United News of Bangladesh

Twin siblings drowned in a pond at Matlab Dakshin upazila of Chandpur on Thursday. The victims were five-year-olds Jubaid and Junaid, son of Sharif Khan of Bohori village, said Dr. Mozammel of Chandpur Government General Hospital. The incident happened this noon when they were playing near a pond in Bohori village under Upadi Uttar Union of the upazila. Two brothers killed in mob beating on robbery suspicion in Chapainawabganj According to family members, the boys had just returned from school and were playing near the pond, leaving their books by the pond's edge. Witnesses reported that family members found the twins floating in the pond and rushed them to Chandpur General Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared them dead upon arrival.  

A dawn-to-dusk road blockade enforced by the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) is ongoing in Khagrachhari, protesting the recent killing of three UPDF members. The blockade has brought vehicular movement on both internal and long-distance routes, including the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, to a standstill, causing significant disruption and inconvenience for commuters. Although most vehicles remain off the roads, a few human haulers and other three-wheelers have been seen operating within the district town. 3 UPDF members shot dead in Khagrachhari In support of the protest, UPDF activists were observed picketing in key areas early in the day. Security forces have heightened their presence throughout the district and in crucial locations around town to maintain order. The protest follows the killings of three UPDF members on Wednesday at Santi Ranjan Para in Panchari upazila. In response to the killings, the UPDF announced the daylong blockade, demanding justice and accountability for the incident.      

Two brothers were killed in mob beating on Wednesday night in Chapainawabganj’s Bholahat upazila, after being suspected of robbery. The deceased, identified as Jahangir Hossain (25) and Yakub Ali (22), were sons of Habibur Rahman from the Durgapur area of Bholahat.  The incident occurred in the Chhoto Jambaria area and was confirmed by Bholahat Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahinur Rahman. BNP leader killed in clash in Chuadanga According to OC Shahinur, the situation escalated around 8:30 pm when a group of van passengers on the Bargachi-Rahanpur road near Kolamugra area fell victim to a robbery. The suspects reportedly seized cash and gold jewelry from the passengers. Hearing the victims’ calls for help, local pedestrians and bystanders pursued the alleged robbers. After a nearly one-kilometer chase, the two brothers climbed a tree in Chhoto Jambaria in an attempt to escape. However, an enraged crowd forced them down and severely beat them, resulting in their deaths at the scene. The OC noted that thousands of villagers from nearby areas gathered during the incident, fueling the mob attack. The bodies of the two men are being prepared for transfer to the district hospital morgue for post-mortem examinations, and legal proceedings are underway.

A local leader of the BNP was killed in a clash between  two factions of the party in Natuda union, over dominance in  Chuadanga’s Damurhuda upazila on Wednesday night. The deceased was identified as Sultan, 45, son of the late Afsar Ali, resident of Khalisha Para area of Natuda union and was serving as the joint secretary of BNP Ward No. 1 (covering Gachiar Para and Khalisha Para). According to the case statement, on October 23, two groups of BNP clashed over establishing supremacy and previous enmity, injuring around five to six people from both groups. Sultan sustained serious injuries during the clash and was initially taken to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, from where he was referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Earlier, on October 28, Palash filed the case against five individuals. 3 CU students injured in clash with Jubo League activists Police have arrested an accused Sohrab,60, son of Bharsa Ali from Gachiar Para village, listed in the case filed in connection with the incident. While most of the injured have recovered and returned home, Sultan remained under treatment for eight days at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where he passed away on Wednesday night. Damurhuda Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Humayun Kabir confirmed the matter. Operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects, said the OC.

Barishal University students blocked Barishal-Kuakata highway for the second consecutive day, demanding justice for the death of a fellow student in a bus accident. The protest began at 10:30 am on Thursday, effectively halting road traffic on this major route that connects the capital Dhaka to the coastal tourist destination Kuakata, as well as to the districts of Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road near the university, causing significant disruption and hardship for regular commuters. Miscreants assault officials protecting hilsa in Shariatpur Earlier, on Wednesday around 8 pm, a Narayanganj Paribahan was travelling from Patuakhali to Dhaka via Barishal and crashed over Maya Fauzia Mim, a student of the university. Following the incident, the bus driver fled, but students managed to seize the bus, later setting it ablaze around 11:00 pm. That night, the students maintained a blockade on the road until 2:00 am. One of the protesting students, Bhumika Sarkar, said that the accident  occurred due to the driver’s reckless speed despite the area being a university zone. Workers at 18 tea gardens give 48-hour ultimatum for payment of arrears The students are demanding compensation for Mim’s family, the construction of an overpass near the campus, and the arrest of the driver and his assistant. They pledged to continue the protests until these demands are met. Meanwhile, an army team reached the area to help manage the situation. Rafiqul Islam, the Officer-in-Charge of Bandar Police Station, said that discussions are ongoing between the university administration and the protesting students to resolve the matter.

