United News of Bangladesh

Members of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit have arrested two alleged snatchers in connection with a mugging incident involving a student in Mohammadpur area of the capital. The arrestees were Md Toufique Ahmed, 25, and Tanzil Hasan, 24. The duo were arrested around 8:15am in front of Greenwood Mohammadia Housing following analysis of CCTV footage and with the help of information technology,  said Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police NM Nasir Uddin on Monday. According to CTTC sources, the snatching took place on March 25 at around 9:40pm on the footpath in front of Greenwood School on Mohammadia Housing Road. The suspects intercepted a student named Jahirul, assaulted him and later threatened him with a knife before snatching Tk 3,000. Legal action against the arrestees is underway, he said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a series of security and traffic management measures including strict action against unfit buses to ensure smooth and safe travel from the capital to different districts ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.  “No unfit buses will be allowed on the roads. Immediate action will be taken if such vehicles are found operating,” Acting DMP Commissioner Md Sarwar said at a meeting with transport owners and workers at Gabtoli bus terminal aimed at ensuring smooth and extortion-free Eid travel. Sarwar urged transport owners and workers not to operate dilapidated buses, noting that a single breakdown on busy routes often leads to severe traffic congestion. Carrying passengers on bus rooftops, overspeeding and allowing sick or unfit drivers to operate vehicles will also be strictly prohibited, he said. To assist passengers, help desks will be set up at major bus terminals where fare charts and bus schedules must be displayed. Authorities will take immediate action if allegations of overcharging, ticket black-marketing or passenger harassment are received, he added. The acting DMP Commissioner said an additional 800 to 900 traffic police members will be deployed at bus terminals, launch terminals and railway stations during the Eid period. Security at transport hubs will also be strengthened with the deployment of plainclothes police, members of the Detective Branch, the Counter Terrorism Unit, SWAT teams and dog squads. PM pledges united effort to build peaceful, safe Bangladesh, warns against division Mobile court teams led by magistrates will remain active to enforce traffic rules. Sarwar said the government has declared March 18 an additional public holiday to ease travel pressure, allowing people to leave the capital in a staggered manner. He said  between 1.5 million and 2 million people are expected to leave Dhaka daily between March 16 and 20 while more than 10 million people may travel from the capital to other districts during the Eid holidays. Meanwhile, around 2 to 2.5 million people are expected to enter the city. To ease congestion, the movement of trucks, lorries and covered vans on highways will be restricted for a period before and after Eid. Unnecessary cargo trucks from the port city of Chattogram will also be barred from using the highways during the peak travel period. Sarwar stressed the need for coordinated efforts among police, transport owners, workers and other relevant agencies to ensure safe and comfortable Eid travel for passengers. Among others, MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, President ofDhaka Road Transport Owners Association Saiful Alam Baten and Secretary General of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Abdur Rahim Box Dudu were present at the meeting.

There is no security threat surrounding this year’s Ekushey February observance in the capital, according to the commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police ( DMP). Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said on Friday that around 15,000 police personnel would be deployed in and around the Central Shaheed Minar to ensure the safe and orderly observance of Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. He was speaking after inspecting security arrangements at the memorial, where large crowds are expected to gather to pay tribute to the language martyrs. The commissioner said a multi-layered security plan had been put in place, involving police, other law enforcement agencies and volunteers, to maintain discipline and preserve the sanctity of the site. Referring to the recently held national election, he said voters had exercised their franchise peacefully and in a disciplined manner, without security concerns.  He expressed confidence that the Ekushey February programmes would also pass off without incident. DMP to provide escort service for transport of cash and valuables ahead of ramadan, Eid In addition to regular police deployment, specialised units, including SWAT, the dog squad, the bomb disposal unit and the crime scene team, will remain on standby around the clock, he said.  Intelligence surveillance and cyber monitoring have also been strengthened. Responding to a question, Sajjat Ali said security measures were not limited to the Shaheed Minar area, adding that police remained vigilant across the capital. He also outlined movement guidelines for visitors. Entry to the Shaheed Minar will be permitted only through the Palashi Mor–Jagannath Hall crossing route. Visitors must exit via the Romana crossing towards Doel Chattar or Chankharpool. No alternative routes will be allowed. Members of the public have been urged not to carry sharp objects, flammable materials or explosives, and to follow the designated entry and exit routes.  Visitors have also been requested to maintain discipline and leave promptly after paying tribute to allow others to enter. For security and traffic management, diversions will be enforced at entry points to the Dhaka University area from Friday evening.  Teachers, students, officers and employees residing in the area have been asked to cooperate by following traffic instructions.

