United News of Bangladesh

The daughter of July martyr Jasim Uddin, who recently passed away under tragic circumstances, will be laid to rest beside her father’s grave in Dumki upazila of Patuakhali. Her funeral prayer is scheduled to take place at her family home in Pangashia union after Maghrib prayers on Sunday, following which she will be buried alongside her late father. According to family members, the young woman was found dead on Saturday night at a rented house on Road No 6 in the Shekhertek area of Mohammadpur, Dhaka. She was discovered hanging inside the house and was rushed to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead upon arrival. Officer-in-charge of Dumki Police Station, Mohammad Zakir Hossain, said the autopsy at Suhrawardy Hospital was nearing completion, and her body would soon be handed over to the family. He said an investigation was underway to determine the precise cause of death. Leaders of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), including Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam, Joint Member Secretary Humayra Noor, and Joint Member Secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto, are travelling to Patuakhali to attend the funeral and offer condolences to the bereaved family. The victim had recently endured a harrowing ordeal. On March 18, while travelling to her maternal grandparents’ house in Pangashia, she was allegedly gang-raped by two individuals, Sakib and Sifat, from the Naldoyani area. Displaying immense courage, she personally filed a case against the accused at Dumki Police Station. Bangladeshi national shot dead reportedly by BSF in 24 Parganas Both suspects were subsequently arrested and presented before the court, and the case remains under investigation. Family members revealed that following the assault, she had been grappling with severe mental trauma. They said the burden of social stigma, combined with fear of not receiving justice, had plunged her into deep depression, ultimately leading her to take her own life. Her father, Jasim Uddin, was killed by police during last year's July Uprising in Dhaka, a loss that had already cast a long shadow over the family. The tragedy has once again underscored the devastating impact of sexual violence and the urgent need for a society where victims feel protected, supported and able to seek justice without fear.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday accused the fallen Awami League (AL) of choosing murder and secret killings over ideological engagement to suppress political opposition. Speaking at a public gathering in Dhaka’s Ibrahimpur area under Kafrul, organized by Dhaka north city Jamaat, he alleged that the AL believed its oppressive rule would last indefinitely. “Instead of ideological confrontation, the AL government opted for killings and assassinations. They thought their misrule would remain unchallenged forever,” he said. The Jamaat Ameer emphasised that power belongs solely to Almighty Allah, who grants and withdraws it as He wills. No election before reform, Hasina’s trail: Jamaat Ameer Referring to political changes, he said, “We have witnessed how arrogance was shattered during the July Uprising. Despite Allah’s temporary respite for the oppressors, justice eventually prevails.” He urged party members and supporters to unite and work together to make their recent ‘victories’ meaningful and sustainable, and to continue the struggle for national liberation and public welfare. Rejecting allegations of having a hidden agenda, the Jamaat leader said, “Our only goal is to establish a just, peaceful, and discrimination-free society, as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).” Justice must be served within 90 days in Magura case: Jamaat Ameer He reiterated Jamaat’s long-standing commitment to a justice-based political movement, saying, “We love our country, our land, and our people. Our politics is dedicated to their welfare and liberation.” Senior Jamaat leaders including Mohammad Selim Uddin, Laskar Mohammad Taslim, Mahfuzur Rahman, and Dr. Fakhruddin Manik were also present at the event.

A 17-year-old boy who sustained bullet injuries to the head during the July uprising in Dhaka died at a hospital in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali district on Friday. The deceased was identified as Ashiqur Rahman, also known as Hridoy, son of Ansar Hawladar of Paschim Jouta village in Bauphal. According to family members, Hridoy had been working in Dhaka and was shot in the head during the July 18 uprising in the capital’s Jatrabari area.  He had been undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors removed two of the three bullets lodged in his head through surgery.  However, one bullet remained and could not be extracted. On Friday noon, Hridoy was rushed to the Bauphal Upazila Health Complex after he fell critically ill.  Doctors there referred him to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital, but he died on the way around 3 pm. His father, Ansar Hawladar, said, “I couldn’t afford advanced treatment for my son. I tried my best, even selling my rickshaw and a cow. Doctors at DMCH removed two bullets, but one remained. If treatment abroad had been arranged, my son might have survived.” Hridoy’s elder brother, Md. Sohag Islam Anis, added, “He had been suffering for a long time. The bullet that remained in his head caused constant pain and frequent fevers. No one came forward to help with his advanced treatment. My brother died due to the lack of proper medical care.”      

