United News of Bangladesh

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.

A 45-year-old man died in a collision between two trucks on the Jashore-Khulna highway in Abhaynagar upazila on Thursday. The deceased, identified as Alamgir Hossain helper of one of the trucks. He hailed from Naogaon district, said Nawapara Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahabur Rahman. According to eyewitnesses, a truck was parked in front of the Nawapara Fire Service on the highway when, around 7am, a hay-laden truck travelling from Naogaon to Khulna lost control and rammed into it from behind. Wife stabbed to death in Sirajganj, husband arrested Alamgir Hossain sustained injuries in the crash. Fire service personnel rescued him and rushed him to Abhaynagar Upazila Health Complex. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Khulna 250-bed hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Drowsy driving may have caused the accident, said police.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Jashore police has detained 14 members of an inter-district robbery gang and recovered stolen goods, including 67 e-bike batteries, two stolen pickup vans, 44 oxygen cylinders, 110 gas cylinders, and several truck and mini-truck tires. At a press conference held at the Jashore police superintendent’s conference room on Wednesday, Acting Superintendent of Police (SP) Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui provided details. Operation Devil Hunt: 532 arrested across Bangladesh The detention followed a robbery at a bike showroom in Jashore’s New Town, where the gang looted all the batteries, spare parts, and tires by breaking the lock. The same group was also involved in recent robberies at a tire shop and a gas store in the district. After a week-long operation, DB detained the suspects from different districts and recovered the stolen goods. The detainees are: Md Hira Rahman alias Bijoy Hossain (26), Md Alomgir Hossain (59), Md Robin Molla (30), Md Nazrul Islam (50), Md Amir Hossain (58), Md. Rakib (26), Sohel (32), Zahid (30), Md. Alomgir Sheikh (40), Md. Yunus (38), Bablu Rahman alias Babu (35), Nizam Uddin (42), Jewel Matubber (40), Abdul Kader (32). The suspects have been sent to jail through the court, said the SP.

Joint forces detained former MP from Jhenaidah-3 constituency Major Gen (retd) Md Sala Uddin Miaji from Jashore Sadar upazila on Tuesday night. Locals and students besieged Shyamolchhaya Park, owned by the former MP, in Rudrapur village of Chachra union under the upazila, on Tuesday evening after being tipped-off that Sala Uddin had been staying at the park. The protesting people tried to enter the park but failed due to intervention of the joint forces. Former MP and Food Minister advocate Qamrul Islam arrested in Dhaka Later around 11pm, the joint forces detained Sala Uddin, former military secretary to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, from the park and handed him over to Detective Branch (DB), said Manjurul Haque Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge of Jashore DB. The detainee will also be handed over to Jhenaidah police today (Wednesday), he said. Sala Uddin was elected MP from the Jhenaidah-3 seat in the 12th national election.

