United News of Bangladesh

Robbers stole goods worth approximately Tk 5 crore from a closed sweater factory in Savar’s Ashulia between 8 pm on Friday and 4 am on Saturday. The robbery occurred at Magpie Sweater Factory in the Jirabo area of Yarpur Union of Ashulia Police Station, said the factory director Afroz Al Mamun. He said that law enforcement officials visited the scene after they received reports of the crime. Around 40 armed robbers entered the factory through the main gate, overpowered and locked seven people, including security personnel, in a room. They looted several computers, IPS batteries, air conditioners, electric motors, generators, generator wires, and other valuable electrical equipment and machinery, loading them onto several trucks. The total value of the stolen goods is estimated at Tk 5 crore, the factory director added. Police, along with industrial police and army personnel, inspected the scene after receiving the information. The factory had remained closed for some time due to various issues, Mamun also said. Superintendent of Police for Industrial Police-1 Mominul Islam said authorities were investigating the crime and were working to arrest the robbers.

A total of 618 people were arrested across the country as part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt in 24 hours till Friday afternoon, according to the police headquarters. Besides, 786 others were arrested in connection with various warrants and ongoing cases during the same period in countrywide drives conducted by local police. 16 suspected drug dealers detained in Patuakhali During this period, the joint forces also recovered a range of weapons and materials, including four knives. Launched on the night of February 9, Operation Devil Hunt is aimed at curbing unrest and ensuring public safety across the country. Ice cream vendor held for murder of minor girl in Munshiganj

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and Coast Guard in a joint operation detained 16 suspected drug dealers and seized four lakh pieces of Yaba tablets from the Bay of Bengal near Kuakata of Patuakhali. According to a media release issued on Friday and signed by Lt. Com Tanvir Azmal Hridoy, staff officer of the Coast Guard South Zone, the operation continued for the past two days. The joint forces intercepted a fishing trawler near Lambur forest area and recovered one lakh pieces of Yaba pills kept in a sack on Thursday night; reads it. 16 suspects were detained from the trawler in this connection. Moreover, three lakh pieces of Yaba pills were found abandoned in three sacks within the Lambur forest on Wednesday, according to it. The arrested traffickers are residents of Noakhali, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar districts. Under ‘Operation Devil Hunt,’ the Rab and the Coast Guard conducted the joint operation in the sear and recovered the Yaba pills transported from Cox’s Bazar, read the release. The detainees were handed over to Mohipur police station and a case was filed in this regard, it added.

The body of a minor girl killed after a failed attempted rape allegedly by an ice cream seller, was recovered from a pond early Friday three days after she went missing in Munshinganj’s Sirajdikhan upazila. Police arrested accused Sabbir, 24, who gave a confessional statement to a court in this regard on Thursday, said Sirajdikhan police station’s Officer-in-Charge Sahed Al Mamun. The victim Fatema Akter was daughter of Kuwait expatriate Shahidul Islam and a class-I student of a local madrasa. Police and locals said Fatema went to a waz mahfil (religious event) near their home with her maternal aunt on Tuesday evening. The aunt left the victim behind to her (Fatema) brother Ismail there and returned to the home alone, they said. Four held over woman's ‘gang rape’ in Faridpur At one stage, Fatema went missing amid the huge crowd and went to accused Sabbir, who had been selling ice-cream there, while roaming randomly, according to them. On the pretext of offering an ice-cream, Sabbir tried to rape her after taking to a remote place but failed due to her screams, they said. The accused strangled her to death and dumped the body into the pond filled with water hyacinth. Upon suspicion, locals detained Sabbir and handed him over to the police on Thursday night while police produced him before a Munshiganj court with a prayer for remand on Wednesday. The court granted two-remand for him on Wednesday morning, the OC said, adding that during interrogation the accused gave a confessional statement. Later, police recovered the body from the water body late Thursday with the accused, he said. On Wednesday morning, the victim’s mother filed a case accusing Sabbir of the killinh with the police station, added the OC. 2 siblings with disabilities raped in Dhaka’s Jatrabari As involvement of Sabbir in the murder spread, locals on Friday morning ransacked his house and set fire to it.

