United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman resumed office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, the first working day after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman arrived at his office at the Secretariat at around 9:15am and resumed official work. Rumon said the Prime Minister has a series of official engagements scheduled throughout the day. The Prime Minister returned to work after spending the Eid holidays when he attended various official and party programmes, including exchanging Eid greetings, inspecting sacrificial waste management activities in the capital and taking part in events marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. The government holiday for Eid-ul-Azha began on May 25 and ended on May 31.

Crowds of families and children flocked to Shishu Mela in the capital's Shyamoli area on the last day of the Eid holiday, turning the popular amusement park into a vibrant hub of festive activity. Parents accompanied their children went to the recreation centre to make the most of the last day of the extended holiday.

Rainfall may disrupt Eid-ul-Azha celebrations as Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) predicted wet weather across the country till May 28, the Eid day. The Met Office on Saturday forecast rain in different parts of the country from May 25 to May 28 continue beyond that period. “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning flashes are likely at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Chattogram divisions, and at one or two places over Khulna and Barishal divisions,” said a regular BMD bulletin. The forecast also said moderately heavy to heavy rainfall may occur at places in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions. Meanwhile, a mild heat wave is sweeping across Khulna division and the districts of Dhaka, Faridpur, Madaripur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Chandpur, Lakshmipur and Patuakhali, and it may continue, the bulletin added. The country’s highest temperature on Saturday was recorded at 37.4 degrees Celsius in Jashore. According to the BMD, daytime temperatures may remain nearly unchanged, while night temperatures could fall slightly across the country.  

What began as a return journey after the Eid holidays ended in tragedy in Tangail’s Kalihati upazila where five people including a child were killed after being run over by a train while two others were critically injured on Friday night. The deceased were identified as Nargis, 35, wife of Hamidul Islam, her son Nirob, 12,  Dola, 35, mother-in-law of Nargis’s elder son, Sultan, 33, son of Raizel Mia and Rifa, 23, daughter of Abdur Rashid. All of them hailed from Sadullapur upazila in Gaibandha district. Mizanur Rahman, Sub-Inspector of Tangail Railway Station outpost ,said the accident occurred around 8:30pm when a Dhaka-bound bus from Gaibandha ran out of fuel and was parked by the roadside. The driver and helper left the bus to arrange fuel, leaving passengers waiting by the roadside. During that time, several passengers got off the bus and sat or walked along the nearby railway tracks. At one stage, the ‘Sirajganj Express’ train coming from Dhaka ran over some people sitting on the tracks, leaving the five people dead on the spot and two others injured. The injured were rescued and taken to Tangail Sadar Hospital. On information, police rushed in and recovered the bodies. The bodies will be handed over to the families after completion of legal formalities, police said.    

Cox’s Bazar has turned into a bustling hub of festivity as an overwhelming influx of tourists floods the country’s premier seaside destination during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. With a week-long holiday drawing travellers from across the country, the beach town is witnessing  an unprecedented surge in visitors. According to local hotel owners, more than 500 hotels, motels and resorts are operating at full capacity, with most already booked in advance until March 30. From families to groups of friends, thousands have chosen to spend their Eid break by the sea, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere. Key tourist spots including Kolatoli, Sugandha and Laboni beaches remain packed throughout the day, while popular attractions such as Inani Beach, Marine Drive, Himchhari, Ramu Buddhist Temple and Moheshkhali’s Adinath Temple are also teeming with visitors. “The natural beauty of Cox’s Bazar always fascinates me. That’s why I came here to spend Eid,” said Abdul Mabud, a tourist from Narayanganj. “I plan to stay for two more days. It feels wonderful to be here.” Tourism businesses rebound after Ramadan lull The massive tourist turnout has breathed new life into the local tourism-dependent economy. Businesses that remained subdued during Ramadan are now experiencing a revival particularly dried fish traders. “Business was slow during Ramadan, but in the past two days, we’ve seen a large number of tourists,” said Mofizur Rahman, a dried fish seller at the Burmese Market. “We are hopeful that sales will continue to improve in the coming days,” he said. “Tourist pressure has increased significantly during Eid. Every hotel is fully occupied,” said Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel Owners’ Association. “We have instructed all establishments to ensure fair pricing and prevent any harassment of visitors,” he said. Authorities tighten security amid huge crowds Amid the surge, authorities have stepped up security measures across the district. Personnel from the district administration, Tourist Police and other law enforcement agencies are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance to ensure the safety of visitors. However, ensuring beach safety remains a challenge due to limited manpower. “After a month and a half of low tourist flow, the beaches are now crowded again,” said Md Imtiaz Ahmed, a project officer of Sea Safe Lifeguard. “We are struggling to ensure safety for over a lakh of tourists with only 27 personnel. Still, we are doing our best.” Tourist Police Sub-Inspector Sujan Chakraborty said security has been given top priority. “With the huge influx of visitors, our teams are on duty across beach areas, hotel zones and entertainment spots,” he said. Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan assured that the administration is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors. “Tourists are guests in our city. We will continue to ensure their safety and provide necessary services,” he said. Extended holidays fuel massive tourist turnout As the holiday continues, Cox’s Bazar remains abuzz with life, reaffirming its status as the country’s most sought-after tourist destination. Following an additional executive order, government employees enjoyed a seven-day holiday from March 17 to 23. Tourists throng Bandarban even on third day of Eid holidays Offices, courts, banks and other institutions reopened  on March 24, with work continuing on March 25 before a public holiday on March 26 for Independence Day. The weekend on March 27–28 will follow, with regular activities resuming on March 29. Those who have taken leave on March 24 and 25 are enjoying a 12-day break.

