United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka, May 17 (UNB) — Two people, including a university student, were stabbed to death and another was injured in attacks by miscreants in the capital's Mohammadpur and Hazaribagh areas on Friday night. The deceased were Nur Islam, 26, a photographer and son of Abul Fakir of Purbo Sujonkathi in Agoiljhara upazila of Barishal, and Alvi, 27, an honours third-year student of Dr Maleka College and University  and son of Moshiur Khan Pappu. Ashraful Islam, 21, a second-year student of the same institution and son of Mohammad Masud, sustained head injuries. Nur Islam’s brother Osman Gani told reporters at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) that he came under attack around 8 pm on Friday while Nur was walking through Durga Mandir Lane in Mohammadpur. A group of muggers intercepted him, snatched his camera, and stabbed him indiscriminately in the head and both arms, he said. He was first taken to Bangladesh Medical College Hospital and then to DMCH’s emergency unit around 9:45 pm where doctors declared him dead on arrival. DMCH police outpost in-charge Mohammad Faruk confirmed the death saying that the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. About the second incident at Hazaribagh, Alvi's aunt Mahi said around 8 pm on Friday when Alvi and his friends were chatting at Jigatola bus stand, 10-12 attackers suddenly appeared and began stabbing them, leaving Alvi and Ashraful injured. They were rushed them to Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital and later to DMCH around 9:05 pm where doctors also declared Alvi dead. His body was also sent to the morgue for autopsy. Injured Ashraful Islam is undergoing treatment at DMCH emergency department.

A group of students under the banner of ‘General Students of Bangladesh’ on Friday besieged Shahbagh police station demanding justice for Dhaka University student Shammo who was murdered at Suhrawardy Udyan last week. The protesters marched and surrounded the police station at around 11:30am. Earlier, they gathered in front of the university’s Institute of Education and Research, marched to the Raju sculpture, and then proceeded toward Shahbagh police station. Participating in the march, the students chanted slogans demanding justice for Shahriar Alam Shammo, and ensuring  safety of the campus. They said that those involved in the murder must be arrested quickly and a safe campus must be ensured. During the siege, a delegation from the protesters entered the police station for discussion. DU students hold torch procession to protest Shammo's death The delegation included Institute of Education and Research teachers Dr. Muhammad Abdus Salam, Dr. Asim Das, Dr. Sirajul Islam, and four students.  Ibrahim Munshi, one of the protesters, said, “This is a non-partisan movement. Different political parties are trying to use Shammo’s death for their own interests. But our only demand is to ensure justice for Shammo.” He further said, “Even after 72 hours, the main accused has not been arrested. We have come peacefully with a just demand. If the culprits are not arrested within 48 hours, another siege programme will be called.” Shammo, a student of the 2018–19 session at the Institute of Education and Research and literary and publication secretary of JCD’s AF Rahman Hall unit, was stabbed inside Suhrawardy Udyan on Tuesday night. He was declared dead after being taken to hospital. Early Wednesday, police detained three youths from the Green Road and Rajabazar areas in connection with the murder. They have been in jail since the detention.    

A man was arrested with 2,820 pieces of Yaba tablets hidden in his stomach at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport,  said Airport Armed Police Battalion on Friday. A case was filed under Narcotics Control Act with Airport police station on Friday morning. Based on secret information, the arrestee, Hossain Ahmed, 60, was detained near the northern side of the airport’s Balaka building after arriving in Dhaka from Cox’s Bazar on Biman Bangladesh domestic flight BS-152, on Wednesday. Upon questioning, Hossain admitted to carrying Yaba pills inside his stomach. He was taken to the airport medical unit, where an X-ray revealed 30 capsule-shaped objects in his abdomen. He was later transferred to Kurmitola General Hospital, where, under medical supervision, he expelled 30 tape-wrapped packets through natural means.  Inside the packets, a total of 2,820 Yaba tablets were found. Police said Hossain had long been involved in drug trafficking. Unidentified woman killed in road accident in city's Banani Airport Armed Police said more than 16,000 Yaba pills were recovered in separate recent drives, which led to the arrest of five other drug traffickers. “Recently, drug smuggling through the airport has noticeably increased. We remain alert to prevent any criminal activities in and around the airport,” said Additional Superintendent of Police Anita Rani Sutradhar of the Airport Armed Police Battalion.    

