United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday (10th November 2025) alleged that a vested group is conspiring to erase the spirit of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. “Those who had collaborated with the Pakistani army to kill freedom fighters and committing atrocities against women are now attempting to swallow the country,” he said while addressing a discussion meeting with freedom fighters and their descendants at the Thakurgaon District Freedom Fighters Complex. Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad district unit organised the event. Moyeen Khan calls for united efforts to build democratic Bangladesh “There is a growing attempt to promote a notion that the freedom fighters of 1971 made no contribution to the Liberation War or the nation, and that only those active in 2024 deserve credit for everything,” Fakhrul said. “Thousands of my brothers were martyred in 1971, countless people had to leave their homes and seek refuge in India and our mothers and sisters were subjected to atrocities and killings. Can we forget that?” he said in an emotion-choked voice. He said the conspirators who had supported the Pakistani army in 1971 are now trying to ‘swallow ‘the country, exploiting religious sentiments. “We cannot allow that. We must stand firm and uphold the spirit of our Liberation War,” he said. “I want to make one thing clear—delaying the election through the ongoing conspiracies means our destruction, the destruction of this country. An elected government is urgently needed,” he added. Fakhrul calls ‘all national crises’ staged dramas to mislead people Fakhrul also urged the interim government to announce the election schedule promptly and establish an elected government. He told the freedom fighters that Begum Khaleda Zia established the Ministry of Freedom Fighters and today freedom fighters and their families are receiving allowances. “It was Begum Khaleda Zia who initiated these benefits.” He urged all to avoid creating divisions saying, “We, Hindus and Muslims, are brothers here, united. No one should be allowed to divide us.” Investment, daily life stalled as nation awaits election: Khosru Thakurgaon District Unit Command Muktijoddha Sangsad convener Bir Muktijoddha Nur Karim and its central command council member Nayeem Jahangir, among others, spoke at the programme.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged all quarters to shun divisions and unrest in the name of movements, emphasising the need for strong unity to hold the national election in February next year in line with the people’s aspirations.  “Please save the country. Do not create divisions any more. Do not push the nation into chaos by raising various demands… Please let the election be held. Let the people of Bangladesh live in peace and end the unrest,” he said. The BNP leader made the call while speaking at a views-exchange meeting organised by the Garia Union unit of BNP at the Gopalpur Government Primary School field in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. He warned that some groups have taken to the streets with various demands, saying their intentions do not seem good. “Stop these demands for now. Stop marches and rallies over the PR issue.” Fakhrul said he himself does not understand the PR system, so how would the country’s people understand it? Country’s political, economic future depends on next election: Fakhrul He urged some political parties to abandon demands such as whether there should be a referendum or PR, warning that otherwise the election could be delayed. The BNP leader said political parties should cooperate with the interim government and the Election Commission to arrange the election in February next year, instead of engaging in debate over PR and the referendum on the July Charter. “The people of the country want an election. Let the vote take place first, and then any demands can be discussed and decided in parliament,” he said. After fascist Hasina fled the country on August 5, Fakhrul said the nation had an opportunity to establish a new democratic system. “Now we want to build the country beautifully… Please end these unrests by holding the election. We do not want to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims or Buddhists and Christians. We do not want to encourage violent or vindictive politics. We want to live together in peace,” the BNP leader said. He also outlined BNP’s plans for the country if elected, saying their party knows how to run the government effectively, having been in power before. Tarique to return and lead BNP’s electioneering: Aman “We will provide jobs for one million people. Every family will get a family card, which will give them access to various services. We will improve healthcare, increase the budget for education, and give emphasis to the welfare of farmers,” Fakhrul said. About the election, he said the candidate chosen by the people will be elected and urged the political leaders not to harm the country by indulging in divisive politics. “We want a democratic Bangladesh, based on peace and brotherhood.” He also spoke about the upcoming signing of the reform charter on 17 October. “What is reform? Reform is like changing the tin sheets or doors of a house every few years. Similarly, politics also needs reforms. Our political leaders and students feel that reform is needed to set the country right.” The BNP leader said issues on which political parties agree will be incorporated into the July Charter, while a referendum will be held for the remaining matters. Speaking about the new Bangladesh, he said, “We will never forget the Liberation War. The country’s independence is our existence. We will also never forget 5 August, when our children drove out the fascist Hasina with their blood. Working together is what the new Bangladesh is about.” People to reaffirm Bangladesh’s non-communal spirit in next election: Fakhrul Fakhrul also called upon everyone to unite to build the new Bangladesh in line with the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives in the July–August mass uprising. “Too much damage has already been done. We want to see a democratic Bangladesh with everyone united,” he said.

