United News of Bangladesh

Three students were shot dead by the ruling party activists and 50 others injured in a clash between protesters and Awami League activists in Pabna district town on Sunday, said police. The deceased were identified as Zahid Islam, 19, Mahbubul Hossain, 16 and Fahim, 17. Masud Alam, additional superintendent of Pabna police, said a group of students of Pabna Government Edward College brought out a procession from thier campus in the afternoon and were staging demonstrations peacefully at Abdul Hamid Road JB intersection as part of their scheduled non-cooperation movement. At one stage, some Awami League men including organising secretary of Sadar Upazila unit AL Abu Syed and joint convener of District unit Jubo League Shibli Sadik attacked them, triggering a chase and counter -chase. Later, they fired bullets targeting the protesters, leaving students dead and 50 others injured. Police chased the attackers to bring the situation under control. The injured were taken to Pabna General Hospital. Then the students also vandalised the office of Jubo League and set fire on the vehicle of a local chairman. They also brought out a procession with the bodies killed during the protests.

Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim’s homes were attacked in Bogdar Haat at Chashma Hill in Sholoshahar of Chattogram on Saturday. During this time, two private cars and a CNG-run auto rickshaw parked in front of Nowfel’s house were also vandalised. A clash broke out between Chhatra League and students during the attack on the CCC mayor’s house. Kazi Md. Tarek Aziz, additional deputy commissioner (Public Relations) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, confirmed the matter. “We have heard about the matter. It is being investigated now,” he said. Eyewitnesses reported that the attack was carried out at around 6:30 PM when a procession of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement was passing through Sholoshahar. Several locals mentioned that the attackers threw bricks and stones at the house on Chashma Hill, damaging the windows on the second floor. Later, the attackers broke through the gate, entered the premises, and vandalised the two cars parked there. Earlier, a police box at Tiger Pass in the city was vandalised. The procession also set fire to the office of Member of Parliament Mohiuddin Bachchu near the petrol pump at WASA Mor area.

Violence broke out between protesters and police in the Jindabazar and Chowhatta areas of Sylhet at around 5pm on Saturday. Police attempted to control the situation by firing shotguns and tear gas, resulting in multiple injuries. A protest march from the Ambarkhana area reached the Chowhatta point, where demonstrators began throwing stones at the police. In response, the police deployed tear gas and sound grenades. Although the protesters dispersed from the main road, they continued to target police with stones from various alleys. The police responded with frequent gunfire. Eyewitnesses reported that several students and a police officer were injured in the clashes. Following the violence, the protesters retreated. By 6 pm, students were reported to be positioned in the Ambarkhana-Dargagate area of the city. Attempts to contact police officials for comments were unsuccessful. Protesters have stated that their demonstrations will continue until their demands are met. Earlier in the day, various political party members joined the protest. Mifta Siddiqui, Acting President of the Sylhet Metropolitan BNP, also participated with his party members. While the protest was originally planned around a nine-point agenda, the main demand voiced on Saturday was for the resignation of the government. Protesters chanted slogans and carried placards highlighting this demand.

A violent clash between student protesters and police occurred on Saturday in Bogura's Zero Point, Satmatha, and surrounding areas. 17-year-old injured during quota reform protest dies at DMCH Despite the rain, thousands of students gathered at the city's central Satmatha area starting from 3 pm as part of the protest. The students' presence led to a complete halt in vehicular traffic in Satmatha, and locals were also seen joining the protest. From the Jaleswaritala area, students and their guardians joined the march, while a large procession from the Borogola area converged at Satmatha, chanting various slogans. The students occupying Satmatha blocked all vehicles heading towards that area. DB held us forcibly, will continue movement, say six leaders of quota movement after release Around 4:15 pm, a group of students marching towards Jaleswaritala on Circuit House Road began chanting slogans at the Police Plaza, escalating tensions. The police responded by deploying tear gas shells, leading to a rapid intensification of the situation. At least 10-12 tear gas canisters were fired, resulting in injuries to at least 20 individuals. HSC candidates nationwide announce exam boycott over quota reform protest arrests By 6:30 pm, clashes between police and protesters continued on several roads adjacent to Satmatha. The agitated students threw stones at the Circuit House and Bogura Police Plaza and vandalized and set fire to the Satmatha traffic police box.

