United News of Bangladesh

The price of onions has suddenly surged in Khulna after remaining stable throughout Ramadan, even though it is currently peak harvesting season. Onions that were selling for Tk 30–35 per kg only days ago are now being sold at Tk 48–50 per kg in Khulna’s wholesale markets, depending on quality. In retail markets across the city, prices have reached as high as Tk 60 per kg. India withdraws 20% duty on onion export effective from April 1 Consumers have attributed this abrupt hike to a lack of effective market monitoring. According to traders, some buyers who usually purchase onions directly from farmers have allegedly begun hoarding supplies instead of releasing them into the market. They are reportedly using the excuse of a ban in Indian onion imports to make the market unstable. By stockpiling locally produced onions during peak season, these traders are believed to be fueling an artificial crisis. Consumers in Khulna have already started feeling the impact of the price spike and expressed concerns that the situation may worsen in the coming days. Many households have begun stockpiling onions in fear of further price increases, increasing the demand in local markets. Faridpur farmers hope for bumper onion harvest this season Frustrated consumers have urged the authorities to take immediate legal action against hoarders and strengthen regular monitoring of the market. The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), Khulna, stated that those responsible for the price manipulation will be identified and brought under legal recourse as soon as possible. During a visit to several wholesale markets in Khulna on Saturday, the UNB correspondent found that traders collecting onions from areas such as Shailkupa and Langolbandh in Jhenaidah, Pangsha in Rajbari, Kumarakhali and Panthi in Kushtia, as well as Chourangi, Rashgram, Chakmohra, and Hazirhat, are reportedly hoarding supplies rather than releasing them into the market. Currently, onions are being bought at Tk 1,800–1,900 per maund (around 40kg), or Tk 45–47 per kg in the wholesale market. Traders say if hoarding can be prevented, prices could quickly return to normal. Retail traders, meanwhile, claimed they are not responsible for the price hikes, stating that they sell onions based on wholesale rates with a minimal profit margin. Consumers, however, alleged that an organised syndicate manipulates onion prices every year, and this year is no different. During Ramadan, local onions were selling at Tk 30–35 per kg, which increased to Tk 40 post-Eid, and has now reached Tk 60 per kg. Onion farmers in Shailkupa hit by fertiliser shortage during peak season During visits to retail markets in Moylapota, New Market and Daulatpur on Saturday, the UNB correspondent found onions selling at Tk 60 per kg in the first two markets and Tk 53 per kg in Daulatpur. Zahid Hasan, a shopper in Daulatpur, said, "Market instability has returned. During Ramadan and Eid, prices were under control, but now dishonest traders are making things difficult. The onions I used to buy at Tk 30–35 now cost Tk 55–60. If this trend continues, prices will rise further. The government should resume the level of market monitoring seen during Ramadan and Eid." Touhidul Islam, a wholesaler at Sonadanga market, noted that the price hike is largely demand-driven. He added that panic buying and stockpiling at home are further pushing up prices. He also mentioned that some dishonest traders are hoarding onions fearing that LC (Letter of Credit) for imports may not resume, adding more pressure to the supply chain. Abu Sufian, owner of M/s Jonaki Bhandar, said that onions are being purchased at elevated prices in the wholesale market for stockpiling, and this has impacted the entire supply chain. Retailer Harun Moral said, “Retailers have no role in this price surge. We sell at the rates set by the wholesalers.” He also blamed illegal hoarding for the sudden price increase. Kawser, a retailer at Moylapota market, said they are purchasing onions at Tk 54 per kg from the Sonadanga wholesale market and selling them at Tk 60. “The price hike is due to hoarders,” he said. Advocate Qudrat-e-Khuda, Secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), Khulna City unit, said although the government had effectively controlled prices during Ramadan, the trader syndicate remains active. “Prices have doubled in just a few days. If this syndicate isn’t broken and market monitoring isn’t reinforced, the situation will spiral out of control,” he warned. He urged the government to take strong action against such syndicates and called on the Directorate of Consumer Rights to play a more proactive role. Mohammad Selim, Deputy Director of DNCRP, Khulna Division, said the agency is conducting regular monitoring and market raids. “We’re already taking legal action, including imposing fines on those violating consumer rights. Since being informed about the hoarding issue, we will monitor the market closely and take necessary steps. Anyone found operating outside government policies will face strict action,” he added.    

