United News of Bangladesh

Police arrested a member of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee in Pirojpur on Saturday in a case filed over attack, vandalism, and robbery of an under-construction model mosque. The arrestee, Musabbir Mahmud Sani (32), is the son of Md Kislur, from the Mashimpur area near the old bus stand in Pirojpur town, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Abbas of Pirojpur Sadar Police Station Detective Branch of Police arrested Sani from the Kapuria Patti area, the OC said. According to the case statement, Sani, identifying himself as the convener of a student movement, led a group of 30 to 40 individuals to attack the under-construction model mosque in Pirojpur Municipality on Friday afternoon. The attackers allegedly vandalised the staff quarters on-site and looted Tk 5 lakh from the office. They also destroyed the CCTV cameras and the hard disk of the surveillance system. Shahidul Islam, the site manager of the contracting firm, filed the case against Sani, his brother—reportedly a student coordinator—Sajid, and another individual named Sajidul Islam, accusing them of vandalism, robbery, and extortion. NCP holds rally demanding cancellation of AL registration, its trial He claimed that Sani had previously demanded Tk 20 lakh in extortion from those involved in the project. Sani is also connected to a fire incident at the Baleshwar Bridge toll plaza in Pirojpur. However, no case has been filed regarding that incident yet. “We will take further legal action based on the investigation,” added the OC.

The Jatiya Nagorik Committee (JNC) has called on the government to immediately resume the sales of essential commodities in TCB trucks and withdraw recent hikes in VAT and supplementary duties to alleviate the plight of the country's low-income population. Addressing a press conference at the organisation’s central office in Bangla Motor on Saturday, JNC Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain criticised the suspension of the truck sales programme, which he described as a vital lifeline for marginalised communities. “The programme provided essential commodities at subsidised prices. Halting it has stripped the marginalised of their minimal rights guaranteed by the state,” he said. Hossain urged the government to prioritise the welfare of citizens amid soaring market prices. “Under the current economic conditions, further burdening ordinary people is unacceptable. The sacrifices made to end autocracy must not be in vain,” he added. TCB activities to be digitised with smart family cards: Commerce Adviser The JNC leader also demanded the government revoke the ordinance increasing VAT and supplementary duties and resume the TCB truck sales programme without delay. Highlighting corruption, Hossain alleged that $234 billion was siphoned off the country during the previous government’s 15-year rule. He urged the current administration to take stringent measures to recover the laundered funds and reconsider the terms of International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans to ensure sound economic management. “The government must adopt prudent measures to safeguard the economy instead of succumbing to harsh loan conditions.” TCB products to be available without family card In response to journalists' questions, Hossain cautioned against conflating the spirit of the Liberation War of 1971 with the Constitution of 1972, a stance he claimed is perpetuated by some political parties. On the next national election, the JNC criticised calls for expedited national polls, arguing that such demands disregard public interests.  The committee suggested that simultaneous national and local government elections could be conducted if the authorities so desired, her added.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Jatiya Nagorik Committee on Tuesday issued an ultimatum to the government to announce the ‘July Proclamation’ by January 15, issuing a note of warning against delays. The ultimatum was declared during the "March for Unity" programme held at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital. Jatiya Nagorik Committee spokesperson Samantha Sharmin said, "No steps have been taken regarding the July proclamation, even five months after the resurgence. The government must act by January 15." Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, criticised the delay, stating, "This declaration is a historical responsibility. We won’t tolerate further postponements. The road has become the people's solution, and we urge the government to negotiate. If not, the people will act." Fatema reiterated demands for justice and accountability, emphasising, "No elections before the Awami League faces trial. Justice for martyrs and the injured must be guaranteed." She affirmed that the movement would not falter, declaring, "July is not dead." Jatiya Nagorik Committee Member Secretary Akhter Hossain stressed the importance of a Constituent Assembly election. "This declaration will inspire the drafting of a new constitution and must not be delayed," he said. Convener Nasir Uddin Patwary highlighted the need for institutional reforms. "This proclamation is a milestone. It must address the collapse of government institutions over 53 years and establish a robust, independent foreign policy," he added. Thousands gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar earlier in the day, with participants arriving from districts like Rangpur, Patuakhali, Chattogram, Natore, Panchagarh, and Sirajganj. Marchers chanted slogans such as "Delhi or Dhaka," "Struggle, Struggle," "Injustice will drown in the flood of blood," and "We Demand the Trial of Killer Hasina." Students, Nagorik Committee demand July Proclamation by Jan 15 The event, organised by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, sought to rally support for the interim government’s initiative to draft the declaration recognising the July uprising through national consensus. Speakers at the event declared, "Our struggle continues. The martyrs' bloodstains have not dried, yet autocracy is being rehabilitated. We will resist intellectuals and groups opposing our fight against fascism." Clash in Bagerhat UNB’s Bagerhat correspondent reported that at least 20 people were injured when miscreants attacked a motorcade of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Mollahat upazila en route to Dhaka. The convoy, consisting of 25 buses from Khulna, was attacked around 11:30 am at Mollahat's Madrashaghat. Witnesses said an argument between students and bus staff escalated into violence when attackers vandalised a bus and hurled brick chips. Students fill Central Shaheed Minar with 'March for Unity' slogans Zahurul Tanvir, a coordinator of the movement in Khulna, alleged that collaborators of the ruling Awami League were behind the attack, which turned the area into a "battlefield." Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Khulna Highway was disrupted for two hours before police and Army personnel restored order. Mollahat Police Station OC Shafiqul Islam confirmed that bus staff and locals were involved in the attack. Confusion Confusion arose earlier in the day when the interim government announced it would read out the July Proclamation, leaving participants unsure if the event would proceed as planned. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement had initially announced the proclamation would be made at the Shaheed Minar on Tuesday. A press conference at their Banglamotor office at 1:45 am on December 30 confirmed the 'March for Unity' at 3:00 pm.