United News of Bangladesh

Security has been strengthened at the traditional Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in Kishoreganj ahead of the upcoming Eid congregation. Two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed to maintain law and order, said Lt Col Touhidul Bari, commanding officer of Netrokona Battalion (31 BGB), on Wednesday.Police, RAB and other law enforcement agencies will also remain on duty to ensure security. Lt Col Bari said BGB personnel will work in coordination with the district administration and other agencies to ensure a secure environment at the Eidgah Maidan and surrounding areas. He said the two platoons are being led by Assistant Director Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury. This year, the 199th Eid jamaat will be held at Sholakia Eidgah, where preparations have been made for the participation of lakhs of devotees. Mufti Abul Khair Mehmood Saifullah will lead the congregation.The Eid jamaat is scheduled to begin at 9am.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has intensified security measures surrounding the National Eidgah to protect the lives and property of city residents and ensure a peaceful celebration of Eid. Speaking to the media after inspecting preparations at the National Eidgah, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said that only 10 to 15 percent of police personnel in Dhaka Metropolitan City have been granted leave due to heightened security arrangements for Eid. Responding to a question about possible threats to the Eid congregation, the commissioner said, “Regarding threats, various provocative campaigns may be carried out, particularly in cyberspace, and we are vigilant about that. Our cyber patrol team is monitoring the situation around the clock.” The DMP commissioner highlighted several security measures, including special searches at the entrances of the National Eidgah, installation of watch towers to monitor the situation, drone surveillance, intelligence monitoring by plainclothes officers alongside uniformed police, and standby teams from SWAT, the Bomb Disposal Unit, and the Counter Terrorism Unit. Fire service personnel, emergency medical teams, a police sub-control room, and a lost-and-found centre have also been arranged inside the National Eidgah premises. “The DMP has a special request for devotees. Those coming to the Eidgah should arrive with sufficient time in hand and cooperate with Dhaka Metropolitan Police during security checks,” the commissioner said. “Devotees arriving by car are requested to enter the Eidgah on foot from the roadblock area and park their vehicles in designated places. Everyone is also requested to follow traffic diversion and parking instructions around the National Eidgah.” The commissioner further said, “We request worshippers to bring only prayer mats and umbrellas if necessary. Please do not bring bags, sharp objects, fixed metal objects, or unnecessary metallic items.” “We also request everyone to leave the venue in an orderly manner after the congregational prayer without rushing. If anyone notices anything suspicious, they are requested to immediately inform the police officer on duty or contact the national emergency service, 999.” Security for houses and commercial establishments The commissioner said separate security measures have been formulated for vacant homes and commercial areas during the Eid holidays. “As many residential and commercial areas of the city remain vacant during Eid holidays, we have strengthened security through mobile patrols, foot patrols, and motorcycle patrols. The situation is also being monitored through CCTVsurveillance,” he said. “Checkpoints are being set up at important locations. Community policing and beat policing activities have been further strengthened. Special surveillance is being carried out at banks, ATM booths, shopping malls, markets, and other important establishments. Security personnel at residential and commercial areas are also being supervised. Intelligence surveillance on suspicious persons and vehicles has been increased.” Cyber unit active round the clock The DMP commissioner said, “In the current context, DMP’s Cyber Unit is monitoring activities round the clock to prevent the spread of rumours, propaganda, and confusion through social media. Any attempt to spread rumours, provocative propaganda, or create law and order deterioration will be dealt with strictly.” “Dhaka Metropolitan Police is performing its duties with utmost professionalism, sincerity, and caution to protect the lives and property of city residents and ensure a peaceful celebration of Eid.The media always plays a very important role in raising public awareness. I hope you will cooperate in properly conveying DMP’s security instructions to the public.” Before the briefing, the DMP commissioner, along with Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, inspected the latest preparations at the National Eidgah.

