United News of Bangladesh

Teachers and students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) have decided to withdraw their indefinite shutdown and return to classes after 34 days of protests over the appointment of a new vice-chancellor, while students vowed to continue their movement until their demand for reinstating former VC Prof Abu Sayed Muhammad Sayem is met. The students said the prolonged suspension of academic activities had put their education and future at risk, but returning to classes would not mean withdrawing from the movement. They warned that they would launch a tougher movement again if newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Prof Sheikh Shariful Alam entered the campus before their demand was fulfilled. “We want normal academic activities to resume as soon as possible, but our movement for the reinstatement of Prof Sayem will continue. We want an honourable solution to the crisis, not confrontation,” said Masum Billah, a fourth-year student of the Mechanical Engineering Department. Samiun Basir, joint secretary of the CUET Teachers' Association, said a general meeting of the association had decided to call on students to return to classes. The respective departments will decide when to resume classes, he added. According to university sources, students first announced their decision to return to classes through an open letter around 11am on Sunday. Following the letter, the Teachers' Association held a general meeting at noon, which ended around 2pm. The association also announced the same decision after the meeting. In their open letter, the students said their academic progress had continued to suffer because of the prolonged movement and stalemate, and they no longer wanted their education and future to be affected. They said they wanted to resume classes and restore normal academic activities, but stressed that their return would not mean abandoning the movement. The students reiterated that the sole demand of the joint movement involving teachers, officers, employees and students must be met, calling for Prof Abu Sayed Muhammad Sayem to be reinstated as vice-chancellor. They also warned that they would launch another strict movement if newly appointed VC Prof Sheikh Shariful Alam entered the campus, pledging to remain united until their demand was fulfilled. Asked about the decision to withdraw the shutdown, Zulkarnain Mihad, a fourth-year student of the Mechanical Engineering Department, said the prolonged suspension of classes and examinations had left their academic future uncertain. “We want normal academic activities to resume quickly. We want an honourable solution to the crisis, not confrontation. We hope our demand will also be considered seriously while ensuring that our academic life continues,” he said. On September 21, the Ministry of Education removed Prof Abu Sayed Muhammad Sayem from the post of CUET vice-chancellor and appointed Prof Sheikh Shariful Alam of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) as his replacement. Protesting the decision, students launched a complete shutdown on September 22. Teachers, officers and employees also began work abstention and non-cooperation programmes demanding Sayem's reinstatement. The protests brought most academic activities, including classes and examinations, to a halt, forcing the postponement of 34 examinations across seven departments. Meanwhile, Prof Shariful Alam had earlier entered his office after breaking a lock with the help of Chhatra Dal leaders. Students subsequently confined him there. After he fell ill, he was taken out of the building with the administration's assistance about 24 hours later.

Professor Dr Shamima Sultana of Jahangirnagar University’s (JU) Bangla Department was appointed as a member of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC). The Ministry of Public Administration announced the appointment in a notification issued on Sunday night and signed by Al-Bashirul Islam, senior assistant secretary of its Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch. According to the notification, the President made the appointment under Article 138(1) of the Constitution. Sultana must relinquish any other profession, business or employment with government, semi-government or private organisations. She will serve for five years from the date of joining or until she turns 65, whichever comes first. Sultana previously served as chairperson of JU’s Department of Bangla. She also serves as vice-president of the university’s Nationalist Teachers' Forum (NTF), a platform of pro-BNP teachers. During the July 2024 mass uprising, she drew nationwide attention after removing a portrait of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her office.

Police have arrested three suspects, including the prime accused, from different areas of Dhaka after analysing CCTV footage in connection with the brutal murder of an Awami League leader at her flat in Keraniganj, officials said Sunday. The arrestees were identified as prime suspect Anik, 19, Ashik, 23, and Alamgir, 36. The trio entered the third-floor flat of Dalia Akter Suma, 50, at Rasulpur Bazar early Friday to commit burglary. When Suma recognized Anik, they stabbed and slaughtered her with a sharp knife before Anik fled wearing Suma's borka, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime Ops) Md. Torikul Islam said at a press briefing. Using CCTV footage, police arrested Anik from Balurchar in Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj, and subsequently picked up Ashik and Alamgir from Abdullahpur based on his confession. However, the victim's daughters, Liza and Nadia, rejected the burglary claim, alleging that the murder was planned by a mastermind over a flat dispute. They said gold ornaments and valuables worth Tk 50–60 lakh inside the flat remained untouched and demanded an investigation into the suspects' call records. Inspector (Investigation) Azgar Ali of South Keraniganj Police Station produced the suspects before a court seeking a 10-day remand. Suma was the president of Basta Union Yuba Mahila League and a part-time teacher at Char Baghapur Government Primary School.