Illegal brick kilns continue to proliferate across Jashore, with 114 out of 144 operating without the requisite environmental clearance or licences from the district administration, in flagrant violation of the law. A report from the Department of Environment (DoE) reveals that none of the brick kilns in the district fully comply with legal requirements. Of the total, only 30 kilns employing the zigzag method meet partial standards, while the remaining 114 blatantly disregard regulations. Despite warnings and legal amendments aimed at curbing unauthorised operations, illegal kilns remain rampant, contributing to significant environmental damage and posing a severe threat to public health. Law and Violations The Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, amended in 2013 and again in 2019, mandates licensing for all brick kilns. The law prohibits brick production within one kilometre of residential areas, forests, wetlands, agricultural land, or sensitive establishments such as schools and hospitals. Besides, traditional kilns with 120-foot chimneys are no longer permitted, with all operators required to adopt the environmentally safer zigzag method. Violations of the law are punishable by up to two years of imprisonment and fines of up to Tk 20 lakh. Read: 4 acres of forestland recovered in Gazipur, 7 illegal brick kilns demolished in Tangail But field investigations reveal rampant disregard for these provisions. Kilns have been found as close as 20 yards to residential homes and within 100 yards of densely populated villages. Many have been established on agricultural land, destroying fertile soil and jeopardising livelihoods. Sources indicate that 110 of these kilns are located within one kilometre of educational institutions, breaching regulations and exposing vulnerable populations to harmful emissions. Enforcement Challenges Despite the severity of the violations, law enforcement has been sporadic. Several years ago, the DoE’s Jashore office submitted a report to its headquarters in Dhaka, recommending action against 33 illegal kilns. But most continue to operate with impunity. To address the issue, the DoE has recently intensified its monitoring and enforcement activities. On 27 December last year and 8 January this year, mobile courts conducted drives against 18 kilns, imposing fines and partially demolishing some structures. Read more: Illegal brick kilns fined Tk 1.24 crore, 11 shut down, 15 ordered closed Emdadul Haque, Deputy Director of the DoE in Jashore, vowed tougher action against violators. “No irregularities will be tolerated. Immediate steps will be taken to ensure all kilns comply with the law,” he said. Government Response The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has pledged to dismantle all kilns operating in violation of environmental regulations. Additionally, the 30 kilns currently classified as legal will undergo further scrutiny to ensure full compliance with the law. While recent enforcement measures mark a step forward, environmental advocates argue that sustained action is necessary to tackle the deep-rooted problem of illegal brick kiln operations in Jashore. Without consistent oversight, they warn, the environmental and public health risks posed by these kilns will persist.

A Jahsore court on Wednesday sentenced former Awami League MP Shahin Chakladar to four years of jail in a case filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) around 16 years back. Judge of Jashore Special and Session Judge Court SM Nurul Islam also fined him Tk 20, 000 and ordered to confiscate his properties worth Tk 38 lakh and 3685. The court issued a warrant for his arrest , said district unit of Awami League law affairs secretary Advocate Gazi Abdul Kadir who stood for the former lawmaker. On March 30 in 2008, the then deputy director of the ACC (Jashore office) Manjur Morshed filed a case against Shahin Chakladar, current general secretary of the district unit of Awami League, on charge of concealing information of properties worth Tk 38 lakh. The ACC found inconsistency between the tax file and submitted statement of properties. Read: Khaleda, Tarique acquitted in Zia Orphanage graft case In the statement of properties, the former MP mentioned that he had properties worth Tk 1 crore, 96 lakh and 21400, with a loan of Tk 1 crore, 91 lakh and 515. But the ACC found the actual value of his properties was Tk 56 lakh and 26,200 and he concealed information properties worth Tk 38 lakh and 383, 685. On January 5 in 2009, the ACC submitted chargesheet against him.

Flower farmers in Gadhkhali of Jashore’s Jhikargacha upazila, are having a busy season ahead of key events such as Valentine’s Day, International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, and the Bangla New Year. With these occasions and numerous governmental and non-governmental events in focus, the farmers are expecting to sell flowers worth over Tk 100 crore. The higher prices of flowers this year have prompted farmers to expand cultivation compared to last year. Known as the "flower capital" of Bangladesh, Gadhkhali sees flowers grown year-round, with the peak season running from December to April. In 2025, the region will have cultivated 11 types of flowers across 1,200 hectares of land. Around 4,000 to 5,000 families are involved in growing flowers, and the area is expected to produce flowers worth Tk 400 to Tk 500 crore annually. Sunamganj farmers struggling to cultivate Boro due to badly-planned road The highest demand for flowers typically occurs around significant events such as the English New Year, the Bangla New Year, Victory Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, International Mother Language Day, and Independence Day. Gadhkhali meets most of the country’s flower needs during these times, with farmers strategically planting for these high-demand periods.

