United News of Bangladesh

In the middle of winter, trading activity has surged at the historic Sarojganj date molasses market in Chuadanga, one of Bangladesh’s most renowned traditional haats for palm jaggery, with the aroma of freshly boiled sap filling the air. Nearly 300 years old, Sarojganj Haat sits twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, and during the peak season now records transactions worth more than Tk one crore weekly. On each market day, sales range between Tk 1.5 crore and Tk 2 crore. If the current momentum continues, total transactions this season are expected to reach Tk 50–55 crore, according to local traders. A visit to the haat presents a vibrant tableau of rural commerce. Earthen pots brimming with liquid jaggery line the stalls, while freshly made nolen patali are neatly stacked alongside newly produced molasses displayed in bamboo baskets and wooden frames. Buyers and sellers engage in animated bargaining, their calls echoing through the market. Read more: A Sweet Legacy: Traditional molasses-making flourishes in Jhenaidah village Renowned for its distinctive taste, rich colour and natural aroma, Sarojganj’s date molasses enjoys strong demand across the country. Retail prices currently range from Tk 230 to Tk 350 per kilogram, depending on quality. Earthen pots weighing between 12 and 16 kilograms sell for Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,600, while different varieties of nolen patali fetch between Tk 300 and Tk 430. Molasses collected from the haat is supplied to a wide network of districts, including Dhaka, Kushtia, Meherpur, Jhenaidah, Pabna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barishal, Sylhet, Khulna, Mymensingh, Magura, Rajbari and Panchagarh. Sazzad Hossain, a molasses producer from Sarabaria village in Chuadanga Sadar upazila, said the jaggery is prepared using traditional methods passed down through generations. “Sap collected from date palm trees is boiled in traditional ovens using tin strainers. When the sap thickens, it is stirred continuously to make molasses. We have been producing pure jaggery using this age-old method for generations,” he said. On market days, sellers arrive with their produce by bicycle, van or even carrying heavy earthen pots on their heads. Buyers carefully examine the colour, thickness and overall quality before finalising their purchases. Read more: Cold and fog bite into Narail’s honey season Shahidul Islam, a trader from Pabna, said he returns to Sarojganj every year because of the product’s purity. “The price is a bit higher, but the quality is superior,” he said. Date palm farmer Jamal Uddin from Baliakandi village in Chuadanga Sadar said he is collecting sap from 35 palm trees this season and expects to produce around 400 to 500 kilograms of molasses. Local trader Ujjal Kumar Adhikari described Sarojganj Haat as one of the largest molasses markets in the country, operating continuously for nearly three centuries through generations of traders and producers. Haat operator Md Alauddin Ala said traders from across Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram, regularly attend the market. “Each haat sees transactions worth Tk 1.5 crore to 2 crore, and we ensure the safety of both buyers and sellers,” he said. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chuadanga, sap is being collected from around 2,72,000 date palm trees in the district this season, with a production target of 2,700 metric tonnes of molasses. Read more: Severe cold throws normal life in Chuadanga out of gear Deputy Director Md Masudur Rahman Sarkar said farmers are producing pure, sugar-free molasses and that regular monitoring is being conducted to prevent adulteration. Locals said trading at the Sarojganj date molasses market will continue in full swing until Chaitra, promising yet another successful winter season for this historic marketplace that remains a symbol of Chuadanga’s rich agrarian heritage.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday sought the intervention of the Army Chief over the alleged killing of Shamsuzzaman Dablu, general secretary of Jibannagar Municipal unit BNP in Chuadanga, by members of the security forces. In a statement, Fakhrul said incidents involving killings by security personnel are not good for the country and weaken the rule of law. “Some members of the security forces detained Shamsuzzaman Dablu last night (Monday night) in the name of recovering arms and subjected him to inhuman torture, which led to his death. I express my deep shock and sorrow over this inhuman and barbaric incident,” he said. The BNP leader said the extrajudicial killing of Shamsuzzaman Dablu through torture is a gross violation of the country’s existing laws. “The people expect that under the current interim government, anyone involved in a crime will be punished through judicial courts,” he said. Fakhrul said detaining Chuadanga BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dablu in the name of arms recovery and killing him through brutal torture can never be acceptable to the people of the country. “I am seeking the intervention of the Army Chief over such horrifying and tragic incidents,” he said. The BNP leader strongly condemned and protested the incident and demanded an immediate and impartial investigation to ensure justice. The BNP Secretary General prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members. The death of a local BNP leader in army custody has sent shockwaves through Jibannagar in Chuadanga, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his sudden death and triggering protests across the town. All troops withdrawn after Chuadanga BNP leader’s death in custody Shamsuzzaman Dablu, 50, general secretary of Chuadanga Poura BNP and a resident of Hospitalpara, died around midnight on Monday after being taken into custody during an army operation near the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex. Family members and BNP leaders alleged that Dablu died as a result of torture, a claim that has further fuelled anger in the area.

