United News of Bangladesh

At least five people were injured, including two with bullets, in a clash after a gun attack on a local BNP leader on the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Court premises on Sunday morning. Of the injured, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal leaders Mahmud Uddin and Roni suffered bullet wounds. The incident took place around 11:00am, according to witnesses and police. Police said Liakat Ali Member, general secretary of the BNP’s Jhilongjha union unit in Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila, appeared before the court in a murder case, along with his followers. As he was leaving the court premises, rivals – believed to be followers of the case complainant – reportedly opened fire targeting him. However, Liakat escaped the attack, though it left Mahmud and Roni injured. Later, a clash broke out between the two groups, when a chase and counter-chase took place, leaving three more people injured. Additional Superintendent of Police of Cox’s Bazar Ohidur Rahman said they have arrested three individuals in connection with the incident. The injured were taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment, he added.

The government has ordered the release of four convicted prisoners from different jails after remitting their sentences on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. The prisoners set to be released are Naim Sikdar of Faridpur District Jail, Md Islam Sheikh of Khulna District Jail, Palash Barua of Rangamati District Jail and Abdul Malek of Chuadanga District Jail. Confirming the matter, Assistant Inspector General (Prisons) MD Jannat-Ul-Farhad said they will be released shortly. The convicts have been serving jail terms in different cases.

Police have arrested a male nurse in Chandpur in connection with a rape case filed with a Cumilla special tribunal. The arrestee is Md Mehedi Hasan, 39, a senior staff nurse of Chandpur Sadar Hospital and son of Md Jahangir Mia of Fatepur Tulpai village in Kachua upazila of Chandpur district. The accused was picked up from the Chandpur hospital around 4:30pm on Saturday with the assistance from the hospital authorities, police said. According to police, the alleged incidents took place while the accused was serving at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. According to the statement of the case filed with the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Cumilla, the accused allegedly raped the victim, a female student of a nursing institute, multiple times between 2021 and 2025. At one stage, the victim fell ill and received treatment at a hospital. The case was investigated by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in Cumilla. Officer-in-Charge of Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station Fayez Ahmed said the accused had a warrant for his arrest.  

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has alleged that interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan approved a government file without the signature of the concerned secretary. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Saturday, the state minister said the file was taken and approved without following the proper rules of procedure and business. “A file came to my notice. During the interim government, an adviser (Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan) forcibly took the file without the secretary’s signature and approved it himself. This is completely against the rules,” he said, adding that a minister or adviser cannot approve files without the approval of the concerned secretary under existing regulations. He said an investigation committee would be formed into alleged irregularities in infrastructure development and corruption in Pirojpur. The state minister also announced that development activities suspended in Pirojpur for the past 18 months would be restarted. He said a high-level committee has already been formed with a 60-day deadline to investigate alleged irregularities and corruption in various sectors under the Local Government Ministry over the past 15 to 17 years. According to him, the investigation has revealed allegations of around Tk 6,000 crore being withdrawn from the state exchequer through fake bills without actual work being completed. He also claimed that in many cases payments were made after tenders and work orders, allegedly involving influential officials and secretaries at the time. He further said many contractors accused in these cases are now absconding in countries including Dubai. The state minister alleged that several development projects in Pirojpur were approved within 24 hours, “in the dark of night”. Citing an example, he said a bridge built at a cost of Tk 12 crore has no connecting road, forcing people to use ladders to access it. Mir Shahe Alam said a special delegation will visit Pirojpur after Eid as part of a government decision, and that repair works on roads and bridges outside the projects under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) would begin on a limited scale. He also said the government aims to complete all local government elections within one year, with the process likely to begin during the dry season. The state minister added that a new law is being prepared to regulate easy bikes and electric vehicles. If approved by BUET design standards, city corporations and municipalities will be able to register such vehicles.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Saturday said the government is committed to completing the trial of the Ramisa murder case in the shortest possible time. “We will complete this case as quickly as possible,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled ‘Integrated Initiative, Responsibility and Implementation Strategy in Legal Aid’held at BRAC Centre Auditorium in the capital’s Mohakhali. The workshop was jointly organised by the National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO) and BRAC Social Empowerment and Legal Protection (SELP) Programme. Responding to journalists’ queries on how long the trial might take after submission of the charge sheet, the minister cited past examples. “It took one month to complete the trial after the charge sheet in the Magura Asiya murder case. There is also the example of the 1948 Muluk Chand case, where the trial was completed in a single day,” he said. He added that filing a charge sheet without following legal provisions could create a “fatal injury” for prosecution. “DNA is very important evidence in such cases. When we have the opportunity to conduct DNA testing, we must do it,” he said. The minister said efforts are underway to obtain the DNA report of the Ramisa case within 72 hours, although it usually takes several weeks or months. He added that the matter is among the government’s top priorities. He also noted that government holidays for Eid will begin from May 25. “If we can receive the DNA report before Eid and submit the charge sheet before the holidays, the trial process can begin immediately after Eid,” he said. Expressing the government’s commitment to ensuring speedy justice, he said, “We hope we will be able to meet the expectations of people at home and abroad.” “If we go in the wrong direction, you will criticise us and guide us. We will not be reluctant in this regard,” he added. Responding to a question on rising incidents of child rape, the minister termed it part of social degradation and said law enforcement agencies are working with utmost vigilance. He also stressed strengthening public awareness and building trust in the justice system. He said although death sentences are awarded by trial courts, their implementation requires approval from the higher court. When asked about the recent rape and pregnancy incident involving a madrasa student in Netrokona, the minister said the government is closely monitoring the matter. Officials including Additional Secretary of the Law and Justice Division Khadem Ul Kays and Director General of the National Legal Aid Services Organisation Monjurul Hossain attended the programme, chaired by NLASO DG Monjurul Hossain. Representatives from various human rights organisations, including BLAST, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and UNDP, also took part in the open discussion. The minister further said the government aims to ensure legal aid services reach grassroots people. “Our goals and objectives are the same,” he said, emphasising collaboration between government and non-government initiatives to support the poor, helpless and marginalised. On anti-discrimination laws, he said, “If there are any discriminatory provisions in laws, we will try to remove them. We want to work in a parallel manner.”

