United News of Bangladesh

A defamation case has been filed in Jashore against Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated Kushtia-3 candidate Mufti Amir Hamza for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the late Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Mehedi Hasan Zillu, a member of the convening committee of Jashore District Krishak Dal and a resident of Khadki in the city, filed the case on Wednesday afternoon, said plaintiff’s lawyer Advocate M A Gafur. Taking cognisance of the complaint, Jashore Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Asadul Islam ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to probe the allegation and submit a report. Read More: IU Chhatra Dal leader files case against Mufti Amir Hamza over defamatory remarks According to the case statement, Amir Hamza made indecent and defamatory remarks about Arafat Rahman Koko while addressing a mahfil in Chattogram in 2023.   The plaintiff claimed the remarks tarnished the dignity of the deceased and brought dishonour to the Zia family, creating a negative public perception. The complainant said he came across a video of the statement online on January 17 while at the BNP office near Laldighi in Jashore and was deeply shocked by it. The plaintiff further claimed that the remarks hurt the sentiments of nationalist-minded people and caused defamation amounting to Tk 50 crore. Earlier, a similar defamation case was filed in Khulna against Mufti Amir Hamza over the same allegation by Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Society Central Joint General Secretary and Khulna Metropolitan President Md Jahirul Islam Bappi.

Police have arrested another suspect in the murder case of BNP leader Alamgir Hossain in Jashore following confessions from the victim’s son-in-law and the main shooter. The accused, Shahin Kazi, 25, was caught Monday night (Jan 12) from Lon Office Para area of Jashore town. On Tuesday afternoon (Jan 13), he was presented in court and confessed his involvement in the killing. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Asadul Islam accepted his statement and ordered him sent to jail. Shahin Kazi is the son of Kislu Kazi from Chanchra Raipara (Tulotola Mor) in Ward-6 of Jashore municipality. He was living in a rented house in Lon Office Para at the time of arrest. According to the source of investigatiuon, the victim’s son-in-law and main planner of the murder, Based Ali Porosh, and his associate Asabul Islam Sagar mentioned Shahin Kazi’s name while in police remand. Later, the main shooter Tridib Chakraborti Mishuk, arrested last week, also named Shahin Kazi in his confessional statement to the court. Based on this information, case investigator SI of DB Alok Kumar De arrested Shahin Kazi from Lon Office Para around 4:45 pm on Monday. According to police,  CCTV footage and information from previously arrested suspects indicate Shahin Kazi acted as a key accomplice. He coordinated with hired killers and planners and was present at the crime scene. Shahin Kazi also faces three previous cases, including extortion. Alamgir Hossain was shot dead on January 3 evening in Shankarpur area of Jashore town. Main shooter in BNP leader Alamgir murder arrested in Jashore His wife Shamima Begum filed the murder case at Kotwali police station. So far, four people have been arrested in connection with the case – the victim’s son-in-law Parash, associate Sagar, main shooter Tridib, and Shahin Kazi. Case investigator SI Alok Kumar De said, “Police are continuing their operations to arrest others involved and recover the weapons used in the murder.”

As winter settles in Jashore, Gadkhali, Bangladesh’s flower capital, bursts into vibrant blooms, drawing visitors and boosting both the local economy and tourism. With the festive season approaching, including the New Year, flower growers and traders here are brimming with optimism for a flourishing season of sales. Nestled in Jhikargachha upazila, Gadkhali and its surrounding villages—Panisara, Navaran and nearby areas—are now carpeted with blossoms, heralding the start of a vibrant flower season. Business waiting to bloom in ‘Flower Capital’ Gadkhali Farmers have already begun harvesting a rainbow of blooms, while traders rush to dispatch them across the country. According to Agriculture Department officials, the region boasts around 7,000 flower growers cultivating approximately 1,200 hectares, of which nearly 650 hectares are dedicated to flowers. Eleven varieties thrive here, from the elegant gladiolus and fragrant tuberose to roses, gerbera, marigold, gypsy, rodstick, calendula and chrysanthemums.

