United News of Bangladesh

The Directorate of Prisons on Monday inaugurated a medical centre and a pathological unit at the Old Dhaka Central Jail to provide healthcare services to prison officials and employees, said a press release issued on Monday. Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Md Motaher Hossain formally inaugurated the facilities, established under the Directorate's own management. Officials said the initiative marks a significant step in improving healthcare and welfare services for prison personnel. The medical centre and pathology unit will provide services to officials and employees of the Directorate of Prisons as well as prison staff from across the country who come to Dhaka for medical treatment. Under the new facility, prison staff, their spouses and children will receive pathological laboratory services free of charge. Their parents and parents-in-law will be eligible for the same services at a 50 percent discount on the government-approved rates.  

The Dhaka University (DU) unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Monday carried out a tree plantation programme on the university campus in memory of those martyred during the 2024 July Mass Uprising. The programme was held at the Mall Chattar on the campus with support from the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam attended the event as the chief guest. Also present were DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, DU JCD President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, and other leaders and activists of the organisation. Speaking at the event, Abdus Salam said there is no alternative to large-scale tree plantation to maintain ecological balance and make urban life more liveable. He noted that rapid urbanisation and environmental pollution have contributed to a rise in various diseases, while Dhaka's air pollution has reached an alarming level. He said that alongside government initiatives, public participation is essential to address the environmental crisis. Referring to the prime minister's target of planting 250 million trees over the next five years, Salam urged people from all walks of life to take part in the campaign. He said that if every citizen planted at least one tree, the country could add several crore trees within a short period. Salam also said that democracy had been restored through the 2024 movement and stressed that DU students must play a responsible role in ensuring that the country's democratic progress is not hindered. DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) said the campus programme was launched as part of the prime minister's five-year initiative to plant 250 million trees, with the DU unit of JCD taking the lead and DSCC providing support. He said the effects of climate change and global warming are already visible in different parts of the country. Planned tree plantation, coupled with proper care of the saplings, could help mitigate some of the adverse impacts of global warming on the environment. He expressed hope that such initiatives would make the Dhaka University campus greener and more environmentally friendly. DU JCD President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas said the programme was organised as part of the tree plantation campaign announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He added that the organisation has been expanding the campaign since July through various initiatives. He further said that the DSCC had provided 500 saplings to support the programme. The initiative, organised in memory of the July martyrs, aims to contribute to the greening of the campus while encouraging students to take an active role in environmental conservation. Following the discussion, the guests and JCD leaders and activists planted saplings at different locations around the Mal Chattar.

A group of Dhaka University female students demanded the abolition of discriminatory evening curfew and right to free movement across the campus. They raised these demands under the banner of Oborodhbashini during a press conference held at the Madhur canteen around 4pm today.   They presented three demands including abolishing discriminatory evening curfew in female halls (10pm to 6am) immediately and ensuring 24-hour unrestricted movement along with overall security for all female students; allowing female students to enter any female hall upon showing a valid ID card and stay overnight with proper permission; ensuring the rights for all female relatives to enter in the halls. Before that, the students also submitted a memorandum regarding the matter to the vice chancellor of the university under the banner of "Boishommohin Nari Hall Chai" on 27 July. Speaking at the press conference DUCSU member Hema cakma said, ‘Although DU promises equal rights, free pursuit of knowledge, and unrestricted movement for all students regardless of gender, the reality is entirely different. Within the university's existing rules and administrative structure, female students are subjected to gender-based discrimination.’ Previously, the students drew protest graffiti in different women's halls and set up booths in halls and faculties, collecting more than 600 signatures along with numerous stories of students' sufferings, mentioned in the press conference. The students said the signatures collected by Oborodhbashini will be formally submitted to the Vice-Chancellor on 6 August. Before submitting the memorandum and signatures, a comprehensive human chain will be held on the university campus. At the same time, the university administration will be given a 1–2 day ultimatum to implement the students' legitimate demands. Organizing secretary of Biplobi Chhatra Moitree of DU unit, Israt Jahan Imu, said that at present, around 57% of female students at Dhaka University are deprived of accommodation facilities. Despite paying regular fees, non-resident female students are not allowed to enter their own halls. Under the pretext of security, restrictions on entry at night have resulted in harassment, humiliating questioning, and administrative harassment of female students. When  asked about the security concern, Sima Akter, a leader of Chhatra Federation  said, “DU makes instance for across the country. If the autority can’t ensure security for women in DU, then what about the women of rural area.” They called upon teachers, representatives of political, social, and cultural organisations, journalists, as well as all resident and non-resident female students and conscious students to attend their programme and ‘make this movement to break the chains imposed on female students a success’.