Police have recovered 105 mobile phones lost at different times and returned them to their rightful owners in the capital. The recovered phones were handed over by Paltan Model Police Station of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). DMP's Deputy Commissioner (Media) Talebur Rahman said police recovered the phones from different parts of the country using information technology, based on general diaries registered with Paltan station between December 1 last year till January 15 by the owners. He said Assistant Commissioner of (Motijheel Zone ) of the DMP Hossain Muhammad Farabi and ASI Iqbal Hossain of Paltan Model Police Station took the lead and played active role in recovering the lost phones. 27 arrested under Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2: DMP The mobile phones were formally handed over to their owners on Tuesday at a programme held at the conference room of Paltan Model Police Station in the presence of Motijheel Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, Assistant Commissioner Hossain Muhammad Farabi and other police officials. According to police sources, Paltan Model Police Station recovered and returned more than 600 lost mobile phones to their owners over the last one year. The recipients expressed their happiness at getting back their lost mobile phones within a short time.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Sunday (November 16) instructed police personnel to open fire on anyone attempting to torch vehicles or carry out petrol bombs or crude bomb attacks in the capital. The order was issued through a wireless message in the afternoon, said a police officer, posted in a police station, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to comment publicly. Commissioner Sajjat Ali later told the media that the directive was issued in light of recent arson attempts targeting public transport and law enforcement. He said that the directive was given through a wireless message to open fire if anyone sets fire to a bus or throws a crude bomb with the intent to cause loss of life. “This is permitted under the existing laws.” SC seeks army deployment ahead of verdict in Hasina case According to police sources, the instruction applies in situations where miscreants ignite buses, throw crude bombs with lethal intent, or attempt to attack police by hurling explosives from moving motorcycles. The directive comes amid a fresh wave of unrest allegedly linked to the Awami League (AL), which has been barred from political activities. It had earlier called for protests and a ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ from November 10 to 13. The party launched the programme ahead of the expected verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal in a case against Sheikh Hasina over charges related to the July uprising. Since November 10, many incidents of arson attacks on buses and trains, along with crude bomb explosions, have been reported in Dhaka and other districts. The verdict in the case against Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to be pronounced on Monday, prompting the Awami League to declare a two-day ‘complete shutdown’ beginning today (Sunday). Read more: New iron-grey Bangladesh police uniform stirs mixed public reactions

Police have recovered cheques worth Tk 2.25 crore and fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) worth Tk 20 lakh from the Tejgaon’s Nakhalpara residence of Riyad, who was earlier arrested for allegedly attempting to extort money from a former MP’s house in Gulshan. The recovery was made on Monday night based on information provided by Riyad, police said at a press briefing at DMP’s Media Centre on Wednesday. DC of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division Mohammad Talebur Rahman said five people, including Riyad, have been arrested for allegedly demanding Tk 50 lakh from the residence of a former Awami League lawmaker. They are now on remand. A separate case is being processed with Kalabagan Police Station over the recovery of the cheques and FDRs, he added. No criminal should go unpunished: DMP Commissioner  Earlier, on July 26, police arrested Riyad along with four others, including three leaders of the ‘Baisamya Birodhi Chhatra Andolon’, when they went to the Gulshan-2 residence of former Awami League MP Shammie Ahmed to allegedly collect extortion money. Following the arrest, Gulshan Police Station registered a case filed by Siddiq Abu Zafar. Apart from Riyad, the other accused are Kazi Gaurab Apu, Sakadaun Siam, Sadman Sadab, Md Ibrahim Hossain and Aminul Islam. After being produced before court, four of the accused were placed on seven-day police remand, while one minor accused was sent to a juvenile correction centre.