Police have arrested 25 leaders and activists of the deposed Awami League (AL), banned student wing Chhatra League and other affiliated bodies for bringing out a sudden procession at Zero Point in Khulna. The arrests were made on Sunday night, said Md Ahsan Habib, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP). He said that drives are ongoing to arrest others involved. People can now apply to Law Ministry for withdrawal of politically motivated cases Earlier in the day, AL activists brought out processions at several points in the city, including Zero Point followed by Majid Sarani in Sonadanga police station area, the Mohila College road in Boyra, and Daulatpur in the afternoon.

A Union Parishad (UP) member was hacked to death by unidentified assailants in Bejerdanga Madhyapara area of Khulna’s Fultola upazila on Wednesday night. The deceased was identified as Faruk Molla, son of Hashem Mollah from Poigram village in the upazila. Fultola Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Moniruzzaman said that assailants attacked Faruk Mollah with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured. “Police rescued him and took him to the local health complex. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH),” the OC said. Later, he was being taken to Dhaka for advanced treatment when he succumbed to his injuries around 11pm. His body was then taken to his home. Bhola JCD leader injured in BNP factional clash, dies According to local sources, the attack occurred around 12:30pm, when the assailants struck Faruk’s legs and head with sharp weapons. The tendons in his legs were severed, and he suffered a severe head injury. Due to the critical nature of his condition, doctors at KMCH advised transferring him to Dhaka for better treatment. OC Moniruzzaman said  police have conducted raids in various locations to arrest the perpetrators, but no arrests have been made yet. “As of now, the victim’s family has not filed any complaints or cases regarding this,” the OC added.

Unauthorised brick kilns are rapidly expanding in remote areas of Khulna division, posing a serious threat to both the environment and public health. Although the Department of Environment (DoE) permits brick kilns only on the condition that they do not burn wood, the owners of such kilns appear to disregard these restrictions. Out of the 1,002 brick kilns across the division’s 10 districts, 790 are operating without the mandatory approval from the DoE. On 24 February, the High Court ordered the removal of all illegal brick kilns across the country. As per the directive, kiln owners were required to submit valid documents to the respective Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) office by 1 March. However, the majority failed to comply, demonstrating blatant disregard for the law. Defying warnings, many brick kilns in various upazilas of Khulna continue to burn wood instead of coal, leading to severe air pollution. Under existing laws, brick kilns cannot be established near residential, protected, or commercial areas, nor in proximity to municipal towns, educational institutions, or agricultural land. In Rupsha Upazila, the EBM Bricks kiln, located just 400 metres from Alipur Degree College, remains operational despite receiving a warning letter from the DoE. Although an operation was conducted, the kiln owner has yet to comply. Sundarbans at stake as erosion shrinks forest land On 10 February, a mobile court, in collaboration with the DoE, fined the owners of nine illegal kilns in Rupsha Upazila a total of Tk 22 lakh. Following the High Court’s directive, on 3 March, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aprotith Kumar Chakraborty ordered the owners of 22 brick kilns in the upazila to cease operations immediately. In Dumuria Upazila, just beyond Khornia Bazar, a large brick kiln called M/s Nurjahan Bricks is allegedly using a mixture of low-grade coal and wood powder in traditional brick-burning methods. Former land minister Narayan Chandra Chanda was previously the president of the Khulna Brick Kiln Owners Association. However, his kiln has remained closed since 5 August, following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a mass uprising. There had been allegations of inaction by the authorities against his brick kiln. In Atalia Union of Dumuria, a brick kiln called Setu Bricks and Industries was established near the Hari River by former upazila chairman Ejaz Ahmed. His close ties with local ministers had reportedly deterred any action against his operations. In Koyra Upazila, ABM Brick Kiln is located within 500 metres of a health complex and an educational institution. Other upazilas, such as Paikgachha, also host illegal brick kilns on agricultural land, including ARB Bricks, Jamuna Bricks, and SKB Bricks. Environmental experts warn that pollution caused by brick kilns poses a significant threat to human health. The use of wood as fuel violates the kiln establishment law, while the burning of low-quality coal releases harmful particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating environmental degradation and affecting agriculture. Dengue catastrophe looms as Dhaka battles worst mosquito menace Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, a professor at Khulna University’s Environmental Science Department, said the increase in carbon emissions from these kilns is reducing oxygen levels in the air, making it hazardous to human health. According to the Department of Environment’s data, Khulna Division is home to 1,200 brick kilns, 790 of which lack DoE approval. The highest number of illegal kilns is found in Kushtia district, where 184 kilns operate, 163 of them unapproved. In Khulna district alone, there are 152 kilns, the majority of which lack the necessary permits. Md Sadikul Islam, acting director of the DoE, said the government is taking a stringent stance against illegal brick kilns. He stated that legal action will be taken against anyone found operating unapproved kilns. Experts suggest that merely shutting down these kilns will not resolve the problem. They advocate for the introduction of new brick-making methods and the adoption of concrete block production to reduce environmental impact. In January, a DoE-led operation resulted in the partial demolition of 19 kilns, with 12 more being completely dismantled. Several others were shut down and fined. On the frontline of disaster-preparedness, Koyra must be given the tools to fight Advocate Babul Howlader, a national council member of the Bangladesh Environmental Movement (BAPA), said, “We have been protesting against illegal brick kilns for years, but our efforts have often been in vain. Recently, the government has taken a stricter approach, which is commendable. However, enforcement at the field level remains lax. Authorities must take stronger action and ensure these measures are effectively implemented.”