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said on Wednesday that Bangladesh is now fully independent and that its citizens will never feel enslaved on this land again. "The country is now fully independent. The bloody people’s uprising of February 24 protected the independence we gained in 1971. This independence will remain in the days to come. Never again will the people of this country feel enslaved on an independent land,” he told reporters after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar on the occasion Independence and National Day. 1971 and 24 are naturally interlinked: Nahid Islam He reflected on the significance of the 1971 Liberation War, saying, "1971 gave birth to the country, which is why we have gained independence. We believe that the successful people’s uprising of the July Revolution of 24th February protected that independence. As a result, the fascists fled. The country is now fully independent, in exchange for blood." The adviser spoke about the concept of independence in the past 16 years. He said that despite the struggle for independence, the essence of that independence had been undermined in recent years. There’s nothing like ‘2nd independence’ in sovereign Bangladesh: Mirza Abbas "We believe that until every citizen of the country feels that they are free, that they have freedom of speech, and freedom of expression, there is no benefit in a land being independent. We believe that 24th February protected that independence. The self-sacrifice of the student masses has completed that independence,” he said.

The Bangladesh Army has said that it did not have any direct communication or request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the comments made by UN High Commissioner Volker Turk in his interview with BBC HARDtalk, according to the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR). In a press release issued on Monday, ISPR said Bangladesh Army finds it necessary to clarify certain aspects of Turk’s statement to ensure accuracy and transparency. In an interview with the BBC programme HardTalk on Wednesday, Volker Türk said the Bangladesh army was warned about possible removal from peacekeeping operations for engaging in any repression during the July-August Uprising. “The remark by Volker Turk taken out of context by certain quarters, it appears to misrepresent the role of the Bangladesh Army and potentially undermines its reputation, sacrifice and professionalism,” said the ISPR release. “If any such concerns were raised, they were conveyed to the then government of Bangladesh and not directly to the Army leadership,” it said.  The Bangladesh Army operates within the framework of national security directives and adheres strictly to the rule of law and human rights principles, it added. It said Bangladesh Army remains committed to people, upholding its legacy of neutrality and integrity. “Historical events such as the democratic transition of 1991 reaffirm this dedication. During the July-August 2024 protests, the Army once again stood by people, ensuring public safety without bias or external influence.” Army Camp Commander withdrawn over Touhidur’s death: ISPR As the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, Bangladesh is globally recognised for its professionalism and dedication, it added. ISPR said peacekeepers receive a tiny portion of foreign earnings, the majority-around Tk 27,000 crore over 23 years-has significantly contributed to national economic growth.  The Bangladesh Army deeply values its partnership with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and remains steadfast in its commitment to serving both the people of Bangladesh and the global community, it said. Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Congo are safe: ISPR “Any concerns regarding its role can be best addressed through open dialogue and constructive engagement,” the release added.  

Former US Ambassador to Bangladesh William B Milam on Thursday lauded the interim government's reform initiatives, saying the July uprising has offered big opportunities to carry out sweeping reforms and establish true democracy in Bangladesh. Jon Danilowicz, who was a deputy ambassador of the US to Dhaka, said Bangladesh needs positive narratives and serious efforts to tackle the menace of fake news and disinformation. Milam and Danilowicz, the president and executive director of a US-based non-profit human rights group, Right to Freedom, paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. UN rights chief calls for accountability over Bangladesh’s 2024 protest abuses The two former diplomats updated the Chief Adviser about the work of the Right to Freedom and their plan to expand its work in Bangladesh as part of its efforts to assist the country in its democratic transition. Professor Yunus appreciated the work of the non-profit group and also the efforts by the two diplomats to champion human rights and democratic values in Bangladesh. During the hour-long meeting, Professor Yunus told the diplomats that political parties would sign a July Charter after the conclusion of the dialogue on the reforms recommended by the six commissions. "The July Charter will guide us," he said, adding that the interim government would implement parts of the recommendations made in the July Charter and the rest will be implemented by political governments. CA Dr Yunus asks labour ministry to reform labour law maintaining global standard They also discussed the current Bangladesh-US relations, the Rohingya crisis, and the impact of dwindling aid for the much-persecuted Myanmar refugees, recovering billions of dollars stolen during the previous regime, the Chief Adviser's attempt to revive Saarc and possible dates for the upcoming elections. The Chief Adviser said the elections would be held either in December, provided the political parties agreed to fewer reforms ahead of the vote, or by June next year.  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday assured that trial of all killings and disappearances will be held but it becomes injustice if there are efforts to do the trial instantly. "The main thing about the trial is that it should be fair...there should not be any injustice. This struggle and sacrifices were made because we stood against injustice. If we indulge in injustice, then where is the difference between them and us? We will not indulge in injustice,” he said while speaking at a meeting with the family members of July uprising victims at the Chief Adviser's Office in Dhaka'. Bimstec Summit: A meeting between Dr Yunus and Modi in the making? The Chief Adviser said they will hand over those people who are criminals to police, not the innocent people. Dr Yunus said those who are criminals must be tried and those who are not criminals must be brought to the righteous path. At this time, he called on the families of July martyrs and July fighters to keep a vigilant eye so that there is no violence and clashes in the country. Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam and Special Assistant Prof Md Sayedur Rahman were present on the occasion. Election Roadmap: BNP delegation to meet Dr Yunus Monday The interim government started providing state financial assistance to families of July uprising victims and martyrs. The Chief Adviser formally inaugurated the programme by handing over cheques to 21 families of July martyrs and 7 injured people at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon on Monday. Three martyr families and three fighters spoke at the meeting. They raised various issues including the trial of the murders, receiving state honors, financial assistance and rehabilitation. They broke down in tears while describing their experiences in July. The Chief Adviser said, "I always think that the sacrifices of those who are brave enough to call the country a new Bangladesh cannot be measured by any criteria." Calling the injured and martyrs of the July uprising as the creators of history, he said, "You are living history. I am grateful to you from the bottom of my heart. A nation that cannot remember its history cannot develop as a nation. This recognition is my gratitude to you on behalf of the nation."  Addressing the families of the martyrs and the injured, he said that from today they have officially become part of the government. "This is institutional recognition. Beyond this, everyone in society has to accept your responsibility." In the meeting, the injured and martyred families were informed about the government's programme for July martyrs and July fighters by the Ministry of Freedom Fighters. According to the government's decision, the martyrs of the July uprising will be called 'July martyrs' and the injured will be called 'July fighters' and will receive identity cards. CA Dr Yunus to attend World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai Adviser Nahid Islam said, "We know that your desire was that we could do the institutional work earlier. We did not have any lack of sincerity. Everyone in the government, including our Chief Adviser, worked to give you due honor. We had to take responsibility during the crisis, so we could not do it according to your desire. For this reason, I express my regret."