Police arrested five people in a case filed over the gang rape of a 21-year-old woman in Fulbari upazila of Kurigram on Thursday. The arrestees were identified as Moinul Haque, Yakub Ali, Hasanur Rahman (20), Sohel Rana (21), and Lal Mia (40). Two other suspects, Atiar Rahman (35) and Al Amin (20), remain at large, said Fulbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mamunur Rashid According to police sources, the victim had an extramarital affair with one of the accused, Moinul Haque (23). On Tuesday, she went to meet Moinul at a eucalyptus grove, unaware that he had conspired with his associate Yakub Ali and five others to assault her. Upon her arrival, seven men allegedly raped her. Following the incident, the victim filed a complaint at Fulbari Police Station on Wednesday. Later, police launched an operation and arrested the five suspects in the early hours of Thursday. Suspects have confessed to the crime during primary interrogation.  A case was filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining accused. The arrested individuals have been sent to jail, and arrangements have been made for the victim’s medical examination, the OC said.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday filed three separate cases against former joint secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dhananjay Kumar Das, deputy inspector general, (DIG) Mollah Nazrul Islam and former public relations officer Md. Sharif Mahmud Apu on charges of acquiring illegal assets and unusual transactions in banks. ACC Director General Md. Akhter Hossain confirmed the matter of the case at a press briefing in front of ACC headquarters in Dhaka. According to the case statement, in the first case, former joint secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dhananjay Kumar Das has been accused of acquiring undeclared assets worth Tk 2.47 crore. In addition, he has been accused of making unusual and suspicious transactions worth around Tk 6 crore in 14 bank accounts in his own name. Appellate Division stays anticipatory bail to SK Sur's wife, daughter In the second case, former public relations officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs Sharif Mahmud Apu has been accused of acquiring undeclared assets worth TK 59 lakh. In the third case, the accused DIG of the police Mollah Nazrul Islam, has been accused of acquiring undeclared assets worth Tk 94 lakh in his own name. Cases have been filed against the accused under Section 27 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004; Section 5 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and Section 4 (2) (3) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012. On October 9 last year, the ACC filed four separate cases against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, his wife Lutful Tahmina Khan, son Shafi Modacher Khan and daughter Shafia Tasnim Khan on charges of abuse of power, recruitment, bribery, money laundering and corruption. Expect strict action if anti-social elements threaten anyone: Police Headquarters On the same day, a case was also filed against Kamal's APS Monir Hossain. Asaduzzaman Khan has been accused in four cases. In these cases, the former Home Minister has been accused of acquiring illegal assets worth about Tk 100 crore. After the change of power, on August 21 last year, the ACC summoned all transaction information from the bank accounts of Kamal's family and eight others, including his former PS Harun (Rashid Biswas), Dhananjay Kumar Das, administrative officer Molla Ibrahim Hossain, APS Monir Hossain and PRO Sharif Mahmud. On September 1, the court banned them from leaving the country.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has once again ordered law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant at all times to maintain law and order in the country. During an early morning visit to four police stations in the capital—Mirpur, Darus Salam, Adabor, and Mohammadpur, he issued the directive to the officials. The adviser made the early visit to the police stations and checkpots for the second consecutive day on Thursday in the capital which witnessed a deteriorating law and order situation recently. Speaking to reporters at a police station, Jahangir emphasised the importance of ensuring that citizens can sleep peacefully and move around without fear, noting that alongside law enforcement, ministry officials have also been tasked with monitoring the security situation. Moreover, the number of security personnel and patrols has been increased, he said, warning that those attempting to disrupt law and order would be brought to justice. The home adviser assured that law enforcement agencies remain alert and active, with checkpoints at key locations in the capital operating efficiently. No one should take law into own hands: Home Adviser He said joint force operations were proceeding smoothly and his inspection aims to ensure that police stations are functioning properly. Expressing concern over a tendency among law enforcement personnel to relax in their duties in the early morning hours, which criminals exploit for illegal activities, he said, "I have instructed the forces to remain alert during this period as well." Replying to a question, the adviser said they would stop the joint operations once the situation improves, but other law enforcement activities would persist. Warning action against the negligence, he said a sub-inspector and a constable from Gulshan Police Station were suspended on Wednesday for negligence in duty. Starting his visit from his residence in Baridhara DOHS, the adviser traveled through ECB Chattar, Kalshi, Pallabi, and Mirpur-10 before arriving at Mirpur Police Station. He then proceeded to Darus Salam Police Station via Mirpur-1 followed by visits to Adabor and Mohammadpur Police Stations. His return route covered Dhanmondi-27, the Parliament area, Bijoy Sarani, Mohakhali, and Banani before concluding at his residence. Home Adviser goes out on surprise inspection of police patrol operations at dawn While inspecting police reception areas, detention cells, and other facilities, he interacted with on-duty officers, providing necessary instructions and urging them to be more proactive. He visited checkpoints at Zillur Rahman Flyover and Kalshi Mor.