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members fired two blank shots targeting suspected Indian smugglers along the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat district early Friday. The incident took place around 2:30am in the West Giarpara border area under Patgram upazila, according to a press release. However, no casualties were reported. According to BGB, a patrol team from Kolsimukh Border Outpost (BOP) under Rangpur Battalion (51 BGB) was conducting routine patrol duties near main pillar-806 when they spotted a group of suspected smugglers entering Bangladesh from India, around 200 yards inside Bangladeshi territory. When challenged by the patrol team, the suspects allegedly ignored repeated warnings and continued advancing towards BGB members. To bring the situation under control and warn the group, the patrol team, acting on instructions from higher authorities and under the directive of patrol commander Nayeb Subedar Rafiqul Islam, fired two blank shots. Following the gunfire, the suspected smugglers fled back into Indian territory, the paramilitary force said. Lt Col Naziur Rahman, commanding officer of Rangpur 51 BGB responsible for the Patgram border, confirmed the incident, saying the smugglers attempted to enter Bangladesh after crossing beyond the Indian border fence.

At least four people, including a policeman and two journalists, were injured after police fired blank shots to disperse a crowd trying to snatch a man accused in an attempted rape case in Chattogram city on Thursday night. The incident took place in the Chairmanghata area of Bakalia. According to police and locals, Monir Hossain, 35, an employee of a decoration shop in the area, allegedly attempted to rape a four-year-old girl after taking her inside the shop.  As news of the incident spread, angry locals took to the streets and staged protests in the evening. Police later arrived at the scene and detained the accused. However, while taking him to the police station, an agitated crowd blocked the police vehicle and demanded that he be handed over to them. The protesters also set fire to a police vehicle, damaging it completely. At one stage, police fired blank shots to bring the situation under control, leaving four people injured, including two journalists and a constable. The injured journalists were identified as Mamun Abdullah and Nobel Hasan. According to journalists present at the scene, Mamun was hit in the waist and Nobel in the hand and leg by bullets while they were livestreaming on Facebook. They were first taken to Chattogram General Hospital and later shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Officer-in-Charge of Bakalia Police Station Mohammad Solaiman said the situation was brought under control around 11:30pm and the accused was taken into custody. The child was sent to hospital for a medical examination, he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said police are expected to submit the charge sheet in the Ramisa Akter murder case to the court by Sunday afternoon. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the family of slain child Ramisa at Pallabi in the capital at night. “The police department has sincerely carried out its duty and successfully arrested the accused. The accused has also given a confessional statement under Section 164. Now it is time to submit the charge sheet. Before that, the DNA test has to be completed,” the minister said. He said the DNA examination is already underway at the laboratory of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police with court approval. “The DNA test process usually takes 48 hours as it is a scientific procedure. We hope it will be completed by Sunday noon and, InshaAllah, we will be able to submit the charge sheet to the court by Sunday afternoon,” Salahuddin said. He said efforts will be made to complete the trial proceedings as quickly as possible and ensure the highest punishment for the accused. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at Ramisa’s residence at 9:50pm and stayed there for about 18 minutes. