United News of Bangladesh

A local leader of Jubo League who was injured in a clash with the supporters of a BNP leader over establishing dominance in Balaganj upazila of Sylhet died at a hospital in Dhaka on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Loyluch Mia, president of the Jubo League’s Balaganj Sadar Union unit. He died around 10:30pm while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka, said Md Farid Uddin Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge of Balaganj Police Station. A portion of the house was damaged in the fire, according to locals. The OC said the clash erupted on Saturday afternoon between the supporters of Loyluch and local BNP leader Yunus  Miah over boarding a boat during a local event in Balaganj Sadar. Several people including Loyluch Mia sustained injuries during the clash Loyluch was first taken to a local hospital and later shifted to Dhaka in critical condition. 2 killed in Mymensingh after trees fall during nor'wester His death news triggered further unrest in the area and some agitated locals reportedly set fire to the house of local BNP leader Yunus. Police were deployed at the scene to avert further untoward incidents, OC Farid Uddin added.  

In a calamitous turn of events that has left a swathe of communities stranded and anxious, a key bridge and road in Sylhet’s Balaganj upazila gave way to the relentless currents of the Kushiyara River on Wednesday morning, a devastating result of unchecked riverbank erosion. The collapse occurred at approximately 8am in the Fazilpur area along the Khasrupur GC–Balaganj road — one of the region’s vital lifelines.  This arterial route, stretching nearly 24 kilometres and connecting Balaganj to Sherpur in Osmaninagar upazila, now lies in ruins, swallowed by the river’s unyielding tide. Once a dependable corridor for commuters, traders and farmers alike, the road has become an emblem of despair.  BNP activist killed in factional clash in Jashore, six held With the thoroughfare rendered impassable, thousands of residents find themselves abruptly cut off from the upazila headquarters and surrounding regions, including the busy union of Purbo Poilunpur.  In a bid to avert further hazards, local authorities have disconnected power lines adjacent to the affected stretch. Locals recount a tale of growing dread over the past months — visible cracks had begun to snake across the roadway near the doomed bridge.  The once-sturdy route bore silent testimony to a worsening threat, but calls for decisive action were met, according to residents, with insufficient measures. “The road is crucial for thousands of people in Balaganj and Osmaninagar upazilas to reach the upazila and district headquarters, as well as nearby markets,” shared one resident, his voice tinged with frustration.  The road was not just a path but a pulse — transporting goods, sustaining commerce, and stitching together livelihoods across the two upazilas. Chuadanga records highest temperature at 42 degrees Celsius   Despite repeated warnings since November last year and appeals made through formal channels, including proposals to the Water Development Board (WDB) to install geo-bags and concrete blocks, only temporary, makeshift steps were taken. Soil and silt bags — no match for the Kushiyara’s seasonal fury — were laid down as a stopgap.  The result, according to locals, was tragically predictable. On April 28, Sylhet’s Deputy Director of Local Government Subarna Sarkar visited the site, raising hopes that permanent protection might finally be in sight.  Yet, according to eyewitnesses and residents, no concrete action followed, and the erosion continued unabated. On the day of the collapse, the scene was visited by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sarkar Mamunur Rashid and Upazila Engineer Muhibullah, who assessed the damage first-hand. Purbo Poilunpur Union Parishad Chairman Shihab Uddin voiced the frustration felt by many, “We had informed the WDB and other concerned departments through the UNO’s office when erosion started near Fazilpur. Despite this, no substantial steps were taken, leading to this disaster. Several other areas like Hamchapur are also at risk.” Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, acting UNO Mamunur Rashid assured that immediate efforts are underway. “We have contacted the Water Development Board to take necessary measures to prevent further erosion. Efforts are underway to restore road communication from Balaganj to Sherpur in Osmaninagar as soon as possible to ease public suffering," he said.  Dhaka’s rail communications with southern region resume after 15 hrs As the people of Balaganj and Osmaninagar struggle  with the aftermath, questions loom over what could have been done — and whether future pleas for protection will be met with the urgency they demand. Until then, the river continues its quiet, powerful encroachment — and the people, their livelihoods hanging in the balance, wait for solid ground to stand on once more.      

