United News of Bangladesh

The Youth Forum Against Tobacco on Tuesday called on the government to increase taxes and prices of all tobacco products in the upcoming national budget for 2025–26 to protect public health and save lives. They organised a human chain in front of the National Press Club with the banner "To Protect Public Health: Demand for Effective Taxation and Price Increases on Tobacco Products in the 2025–26 Budget." The event saw participation from forum members as well as students from various universities. They said the easy availability and low prices of tobacco products are putting the nation's health at serious risk. Prioritise harm reduction in battling tobacco addiction: speakers They urged the government to take strong action by increasing tobacco prices and adopting stricter tobacco control policies. Nasrin Akter, Project Coordinator of Nari Maitree, was also present at the human chain.She said, “The current four-tier pricing structure for cigarettes (low, medium, high, and premium) has made the tobacco taxation and pricing measures ineffective. Particularly, the prices of low and medium-tier cigarettes are very close, allowing consumers to easily switch between tiers. If the low and medium tiers are merged and prices increased in the upcoming 2025–26 budget, it would discourage smoking among low-income groups and the youth.” She also highlighted specific proposals regarding tax and price increases in the upcoming budget. These proposals include: merging the low and medium tiers and setting the retail price of 10-stick cigarettes at Tk 90; keeping the high tier price unchanged at Tk 140; setting the premium tier price at Tk 190; and maintaining a 67% supplementary duty on the retail price of cigarettes, along with a 15% value-added tax (VAT) and a 1% health development surcharge. The human chain also called for setting the retail price of 25-stick non-filtered bidis at Tk 25, and 20-stick filtered bidis at Tk 20, with a 45% supplementary duty. Furthermore, it was proposed that the retail price for 10 grams of jorda be fixed at Tk 55 and for 10 grams of gul at Tk 30, with a 60% supplementary duty imposed. Besides,  a 15% VAT and a 1% health development surcharge should be retained on all tobacco products. Ashrafia Jannat, Convener of the Youth Forum Against Tobacco, said, “If these proposals are implemented, it could help prevent over 1.7 million premature deaths, including around 900,000 youth. At the same time, it could add over BDT 20,000 crore in extra revenue for the country.” The Youth Forum Against Tobacco hopes the government will take their message seriously and include effective tobacco tax measures in the upcoming budget to build a healthier and tobacco-free Bangladesh      

A man allegedly hacked his wife and mother-in-law to death over a family feud in Bhandaria upazila of Pirojpur district on Monday night. The victims were Champa Begum, 32, and her mother Bilkis Begum, while the accused is Md Badal Khan, 45, a resident of Dhaoa village under Dhaoa union. The accused, a tea vendor, is on the run since the incident. According to locals, there had been a family dispute between Champa and Badal, who married her just 10 days ago as his fourth wife; the accused lives with children from his previous marriages. On Monday night, the couple got locked into an argument over familial issues. At one stage of the argument around 11pm, the accused allegedly hacked the pair with locally-made sharp weapons leaving them dead in the house. Man hacked dead in Cumilla One of the children of the previous wives informed the matter to neighbours who rushed to the house and found that a fire caught the house as the accused had fled the house after setting fire on it. Later, locals managed to bring the fire under control and informed the police. Officer-in-charge of Bhandaria police station Charge Ahmed Anwar said police recovered the bodies from the scene and sent those to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. The exact motive behind the killings is still unknown, the OC said, adding that efforts were underway to detain the accused.

Detectives detained nine leaders and activists of Awami League, including former MP from Bagerhat-4 Aminul Islam Milon, from different areas of Dhaka on Monday night. Md Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (media and public relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said Detective Branch (DB) teams detained them after being tipped-off. Ex-MP Zafar Alam arrested in Dhaka The detainees are accused in several cases, including that of murder, he said, adding that details about the apprehension will be shared later.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar had a telephone conversation on Monday, and discussed the current situation in the region. During the call, Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain expressed concern regarding the current situation and stressed the importance of exercising restraint by all parties, emphasizing the need for de-escalation, according to the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka. Cross-border assistance works only when individuals are safe on both sides: EU The Pakistani Foreign Minister, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, briefed the Adviser on the escalating regional tensions resulting from India's unfounded allegations and unilateral measures, including its arbitrary decision to suspend provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.   Both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relations and emphasised the need for maintaining regular high-level engagements. ‘Your prosperity is our prosperity; your stability is also ours’: Ambassador Miller They also discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation on regional and multilateral fora.

The officer-in-charge (OC) and two sub-inspectors (SIs) of Kalabagan Police Station were suspended on Sunday. Sazzat Ali, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner took the punitive action against Moktaruzzaman, OC of Kalabagan Police Station following a complaint lodged by Abdul Wadud, a resident of Kalabagan area, said Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of DMP. Besides, Ramna Division police took action against sub-inspector Belal Uddin and sub-inspector Mannan. According to the written complaint lodged on May 2, Wadud said a team of the Kalabagan police station conducted a raid at his house on April 29 with 'criminals' and extorted money. The criminals carried out vandalism and looted valuables during the raid. They also demanded extortion from him, said Wadud. He also demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the incident.  