A court in Narayanganj on Thursday sentenced two men to death and eight others to life term imprisonment in a case involving the killing of a rice mill owner around 16 years back. Judge of Narayanganj Additional District and Session Judge Court Md Mominul Islam passé the verdict, said the court’s Inspector Md Kaium Khan. The death-row convicts are Milon Molla, son of late Nurul Haque of Rupganj upazila in the district and Sajeeb, son of Abdullah of Kaliganj in Gazipur. Those awarded life imprisonment are: Md Alam Mia, Md Jobayer Rahman, Mozammel Haque, Aminul Islam, Abdul Haque, Babul Mia, Laskor Ahmed Jibon and Rahmat Ali, all from Rupganj upazila. Man to die, 4 get life term for killing trader Of them, Laskor and Rahmat were tried in absentia. Besides, the court acquitted one Rabin from the charges. According to the case statement, the accused hacked rice mill owner Nurul Haque Molla to death in Murapara area of Rupganj on August 20 in 2009. Later, a case was filed accusing some people while police submitted chargesheet against 11 people. After completing all legal procedures, the court handed down the verdict on Thursday.

Jagannath University (JnU) students and teachers announced shutdown of the university on Thursday to press home their various demands. Prof Dr. Rais Uddin, general secretary of the university’s Teachers’ Association, announced the closure following a meeting with protesting students on Thursday. “No classes or exams will take place until our demands are met,” he said. “We did not come to conspire. We came to demand justice for our students, who were attacked without cause. This shutdown will continue until our demands are fulfilled,” he added. The protests led by students and teachers turned violent on Wednesday when they were trying to march towards the Chief Adviser’s residence. JnU students continue sit-in for second day, block Kakrail intersection Police fired tear gas, sound grenades, and hot water to disperse them when they reached Kakrail Mosque. Police also charged batons on the protestors, leaving over a hundred injured, including students, teachers and journalists. Many were later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. Students continued their sit-in at Kakrail for the second consecutive day on Thursday and even some spent the night sleeping on the street to press home their demand. Their demands are a housing allowance scholarship for 70% of students starting in the 2025–26 fiscal year, full approval of the university’s proposed budget without cuts, final approval and implementation of the second campus at the Ecnec meeting and a fair investigation into May 14 police action and exemplary punishment of those responsible. Police foil long march of JnU students near Jamuna The tensions worsened further on Wednesday night when Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam attempted to address students in Kakrail. While addressing, a bottle was thrown from the crowd.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on rallies, processions, demonstrations and gatherings in front of Chief Justice’s residence, Judges Complex, main gate of Bangladesh Supreme court, Jam-e-Mosque gate, main gates of International Crimes Tribunal 1 and 2 and Bangladesh Institute of Judicial Administration (BIJA). The ban has been imposed in the wake of current situation and to maintain law and order. The restriction effective from Thursday will remain in place until further notice, according to a public notification issued by DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali. DMP urges people to refrain from blocking roads in the name of protests The ban has been enforced under Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance (Ordinance No. III/76) to maintain discipline in light of the prevailing situation, it said. It also requested all again to refrain from blocking roads in the name of protest as such activities cause severe traffic congestion in the capital.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with the case of a fatal shooting that occurred during the anti-discrimination protest in Dhaka last year. The arrestee, SM Kamal Haider, known as the close associate to former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, was arrested in a raid conducted by CID in the capital. CID’s Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan said the operation was carried out based on intelligence from a confidential source. Mystic singer-turned AL MP Momtaz detained: DB The murder case stems from an incident on August 4, last year when gunfire broke out in front of Patam Restaurant, located at Dhanmondi 3/1 Lake Road, amid the anti-discrimination demonstration. One protester, Abdullah Siddiq, was killed in the shooting. A murder case was later filed, and CID took over the investigation, said SP Jasim. “During the investigation, CID analysed witness statements, CCTV footage, and other evidence, which provided preliminary proof of SM Kamal Haider’s involvement in the incident,” he said. The process of producing the arrestee before the court is underway, he added.