Floodwaters have breached 15 points in the flood control embankments of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Shilonia rivers in Feni's Fulgazi and Parshuram upazila, inundating 74 villages. As a result, 28,000 families are stranded, with 64 families relocated to safer areas. By Saturday afternoon, river water levels had risen 220 centimeters above the danger mark. Tania Bhuiya, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Fulgazi, reported that the area was first hit by floods on July 1. On August 2, the embankments of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Shilonia rivers broke once more, worsening the situation for residents. Continuous rainfall and upstream runoff have caused a significant rise in river water levels. 300 tourists stranded in Sajek due to rains, flash flood The rising waters of the Muhuri, Shilonia, and Kahua rivers have submerged six unions in Fulgazi Upazila, affecting 43 villages and isolating 8,000 families. According to the Water Development Board, water levels are currently 10 centimeters above the danger mark. The Feni-Bilonia regional highway is also submerged in Fulgazi and Parshuram, severing road communication with the district. New areas continue to be inundated. Afroja Habib Shapla, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Parshuram, stated that approximately 20,000 people are stranded due to the floods caused by excessive rainfall and upstream runoff. The WDB reports that the Muhuri River is flowing 150 centimeters above the danger level, with the number of stranded families increasing daily. In response to the crisis, the Fulgazi Upazila administration has distributed dry food to 300 families and prepared an additional 250 food packages. They have distributed 13 metric tons of rice and stockpiled 5 metric tons. The Parshuram Upazila administration has distributed 550 packages of dry food. On Saturday, local Member of Parliament Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, Deputy Commissioner Shahina Akhter, UNO Tania Bhuiya, and other representatives visited the affected areas. Rains , floods in South Asia endanger over 6 million children: UNICEF Abu Abdullah from Mirzanganj area reported that he has never seen water enter homes with such force. "We are struggling through the night," he said. Mohammed Khalil Ullah added, "Normally, this high ground does not flood, but the heavy rainfall has submerged roads, homes, crops, and fish ponds. If the water level rises further, the situation will become dire." Jasim Uddin, Chairman of Chitholia Union Parishad, criticized the Water Development Board for negligence, which has led to repeated breaches in the flood control embankments. He mentioned that repair work on a breached embankment from a month ago was delayed, resulting in new breaches at the same location. According to Md. Abul Kashem, Sub-Divisional Engineer (Acting) at the Feni Water Development Board, such high water levels have never been observed before. Heavy rains over the past two days and upstream water have caused the Muhuri and Kaua rivers to exceed the danger mark by 220 centimeters. They have recorded breaches at 15 locations and warned that ongoing rain could cause additional breaches. However, if rainfall decreases, there may be no new breaches. Severe erosion continues in Teesta as floodwaters recede in Kurigram The Water Development Board's records show that in July, 115 meters of the protective embankment were damaged, costing Tk 1.5 crore in repairs. Local residents have expressed concerns that the section repaired with Tk 35 lakhs in Parshuram broke first during this flood, allowing water into their areas. They argue that without proper planning and execution, the region will continue to face such hardships.

At least 50 students were injured, including six with bullet, in clashes between students, ruling party activists and police in Chandina upazila on Saturday. Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, director of Cumilla Medical College Hospital, confirmed the information on injuries. The students took position in Police Lines area in the upazila in the afternoon to stage demonstration as part of an Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s protest programme, said witnesses. Student protests in Naogaon: Police fire 5 rounds to disperse protesters; 7 injured At one stage, Awami League leaders and activists allegedly fired shots and exploded cocktails at the demonstrators, leaving at least 50 people injured. When students gather at Kandirpara police and Awami League activists chased them, with many seeking shelter in nearby houses to escape the attack. In Chandina, some people set fire to the vehicle of the Assistant Commissioner of Land. The protesters had earlier blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, holding a sit-in to voice their demands, but were met with force by police and ruling party activists.

Several people including police were injured as clashes broke out between protesters and the police during demonstrations demanding justice for recent killings. The students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College gathered on their campus for a protest march around 11am and then students of other educational institutions joined. The march proceeded towards the Bhanga Road intersection via the Dhaka-Barisal highway, reports our local correspondent.As the protesters reached the Goalachamot Model Mosque area near the old bus stand, the police intervened and attempted to block their path, leading to a chase and counter-chase.Tensions escalated further as protesters began hurling bricks and stones at the police. Law enforcers resorted to tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd. As of 12:45 pm, the protesters took position on the Dhaka-Barishal highway in front of the western Khobaspur Shamsul Ulum Madrasa. Police, maintaining a distance from the protesters, urged them to carry out their demonstration peacefully.

A 17-year-old boy, who was injured during the quota reform protest, died at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Md Emon, son of Md Selim of Cumilla district. Emon used to live with his sister in Badda's Natun Bazar area. Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of DMCH, said Emon sustained a bullet injury during the clash over the quota reform protest while going to his workplace on July 19. He succumbed to his injuries around 3:00 am while undergoing treatment at the hospital. The body was kept at DMCH morgue for autopsy, added the police official.

At least 300 tourists have been stranded in Sajek due to the suspension of road communication caused by flash floods and torrential rains for the last several days. The Dighinala-Bakakhali road of Khagrachhari and Baghaihat Bazar in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati district have been inundated. Already the low-lying areas and houses were submerged, causing immense sufferings to the residents. Rains, upstream water inundate low-lying areas of Khagrachhari A portion of Khagrachhari-Dighinala road was also inundated, suspending vehicular movement. Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shirin Akter said the tourists were stranded at Sajek and failed to return home due to road communication suspension. Measures have been taken from the local administration, she said. Besides, the Kachalong River was flowing above its danger level due to rain and onrush of water from upstream.

Vehicular movement on Rajshahi-Dhaka highway remained suspended since Saturday morning as the students of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet), Rajshahi University and general people blocked the highway as part of protest programme announced by Anti-Discrimination Student Movement  . The students of the two universities took to the street around 10:30 am defying rains and chanted various  anti-government slogans. Later, teachers, lawyers and workers also joined the protest program to extend solidarity with their demands. Shibir unleashes cadres into quota movement to stoke violence for toppling govt: Observers Dr Saleh Hasan Nakib, a Physics Department teacher of Rajshahi University (RU), said the place turned into a human sea with the participation of general people, teachers and lawyers. Members of law enforcement agencies were present but did not obstruct the protesters. The Anti-discrimination Student Movement on Friday announced protest march across the country on Saturday and a "total non-cooperation" movement for an indefinite period from Sunday. They also urged people from all walks of life to get organised in their respective areas to make the program a success. Six quota protest coordinators released from DB custody