Two people have died after trees fell on them following a nor'wester (kaalboishakhi) in two separate places in Mymensingh. The incident occurred in the Barera area and Marakuri area of Ghagra Union around 4 pm on Sunday, Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan confirmed. The deceased were identified as Sajib, 20, son of Abdul Majid of Barera area and Suruj Mia, 55) son of late Afsar Ali of Marakuri area. Locals said that when the storm suddenly started around 4 pm on Sunday, Sajib took shelter under a tree. Suddenly, the tree fell on him and he died on the spot. On the other hand, Suruj Mia, a resident of the Marakuri area of the same union, was standing next to his house when a branch fell on his head, leaving him seriously injured. Later, locals took him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where doctors on duty declared him dead. OC Shafiqul Islam said police were sent to the spot after receiving the information. Legal action is under process in this regard.

A BNP activist was killed in a clash between two rival groups of the party at Chutipur village in Jhikargachha upazila of Jashore district on Saturday night. The deceased was identified as Asha, 34, son of late Atal Uddin of Balia village in the same upazila. According to police and witnesses, Asha and his brother Moidul, 30, led a procession from the local BNP office in the afternoon. Chuadanga records highest temperature at 42 degrees Celsius   As it reached the Jamtala intersection, they were obstructed by a rival group led by BNP leader Biplob, leading to a clash involving brickbats and locally made weapons. Asha and Moidul sustained serious injuries during the clash. They were rushed to Jashore General Hospital where doctors referred Asha to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries there. Moidul is currently receiving treatment at Jashore General Hospital. Asha’s sister Nasima Begum filed a case with Jhikargachha Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Babulur Rahman Khan said police detained six people in connection with the incident and a drive is underway to arrest others involved.    

Scorching heat disrupted life in Chuadanga as temperature hits season’s highest at 42 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the temperature reached 40 degrees Celsius at noon on Saturday and rose to 42 degrees Celsius by 3pm, according to the Chuadanga Met Office. A farmer died of suspected heatstroke amid the severe heatwave on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Atiar Rahman, 45, a resident of Monirampur village in Alukdia union under Sadar upazila. Dr Wahid Mohammad Robin, a physician at the emergency department of Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, said, “The patient had died before being brought to the hospital. Based on the symptoms, we suspect he suffered a heatstroke.” Witnesses said the farmer suddenly collapsed while working in front of a shop at a local market around noon. Dhaka’s rail communications with southern region resume after 15 hrs Locals rushed him to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Zaminur Rahman, in-charge of the local weather office, said, “Today’s maximum temperature in Chuadanga was recorded at 42 degrees Celsius at 3pm with humidity as low as 23 per cent. There is no forecast of rain in the coming days.” The intense heat has forced people to stay indoors during the daytime while outdoor activities and public movement have seen a sharp decline. Streets and marketplaces remained largely deserted and many day labourers refrained from working under the scorching sun. Health officials have advised residents to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight, and take necessary precautions as the sweltering conditions persist.

Train operations between Dhaka and the southern region of the country were restored on Saturday after 15 hours of suspension  following the derailment of two bogies of a train at Bhanga Bamonkanda Junction in Faridpur district . The train services were restored around 11 am after the two relief trains from Ishwardi and Khulna rushed to the spot and conducted a salvage operation. Khairuzzaman Shikdar, in-charge of Bhanga Bamonkanda Railway Junction, said all the passengers of the train left the area using other forms of transport overnight. Assistant Rail Station Master of Bhanga Junction, Sumon Baroi said one bogie and the engine of the Khulna-bound ‘Jahanabad Express’ train veered off the tracks shortly after departing Bhanga junction around 9:10 pm on Friday, halting train services via the Padma Bridge to Dhaka–Khulna, Dhaka–Benapole and Dhaka–Rajbari routes. Train communications with southern region halted; probe body formed The derailment occurred due to the mistake of point man Nazrul Islam and he has been suspended, he said. Paksi Divisional Transport Officer Hasina Khatun said, “Nazrul Islam has been suspended for changing the signal without prior authorisation. We’ve found evidence of his fault. A three-member probe committee has been formed.”  