The construction work of the long-awaited Gollamari Steel Arch Bridge over the Mayur River of Khulna is going on at a snail pace on several grounds, including disagreements between the implementing organisation and the contractor, and insufficiency of budget. Investing Tk 67.66 crore, the Ministry of Road, Transport and Bridges started implementing the project under the supervision of Khulna Roads and Highways. Though it was scheduled to be completed by March this year, only 19 percent of the work has been finished over the past 16 months. Vehicles and commuters have to face immense suffering for use of a single lane on the Khulna-Chaknagar-Satkhira regional road over the river. The disagreements between the contractor and the implementing agency Khulna Road and Highways Division, budget discrepancies and an unresolved extra 20% payment (around Tk 13-14 crore) for variation works were mainly blamed for the delay in the work. Contractor farm National Development Engineers Limited predicted that it will take time to complete the work if the issue of additional 20% funding is not resolved. Sources said the work order of the Gollamari Bridge was approved on October 1, 2023, with the physical work beginning on October 8 of the same year. Read: Over 40% construction work of Metro Rail’s Motijheel-Kamalapur section completed Due to delay, a new deadline was set till June 30 of the current year. But, apparently it seems that it is quite impossible to end within the timeframe. The lack of prior experience in constructing such a steel network arch bridge within the Road and Highways Department, and technical issues with the design were also attributed behind the delay. Though the bridge's design is similar to that of Dhaka's Hatirjheel project, it incorporates several improvements and is technologically advanced. Once completed, it will be the first steel network arch bridge under the Roads and Highways Department in Bangladesh. Talking to UNB, Project Director Apurba Kumar Biswas said early design issues, such as insufficient piling for the bridge, delayed the project further. In addition, unexpected work involving 12-meter seat piles added an additional Tk 2 crore in costs. The RHD has yet to decide whether these extra costs will be reimbursed. Adviser Fouzul Kabir instructs to complete BRT project construction work by 2024 The bridge, once completed, will be an iconic addition to Khulna. However, due to material costs, including steel, and the additional technical challenges, the project is expected to exceed the original contract value by Tk 13 to 14 crore, he said.