A mass media campaign (MMC), named as FOPL campaign, was launched on Sunday to build public awareness and support for front-of-package warning labels (FOPL) on ultra-processed and packaged food and drinks high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.  This campaign aims to support government efforts to introduce warning labels that help consumers identify unhealthy products that may harm their health. The campaign was officially launched at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka. It is jointly organized by the Coalition for Healthy Food, Center for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA), Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), National Heart Foundation (NHF), PROGGA and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust. The campaign comes amid a growing burden of diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh. NCDs account for nearly 71% of all deaths in the country, with cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes among the leading causes. Additionally, overweight prevalence among adults in Bangladesh is approximately 31.8%, while 13.4% are living with obesity. Overweight and obesity increase the risk for developing NCDs, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Front-of-package warning labels help consumers quickly identify packaged foods and drinks that contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt and saturated fat. By making nutrition information clear and easy to understand, these labels help people make informed choices and discourage purchases of unhealthy products. They are an important, evidence-based policy to help improve food environments and reduce the burden of diet-related diseases. Md Safiqul Islam, Chairman, (Additional Secretary), Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) attended the launch press conference as chief guest and formally inaugurated the front-of-package labeling campaign. The event was chaired by Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Professor and Head of Research and Epidemiology, NHF and moderated by Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector, DAM, with Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member (Food Industry and Production), BFSA and Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) speaking as special guests. Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director of WBB Trust, ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA and Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Secretary of CLPA were also in attendance. In his speech as chief guest, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Chairman Md. Safiqul Islam said, “Ensuring safe food remains one of the authority’s key priorities. To this end, the BFSA is working to formulate the necessary regulations on front-of-package warning labels (FOPL) to raise public awareness of unhealthy packaged foods and beverages high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.” The two-month campaign will run through December 13, 2026, across television and radio, digital platforms, social media, online and print newspapers and Google advertising. The campaign aims to draw attention to the unhealthy ingredients and excessive sugar, salt and saturated fat in many common packaged food products. Moreover, the campaign will also support the government to promulgate the regulation of Front-Of-Package Warning Labels on Packaged Foods and Drinks in Bangladesh. Campaign materials include video and audio commercials, static images and other public facing content, which will also be shared through partner organizations’ social media pages.

Customs intelligence officials seized 49 gold bangles weighing 1.48kg, with an estimated market value of Tk 2.80 crore, including customs duties and taxes, from a passenger’s handbag at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram on Sunday. The seizure was made by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) following a tip-off about gold smuggling. According to the CIID, officials took position at the airport on Sunday morning based on secret information. A passenger, identified as MD SHARIF, arrived at the airport from Jeddah on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG136 at 11:12am. He allegedly attempted to pass through the green channel without declaring any gold ornaments. When customs intelligence officials questioned him, he denied carrying gold. However, acting on the tip-off, the officials decided to search his baggage. During a search of his handbag in the customs hall in the presence of officials from other agencies, they recovered 49 gold bangles weighing a total of 1kg and 480 grammes. The estimated market value of the seized gold, including applicable customs duties and taxes, is Tk 2,80,23,800, the CIID said. The incident highlights the role of intelligence-led surveillance in detecting suspected gold smuggling at the country’s airports.

Police recovered the body of an unidentified man from the parking area near Sylhet Railway Station on Sunday morning. Police said the identity of the deceased, aged around 35, could not be ascertained immediately. According to police, locals spotted the body lying on a traffic island and informed the authorities. A team from Dakshin Surma Police Station rushed to the spot and recovered the body around 11:00 am. Later, police prepared an inquest report and sent the body to the morgue of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for an autopsy. Md Ashraf Uzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dakshin Surma Police Station, said the initial investigation suggested the deceased was a vagrant. Efforts were underway to determine his identity.