At first glance, the white polythene canopies stretching across both sides of the road just 10 kilometres west of Jashore town resemble festive tents set up for a grand wedding. A closer look, however, reveals a different celebration — one of soil, sweat and seedlings. This vibrant landscape belongs to Abdulpur and Bagdanga villages in Jashore Sadar upazila, widely recognised as the country’s winter vegetable seedling capital, where a quiet agricultural revolution is underway. As evening falls or rain begins, farmers cover the seedbeds to protect young plants. Some are busy sowing seeds, others watering the sprouts, while some uproot mature seedlings for sale. Between 250 to 300 growers in Abdulpur and Bagdanga produce 20 to 25 crore vegetable seedlings over a six-month season, generating sales worth Tk 20 to 30 crore, according to local farmers. These seedlings, including cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beet, turnip, tomato and chili, are distributed to nearly all 64 districts of Bangladesh. From morning to dusk, farmers and traders from across the country flock to the area to collect high-quality seedlings, which have gained a reputation even in the most remote corners of the country. How to know when your garden vegetables are ready to harvest Rekan Mia, a grower from Abdulpur, said seedling production began in the area around 20 years ago, but commercial-scale production has accelerated over the past decade. He, however, noted that excessive rainfall this year disrupted several planting cycles, causing significant losses. The rising prices of seeds, fertilisers, labour and polythene have added to farmers’ financial strain, he said, urging the government to provide financial assistance to help recover the losses. Saddam Hossain, another grower from Bagdanga, pointed out their seedlings are sold both online and offline across the country. “Traders from different districts come to purchase seedlings directly. There’s also a dedicated seedling market at the Churamankathi bazaar in Sadar upazila, which attracts buyers nationwide,” he said. Mamun Hossain shared current rates, noting that good-quality cauliflower seedlings sell for Tk 1,000–1,500 per thousand, while cabbage seedlings range from Tk 800-1,100 depending on quality. “We produce all types of winter vegetable seedlings here. Commercial seedling cultivation has created employment for many locals. With proper government support, this sector can see further growth,” he added. Prices of winter vegetables drop in Khulna, essentials continue to rise

Three people including a police officer were killed in a road accident on Jashore-Bagharpara highway in Bhangura Bazar area of Bagharpara Upazila on Sunday night. The deceased were identified as Sub-Inspector (SI) Nikkan Adhya of Lahuria Investigation Center under Lohagara Police Station in Narail, Akhtar Hossain, son of Ahmad Ali of Basundia area in Jashore Sadar,  and Abu Jafar, son of Abdul Majid of Vekutia area in Jashore town and former joint general secretary of the central committee of BNP’s volunteer wing Swechhasebok Dal. Tularampur Highway Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Sekandar Ali said when a bus crashed into a stationary truck loaded with bamboo around 10:45 pm on Sunday some of the bamboos pierced into the bus, leaving Akhtar Hossain dead on the spot. 2 killed in M’singh road crash Locals rescued Abu Jafar and police officer Nikkan Adhya and took them to Jashore General Hospital in critical condition. Abu Jafar was declared dead on arrival while Nikkan Adhya was referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. But his condition deteriorated en route and he was taken to Narail Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead. OC Sekandar Ali said proper legal action will be taken.

Two people were killed and two others injured in a road accident on the Jashore-Benapole highway in Jashore Sadar upazila early Thursday. The accident took place around 4am in the Natunhaat area, said officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station Abul Hasnat. The deceased were identified as Masudur Rahman Milon, 40, former sports affairs secretary of the Jashore District Chhatra League, and Jui, 30, of Sarathi Mill area in Jashore. The injured – Mamun, 32, from Betaga village in Bagerhat’s Fakirhat upazila, and Masud, 45, from Arenda village in Jashore Sadar – were taken to Jessore General Hospital. Youth held with five gold bars in Jashore According to police, the victims were heading towards Benapole from Jashore in a private car when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash into a roadside tree. Milon and Jui died on the spot. Locals rushed to the scene, rescued the injured and informed the police. The bodies of the deceased were recovered and sent to the hospital morgue, the OC added.