The students of Rover Polly Degree College on Saturday blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at Mastarbari in Gazipur district protesting the ‘killing of a fellow pushing off a bus by some transport workers’. Mehedi Hasan, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said the students of the college took to the streets around 10:30 am, disrupting vehicular movement. Siam, a student of the college, died after falling off a bus of ‘Takwa Paribahan’ on Thursday night. Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway blocked over RMG worker's death in Gazipur The students alleged that Siam was pushed off the bus following a dispute over half fare. Meanwhile, the vehicular movement returned to normal nearly after two hours of suspension following assurance from the local administration.      

Rail communications with Chattogram and Sylhet from Dhaka remained suspended for two hours following the derailment of a bogie at Brahmanbaria Rail Station early Saturday. Brahmanbaria Railway Station Master Jashim Uddin, said Cox’s Bazar-bound intercity ‘Cox’s Bazar Express’ train veered off the tracks around 6:10 am, halting train movement. A relief train removed the bogie and restored partial rail connectivity around 8:30 am, he said Train communications with southern region halted; probe body formed “Train movement on the up line has resumed but it will take some more time for full restoration of down line services,” he added. Meanwhile, a caoch of a freight train from Chattogram veered off the tracks around 10:15 pm on Friday at the same station, halting train movement with Dhaka and other parts of the country. Train services resumed on Saturday morning after a relief train from Akhaura removed the damaged freight coach.      

Train operations between Dhaka and the southern region of the country remained suspended since Friday night following the derailment of two bogies of a train at Bhanga Bamonkanda Junction in Faridpur district. Assistant Rail Station Master of Bhanga Junction, Sumon Baroi said one bogie and the engine of the Khulna-bound ‘Jahanabad Express’ train veered off the tracks shortly after departing Bhanga junction around 9:10 pm on Friday, halting train services via the Padma Bridge to Dhaka–Khulna, Dhaka–Benapole and Dhaka–Rajbari routes. The derailment occurred due to the mistake of point man Nazrul Islam and he has been suspended, he said. Paksi Divisional Transport Officer Hasina Khatun said, “Nazrul Islam has been suspended for changing the signal without prior authorisation. We’ve found evidence of his fault. A three-member probe committee has been formed.” Mother, daughter killed in Noakhali road crash Two relief trains from Rajbari and Khulna rushed to the spot and are trying to salvage the bogies with the help of cranes and railway staff. The operations will resume by this noon, said Sumon Baroi. No casualty was reported. Khairuzzaman Shikdar, in-charge of Bhanga Bamonkanda Railway Junction, said all the passengers of the train left the area using other forms of transport overnight.        

A woman and her daughter were killed and another injured after a truck hit their CNG autorickshaw on the Begumganj-Lakshmipur regional highway in Noakhali on Friday night. The deceased were identified as Jamina Sultana Inu, 20, wife of Abdur Rahman from Chandraganj in Lakshmipur district, and their 2-year-old daughter Fatema Akhter. Rahman, the husband of the deceased Fatema, the CNG driver who was injured in the accident, said he, along with his wife and daughter, was going to Chauhmuni Bazar in Noakhali. Protesters block highways in Barishal demanding ban on Awami League When he was crossing Amin Bazar in Begumganj upazila, a speeding truck came from behind and hit his autorickshaw, leaving his wife and daughter seriously injured. Later, with the help of locals, they were rescued and taken to the 150-bed Begumganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Inu and her daughter Fatema dead. Rahman received primary treatment at the hospital. Road crash leaves 3 dead in Gopalganj Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chandraganj Highway Police, said locals caught the truck driver and handed him over to the police with the vehicle. The bodies were sent to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital morgue for autopsies, he added.