An inmate was declared dead after being brought to Magura Sadar Hospital on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Ali Akbar, 70, a resident of Barishat village in Magura's Sreepur upazila. AL leader hacked to death in Jashore Abid Hossain, the jailer of Magura District Jail, said that Akbar was serving a 55-year sentence for charges related to murder, robbery, and arms offenses. He had been incarcerated since 1990 and was facing multiple health challenges, including high blood pressure and diabetes. 3 UPDF members shot dead in Khagrachhari He was brought to the hospital around 11 am from Magura District jail as he fell ill. The on-duty doctor declared him dead around 12:20 pm while undergoing treatment there, he said.

A local leader of Awami League was hacked to death in Chougachha Upazila of Jashore district on Wednesday. The deceased was Anisur Rahman , 56, Vice-President of  AL Singhojhuli Union unit. Mehedi Hasan, second officer of Chougachha Police Station, confirmed the death. Anisur, son of the late Abdul Jalil from Jagannathpur village, had previously lost his elder brother, former UP Chairman Ashraf Hossain Asha, to a similar attack by the same group in 2002, said his brother, Shahnoor Alam Uzzal. Witnesses said  Anisur was returning home after having tea at a local stall in Jagannathpur village around 8 pm. As he reached Uttarpara, some miscreants attacked him and severely hacked and beat him. Family members took him to Jashore General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries early Wednesday morning. Doctors atthe Orthopedic Surgery Department at the hospital said Anisur had injuries on various parts of his body with multiple fractures in his arms and legs.

Frustrated customers of National Bank's Shibganj branch in Sylhet locked the main entrance of the bank on Wednesday in protest after being unable to withdraw their deposits, a situation that has reportedly persisted for several days. The agitated account holders gathered at noon outside the branch, demanding access to their funds. They alleged that withdrawal requests had repeatedly been denied, leading to mounting frustration and the decision to lock the bank's gate as a form of protest. Finance Ministry proposes new MDs for 10 state owned banks  According to the branch’s Senior Vice President and Manager, the shortage of cash at the branch has resulted in significant inconvenience for customers. Shahporan Police Station's Officer-in-Charge, Manir Hossain, confirmed that police intervened, restoring order and reopening the bank’s main gate after receiving assurance from the bank’s Managing Director that steps would be taken to address the cash shortage.

The Rangamati district administration has lifted the restriction on tourism following the improvement in the law and order situation.Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan said tourists will be allowed to visit the district from November 1 and enhanced security will be provided by law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of tourists.The announcement was made at a press briefing held at the district's conference room on Wednesday. Rangamati’s Kaptai hanging bridge reopens after almost two monthsTourists will be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of Kaptai Lake, surrounded by hills, and explore the natural waterfalls in Rangamati, he said.Local businesses involved in the tourism sector are making necessary preparations to welcome tourists and special discounts will be offered to attract more visitors.On October 7, the local administration imposed a travel ban on the three Chattogram Hill Tracts districts, effective from October 8 to October 31, due to ‘unavoidable circumstances’.

Three members of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) were shot dead by some miscreants at Santi Ranjan Para in Panchari upazila of Khagrachhari district on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Sijon Chakma, Shahon Tripura and Join Chakma. In a statement, UPDF said a group of miscreants appeared there and opened fire on its three activists around 10 am, leaving them dead on the spot. Three killed in mob beating over suspected cattle theft in Narail Jashim Uddin, officer-in-charge of Panchhari police station, said they heard sound of exchanging gunfire but it will take time to recover the bodies as the killings occurred in a remote area. Meanwhile, the UPDF announced a dawn-to-dusk hartal for Thursday in the district.