A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) on Wednesday seeking a direction to prevent  BNP leader Ishraque Hossain from taking oath as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The writ also sought action against the Judge of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal for giving a fraudulent judgement by declaring Ishraque as mayor. Md. Mamunur Rashid, a resident of Dhaka South City Corporation, filed the writ in the relevant branch of the High Court. The secretary of the local government division, law secretary, chief election commissioner, election commission secretary, joint district judge Md. Nurul Islam and Md. Ishraque Hossain were made defendants in the writ petition. The writ petition will be heard by the High Court bench of Justice Md. Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury next Sunday, said the petitioner's lawyer Kazi Akbar Ali. Zubaida Rahman granted bail in graft case Earlier on March 27 , Judge of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal Md Nurul Islam cancelled the results of the 2020 DSCC election and announced BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Later on April 27, the EC issued a gazette notification declaring him as mayor. On April 28, two Dhaka residents, including writ petitioner Mamunur Rashid, sent legal notices to the authorities concerned to appeal or review the verdict and decree given by the Election Tribunal declaring Ishraque as mayor. The notice also asked to refrain from publishing gazettes in the name of Ishraque and administering oaths to him. Meanwhile, supporters of Ishraque staged a demonstration on Wednesday, demanding that he be sworn in and handed the responsibilities of mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation. Mystic singer-turned AL MP Momtaz detained: DB The protest, held outside the Dhaka South City Corporation headquarters, culminated in the announcement of a nonstop sit-in starting at 9am tomorrow to press home their demand. Earlier in the morning, at around 8:30am, thousands of people gathered in front of Nagar Bhaban under the banner of Dhakabashi (Residents of Dhaka) and formed a human chain in support of Ishraque.

The High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in a graft case. The bail will remain in force until the disposal of a petition she filed with the High Court challenging a lower court verdict that sentenced her to three years in jail. The bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman also stayed the financial penalty imposed on her in the case. Earlier, on Tuesday, Zubaida filed the petition against her jail sentence. The court accepted it for hearing and condoned a 587-day delay in filing the appeal. On August 2, 2023, a Dhaka court sentenced Tarique to nine years and Zubaida to three years in prison for amassing illegal wealth and concealing information. Zubaida files petition challenging sentence in graft case Following her petition, the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette on September 22 last year, suspending her sentence for one year with the consent of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Zubaida had left the country with her husband for London on September 11, 2008, and stayed there for around 17 years before returning home on May 6 this year. Her appeal was included in the High Court’s cause list on Tuesday (May 13). The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against the couple and another person on September 26, 2007, with Kafrul Police Station in the capital for amassing illegal wealth and concealing asset information. The charges were framed the following year.

Miscreants hacked a farmer to death at a local market in Lohagara upazila of Narail district on Wednesday morning. The deceased was identified as Khaja Molla, 45, son of Laba Molla of Kumardanga Par Ishakhali village under Itna union of the upazila. Quoting locals, police said the victim went to the local Kumardanga village to have a cup of tea in the morning. A group of miscreants equipped with locally-made lethal weapons surrounded him in front of one Raibul’s stall around 7:30am when he arrived there. The culprits hacked Khaja indiscriminately leaving him critically injured. Later, locals rushed him to Lohagara Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared him dead upon arrival. Manikganj man hacked to death after reporting rape attempt on granddaughter Officer-in-charge of Lohagara police station Md Ashiqur Rahman said the body was sent to Narail Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Additional police personnel were deployed in the area to ward off any further incident, he said, adding drives were on to detain the accused