Once a parched and flood-prone stretch of land, the Rautnagar Canal area in Thakurgaon’s Ranisankail upazila has been transformed into a thriving agricultural zone, thanks to its recent re-excavation. The eight-kilometre-long canal, stretching from Sreepur Mouza in Ranisankail upazila to the Keutan Border Bridge, has breathed new life into local farming. Nearly 25,000 acres of land that were once limited to a single crop now yield up to three harvests a year, marking a significant turnaround for thousands of farmers in the border region. In addition to revitalising farmland, the project has also reclaimed around 30 acres of encroached government land, which will now be utilised for community development under official management. Chapainawabganj’s betel leaf bonanza fails to sweeten farmers’ fortunes For decades, the Rautnagar Canal stood as a shadow of its former self. Once a vibrant waterway supporting biodiversity and agriculture, it had gradually lost its flow, turning vast tracts of land into flood-prone zones during the monsoon. Waterlogging was common, restricting cultivation to one seasonal crop, mainly Boro rice. During the dry months, the canal would run dry, leaving farmers with no irrigation and forcing many into months of unemployment. “During the monsoon, our fields used to look like a pond. Crops would rot, and in winter there was no water for irrigation. Our ancestors could never imagine growing more than one crop a year. But now, we can cultivate three, and sometimes more,” recalled local resident Tota Mia. The Water Development Board’s re-excavation project has brought about a visible transformation in both land and livelihoods. The restored canal now ensures proper drainage during heavy rains and provides irrigation water during the dry season, enabling continuous farming throughout the year. Tk 38-crore women’s sports complex in Rangpur turns into grazing ground! Farmers are diversifying their crops, cultivating not only rice but also potatoes, wheat, maize, oilseeds, and high-value vegetables. Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension said that nearly 25,000 acres of farmland adjacent to the canal are now suitable for three-season cropping, potentially generating agricultural products worth hundreds of crores annually. This surge in productivity has had ripple effects on the rural economy, boosting incomes, creating local employment and reducing the need for seasonal migration. “Earlier, we had to go to Dhaka or Chattogram to find work,” said Shamsul Haque, 42, a local farmer, adding, “Now we can work on our own land throughout the year. We grow vegetables like cabbage, brinjal, and tomatoes along the canal. Life has changed.” For farmers like Rafiqul Islam, 46, the change has been life-altering. “My parents never dreamed of growing more than one crop here. Scarcity was part of our lives. But now, I harvest three crops from the same land. My income has tripled, and I no longer worry about paying for my children’s education,” he said. Duet set for major lab, infrastructure upgrade under new project Local authorities are now taking steps to ensure the canal’s long-term preservation. Golam Zakaria, Upazila Executive Engineer, described the canal as ‘a symbol of sustainable rural development’. He said new measures are being planned to maintain the natural water flow so that the benefits continue for generations. “The Rautnagar Canal is now more than a waterway—it is a symbol of new dreams, prosperity, and possibility.” Alamgir Kabir, Additional Deputy Director (Crops) of the Thakurgaon Agricultural Extension Department, echoed this optimism, saying farmers are becoming more interested in modern agricultural practices and experimenting with high-yield varieties. “This project has sparked a new era for agriculture in the region,” he said. With fertile fields, full irrigation and rising incomes, the people of Ranisankail are witnessing a long-awaited agricultural renaissance, one canal at a time.

Police recovered the decomposed body of a 45-year-old woman and her daughter from their house at Madarganj in Sadar upazila of Thakurgaon district on Monday night. The deceased were identified as Samila Rani, wife of Jagadish Chandra Roy and her daughter Shapla Rani, 18 of the village. Quoting local people, Deen Mohammad, sub-inspector of Bhulli Police Station, said Shamila along with her physically challenged daughter Shapla used to live at the house as her husband lives with his second wife in a separate house. Nani Chandra, a neighbour of Samila, said the mother and daughter had not been seen outside their home for several days. Missing child’s body recovered in  Joypurhat On Monday, a field worker from a local NGO visited the house and called out to Samila but received no response. When locals peeped through the window after a long wait they found the bodies of the mother and daughter lying on the floor. Police were informed and recovered the decomposed bodies by breaking open the door at night. Police said the woman and her daughter might have died from electrocution. The exact cause of death will be confirmed once autopsy report is available, police said.

Police recovered the body of a four-year-old child from a cornfield in Inuya village of Syedpur Union under Pirganj upazila in Thakurgaon on Thursday.  The deceased, Siam, was the son of Mohammad Ali, a resident of the area.  Abdul Halim, a sub-inspector at Pirganj Police Station, said that Siam’s 15-year-old stepbrother, Lais, had been detained in connection with the incident. During the initial interrogation, Lais admitted to his involvement in the crime. He claimed that his stepmother had neglected him and often deprived him of basic needs, which led to his anger. 88-year-old woman dies in Faridpur fire Enraged by this, he took Siam to the cornfield and strangled him to death. According to locals, the child had gone missing earlier. When they questioned Lais, he provided details that ultimately led to the discovery of the body in a cornfield near their house. SI Halim said that they are investigating the incident.