Protestors vandalised and looted a warehouse on ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ancestral property in Dighalia upazila of Khulna, said locals on Friday morning. Witnesses said the mayhem began at 10:30pm on Thursday in the Nagarghat area with various anti-Awami League slogans. It was learned that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman purchased one acre and 44 decimals of land in Nagarghat near the Bhairab River, in his wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib’s name during the Pakistani period. Fire at Sheikh Selim’s Banani residence A jute warehouse and a single-room semi-building house were built on the land which later was named as ‘Sheikh Hasina’s Godown.’ Sheikh Hasina herself hadn’t known about the property until 2007 when she learned about it through her personal lawyer. During Sheikh Mujib’s lifetime, the jute warehouse was managed by his younger brother, Sheikh Abu Naser.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah (retd) said that the primary objective of the current commission is to ensure a free, fair, and impartial national election. The commissioner said this while addressing the inauguration of a day-long workshop titled 'Challenges in the voter registration process and ways to overcome challenges' at the Khulna CSS Ava Center on Thursday. He said the commission aims to create a comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date voter list. All-party meeting on July Declaration begins The Election Commissioner said that the voter list should be updated not only from designated locations but also through door-to-door efforts to collect voter information. “It is important to ensure that no one eligible to be a voter, especially women and the young generation, is left out of the list,” he added. He said attempting to register as a voter in multiple locations by concealing information is a crime and in the age of information technology, such acts cannot go unnoticed. EC Sanaullah said that the long struggle for democracy, the sacrifices made by  people, and the new hope for change are all tied to regaining the right to vote.  “Voting is a fundamental right, and it is closely linked to social stability, harmony, development, and the survival of the nation with honor,” he said. Ex-justice Rais Uddin made Administrative Appeals Tribunal chairman The Commissioner further said organising elections is a huge task that requires the involvement of all, especially in these changing times, and must be carried out with accuracy and impartiality. The workshop was chaired by Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md. Firoz Sarkar, with special guests including Additional Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat KM Ali Newaz, Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam, Regional Election Officer Md. Humayun Kabir, and CBTEP Project Director Muhammad Mustafa Hasan.

Two people, including a three-wheeler trolley driver, were killed and four others injured as the vehicle carrying them overturned in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat early Thursday. The deceased were named as driver Didar Mollah, 30, son of Jafar Mollah of Khulna’s Dacope upazila and day labour Rokan Uddin, 60, son of Wazed Ali Sheikh of Sonaitala village under Mongla upazila. The injured are Wahed Mollick, Ayub Sardar, Milon Mallick, and Tajmir Sheikh. Wahed was undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College and Hospital and the trio at Mongla Upazila Health Complex. Read: 35-year-old dies in Jhenaidah road accident Mongla police station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Anisur Rahman said the six day labours were returning to their village home in Mongla from Khulna after harvesting paddy there. Their vehicle veered off after losing control and hit a roadside pile of stones in Chapra area around 2am, leaving the two dead on the spot and four others injured, he said, The injured were undergoing treatment, the OC said, adding that the trolley was seized.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah (retd) has said that preparing and preserving an accurate voter list is the collective responsibility of all. “It is our collective responsibility to prepare and preserve an accurate voter list, as even a single vote can determine the outcome of an election,” he said during a meeting on updating voter lists with regional election officials at Khulna deputy commissioner’s office on Wednesday. He emphasised raising awareness about the significance of voter registration as a fundamental duty of citizens. Addressing election officials from various districts, the chief guest highlighted the importance of maintaining honesty and integrity in the voter registration process. "Ensuring the voting rights of citizens without bias is paramount. Eligible individuals, especially women, must be encouraged to register as voters," he said. Re-election in a constituency if voter turnout is below 40%, Reform Commission recommends Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam presided over the event. Additional Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat KM Ali Newaz, Khulna Regional Election Officer Md Humayun Kabir and Superintendent of Police T M Mosharraf Hossain addressed the meeting as special guests.

Rangpur Riders solidified their dominance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with an 8-run win over Khulna Tigers in Sylhet on Monday, maintaining their flawless record in the tournament. A disciplined bowling effort by Rangpur and a surprising late collapse by Khulna secured the Riders’ seventh consecutive win in a match that reached a climax in the last overs. Rangpur batted first and posted 186 for 5, powered by Khushdil Shah’s unbeaten 73 off just 35 balls, featuring seven sixes. His 115-run stand with Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored 43 off 36, rescued the Riders after a slow start. Khulna bowlers Abu Hider and Hasan Mahmud took two wickets each but struggled to contain Rangpur’s middle-order fireworks. BPL: Clark shines as Chittagong Kings beat Sylhet Strikers by 30 runs In their chase, Khulna appeared on course for victory at 164 for 4, needing only 22 runs off the final 18 balls with six wickets in hand. However, Rangpur’s bowlers, led by Akif Javed, who took 3 for 29 runs, and Saifuddin, who bagged 2 for 28 runs, turned the tide with a great comeback. A series of quick wickets, including two run-outs, saw Khulna collapse, losing six batters for just 12 runs and finishing at 178 for 9. Shakib, Litton left out as Bangladesh announce Champions Trophy squad Khulna’s Mohammad Naim scored 58 off 41 balls, while skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a 39 off 24. Despite their efforts, Khulna fell short, extending their losing streak to three matches after winning their opening two.