All army personnel involved in the operation have been withdrawn following the death of a BNP leader in army custody in Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday. A high-level investigation committee has been formed to determine the actual cause of the incident and to take appropriate action, according to an ISPR press release. Based on intelligence information, a special joint-force operation was conducted in Jibannagar upazila around 11pm on Monday, the ISPR said. During the operation, Shamsuzzaman Dablu, 50, was arrested from a pharmacy adjacent to the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex on suspicion of possessing illegal weapons. The joint force searched the pharmacy and recovered one 9mm pistol, one magazine and four rounds of ammunition, the release said. Read more: BNP seeks Army Chief’s intervention over Chuadanga BNP leader’s killing At one stage, Dablu suddenly fell ill and became unconscious. He was immediately taken to the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead at around 12:25am. Describing the incident as “regrettable and unacceptable”, the ISPR said all military personnel involved in the operation, including the camp commander, have been withdrawn. Legal action will be taken against those found guilty in accordance with military law, it added. UNB Chuadanga Correspondent reports: The death of a local BNP leader in army custody has triggered widespread tension in Jibannagar, raising questions over the circumstances of his death and sparking protests across the town. Shamsuzzaman Dablu, general secretary of Chuadanga municipality unit BNP and a resident of Hospitalpara, died around midnight after being taken into custody during the army operation near the upazila health complex. According to local sources, Dablu was at a medicine shop when army personnel approached him at around 10:30pm. He died within two hours of being detained. Family members and BNP leaders alleged that Dablu died due to torture while in custody, fuelling anger in the area. “My brother has been murdered,” said Shariful Islam Kajol, Dablu’s brother. Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of Chuadanga district BNP and candidate for Chuadanga-2, alleged that BNP leaders and activists were being tortured under the guise of operations. “The torture was so severe that Shamsuzzaman could not survive,” he said. BNP leader’s death in custody sparks shock in Chuadanga Chuadanga Superintendent of Police Mohammad Monirul Islam said Dablu was taken to the hospital after falling ill, where doctors declared him dead. “Lieutenant Colonel Imran of the army informed us of the incident,” he said. A postmortem examination was conducted on Tuesday morning at the site by Jibannagar Upazila Executive Officer Md Al Amin in the presence of police. Meanwhile, BNP leaders and activists continued protests in front of the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex. Additional police have been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward situation.

The death of a local BNP leader in army custody has sent shockwaves through Jibannagar, Chuadanga, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his sudden demise and prompting protests across the town. Shamsuzzaman Dablu, 50, general secretary of Chuadanga pouro BNP and a resident of Hospitalpara, died around midnight on Monday (January 12, 2026) after being taken into custody during an army operation near Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex. According to reports, Dablu was at a medicine shop when army personnel approached him at around 10:30 pm. Within two hours of being taken, he had died. Family members and BNP leaders allege that Dablu’s death was the result of torture, a claim that has intensified anger in the area. Read more: Mirza Abbas alleges plot to destabilise country, vows not to fall into trap “My brother has been murdered,” said Shariful Islam Kajol, Dablu’s brother. Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of Chuadanga district BNP and candidate for Chuadanga-2, said, “BNP leaders and activists are being tortured under the pretext of operations. The intensity of the torture was so severe that Shamsuzzaman could not survive.” The army, however, maintains that Dablu fell ill suddenly during questioning and died of a stroke. A foreign pistol and four rounds of ammunition were reportedly recovered from him during the operation, which the army described as part of a routine effort to recover arms. Chuadanga district Superintendent of Police Mohammad Monirul Islam said that Dablu was taken to the hospital after falling ill, where doctors declared him dead. “Lieutenant Colonel Imran of the army informed us of the details of the incident,” he said. The postmortem was conducted on Tuesday morning (January 13, 2026) at the site by Jibannagar Upazila Executive Officer Md Al Amin, in the presence of police. Read more: BNP gears up in Sylhet as Tarique Rahman set to launch election campaign Meanwhile, protests by BNP leaders and activists continued in front of the Upazila Health Complex, prompting the deployment of additional police to maintain order.