An Indian national allegedly involved in smuggling was detained by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) from a hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area on Monday. The detainee, identified as Sujon Barman, son of Mongol Barman from Bottoli village in Agartala, capital of the Indian state of Tripura, allegedly entered Bangladesh Sunday evening with the help of a smuggling syndicate operating along the border. He was carrying a bullet injury at the time, which helped BGB narrow their search to hospitals. Sources at the BGB headquarters in Dhaka said that the BGB had received secret information that Sujon, who had sustained gunshot wounds, entered Bangladesh illegally with the help of the syndicate. Acting on intelligence, BGB intensified its surveillance and investigative operations following the incident. As part of their efforts, a BGB patrol team located Sujon while he was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Moghbazar and detained him on Monday noon, said BGB headquarters Public Relation Officer Md Shariful Islam. He was later handed over to the local police station for legal proceedings. BGB officials stated that necessary legal measures are being taken in coordination with law enforcement agencies.

At least 50 people were injured in a fierce clash between two rival groups over a longstanding feud in Baniachong upazila of Habiganj on Monday afternoon. People remained deployed in the area to ward off any further clash. Quoting locals, police said there had long been a dispute between the groups led by Alauddin Miah and Nurul Huda over various local issues. The bitter relations deteriorated further when a domestic animal of one group fed on the straw of another group in Uttar Sangor village a few days ago. Although an initiative was taken to settle the matter, it was delayed due to the busy harvest season in Baishakh. Centring the issues, supporters from the both groups got locked into the clash this afternoon, leaving at least 50 people injured. AL-BNP clash leaves over 50 injured in Habiganj Of them, 18 were taken to Habiganj Sadar Modern Hospital while three with spear wounds were shifted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Some of the injured were identified as Kawser Miah, 25, Shafiqul Islam, 35, Ali Samad, 40, Kudrat Miah, 45, Takdir Miah, 25, Arju Miah, 50, Jasim Miah, 30, Alamin Miah,16, Bahul Miah, 22, Nayon Miah, 12, Monnaf Miah, 38, Kuddus Miah, 24, Jomser Miah, 31, Mizan Miah, 31, Babul Miah, 28, Afzal Miah, 26, Mahfuzul Miah, 28, and Abu Layek, 20.  Truck-pickup van collision leaves four dead in Habiganj Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Baniachong police station Golam Mostafa said that the clash erupted from the prolonged rivalry between the two groups. The situation is now under control, he said, although no one could be detained in this connection yet.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to receive a grand welcome from party leaders and activists upon her arrival in Dhaka on Tuesday. According to party sources, supporters will stand along the road from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Gulshan to greet the former Prime Minister. In light of the planned reception, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a set of instructions to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to city traffic. In a public notification on Monday, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali outlined the directives, urging citizens to cooperate. Khaleda Zia is scheduled to arrive at the airport by an air ambulance at 10:30am on Tuesday. The DMP has requested that from morning until noon on Tuesday, the public refrain from occupying roads between Gulshan/Banani and the airport, and instead stand on the pavements. Political parties have been asked to deploy volunteers to keep the crowd off the roads and onto pavements, ensuring the free flow of traffic. To avoid congestion, commuters are advised to use alternative routes during the morning and midday hours. Suggested routes include: Abdullahpur-Kamarpara-Dhour Bridge-Panchaboti-Mirpur Beribadh to Gabtoli;Dhaka Elevated Expressway; Residents of Uttara and Mirpur should avoid the Airport Road and instead use the House Building-Jamjam Tower–Sector 12 Khalpar–Uttara North Metro Station–Uttara Centre Station–Mirpur DOHS route, or via Sector 18-Panchaboti–Mirpur Beribadh; Travellers from Gulshan, Badda, and Pragati Sarani areas are advised to avoid Kakoli, Gulshan-2, and Kamal Ataturk Avenue and instead travel via Gulshan-1/Police Plaza–Amtali–Mohakhali, using the Mohakhali Bus Terminal ramp to access the Elevated Expressway; Vehicles from the Mohakhali Bus Terminal bound for Mymensingh and Tangail are advised to travel via the Mirpur-Gabtoli route; Vehicles using the Elevated Expressway from Airport/300 Feet Road should use the Mohakhali or FDC ramps instead of Banani/Kakoli ramps. Khaleda Zia ready to fly back to Dhaka on ‘wings of emotion’ Responding to DMP’s request, the Dhaka Cantonment Authority has permitted light vehicles to use roads within the cantonment area (Zia Colony, Jahangir Gate, Sainik Club and Staff Road) from 8am to 2pm. The Elevated Expressway authorities have also allowed CNG auto-rickshaws and motorcycles to use the expressway from 7am to 1pm, subject to toll payment and adherence to a maximum speed limit of 40km/h. These vehicles must use the expressway’s left-side safe lane. Traffic police will be deployed to prevent overspeeding and unauthorised lane changes. As an alternative, commuters are encouraged to use the Dhaka-Joydebpur rail service. All intercity trains will stop for two minutes at Tongi, Airport, and Tejgaon stations between morning and noon to accommodate additional passengers. Bangladesh Railway will also operate an extra shuttle train on the Kamalapur-Tongi route during this time. The DMP has requested Hajj pilgrims and outbound international travellers to allow extra time for their journey to the airport. SSC candidates in the area are also advised to leave early to avoid delays. Residents of Mirpur and Uttara are urged to use the metro rail as an alternative. Those welcoming the BNP chief have been asked not to carry bags, sticks, or other items. They are not permitted to join the motorcade with private vehicles. Motorcyclists will not be allowed to accompany or ride through the crowd along the Gulshan/Banani–Airport route. However, motorcycles may use the road if there is no public gathering and if they move with other regular vehicles. The DMP emphasised that all individuals and political organisations involved should cooperate fully to maintain public order and ensure a smooth and secure environment during Khaleda Zia’s reception.

