United News of Bangladesh

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.  

The two accused in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital's Pallabi area were produced before a Dhaka court today. Prime accused Sohel Rana, 32, and his wife Swapna Akter were taken to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court between after 11:00am, said court sources. Meanwhile, police are set to submit the charge sheet before the court in the case today. Ramisa Akter, daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla, was raped and murdered by Sohel Rana, tenant of a neighbouring flat, on Tuesday. According to the case details, the suspect reportedly lured her into his room and later killed her after rape. Later, Ramisa’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head was found hidden inside a bucket in the bathroom. While Swapna was detained from the scene by neighbours and subsequently handed over to police, Sohel Rana managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was tracked down and arrested by police later Tuesday evening in Fatullah in Narayanganj.

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.