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Safiqul Islam Khan accompanied him. The Prime Minister met Ramisa’s parents and elder sister, and consoled the grieving family members over the brutal killing. After the meeting, the Home Minister said the Prime Minister assured the family that the government will bear all educational and related expenses of Ramisa’s elder sister Raisa Akter. He also said the Prime Minister promised to arrange safe accommodation for the family within a short time. Salahuddin said the government is considering legal reforms to ensure quicker investigation and trial in cases involving child rape and murder. “If further legal changes are needed to ensure speedy submission of charge sheets and quick disposal of such cases, necessary amendments will be made,” he said. The minister said the issue was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday and the Law Minister assured that necessary legal reforms will be undertaken. “We will try to ensure that such heinous crimes are not repeated in the country,” he added. Asked what the family sought from the Prime Minister, the Home Minister said the family mainly wanted speedy and fair trial. “They also sought support so that their other daughter can live safely, continue her studies and have a better future. The Prime Minister assured them of assistance,” he said. Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the family expressed satisfaction over the swift arrest of the accused and the legal steps taken so far. Police recovered the mutilated and decapitated body of seven-year-old Ramisa from a flat in Pallabi on Tuesday morning. The brutal killing sparked protests among classmates and local residents outside the victim’s residence, where they demanded speedy trial and capital punishment for the killer.

Police have arrested three people, including the prime suspect, in connection with the murder of a young man in the Shahidnagar area under Lalbagh Police Station in the capital. The arrestees are Md Emon alias Baburchi Emon, 24, identified as the main accused, along with Kana Shahabuddin and Rezaul. Police also recovered nine rounds of pistol bullets during a raid at a house in Keraniganj based on information provided by Emon, said NM Nasiruddin, Deputy Commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), on Thursday night. According to police sources, Md Rafi, 25, was shot by unidentified assailants at the entrance of Lane No. 3 in Shahidnagar under Lalbagh Police Station around 8:30pm on May 14. Locals and family members rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died around 9:30am on Wednesday. Following the shooting, police launched drives in different parts of the capital and arrested Kana Shahabuddin and Rezaul on Monday. Based on information gathered from them and other intelligence inputs, police traced the location of Md Emon and arrested him in Cox’s Bazar Sadar on Wednesday. Later, acting on information provided by Emon, police recovered nine rounds of pistol bullets from a house in Keraniganj. Police said investigation was underway to uncover the full motive behind the killing.  

A local leader of BNP was stabbed to death by some miscreants at Kaunda in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj district early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Osman Goni, office secretary of Araihazar Upazila unit BNP and son of Abdur Rashid of Boro Binai Char in the upazila. Witnesses said a group of armed miscreants waylaid Osman Goni, also the general secretary of Brahmandi union unit BNP, on Wednesday night and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to a local hospital from there he was shifted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at night. Mahfuz Bhuiyan Babul, a witness said, “We had bought a piece of land in Kaundar Chak, and workers were cutting soil from there and loading it onto a dump truck. I was sitting in the vehicle when a group of armed, masked men suddenly attacked Osman Goni.” He said that a group had been demanding a large sum of money from them for some time. “As we did not agree, they brutally killed Osman Gani,” he added. Angered by the incident, local people blocked Araihazar-Bhulta road at Boro Binair Char area by burning tyres and staged demonstrations demanding exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing. They also set fire on a number of motorbikes on the road, halting vehicular movement for two hours. Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Circle C) Mehedi Islam, said those who were involved in the killing will be brought to book and already four people were arrested in this connection.