A Dhaka court has placed former Member of Parliament Zafar Alam on a four-day remand in connection with the murder of Jubo Dal leader Shamim during the BNP’s grand rally held on 28 October 2023. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Partha Bhadra issued the remand order on Monday after hearing the remand petition submitted by the investigation officer, who had sought a seven-day remand to facilitate proper investigation. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki appeared on behalf of the state, while no defence counsel represented the accused during the hearing. Zafar Alam, who represented the Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency, was previously sent to jail by Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefat Ullah on 28 April, a day after his arrest in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area by detectives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB). Ensure financial security, protection of journalists to achieve media freedom: Speakers According to case details, the BNP had called a grand rally in the capital on 28 October last year as part of its central programme, while the ruling Awami League held a counter rally on the same day. It is alleged that an attack was carried out on the BNP rally with support from the police, targeting party activists. Jubo Dal leader Shamim was killed in the incident. The case was filed with Paltan Police Station on 24 September 2024. Zafar Alam was elected to parliament in 2018 as an Awami League candidate but contested the 2024 twelfth parliamentary elections as an independent candidate, in which he was defeated. He also served as the mayor of Chakaria Municipality from 2004 to 2010, and was elected chairman of Chakaria Upazila Parishad in 2014 as an Awami League nominee. Since the change in government, at least 15 to 16 cases, including murder charges, have reportedly been filed against him in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Chakaria and Pekua upazila.  

There is no alternative to ensuring financial security and protection of journalists in order to achieve media freedom, speakers said at a panel discussion jointly organised by UNESCO Dhaka Office, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and the Embassy of Sweden on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2025. It is impossible to realize the expectations of a free media without ensuring salaries and allowances commensurate with the standard of living of journalists at the national and local levels, and an environment of pressure-free and fear-free journalism, they added. Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam was present as the chief guest at the event titled “Brave New Bangladesh: Reform Roadmap for Press Freedom,” while Chief of the Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed spoke as the keynote speaker. The event was also attended by the ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks, and the head of UNESCO Office in Dhaka Dr. Susan Vize. The panel discussion was attended by Rezwanul Haque Raja, Chairman of the Broadcast Journalist Center, Sheikh Sabiha Alam, Bureau Chief of AFP, and AK Azad, Managing Director of Times Media Limited. Executive Director of TIB Iftekharuzzaman moderated the discussion. Adviser Mahfuj Alam said accountability is essential for protecting the interests of journalists. Journalists should have the opportunity to ask questions, he said, adding that journalists can also face questions. "Members of parliament can be asked, officials of the judiciary can be asked, intelligence agencies can be asked, but journalists cannot be asked—I don't want this to happen." Mahfuj  said, "Those who are policymakers in the media, from where their news or opinions are generated, should definitely have the opportunity to ask questions." Regarding cases against journalists, he said, "Many centers of power have been created and case business is still ongoing. It will continue until reforms are ensured." "So, everyone must work to ensure the implementation of reforms quickly. I think no freedom is unconditional. Journalists must also be accountable to the public," he added. Iftekharuzzaman, the executive director of TIB, said that the media's duty is to present unbiased, independent journalism in the public interest. Ensuring that journalists or the media are not harassed in the name of accountability is essential for this unbiased and independent journalism. Ambassador Nicolas Weeks said, “Freedom of the media does not only mean freedom of expression, but also equality within the media. Only 10% of journalists in Bangladesh are women, and positive change is necessary in this regard. The newsroom must be prepared as a place where women can work comfortably, he added.