Law-&-Order
Female drug peddler held with cannabis in Bagerhat
Detective Branch (DB) of police detained a woman along with cannabis at Mongla upazila in Bagerhat district early Saturday.
The detainee was identified as Fatima Begum, 30, a resident of Kapalirmoth village in the upazila.
1 dead, 15 injured in old-fashioned village brawl Kishoreganj
Acting on a tip-off, a team of the DB conducted a drive in Kapalirmoth area and detained Fatima from her house along with 15 kg of cannabis, said Inspector Swapan Kumar Roy district DB.
However, sensing the presence of the law enforcers her husband Billal Haque managed to flee.
Clash over distribution of VGF rice in Habiganj; 50 hurt
Later, she was handed over to Mongla Police, said the DB official, adding that a case was filed against her.
DB dismantles fraudulent loan scheme: Election Commission employee among 4 arrested
The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has apprehended four individuals linked to a fraud operation involving the embezzlement of funds through bogus bank loans. Among the arrested is an employee of the Election Commission office.
The operation, spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner Javed Iqbal of the DB Ramana Zone, was launched in Dhaka and Rangpur following credible intelligence. The suspects, identified as Joynal Abedin alias Idris (42), Election Commission staffer Pallab Das (36), Rafiqul Islam Khan (38), and Alif Hossain (20), were nabbed for their roles in attempting to secure loans totaling Tk 50 crore by exploiting vulnerabilities in the banking system.
Police investigating robbery at Chinese workshop in Dhaka
DB Chief Harun ur Rashid, in a press briefing on Saturday, disclosed the gang's method of operation, highlighting Joynal as the mastermind behind the fraudulent scheme. Utilising forged National ID cards (NIDs), the group sought to manipulate bank officials into approving substantial loans for non-existent enterprises.
Previously engaged in the trade of imitation goods, Joynal ventured into fraud following a business setback. He established a faux company, "ER International," in Mirpur DOHS, and fabricated documentation for seven other phantom companies to support his loan applications. To date, Joynal has illicitly obtained loans amounting to Tk 30 crore, which he used to amass considerable assets, including a seven-story residence in Bashundhara, multiple flats across Dhaka, and a property in Madaripur.
Security tightened for banks in Khagrachhari following robberies: DC
The DB Chief emphasised the investigative efforts to unravel the extent of the scam, including the procurement of fraudulent NIDs and the potential involvement of other Election Commission employees. "We will interrogate Joynal and Pallab Das under remand to uncover the full scope of this network," Rashid stated.
Police investigating robbery at Chinese workshop in Dhaka
The police are investigating an alleged robbery that took place at the workshop of Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned hydropower engineering and construction company, situated on the opposite side of Boat Club in the capital's Mirpur Beribadh area.
On April 1, the employees of the workshop were tied up and robbed during Iftar.
Later, a case was lodged at Rupnagar police station on April 2. Jane Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Rupnagar police station, said on Friday evening that they are investigating the matter.
"And there was no robbery taking place at the Metrorail workshop. Actually, it happened in the workshop of a Chinese company," he added.
"We are trying to identify and arrest those who committed it," he mentioned.
Police are also scrutinising the CCTV footage, said the officer.
60 sued over robbery at Rampal Power Plant
A case has been filed over the robbery at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat.
Habildar Shahidul Islam, of Ansar Battalion-3, filed the case at Rampal Police Station on Thursday night, naming 20 individuals and 30 to 40 unidentified men.
Armed miscreants attempt to enter Rampal Power Plant: BIFPCL
Police have already arrested 12 suspects involved in the case, with efforts underway to apprehend the others, according to police sources.
Rampal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Somen Das, quoting the case details, said that on Wednesday night, a group of robbers entered the D-block of the Rampal Thermal Power Plant. At that time, Ansar members and private security personnel of the power plant attempted to stop them. The robbers attacked them, injuring five Ansar members. During their escape, the robbers stole various sizes of iron rods worth Tk 90,000.
‘Attempted robbery’ at Rampal Power Plant: 5 security personnel injured
Those injured in the attack --Akram, Saidul Islam, Mintu Bairagi, Brajen Mondal, and Habib Kamal--are undergoing treatment at the hospital, said the OC.
Around 11:00 pm on Wednesday, a group of 50 to 60 men attacked the power plant. During the attack, two Ansar members, three private security personnel of the power plant, and one member of the robber gang were injured.
Production at Rampal power plant suspended following technical fault
Incidentally, incidents of theft are becoming more frequent at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant, where nearly 1,320 megawatts of electricity are generated. The thieves often steal copper wires and various machine parts.
Security tightened for banks in Khagrachhari following robberies: DC
In the wake of bank robberies in Bandarban’s Ruma and Thanchi upazilas, security measures have been beefed up for public and private banks stationed in hilly Khagrachhari district.