Police on Monday arrested two suspects in a case filed over the alleged gang rape of a schoolgirl at Charmarjal village in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi district. The arrestees were identified as Rakib Hasan Rubel, 26, son of Rafiqul Islam, and Dipu Mia, 22, son of Joj Mia, both residents of the village. According to the statement of the case filed against four individuals, the Class-VIII student went to Charmarjal village on Saturday night to meet an acquaintance named Riam. Before reaching her destination, four young men allegedly intercepted her, took her to a secluded spot near a pond and raped her. The accused also allegedly recorded videos of the assault and demanded Tk 10,000 from the victim, threatening to upload the footage on Facebook if she failed to pay. The girl narrated the ordeal o her family around 2:00am on Sunday. On the same day, the victim’s mother filed a case at Raipura Police Station against the suspects, said its Officer-in-Charge Mujibur Rahman. The two other accused are Jashim, 24, son of Afa Mia of Fuldi village, and Akka, 22. The OC said police were conducting drives to arrest other accused.  

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) on Monday provided livelihood grants to the first group of 26 injured survivors of the July uprising under the Pathways to Healing (P2H) Project. At a ceremony held at its National Headquarters, BDRCS Chairman Barrister Abdus Salam handed over the first instalment of Tk 35,000 in livelihood assistance to each of the 26 beneficiaries. A total of 688 injured survivors will receive this support in phases. The primary objective of this support is to help them regain self-reliance and rebuild their livelihoods. Subject to satisfactory progress and monitoring of their approved business plans, each beneficiary will receive an additional Tk 25,000 in the second phase. As a result, each eligible beneficiary will receive a total conditional cash grant of Tk 60,000 to restore their livelihoods and support income-generating activities.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said they have not yet received any clear instructions from the government regarding the local government elections. He also said the schedule for the presidential election has not been finalised as the EC is still waiting for the voter list from the Parliament Secretariat. "The date or schedule for the presidential election has not been fixed yet. We have requested the Parliament Secretariat to send the voter list. After receiving the voter list, we will discuss the election date and schedule," the EC secretary said, while talking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. On July 24 last, Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as President and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took charge as the acting head of state. The EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, held a meeting with acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on July 28 in line with the Presidential Election Act, 1991, which obliges the Commission to consult with the Speaker before the announcement of the schedule for the presidential election. According to Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant office of the President must be held within 90 days of the post becoming vacant due to resignation. Talking about the local government elections, Akhtar said the EC has not yet received any clear instructions from the government in this regard. He said the Commission had earlier kept July 31 last as the deadline for new voter registration ahead of the local government elections. "As we have yet to get any clear instruction regarding the local government elections, the July 31 deadline for voter registration may be changed, or it may remain unchanged," the EC secretary said. He said the Commission has prepared a set of proposals for amending the local government election laws and the proposals will be sent to the Local Government Division for consideration. Asked whether local government elections could be held from October, Akhtar said the Commission normally requires around 45 days between the announcement of the election schedule and polling day. Besides, it takes another one and a half months to finalise and print the voter list, meaning that the EC generally needs around three months of preparations before holding an election, he explained. "Different timelines have been discussed, including September, October and even December (for starting to hold the local government elections). As there is no clear information yet, it will not be appropriate for me to comment," the EC secretary said. Responding to another question, he said, to his knowledge, there has been no formal communication with the government regarding the local government elections so far. "However, our preparations are continuing without any slowdown," he added. 38 political parties submit audit reports Akhtar said 38 registered political parties, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have submitted their audited financial statements for the 2025 calendar year to the EC. He said 13 parties have sought an extension of the submission deadline, while eight parties have not responded. According to the Representation of the People Order, political parties must submit their audit reports by July 31 for the previous year. As the deadline fell on a Friday, the EC extended it until August 2, said Akhtar Ahmed. There are now 59 registered political parties, while the registration of one party – Awami League – remains suspended.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has foiled an attempt to smuggle around 1.5 kg of gold through Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport, seizing the consignment worth an estimated Tk 3 crore, officials said on Monday. Acting on intelligence inputs, officials of the CIID regional office in Chattogram kept a close watch on a Bangladeshi passenger, identified as Mohammad Tusar, 33, who arrived from Dubai on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG148). Following his arrival, a joint surveillance operation was conducted by officials from the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), Customs House and CIID. During a body search at the customs hall, officials recovered around 1,400 grams of 24-carat gold paste, including packing materials, concealed inside the passenger’s underwear using a specially designed method. They also seized five gold bangles weighing about 100 grams. In total, approximately 1,500 grams of gold were recovered. The seized gold has an estimated market value of around Tk 3 crore. According to the CIID, preliminary investigation suggests that the suspect attempted to evade airport security and customs checks by converting the gold into paste and concealing it inside his underwear. However, the smuggling attempt was thwarted through intelligence-based surveillance and coordinated action by the law enforcement and customs agencies. Legal proceedings are underway against the passenger under the Customs Act, 2023, the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947, the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950, the Import Policy Order 2021-2024, Bangladesh Bank’s FE Circular No. 06 and the Special Powers Act, 1974. The CIID said intelligence surveillance at international airports has been further strengthened to prevent the smuggling of gold and other contraband and that such operations will continue.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said Awami League lacks the capability to carry out sabotage surrounding August 5, which is being observed as the July Mass Uprising Day. "I don't think Awami League has the capacity to do such things. It is a banned organisation and a mafia force. Occasionally they make attempts to attract attention from abroad, but beyond that I do not see any significant activity," he said in response to a question from reporters at the Secretariat. When asked whether intelligence reports have prompted authorities to instruct the police to remain on high alert, Salahuddin Ahmed said the directives were part of routine security procedures rather than a response to any specific threat. "This is standard practice within the police force. Officers are instructed not to leave unattended vehicles, not to have all team members leave their posts at the same time, and to ensure that at least one officer remains with official vehicles. These are regular precautionary measures and should not be interpreted otherwise," said the minister. Responding to a question on the election of a new President, the minister said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission. Asked about the government's programmes marking August 5, Salahuddin Ahmed said a meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday under his party's leadership, bringing together allies of the joint movement and representatives of other political parties at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh. He added that the Prime Minister is expected to attend the event,where the government's plans for observing the day will be outlined.  