Several families of martyrs from the July Uprising met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday. During the meeting, they discussed various issues including the trial of those responsible for the violence during the July Uprising, the creation of the July Uprising Directorate, and the recognition and state honours for the families of the martyrs and the injured. Bangladesh, Uruguay eye cooperation in unexplored areas They also talked about financial assistance and rehabilitation for the families.

The government has invited students and civilians injured during the July-August mass uprising to submit their medical expense claims for reimbursement if they received treatment at private hospitals. According to a press release issued by the Press Information Department (PID) on Friday, the injured must submit their applications and medical bills either to the Mass Uprising Special Cell or the civil surgeon offices in their respective districts. The required application forms are available on the special cell’s official website: www.musc.portal.gov.bd. Once submitted, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will review claims received by the special cell, while those submitted at civil surgeon offices will first be scrutinized by the respective civil surgeons before being forwarded to the special cell for final processing. Vandalism across Bangladesh to be resisted: Govt The reimbursement process follows a decision taken during a Health Services Division meeting on January 9, which focused on medical treatment for the injured and the distribution of health cards among them. The initiative is being implemented as per instructions from the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, which directed the special cell to facilitate the compensation process. The Mass Uprising Special Cell formally announced the reimbursement procedure in a notification signed by its head, Joint Secretary Mashiur Rahman, on Wednesday.

Terming the vandalism at Dhanmondi-32 residence as unfortunate and unexpected, the interim government has said it was manifestation of people’s anger incited by the "provocative remarks" made by fugitive Sheikh Hasina from India against the July uprising. The interim government, in a statement on Thursday, urged India to ensure that its territory is not used to promote instability in Bangladesh and prevent Sheikh Hasina from issuing further remarks. Bangladesh sends protest note to India over Hasina’s activities The statement said Sheikh Hasina, who is a fugitive and facing charges of crimes against humanity, should refrain from making statements that incite unrest. The government is committed to ensuring justice for those involved in the July massacre saying that the legal process is proceeding at full pace. Besides, the government will examine what legal action can be taken against those engaging in provocative activities, it added For the past six months, no attacks or incidents of destruction had taken place at the historic residence and tensions escalated following Sheikh Hasina’s provocative statements which offended those who sacrificed their lives during the July uprising, according to the statement shared by the the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Hasina’s remarks had two key aspects—first, she disrespected the martyrs of the uprising by making derogatory and unfounded claims about their deaths and second, despite fleeing the country in the wake of the uprising, she has continued to issue threats and warnings in a tone reminiscent of her tenure in power, said the statement. Protesters set fire to Dhanmondi-32 house again She has also threatened to create instability in Bangladesh, it said. The government has expressed concern that Sheikh Hasina’s repeated remarks have deepened the wounds of the July massacre, leading to the latest violent reaction. The interim government has assured people that it remains on high alert to protect lives and property. Law enforcement agencies are making every effort to control the situation and prevent further escalation, it said. A quarter may be behind Dhanmondi-32 incident: BNP's Hafizuddin