Deputy Commissioner Md Sahiduzzaman confirmed this on Friday morning.
Managers of public and private banks in the district said there is no concern over the security. However cautionary measures have been taken following the bank robberies in Bandarban.
Khagrachhari Sadar upazila’s Sonali Bank Assistant General Manager Samar Kanti Tripura said, “After the bank robbery a virtual meeting was held where priorities were given on the increase of security measures. In addition, vigilance by the law enforcement agencies has also been tightened. Our bank also has its own security system.“
Bangladesh Krishi Bank’s Khagrachhari branch Manager Devashish Tripua said, “Our authorities have ordered to increase security. But since we are in the district town, we aren’t worried about security. But we’re careful. The number of security personnel has been increased.”
Two gunmen will perform duty at the branch along with vigilance by the law enforcers, he said.
Private Dutch Bangla Bank Limited’s Manger Md Nuruddin Chowdhury said there is no crisis for the security issue as the government has increased security measures along with the bank’s own security.
DC Sahiduzzaman said the number of police personnel has been increased at the banks for security.
The banking security issue was discussed with importance in the core committee meeting, the DC added.
On Tuesday night, armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) abducted Sonali Bank’s Bandarban Ruma upazila branch manager Nizam Uddin.
They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
The Rapid Action Battalion rescued the abducted bank manager on Thursday night and took him to his family on Friday morning.
RAB hands over bank manager Nizam to his family
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) handed over bank manager Nizam Uddin on Friday after being rescued from his abductors.
Imran Khan, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of the RAB headquarters media wing, confirmed the matter on Friday morning.
Govt has strict stance against armed violence in Ctg Hill Tracts: Quader
Later, RAB (Legal and Media Wing) Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin briefed reporters at the Bandarban District Council Auditorium at 11:00 am on Friday.
Mentioning that there was no financial transaction to rescue the bank manager, the RAB official said, “So far, the operation has been stopped due to negotiations with the Peace Committee. We believed in the doctrine that all the demands of the KNF would be resolved through the Peace Committee."
Armed men believed to be KNF members try to attack Thanchi Police Station; police fire back
“But on the night of April 2, bank robbery in Ruma upazila, abduction of manager, 14 weapons from Ansar and police, and snatching of mobile phones from worshippers entering the mosque, all avenues of peace dialogue were closed," he said.
He added that armed groups are carrying out such acts to prove their existence and capability. In the same way, attacks have been carried out in Thanchi. He said the operation of law enforcement agencies, including RAB, is going on.
Abducted Sonali Bank manager rescued in Bandarban: RAB
The KNF had previously carried out various activities for the training of militants, collecting weapons, and financial prosperity here. Law enforcement stopped it, Commander Moin also said.
Meanwhile, the exchange of gunfire between police, BGB, and KNF in Thanchi upazila last night stopped at 11:00 pm. No casualties were reported in the incident. Thanchi Upazila Chairman Thoaihla Maung said the situation in the upazila is normal at the moment.
Earlier on Thursday night, the RAB members rescued the bank manager from the Bathel Para area of Bandarban through mediation, he said.
On Thursday afternoon, Nizam Uddin’s wife, Nazmul Nahar, said the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) demanded Tk 15 lakh from his family as ransom.
The separatist group kidnapped the Sonali Bank’s Ruma upazila branch manager on Tuesday, April 2, and tried to loot Tk 1.5 crore from the vault of the Ruma branch. Unable to take the money, they kidnapped the bank manager.They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban on Wednesday.
Tk 162.19cr worth of smuggled goods seized in March: BGB
Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized smuggled goods, weapons, and ammunition worth Tk 162.19 crore while conducting anti-smuggling drives across the country, including the border areas, in the month of March.
BGB gives state guard of honour and farewell reception to Bhutan’s King in Kurigram
The seized smuggled goods include 18.18kg gold, 10.550kg silver, 4,26,812 sets of cosmetics, 1,777 pieces imitation jewellery, 43,267 sarees, 12,208 three-pieces, shirt pieces, sheets, blankets, readymade garments, 2,584 cubic feet of wood, 2,319 kg of tea leaves, 47,735 kg of coal, 1,440 cubic feet of stones, 5 trucks, and 2 covered vans. One bus, five pickup vans , 10 boats, 27 CNG/Easybikes, and 64 motorcycles, according to a BGB media release signed by its Public Relations Officer, Md Shariful Islam, on Thursday.
Indian policeman arrested for intruding into Bangladesh: BGB
The recovered arms include a pistol, a LG, two magazines, a hand grenade, and 160 rounds of bullets, it said.