A total of 1,413 plots were allotted on political grounds in five housing projects in Dhaka between 2009 and 2024, with 1,074 plots in Purbachal and Jhilmil alone facing allegations of irregularities, a parliamentary committee was told on Sunday. Of the plots identified in reports as involving irregularities, 874 are in Purbachal New Town Project and 200 in Jhilmil Residential Area. The files relating to these plots have been kept on hold, according to the Housing and Public Works Ministry. The issue was discussed at the second meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Housing and Public Works Ministry chaired by its chairman Md Rezaul Karim Badsha at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The committee discussed taking legal action after proper investigation into the alleged irregularities, including whether political considerations influenced the allotments. The  plots were allotted in Gulshan, Banani, Uttara and Jhilmil residential areas and the Purbachal New Town Project during the period. Purbachal accounted for the highest number, with 944 plots. A committee formed in response to a rule issued by the High Court Division reviewed documents relating to plot allotments in different Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) projects and submitted its findings to the ministry. The committee also reviewed progress on decisions taken at its first meeting. Regarding the reconstruction of the graves of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the ministry said various initiatives have been taken to expedite the work. I t expressed hope that reconstruction of the main structures would be completed by December 2026. The committee also called for the speedy completion of unfinished landscaping and cleaning work in the adjoining garden and premises. The ministry informed the meeting that the development project proposal for installing rooftop solar panels on government buildings, titled “Enhancing Clean Energy Access through Rooftop Solar PV in Public Infrastructure”, was sent to the Planning Commission for approval. The proposed project is expected to generate 360 megawatts of electricity. Any surplus electricity remaining after use in the respective buildings could be supplied to the national grid. The meeting was also informed that preparations are underway to lay the foundation stone of the new secretariat in Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, on December 16. Housing and Public Works State Minister Ahmed Sohel Manzur and MPs Md Lutfozzaman Babar, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal, M Manjurul Karim Rony, Md Ruhul Amin and Md Tajuddin Khan attended the meeting.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir on Sunday sought public cooperation to build Bangladesh Police into a humane and friendly force, emphasizing that a strong police force is essential for public safety and ease of movement in society. He made the remarks while speaking to local journalists after addressing a community policing rally as the chief guest at the new Police Lines in Bagerhat, organized by the District Police. Highlighting government initiatives to modernize the force, the IGP said ECNEC has approved a project to purchase 5,800 new vehicles to address transport shortages, noting that the force currently lacks nearly 2,500 vehicles against its allotted strength. Addressing manpower constraints, he said at least 15,000 personnel will be recruited annually. He also urged citizens not to incite mobs and instead assist the police in maintaining law and order. Expressing "zero tolerance" against drugs, the police chief emphasized that community policing committees, expanded down to union levels under UNOs and OCs, can resolve 15 key social problems including youth gangs, drug abuse, child marriage, and corruption. Later, the IGP exchanged views with police personnel at a special welfare meeting at the Police Lines drill shed.

Bangladesh’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation rate stood at 3.89 per cent in the first three months of the current fiscal year (FY2026-27), with expenditure reaching Tk 12,017.54 crore, according to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED). The rate was lower than the 5.09 per cent recorded in the same period of FY2025-26, when expenditure amounted to Tk 12,158.27 crore, the IMED data showed. The government allocated Tk 3,08,924.86 crore for the ADP in FY2026-27, compared with Tk 2,38,696 crore in the previous fiscal year. The ADP implementation rate was 4.75 per cent in the first three months of FY2024-25, when expenditure stood at Tk 13,215.30 crore. In FY2023-24, the rate was 7.50 per cent, with spending of Tk 20,609.55 crore during the corresponding period. In FY2022-23, the implementation rate was 8.55 per cent, with expenditure reaching Tk 21,895.56 crore in the first quarter. In September alone, the government spent Tk 6,307.84 crore on development projects in FY2026-27, representing 2.04 per cent of the annual allocation. In September of FY2025-26, expenditure was Tk 6,443.44 crore, equivalent to 2.70 per cent of that year’s allocation. The latest figures indicate that monthly development spending in September was lower than a year earlier, both in absolute terms and as a proportion of the annual ADP allocation. The IMED, under the Planning Ministry, monitors the implementation of development projects and reports progress on a monthly basis.  

Saint Martin’s Island, the country’s only coral island, will reopen to tourists on November 1, with daily visitor numbers capped at 3,500 until March 15, 2027 and each visitor required to pay a Tk 100 environmental conservation fee. Environment-2 wing of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a letter in this regard on Sunday. According to the letter, the decisions were taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the ministry’s conference room on October 12 chaired by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, to regulate tourist movement to the ecologically critical island. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the Department of Shipping will not be allowed to authorise vessel operations to the island without approval from the environment ministry. Tourist vessels authorised to operate from Nuniachhara Ghat in Cox’s Bazar will continue their services, the letter said. The Department of Environment has been asked to take necessary steps to collect the environmental conservation fee from tourists in accordance with Rule 26 of the Ecologically Critical Area Management Rules, 2016. The letter also stated that all directives issued in the ministry’s notification dated October 22, 2025, would remain in force. The ministry sent the letter to the secretaries of the ministries of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Shipping, the divisional commissioner of Chattogram, the director general of the Department of Environment (DoE), the chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, the director general of the Department of Shipping, the chairman of BIWTA, the chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board and the deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, asking them to take necessary measures to implement the decisions.