Police have arrested two people in connection with the murder of a BNP activist in a bomb attack in Benapole.  The arrests were made in two separate operations conducted on Sunday night. The arrestees were  identified as Ahsan Kabir, 31, son of Atiar Rahman from Chhoto Meghla (Chanchra) village under Jessore Kotwali Police Station, and Ripon Hossain, 30, son of Mominur Rahman from Dubpara village under Benapole Port Police Station. According to the police, the incident occurred on Eid night last Saturday following a dispute centring around Eid prayers in Dubpara village of Bahadurpur Union in Benapole.  BNP activist Abdul Hai, 50, was killed in a bomb attack allegedly carried out by miscreants.  A murder case was subsequently filed with Benapole Port Police Station. Russel Mia, officer-in-charge of Benapole Port Police Station, said police conducted drives in Jessore Kotwali and Benapole areas, leading to the arrests of Ahsan Kabir and Ripon Hossain respectively. The accused were later produced before a Jashore court, he added.  

A 5-year old girl was killed and her siblings were injured in an explosion of a crude bomb at their home in Jashore on Monday morning. The deceased was identified as Khadijatul Kubra and the injured were Sajib Ahmed,6, and Ayesha Sultana,3. Family members said Khadija found the cocktail in the nearby playground at Shontoner Mor mistaking it for a ball and brought it home. When she was playing with Sajib and Ayesha with the ball the device exploded, injuring all of them. Khadija died on the way to a hospital in Dhaka. Crude bomb blasts amid clash rock Shariatpur's Jajira  The injured victims were admitted to Jashore General Hospital. Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abul Hasnat said police visited the scene and are investigating the matter.  

A BNP activist was killed in a clash between two rival groups of the party at Chutipur village in Jhikargachha upazila of Jashore district on Saturday night. The deceased was identified as Asha, 34, son of late Atal Uddin of Balia village in the same upazila. According to police and witnesses, Asha and his brother Moidul, 30, led a procession from the local BNP office in the afternoon. Chuadanga records highest temperature at 42 degrees Celsius   As it reached the Jamtala intersection, they were obstructed by a rival group led by BNP leader Biplob, leading to a clash involving brickbats and locally made weapons. Asha and Moidul sustained serious injuries during the clash. They were rushed to Jashore General Hospital where doctors referred Asha to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries there. Moidul is currently receiving treatment at Jashore General Hospital. Asha’s sister Nasima Begum filed a case with Jhikargachha Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Babulur Rahman Khan said police detained six people in connection with the incident and a drive is underway to arrest others involved.    

A 32-year-old man was shot dead by a group of assailants late Monday night in what is believed to be a gang-related attack in Jashore city. The victim, identified as Meer Samir Sakib Sadi, was gunned down near his home on Murrib Road in the city, said said Additional Police Superintendent Noor-ul-Alam Siddiqui. 25-year-old killed in clash over sand extraction in Mymensingh The incident occurred around 11:45 pm when Sadi, along with his cousin was morting on a motorcycle in the courtyard of their residence behind Jayanti Society. According to eyewitnesses, a group of armed assailants ambushed Sadi, first stabbing him from behind with a knife before shooting him multiple times. Despite one of the rounds misfiring, the attackers fired several more shots, hitting Sadi in the neck and chest. He was rushed to Jashore General Hospital but was declared dead shortly after arrival. Rakib, Sadi’s cousin, sad the victim had been targeted after rejecting the demands of local miscreants involved in illegal activities, including extortion and smuggling. Sadi had strong ties to Mansell, the expelled joint convener of the Jubo League and a top terror in Jashore. Mansell, who has been on the run since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, had his associates, including Sadi, involved in a range of illicit activities in the region, said police. "It is believed that the assailants, who were also former associates of Mansell, may have seen Sadi's return as a threat to their own criminal interests, ultimately leading to his murder," said the police official. In 2013, Sadi was injured in a road accident at Palbari Sculpture intersection of the town after killing Kabir Hossain Polash, the then vice-president of Jashore district Chhatra Dal. One of his legs had to be amputated in the accident, according to locals. 38-year-old killed in Narail clash Despite the loss of his leg, Sadi had continued his criminal activities, maintaining close ties with Mansell and his associates.