The government has started distributing rice under its Food Friendly Programme from August 1 to ensure food security for low-income people and maintain market stability. A total of 55 lakh card-holding beneficiaries in 495 upazilas will receive 30 kg of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg under the programme for six months—August to November and March to April, according to a PID handout issued on Monday. To address malnutrition among low-income people, particularly to improve the nutritional status of women and children, the government is currently distributing fortified rice to about 25.29 lakh beneficiaries in 248 upazilas under the programme. Besides, regular rice is being distributed to 29.71 lakh beneficiaries in 247 upazilas. Meanwhile, the government continues distributing rice and flour under the Open Market Sale (OMS) programme through 1,108 centres (shops and trucks) across the country. The country's food stock remains satisfactory, it said. Food reserves are now at their highest level ever, while foodgrain procurement activities are continuing, it added. As of August 2, total food stocks stood at 2,349,385 metric tonnes, including 1,966,148 metric tonnes of rice, 280,010 metric tonnes of wheat and 152,109 metric tonnes of paddy. The government remains committed to ensuring food security, reducing malnutrition and further strengthening social safety net programmes for public welfare.      

A Dhaka court on Monday framed charges against former National Board of Revenue (NBR) official Matiur Rahman in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for amassing wealth beyond known sources of income. Dhaka Divisional Special Judge BM Tariqul Kabir framed the charges. With this, the formal trial in the case against Matiur has begun. The court also fixed September 14 for next hearing. Advocate Anwar Zahid Bhuiyan and Md Borhan Uddin moved a bail petition for Motiur Rahman. ACC prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam opposed the bail plea and the court rejected the bail it. According to the prosecution, Matiur is accused of acquiring assets worth Tk 1.24 crore using fake documents, along with holding an additional Tk 5.40 crore in assets that were inconsistent with his known sources of income. Matiur went into early retirement in 2024 amid graft allegations that surfaced after his son bought a goat at Tk15 lakh for Eid-ul-Azha festival. On July 2, 2024, ACC served a legal notice seeking wealth statement of Matiur and his family. Later, Matiur, his two wives and three children submitted wealth statements before ACC. ACC filed the case against Matiur and his family on January 6, 2025. The Detective Branch (DB) of police later arrested Matiur and his wife Layla from Bashundhara residential Area on January 14.