The Bomb Disposal Unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police found no hazardous substance in the ward where six newborns died at Ad-din Medical College Hospital in the capital, though they did detect an odour which officials said could occur when the air conditioner remains switched off. The DMP Bomb Disposal Unit visited the ward on Wednesday afternoon and conducted inspections for around an hour, but found nothing harmful there. A five-member team from the unit carried out the inspection. One member of the team, requesting anonymity, said, “We did not find anything hazardous. However, there was a slight smell which can occur if the AC remains switched off.” Earlier, the Crime Scene Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department also visited the hospital. Members of Rapid Action Battalion, DB police and several intelligence agencies also inspected the site. Later, DMP Commissioner  Mosleh Uddin Ahmed visited the hospital and spoke to reporters. The DMP Commissioner said 11 mothers, along with six newborns, were staying in the post-operative Ward. According to him, one of the mothers requested that the air conditioner be turned off as she was feeling cold. Following the request, a nurse reportedly kept the AC switched off for around an hour. He said when the room later became warm, the AC was switched on again at the request of the patients. Soon after, two babies fell sick, while the remaining four also became ill shortly afterwards. All six newborns later died while undergoing treatment,  he added.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Savar Model Police Station Arman Ali has been withdrawn over allegations of negligence in arresting a top drug dealer, alleged association with him, and deterioration of law-and-order situation. Confirming the matter on Tuesday noon, Dhaka’s Superintendent of Police Shamima Parvin said he has been attached to the district police lines. According to sources, on May 22, three journalists from Desh TV and SA TV went to collect news at the hideout of a top drug dealer named Shamim Reza in the Rajashan area of Savar. They were allegedly attacked and severely beaten by Shamim and his associates, leaving them injured. The injured journalists were later admitted to hospital. Although a case was filed at Savar Model Police Station naming 21 individuals, prime accused Shamim has not yet been arrested. Earlier, a sub-inspector and two assistant sub-inspectors of the police station were also withdrawn over alleged involvement with the drug dealer. Following the same incident, OC Arman Ali has now been removed from his post. Police sources said the matter is being investigated seriously and necessary legal and administrative action will be taken against those involved.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has deployed 23 teams in key toll plazas, highways and congestion-prone areas across the country to help maintain law and order, ease traffic congestion and ensure safe and comfortable travel for Eid holidaymakers. As per the government’s directives, four teams have been deployed in the Elevated Expressway, Baipail and Nabinagar areas, six teams in the Padma Bridge and Dhaka-Mawa Expressway toll plaza areas, and four teams in the Meghna Bridge, Panchabati Bridge, Kanchan Bridge, Mograpara and Madanpur Mor/Kanchpur areas, BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam said on Tuesday. In addition, one team has been deployed in the Gazipur Chowrasta area, two teams have been deployed at the eastern and western ends of the Jamuna Bridge, one team in the Shah Amanat Bridge area in Chattogram, one team in the Khan Jahan Ali Bridge area in Khulna, one team in the Bhairab Bridge area in Kishoreganj, two teams at the Kushtia and Pabna ends of the Lalon Shah Bridge, and one team at the Atrai Toll Plaza area in Natore. BGB members have been carrying out duties since May 21 in coordination with the local administration and other law enforcement agencies to reduce traffic congestion, maintain discipline and ensure the safe movement of people in the respective areas. The deployment will remain in place until three days after Eid.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday warned city residents not to fall victim to fraudulent SMS messages circulating on social media platforms that falsely claim to be related to traffic fines imposed by the DMP’s Traffic Division. The messages are entirely fake and urged citizens not to be misled or defrauded by such communication, it said. DMP ‘s Media and Public relations division issued a press release in this regard. The Traffic Division clarified that traffic cases filed under the Road Transport Act, 2018 through its AI and video surveillance system are processed through official procedures. When a vehicle is fined, a letter signed by the responsible officer of the relevant traffic division or Traffic Technical Unit is sent to the registered address of the vehicle owner. The DMP said SMS notifications regarding AI or video-based traffic cases, if necessary, are sent only from the mobile numbers 01320-042207 and 01320-042227. It also noted that fines for traffic violations can be paid through approved online banking platforms, including Upay and CBL. DMP said the Traffic Division will never ask citizens to disclose PIN codes, passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs) or any other confidential banking information. For information regarding AI or video-generated traffic cases, citizens have been advised to contact Delta-3 at 01320-042207, 01320-042227, or the national emergency service 999. The DMP urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid being deceived by false information or scam messages circulating on social media and other digital platforms.