Tazia processions marking holy Ashura were held peacefully in the capital on Sunday amid strict security measures taken by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).   The main mourning procession of the Shia community began at 10:00 am from the historic Hussaini Dalan in Old Dhaka, with thousands of participants walking barefoot, beating their chests and chanting "Hay Hussein, Hay Hussein" in remembrance.   The procession moved through Bakshibazar Lane, Lalbagh, Shaheed Mazar Road, Azimpur, Nilkhet, Mirpur Road, Dhaka College, Science Laboratory, Dhanmondi Residential Area, BGB Gate No. 4 and Sat Masjid Road, before ending at the symbolic Karbala point on the banks of Dhanmondi Lake.   Earlier  ahead of the procession, DMP had imposed a ban on carrying sharp weapons such as knives, daggers, scissors, spears, lances, swords, and sticks, as well as the use of fireworks and firecrackers.   Holy Ashura being observed with religious solemnity   The 10th of Muharram, observed as Ashura, holds deep religious significance for Muslims across the world.    The Shia community commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein through various rituals, with the Tazia procession being a central part of the observance.   In Dhaka, major mourning processions and events were organised by the Shia community from the historic Hussaini Dalan Imambara in Lalbagh, Boro Katara Imambara, and other locations across the city.    

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed restrictions on all forms of meetings, gatherings, rallies, processions, showdowns and protests at several designated locations, including the government residence of the Chief Justice, for an indefinite period with effect from Saturday. According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Thursday morning, the restrictions will come into effect under Section 29 of the DMP Ordinance. DMP bans rallies, processions outside CA’s residence, Secretariat The restricted areas also include Justice Bhaban, Judge Complex, the main gate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, Majar Gate, Jame Masjid Gate, entrances of International Crimes Tribunal-1 and -2 and the Judicial Administration Training Institute. Besides, the DMP has once again urged citizens not to block city streets as a means of pressing home their demands.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted a special security drill on Monday ahead of the upcoming international football match between the national teams of Bangladesh and Singapore. The drill took place at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Gulistan in the morning, with the objective of demonstrating emergency response strategies, testing preparedness, and ensuring a robust security plan for the high-profile event. Led by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of DMP, the exercise involved participation from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, Bomb Disposal Unit, and the K-9 Unit. According to DMP, the simulation aimed to evaluate operational capabilities in managing potential emergency situations and ensuring the safety of players and spectators during the match. DMP bans rallies, processions outside CA’s residence, Secretariat To maintain security and manage traffic, necessary measures have been put in place by the DMP.  A significant number of uniformed and plainclothes police officers will be deployed in and around the stadium.  The Bomb Disposal Unit, SWAT, and K-9 teams will remain on standby to respond to any special circumstances. Senior officials of various ranks within the DMP, along with journalists from print and electronic media, were present at the drill. DMP ensures foolproof security for Eid congregations in Dhaka Dhaka Metropolitan Police has requested full cooperation from all attendees to ensure a safe and secure environment for the match.

In accordance with a public notice issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner on May 10, all forms of rallies, gatherings, processions, and demonstrations remain prohibited in and around the Bangladesh Secretariat, the official residence of the Chief Adviser at Jamuna, and adjoining areas. The restriction has been imposed in the interest of maintaining law and order, says  a DMP press release issued on Monday night.  DMP adopts zero tolerance against mob violence Authorities have urged all concerned to strictly adhere to the directive, the press release added.