Trading on Bangladesh’s stock markets resumed after the Eid holidays with a sharp fall in indices, as most shares declined on the Dhaka bourse. At the close of trading, the benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) dropped by 68 points. The Shariah-based DSES index lost 7 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index fell by 39 points. Market breadth remained negative: 243 companies declined against 121 gainers, while 27 issues remained unchanged. Turnover at the DSE stood at Tk 492 crore. In the block market, shares worth Tk 15 crore from 22 companies were traded, with Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC leading the segment with nearly Tk 4 crore in transactions. The top gainers’ list was dominated entirely by mutual funds, as AB Bank First Mutual Fund, IFIC Bank First Mutual Fund, LR Global Bangladesh Mutual Fund One, ACCBL Mutual Fund One, and Phoenix Finance First Mutual Fund each posted a 10 percent price increase. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower, with its overall CASPI index shedding 75 points. However, market breadth at the CSE was positive, as 79 companies advanced, 65 declined, and 23 remained unchanged. The port city bourse recorded a total turnover of Tk 18 crore during the session. C&A Textiles Limited topped the gainers’ chart at the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Reliance One the First Scheme of Reliance Insurance Mutual Fund ended as the worst loser, falling nearly 10 percent.    

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman resumed office at the Secretariat on the first working day after the Eid holidays. His Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the Prime Minister reached his office at 9:01am. “After arriving, he exchanged Eid greetings with officials and staff and then began his official work,” he said. The Additional Press Secretary said Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister for Civil Aviation Rashiduzzaman Millat, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani and Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, along with secretaries and senior officials of different ministries, exchanged Eid greetings with the Prime Minister. As part of the day’s schedule, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Krishna Srinivasan met the Prime Minister. The meeting was held at around 10am at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Economic Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder were present.  

The hill district of Bandarban continues to draw large crowds of tourists even on the third day of Eid-ul-Fitr, as visitors flock to its scenic landscapes of green hills, waterfalls and clouds. After remaining relatively quiet during Ramadan, tourist spots across the district have come alive with the footsteps of travellers, with hotels, motels and resorts reporting near-full occupancy following advance bookings. Nature lovers from different parts of the country have poured into Bandarban, eager to experience its unique blend of hills, rivers, waterfalls and the cultural diversity of its 11 indigenous communities. Popular tourist destinations including Meghla, Nilachal, Shailaprapat, Chimbuk, Nilgiri and Debotakhum are now bustling with visitors. Many tourists expressed fascination at the breathtaking views of hills, rivers and mist-covered landscapes during the Eid holidays. Roduan, a tourist from Dhaka visiting Nilachal, said Bandarban stands out for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. “The combination of hills, rivers, waterfalls and clouds is something you can only truly experience here,” he said. Another visitor, Shirin Akter, who was travelling across different upazilas in the district, said the long Eid break allowed her to explore multiple destinations. “I had heard about Bandarban’s beauty but it’s beyond imagination when seen in person,” she added. To ensure a safe and smooth tourism experience, local authorities have strengthened security measures across tourist spots and accommodation facilities. Members of the Tourist Police have increased surveillance in key locations. President of Bandarban Hotel and Resort Owners Association Md Sirajul Islam said most hotels and resorts in the district have been fully booked during the Eid period. “We have coordinated with hotel owners to ensure that tourists do not face any inconvenience,” he said.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman continued his official duties from his Gulshan residence on Wednesday, keeping a close watch on government activities across the country amid the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. “The Eid holiday has begun. The Prime Minister is staying at his Gulshan Avenue residence and carrying out urgent official work from there. He is also keeping track of the situation across the country,” said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister is regularly seeking updates on the ongoing canal excavation programmes including whether the work is progressing as planned and is speaking with the relevant ministers to ensure proper supervision. Rumon said the Prime Minister has also contacted mayors and administrators of various city corporations, urging them to maintain cleanliness during the Eid holidays. “The Prime Minister has also taken updates on Eid travel fromministers and state ministers concerned ,” he added. Despite the public holiday on Tuesday, the Prime Minister attended office at the Secretariat, where he chaired a Cabinet meeting and a meeting of the Farmers’ Card implementation committee. The Eid holiday began on Tuesday and will continue until March 23. Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on either on Friday or Saturday, depending on the moon sighting. 

There were no reports of prolonged traffic congestion on two major highways in Gazipur on Wednesday, offering relief to Eid travellers. From early morning, a heavy flow of homebound vehicles was seen on the Dhaka–Tangail and Dhaka–Mymensingh highways, as people headed towards northern districts to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their families. Despite the increased pressure, traffic movement remained largely normal. However, vehicles moved slowly at key points, including Chandana Chowrasta and other major bus stands, due to a large number of waiting passengers. At Chandara Tri-Mor, long lines of vehicles stretching several kilometres were observed in the morning. Police said the slow movement in the area was mainly caused by passenger boarding on public transport rather than any major traffic disruption. Eid homebound rush sparks fears of gridlock on Sylhet-Dhaka highway Unlike previous years, no significant traffic congestion was reported on the stretch from Nabinagar to Chandara, bringing some relief to commuters. Gazipur Metropolitan Police and district police have deployed additional personnel along the highways. Around 1,000 members of the metropolitan police and 859 members of district police are working to maintain discipline, alongside highway police, industrial police and volunteers, said Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Israil Howlader.  He said authorities are working in coordination with other agencies to ensure safe and comfortable travel. “We have taken strict measures to prevent illegal parking, random passenger boarding and the movement of unauthorised vehicles and factory holidays—especially in the garment sector—have been staggered to ease pressure on highways,”he said. However, many passengers alleged that transport operators are charging higher-than-usual fares for different destinations.