Joint forces in a drive have detained at least 20–25 people after an attack on a RAB camp by a gang of criminals at Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram. “Around 20–25 individuals were detained for questioning. During interrogation, if anyone is found involved in the attack legal action will be taken. Those not involved will be released on bond,” Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman, commander of RAB-7, told reporters at a media briefing on Monday. He said no fatalities were reported during the exchange of gunfire between the joint force members and the armed group although some members of the forces sustained minor injuries. The RAB commander said Yasin and members of his armed group comprising around 200–250 people operating in Jungle Salimpur were involved in the attack. He also claimed that the group vandalised nearly 70 percent of an under-construction joint forces camp in Alinagar which was close to completion. He added that communication difficulties hampered the operation. The situation is now under control, he said. Replying to a question over the law and order situation, he said RAB-7 members arrested 366 accused in murder cases over the past 15 months. He also said that all accused in rape cases in the region have been arrested by RAB or police. “We are doing our best from our end to maintain overall law and order,” he added. Earlier, on January 19, RAB Deputy Assistant Director Motaleb Hossain was killed in an attack by criminals in the remote jungle area of Salimpur. For over two decades, Jungal Salimpur has served as a stronghold for criminals. Previous attempts to clear the area in 2017 and 2022 failed due to local resistance and other obstacles.

A gang of criminals attacked RAB and police camps at Jungle Salimpur, an area notorious for criminal activities in Sitakunda upazila in Chattogram, early Monday. Some armed members of the ‘Yasin Bahini’ surrounded the RAB camp and opened fire around 2:30 am, said Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman, commander of RAB-7. RAB members also returned fire in self-defence, he said. However, it was not immediately known whether anyone was injured in the incident. Later, joint forces launched a search operation in the area. The operation was still underway at the time of filing this report in the morning. Meanwhile, local sources said criminals also attacked the police camp in Alinagar of Jungle Salimpur at the same time. Additional law enforcement personnel were sent to the area and a joint operation is underway. Earlier, on January 19, RAB Deputy Assistant Director Motaleb Hossain was killed in an attack by criminals in the remote jungle area of Salimpur. For over two decades, Jungal Salimpur has served as a stronghold for criminals. Previous attempts to clear the area in 2017 and 2022 failed due to local resistance and other obstacles.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been closely monitoring the movement of vehicles carrying sacrificial animals to ensure that they are not forcibly diverted to any specific market ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, says its chief. RAB Director General Md Ahsan Habib Palash came up with the remark while briefing reporters after visiting the Gabtoli Cattle Market in the capital on Sunday. During the briefing, he said security measures have already been tightened across the country, including in the capital, to keep law and order normal centring on Eid-ul-Azha. Besides, the elite force has set up checkposts in Dhaka city and other parts of the country as part of ensuring security, the RAB chief said. He said control rooms have been opened at cattle markets, while RAB battalions are conducting robust patrols in their respective areas to ensure the safe transportation of sacrificial animals to markets. Checkpoints are also being operated in vulnerable and important locations alongside other law enforcement agencies to enhance security, Habib Palash said. He said the risk of robbery and snatching of cattle traders’ money increases during Eid as public gatherings in Dhaka and other cities tend to decrease. “To address the situation, RAB has increased the number of security posts and patrols.” The RAB director general said special monitoring is being carried out through control rooms and watchtowers at cattle markets to reduce inconvenience for buyers. “At the same time, traders and buyers are being encouraged to avoid cash transactions and instead use cashless payment methods or cards.” He said necessary equipment has been kept ready to detect counterfeit currency, while drives against counterfeit money producers are continuing. Issuing a strong warning, the top RAB officer said action will be taken instantly against those spreading rumours or making misleading posts on social media centring on Eid and animal sacrifice. He said RAB’s regular patrols, intelligence surveillance and operational activities will continue to prevent terrorist activities and other crimes, and maintain normal law and order across the country during the Eid period.

Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday expressed hope that India would return former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries. “We still expect the Indian government to return her through legal procedures under the extradition treaty between the two countries. We want her to face trial,” he said at a dialogue organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at Secretariat. Replying to a question regarding media reports that Sheikh Hasina may return to the country and discussions over a possible travel pass, Salahuddin said Bangladesh had repeatedly sent letters to the Indian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking her extradition. The minister also said the government is working to formulate a new law to strictly control gambling, betting and online gambling activities. “We hope, InshaAllah, we will place the draft law in the next parliamentary session,” he said, adding that the existing gambling law dates back to 1867 and is outdated.