Medical services at Chaugachha Upazila Health Complex in Jashore district have been hampering badly due to the lack of physicians as three physicians remained absent for several years, thanks to the negligence of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Sources said three doctors at the Chaugachha Upazila Health Complex in Jashore have been absent for the past 10 years, depriving patients from getting their desired medical services as the authorities refrain from appointing replacements due to the positions not being declared vacant. This situation has severely disrupted healthcare services, depriving the local population of necessary medical care. Medical Officer of the hospital Mridul Kanti has been absent from his work since 2014 without notifying authorities. ‘Relay Farming’ brings new hope to farmers in Khulna Similarly, Medical Officer Saima Nahid Shanta has been absent since 2021 and Medical Officer Golam Rasul has been away since 2019. Despite repeated notifications from the health complex administration, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has not taken any action against them, nor have their positions been vacated. The existing physicians are struggling a lot to provide medical treatment to the people due to the shortage of doctors. Prices of winter vegetables drop in Khulna, essentials continue to rise There are 16 physicians listed as active at the hospital out of 32 posts and among them three were absent for a long term while two of them were on deputation and two hold administrative positions, leaving only nine doctors to manage the daily operations of the hospital. Meanwhile, the existing doctors are also seeking transfers due to the excessive patient load. During a recent visit to the hospital, this correspondent found that a long queue of patients was seen at the outpatient department. Dredging proves no solution to the Khakdon RIver's navigability issues in Barguna Dr. Saidur Rahman Emon, an outpatient department physician, said, “Patient overcrowding is a daily occurrence here. The number of patients far exceeds the available doctors.” Dr. Ahsanul Mizan Rumi, the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said, “I recently joined this hospital and have already informed higher authorities about the three absent doctors. I am hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon.”

The sale of winter clothes has increased at shops and different markets in Jashore town as cold has tightened its hold in the region for  the last few days. According to the Bangladesh Metrological Department , the temperature in Jashore dropped to 12.6°C on Wednesday, compared to a daytime high of 27.8°C and the same trend continued  from Friday to Tuesday. As the cold becomes more biting, people have been flocking to winter clothes shops. Dhaka 3rd most polluted city in the world this morning Makeshift stalls on Mujib Road, the Zila Parishad’s second-hand clothing market, and the Collectorate market are buzzing with buyers. Mujib Road footpath stalls and the Zila Parishad’s old clothes market saw a significant rush on Friday and Saturday. Shoppers were seen selecting sweaters, hoodies, caps, jackets, trousers and full-sleeve shirts for themselves and their families. Visiting the makeshift shops the UNB correspondent found sweaters priced between Tk 250 and Tk 300, hoodies from Tk 250 to Tk 400, caps and shirts from Tk 150 to Tk 350, jackets from Tk 300 to Tk 700, trousers  from Tk 100 to Tk 300, and full-sleeve shirts ranging from Tk 60 to Tk 100. Arif Hossain, a vendor at Mujib Road footpath , said, “Hoodies, trousers and full-sleeve shirts for children are selling well. The increased cold has boosted sales.” Another vendor, Siam, said they have displayed a variety of items to attract buyers. Harun Gazi, a trader at the Zila Parishad market, said there is high demand for children’s sweaters, jackets, and hoodies but  sale of  clothing for adults remained relatively low. Mild cold wave sweeps Chuadanga, intensifying winter conditions Sayera Khatun, a shopper at the market, said, “It’s getting colder. I came to buy winter clothes for my daughter and got her a sweater and a cap.” Another shopper, Shamsher Ali, shared, “I bought winter clothes for my young grandchildren.” Poppy Khatun and Asma Begum said  prices of new clothes seemed higher than last year although second-hand clothing remained affordable. BMD predicts cooler nights ahead Arman Hossain, another vendor, expects sales to increase further as the cold will intensify in the coming weeks. “With Poush approaching, colder weather is likely, and business will pick up even more. Sales are already better than last year.”

A 15-year-old madrasa student died after a train hit him at Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore on Thursday. The accident happened at the Kaoria Rail Gate area of the upazila, said Jhikargachha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Bablur Rahman Khan. Man dies as cargo vessel sinks in Kishoreganj’s Itna The deceased Wasir was the son of Mizanur Rahman of Kaoria village in Jhikargachha. He was a class nine student at Beziatola Madrasa. Wasir was severely injured by the Benapole-bound train while crossing the Kaoria Rail Gate on his way to attend a madrasa exam, said his family. Body of missing child found in Feni, 3 arrested Later, locals rushed him to Jashore General Hospital, where the duty doctor declared him dead. Legal action would be taken following an investigation, said the OC.