A suspected motorbike lifter was killed in a lynch-mob attack at Amgaon in Haripur upazila of Thakurgaon district on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Rubel Islam, 34, son of Khalulur Rahman of Ranisankail upazila. Quoting local people, Zakaria Mandal, Officer-in-Charge of Haripur Police Station, said local people caught Rubel red handed at Zadurani Bazar while he was fleeing with a motorbike allegedly stolen from the area around 10:30 am. One killed in road crash in Khulna Later, he was taken to Garuhati Bazar where local people beat him up mercilessly after hanging him with a tree, leaving him dead on the spot. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Filming for the extremely popular BTV programme “Ityadi,” hosted by Hanif Sanket, was cancelled due to a violent altercation and vandalism in Thakurgaon district on Thursday night. An episode of “Ityadi” was being filmed at the historic Raja Tongkanath Palace in Ranisankail upazila when chaos ensued after a crowd of over 100,000 people gathered for the event, far exceeding the 4,000 entrance passes that had been distributed. A retrospective of 2024 events in Bangladesh's music industry As tensions flared over seating arrangements, a fight broke out, leading to the destruction of property and the vandalism of equipment, according to locals. Despite repeated attempts by the organisers to control the situation, the unrest escalated, forcing the authorities to halt the filming before its scheduled conclusion. Expressing disappointment, Hanif Sanket said, “Despite trying hard, I could not calm you down. I wanted to organise a beautiful event for you, but that was no longer possible. I could not, I failed.” Following the cancellation, the audiences were escorted out of the venue, and some parts of the programme were filmed later in the night.

The government has appointed new deputy commissioners (DCs) in Rangamati and Thakurgaon districts. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification to this end on Wednesday. According to the notification, Ishrat Farzana, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Thakurgaon, has been transferred to Rangamati, while Mohammad Habib Ullah, a deputy secretary in the Finance Division, has been appointed as the new DC of Thakurgaon. The order will be effective soon, the notification added.  

Police recovered the bodies of a 40-year-old woman and her two children, with their hands tied up with a scarp, from Tirnoi River in Kashipur Kashidanga of Ranisankail upazila in Thakurgaon district on Wednesday,18 hours after they went missing. After 21 years, Thakurgaon silk factory set to resume production on August 3 The deceased were identified as Nasima, wife of Rahim Uddin and their  two children-- Shaon, 8 and Shafayet, 5. Local people spotted the bodies and informed police in the morning, said officer-in-charge of Ranisankail Police Station Gulfamul Islam. Later, police recovered the bodies from the Tirnoi River in the morning. Thakurgaon quack arrested for derogatory remarks against PM Hasina on Facebook Quoting family members, police said Nasima along with her two children went out of their house after a brawl with her husband on Tuesday evening and since then they remained missing. A general diary was lodged with Ranisankail Police Station. Bus runs over motorcyclist in Thakurgaon Police are investigating whether it is a case of suicide or murder, said the  OC.

Gourmoti, a new off-season variety of mango, could be profitable for Thakurgaon. Two mango farmers, Mahabbat Ali and his nephew Bulbul Ali, of Dakkhin Bangaon area in Ranishankail upazila have succeeded in producing the Gourmoti variety of mangoes. This variety gained popularity in the area due to its sweetness and deliciousness. Farmers expected to sell the mangoes worth Tk 40 lakh this season. Bangladesh exports 2,700 tons of mangoes to 34 countries in current season Mahabbat Ali told the UNB correspondent that he along with his nephew Bulbul planted 1000 saplings of late variety mangoes on 14 bigha of land four years back. During a recent visit to the mango orchard, this correspondent found that they used fruit bags in their orchard and a total of 400-450 maund of mangoes were to be harvested from the trees. The weight of each mango is 650-800 grams and per maund mango is being sold at Tk 10,000-12,000. Clash over ‘selling rotten mangoes’ leaves 75-year-old dead in Lalmonirhat Many thronged the orchard of Mahabbat-Bulbul and showed interest in growing this variety of mangoes. Shahidul Islam, Ranishankail Upazila Agriculture Officer, said, “This variety of mango tastes sweet and the farmers can sell them in the local market at a higher price due to its availability during off season.” Langra and Ashina mangoes recognised as GI product He also assured of providing all necessary support to farmers who wanted to grow this variety of mango on their land.