The paramilitary force also seized 3,93,162 yaba pills, 5.727 kg of crystal meth, 38.213 kg of heroin, 13,432 bottles of phensedyl, 21,476 bottles of foreign liquor, 1,287 litres of local liquor, 2,323 bottles of Escuf syrup, 1,013 bottles of Mkdil, 1,319 cans of beer, 0.900 kg of LSD, 1,925 kg of marijuana, 62,908 intoxicant injections, 1.500 kg of cocaine, 5,49,122 pieces of different types of medicines, 4, 000 pieces of Sanagra tablets, 140 packets of insecticides, and 11,21,002 other tablets.
Integrated checkpost to benefit both Bangladesh and India economically: BGB DG
A total of 131 smugglers were arrested for smuggling yaba pills and other drugs, while 174 Bangladeshi citizens, 15 Indians, and 424 Myanmar nationals were detained for crossing the border illegally. Legal actions were taken against them, the release added.
Former Jatiya Party MP Kader Khan jailed for 4 years in graft case
A court in Dhaka on Thursday sentenced former Jatiya Party lawmaker of Gaibandha-1 constituency Col (retd) Dr Abdul Kader Khan to four years imprisonment in a case filed for amassing wealth beyond known sources of income and concealing information of his wealth.
The court also fined him Tk 61,92,791 which will be realised by the state.
Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, judge of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-9, handed down the judgment.
On May 26, 2019, Deputy Assistant Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Wahid Manzur Shohagh filed the case with Ramna police.
According to the case statement, the former JaPa member of parliament (MP) concealed information on Tk24,42,770 worth of wealth.
ACC Assistant Director Nur Alam, also the investigating officer of the case, submitted chargesheet to the court on January 10 last year.
Kader was arrested in February 2017 in connection with the murder of Gaibandha 1 lawmaker, Awami League leader Manjurul Islam Liton.
Later, ACC started an investigation against Kader Khan's illegal wealth.
Armed miscreants attempt to enter Rampal Power Plant: BIFPCL
A group of 50-60 armed miscreants tried to enter the Rampal Power Plant through the river site behind the plant with indigenous weapons at around 10:30-11 pm on Wednesday, said a statement of the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt.) Limited (BIFPCL).
At that time, when they were obstructed by security personnel of the power plant, a clash took place at the spot.
Five security personnel including battalion Ansar members were seriously injured in the clash, it said.
After being wounded, the Ansar personnel fired around 30 rounds of bullet during the encounter, forcing the armed miscreants move back towards the river and forest.
After giving first aid and stitches to the injured security personnel at the medical center of the power plant, 3 of them were admitted to Rampal Upazila Health Complex and other 2 to Khulna Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment and further investigations.
Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner, Police Super, Parliament Members and local administration have been informed about this incident.
A general diary has been lodged in this regard with the Rampal police station.
It may be mentioned that in the previous incidents of thefts or such attacks in the power plant the number of miscreants was 12-15 but this time the number of miscreants is 50-60, said the BIFPCL statement.
KNF demands Tk 15 lakh from family to free abducted Sonali Bank manager
Armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) on Thursday demanded Tk 15 lakh from his family as ransom for the release of Sonali Bank’s Bandarban Ruma upazila branch manager Nizam Uddin who was abducted during a daring robbery on Tuedsday.
Nizam Uddin’s wife Nazmul Nahar, a teacher of Bandarban Cantonment Public School and College, revealed the matter to the media shorty after she received a phone call from the KNF.
In a press conference at the conference room of Bandarban Zilla Parishad on Thursday morning, its chairman Kyaw Shwe Hla denied to hold any discussion with KNF until it releases the abducted bank manager, returns looted 14 arms, money and stop all kinds of criminal activities.
Kyaw Shwe, also president of the district peace committee, said a view-exchange meeting with the participation of representatives from several groups to facilitate KNF members’ return to normal life was held on May 29 last year.
On June 30, 18-member peace committee was formed with the coordination of local leaders. Later several virtual meetings between the peace committee and the KNF were held to return peace in the district, he said.
On November 5 last year and March 5 this year, a couple of in-person dialogues with the group were held and two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed when KNF assured that it will suspended all armed activities , he informed.
On the other hand, banking activities of Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank in the district’s Thanchi upazila branch have remained suspended since Wednesday.
In Ruma and Rowangchhari upazilas, activities of Krishi Bank remained normal while that of Sonali Bank remained suspended.
As part of the criminal activities, the separatist group kidnapped the Sonali Bank manager on April 2 and looted Tk 1.5 crore from the Ruma branch.
The incident occurred during Taraweeh prayers. The robbers looted 14 weapons from the Ansar members guarding the bank and abducted the bank manager from the mosque on the bank premises.
They carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila, Bandarban on Wednesday, in a similar incident at a Sonali Bank branch in Ruma upazila.