Police recovered the body of an unidentified man from a corn field at Kayetpara in Alamdanga Upazila of Chuadanga district on Thursday. Local people first spotted the body of the man, aged about 38–40, wearing trousers and a navy-blue jacket, in the field around 9 am and informed police, who recovered the body. Police suspected that the man might have been strangled by miscreants elsewhere and then dumped in the field. Read More: Two motorcyclists killed as pickup van hits them on Alamdanga-Kushtia Road However, the exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem report. Bani Israil, Officer-in-Charge of Alamdanga Police Station, said the body was sent to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

The sudden surge of intense cold in the southwestern border district of Chuadanga has disrupted normal life, with heavy fog and freezing temperatures emptying streets early in the morning. People are avoiding outdoor activities unless necessary, leaving daily wage earners and marginalised communities most affected. At 9 a.m. Wednesday, Chuadanga Meteorological Observatory recorded a season-low temperature of 6.9°C, with humidity around 95 percent. The Meteorological Department said a moderate cold wave is currently sweeping the district. Since early morning, the city’s streets, bus stops, and sidewalks have been crowded with workers seeking warmth, often by lighting small fires with straw or wood. Labourers report extreme difficulty performing routine work, and many return home frustrated or fall ill due to prolonged exposure. Farmers and day laborers said working in the early hours is exhausting, and health risks rise in the cold. Hospitals in Chuadanga, including the district hospital, are seeing higher patient numbers, with children and the elderly most affected by pneumonia, respiratory issues, colds, and diarrhea. Biting cold wave freezes Naogaon as mercury plunges to season’s lowest Students commuting for private lessons face difficulties as fog and icy winds make travel risky, impacting their studies. The cold has also reduced school attendance and caused stagnation in markets, shops, banks, and financial institutions, with fewer customers and lower activity compared to normal days. Jaminur Rahman, in charge of Chuadanga First-Class Meteorological Observatory, said the moderate cold wave is expected to continue until January 11–12, with potential for further temperature drops.

A fish trader was killed and another person was seriously injured in a road accident in Madhabitola area on  Chuadanga–Alamdanga road in Alamdanga upazila on Tuesday morning. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Ali, 42, a resident of Baganmath village in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah district while the injured is Zahurul Islam, son of Abdul Malek of the same village. Police said a fish-laden engine-run three-wheeler was heading towards Alamdanga from Chuadanga in the morning and when it reached Madhabitola area a drum truck hit the vehicle from behind, throwing Mohammad Ali onto the road and ran over him, leaving him dead on the spot. Read More: 503 killed in Bangladesh road accidents in December: RSF report The truck fled the scene immediately after the accident. Local people rescued injured Zahirul and took him to a nearby hospital from where he was shifted to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital. Following the accident, traffic movement on the road was disrupted for some time as angry locals detained several drum trucks, leading to traffic congestion. Officer-in-Charge of Alamdanga Police Station Md Bani Israel said efforts are underway to identify the truck involved. The body of the deceased was sent to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC added.  

