. It is believed he attacked imam Hossain out of anger after the local anti-drug committee provided information about him to the police, he said. The body was sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy, he said.

Eight people were killed after a private car lost control and fell into a roadside canal in Pirojpur Sadar upazila early thursday. The incident occurred at the Nurani Gate area along the Pirojpur-Nazirpur road. Fire service personnel, alerted by local residents, recovered the bodies from the submerged vehicle at around 3am. Death toll from Sherpur floods rises to 9 as one more dies Additional Superintendent of Police in Pirojpur, Md. Mukit Hasan Khan, confirmed the deaths. The deceased include two men, two women, and four children. They  have been identified as Shaon Mridha,32, his wife Amena Begum,30, and their sons Abdul,3 and Shahadat,10, all residents of Hoglabunia village in Nazirpur upazila, Pirojpur and  Motaleb,45, his wife Sabina Akter,30, daughter Mukta,12, and son Soyaib,2, all residents of Ragunathpur, Sherpur Sadar upazila. Shaon’s cousin, Murad, said that Shaon and Motaleb had been traveling back from Kuakata to Shaon’s residence in Hoglabunia after a trip. Around 3 am their car lost control at the Nurani Gate area and plunged into a canal, where it became submerged. 20 dead, 24 injured in Sylhet division road accidents in Sept Locals immediately informed the fire service and police. Upon recovery, all eight passengers were rushed to Pirojpur District Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. Dr. Asif Hossain of Pirojpur District Hospital said that the victims were brought in around 3:30 am. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Mukit Hasan Khan, an ID card found on Motaleb confirmed his identity, and he was employed as civil staff in the Bangladesh Army.

At least four people died and five others injured as lightning strikes hit them during thunderstorms in separate places  in Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila on Wednesday, police said. The deceased were identified as Awlad Hossain, 60, son of Haus Joaddar of Garerpara area, Nizam Hossain, 42, son of Moyen Ali, Tariqul Islam, 20, son of Muzam Hossain and Jahura Khatun, 40, wife of Zaman Hossain of Farakpur village. Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Daulatpur police station, said the identities of the injured are still unknown. In the Garerpara area, 7 to 8 farmers were working in a paddy field when they noticed dark clouds approaching they took shelter in a loft where lightning struck them. Locals rescued them and transported them to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared three of the farmers dead upon arrival. The remaining injured people are currently receiving treatment, according to Touhidul Hasan Tuhin, Daulatpur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer. In a separate incident, a housewife named Jahura Khatun was struck by lightning while working near her home in Farakpur village. She was taken to the hospital but was declared dead by the doctors.

Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma visited areas affected by recent violence in Khagrachari on Monday, assessing damage and speaking with victims. He toured damaged business establishments along Mahajanpara and Pankhaia Para roads and met with those impacted by the unrest in the afternoon.  He also visited Yurajpara and Shalban in Perachhara to meet relatives of those killed in the violence. The adviser offered condolences and assured the families of the deceased and injured that the government would provide full support. Earlier in the day, he distributed cash and food aid to 200 affected people during a relief event held at the Khagrachari Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium to help them manage the crisis. Khagrachari has recently witnessed a series of violent incidents, including mob killings, sectarian violence, arson, vandalism, and looting, leading to multiple deaths and injuries. Police arrested five suspects on October 1 in connection with attacks, vandalism, and arson at local business establishments. The arrestees were identified as Lutfur Rahman, 45, Md. Nur Mohammad, Md. Ismail Hossain, Shahjadae Imran Chowdhury, and Md. Kamrul, according to authorities.