Two accused of a case, who were abducted by miscreants from Gazipur court premises, were rescued from the district on Wednesday. The two accused were identified as Milon Mia, 33, and Babul Mia, 42, of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur district. They were accused in a case filed over a land dispute. Home Adviser goes out on surprise inspection of police patrol operations at dawn Around noon, Milon and Babul appeared before Gazipur court in a case. Dolna Begum, Babul’s wife, said a group of miscreants beat her husband and the other accused when they appeared before the court. At one stage, the attackers took the two away from the court premises. Advocate Sirajul Islam, general secretary of the Gazipur Bar Association, said thirteen accused of the case secured bail from the court. 2 more arrested in case over rape and robbery on a moving bus in Rajshahi Mehedi Hasan, officer-in-charge of Gazipur Sadar Metro Police Station, said the two accused were rescued and legal steps will be taken after receiving a complaint.

A Dhaka court on Wednesday placed former law minister Anisul Huq on a six-day remand in two murder cases and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun on a 3-day remand in a murder case. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Sefatullah passed the orders. Besides, ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina's trade and investment adviser Salman F. Rahman, former minister Dipu Moni, and seven others were shown arrested in new cases. A petition was filed seeking a five-day remand for Anisul Huq and Abdullah Al Mamun in the Jihad Hossain murder case. Besides, a three-day remand was sought for Anisul in Wasim Sheikh murder case. The defense lawyers filed petitions seeking cancellation of the remand and bail.  Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi argued in favour of the remand. After the hearing, the court granted the remand. Nine people including Salman F. Rahman and Dipu Moni were shown arrested in separate cases filed with Jatrabari police station. After the horse has bolted: Travel ban issued against Shamim Osman, his family members Other accused are former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, former law minister Anisul Huq, former Gulshan police station OC Mazharul Islam, former Member of Parliament from Bhola-2 Ali Azam Mukul, former MP from Bhola-4 Abdullah Al Islam Jacob, former MP from Dhaka-7 Haji Mohammad Selim, and former social welfare minister Nuruzzaman. They were arrested after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year. According to the case statement , Jihad Hossain during the anti-discrimination movement on July 19, Jihad Hossain (22) participated in a protest in the Shonir Akhra area of the capital. During the demonstration, he was shot and injured. When taken to a hospital, doctors declared him dead.The victim’s father, Nurul Amin Molla, filed a murder case at Jatrabari Police Station on September 3, accusing 85 people  including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Besides, businessman Md. Wasim Sheikh who joined a protest in Jatrabari area of the capital was shot on July 18 and later died at a hospital. Following this incident, the victim’s wife, Rehana Akter, filed a case at Jatrabari Police Station on August 28, accusing 43 people.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday urged people not to take law into their own hands. “I will urge people not to take law into their own hands and police to become more active,” he told reporters after inaugurating the farmers’ cool house initiative and the farmers’ mobile app developed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) at the Horticulture Centre in Rajalakh area of Savar in the morning. The Home Adviser said the police and other law enforcement agencies across the country are working together to ensure public safety and prevent people from taking the law into their own hands. Law and Order Core Committee decides on increased patrols, joint operations Jahangir Alam said he himself was out in the capital early this morning to monitor the law-and-order situation. He stressed the need for vigilance, especially during the early hours, as criminal activities are more prevalent at that time. There was serious unrest among garment workers in Ashulia industrial zone but the problem has now been resolved and there is no longer any discontent, he added. Alongside police, the army is also deployed in Ashulia, Savar, and Dhamrai areas to ensure safety. He also said the government has undertaken several measures to protect agricultural lands. Patrolling to be increased from today following deterioration of law and order situation: Press Secretary Agriculture Secretary Dr Md Emdad Ullah Mia and senior officials from various government departments and law enforcement agencies, among others, attended the meeting.