As winter settles over Chuadanga, vast stretches of farmland have turned white — not with frost, but with the blooming heads of cauliflower that mark one of the district’s most profitable vegetable seasons in recent years. The bumper yield, coupled with favourable market prices, has brought long-awaited smiles to the faces of farmers who suffered losses just a year ago. Farmers said that they are spending Tk 30,000–35,000 per bigha and selling produce worth Tk 80,000 to Tk 1.3 lakh, earning profits of Tk 50,000–70,000 from each bigha of land. Read more: Coloured cauliflower cultivation gains round in Naogaon  According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the target for cauliflower cultivation in Chuadanga this year was set at 2,975 hectares. Early Harvest, Early profit Traders said that the price of cauliflower is higher this time compared to last time. Because it reached the market earlier, farmers are getting a good price.  Mohammad Tarikul Islam, a farmer from Gaidghat village in Sadar upazila of Chuadanga district, said he spent Tk 40,000 to cultivate cauliflower on two bighas of land. “I sold it for 1.20 lakh. Last year I had a loss, but this time it has been fully recovered. If the prices stay this good, I will expand cultivation next year,” he said. Read more: Jhenaidah farmers making good profit by cultivating off-season cauliflower, cabbage Mohammad Hasanur Rahman, a farmer from Garabaria Baganpara, said he brought seven bighas of land under cauliflower cultivation. “I sold each bigha for 1.10 lakh. After expenses, there has been a profit of 60–70 thousand taka per bigha. Last year I sold it for 60–70 thousand, but this year the price has jumped by Tk 50,000.” New Hope for Young Farmers Among the new generation of growers is Mohammad Arafat, a student who manages his father’s farm. “I cultivated three bighas. One and half bighas of early cauliflower sold for Tk 1.25 lakh per bigha,” he said with pride. “Regular cauliflower is now selling for Tk 80,000–90,000. Even after expenses, I will earn Tk 50,000–60,000 per bigha.” Arafat’s story reflects a trend seen across the district—young people actively participating in vegetable cultivation, motivated by rising profits and growing demand. Favourable Weather Fuels Success Another local farmer, Mohammad Shahjan Ali, said favourable weather conditions helped ensure an excellent harvest. Read more: Jashore emerges as Bangladesh’s winter vegetable seedling hub “I sold cauliflower for Tk 1.2 lakh per bigha in advance. With production costs around Tk 30,000–35,000, I made Tk 60,000–70,000 in profit. Last year’s losses have been fully recovered this season,” he added. Vibrant Market The enthusiasm is not limited to farmers. Wholesalers are also finding strong business opportunities. Moniruzzaman, a trader from Belghachi village in Sadar upazila of the district said demand for cauliflower is stronger than last year.

In the quiet village of Buropara at Alamdanga upazila in Chuadanga, where the hum of engines mingles with the rustle of paddy fields, lives a man whose vision lies not in his eyes, but in his heart and hands. Zahurul Islam Mangal, a sexagenarian mechanic, cannot see the world around him, yet he perceives machines with uncanny precision. Blind since birth, Zahurul has mastered the intricate language of nuts, bolts and gears, guided solely by touch, instinct and faith. He knows by heart which wrench to pick, which bolt to tighten, and where the pulse of a machine falters. His fingers glide across metal surfaces, tracing faults invisible to others and with effortless grace, he brings life back to lifeless engines. For more than a decade, Zahurul has repaired everything from bicycles, vans and shallow engines to power trolleys and tube-wells — entirely on his own. His fascination began early, at the age of seven, when he watched and listened to a local mechanic, absorbing the rhythm of the craft. In 1984, he opened his first repair shop near Chuadanga Sadar Hospital. Later, he returned to his native village to expand his skills, taking on the challenge of shallow engines, power trolleys and a range of complex machines. Since 2004, his modest workshop in Buropara has been a lifeline for farmers and villagers alike. After six years of struggling to find a job, Zahid finds success in strawberry farming “Being able to work without sight is Allah’s blessing,” Zahurul said, his weathered hands moving skillfully over an engine. “I may not have eyes to see outside, but I see with the eyes of my heart. My hands tell me where a screw should go and which wrench to use.” During a recent visit, this UNB Correspondent watched Zahurul at work, diagnosing a farmer’s faulty shallow engine merely by turning its handle. Within minutes, the machine was running smoothly once again. Without resting, he hurried off to another home to repair a tube-well, his movements brisk and assured. “Even after 40 years of working with machines, I cannot fix a single nut,” said local farmer Taijal Sheikh with admiration. “But Zahurul bhai fixes machines without seeing. It’s a gift from Allah.” Another villager, Nazim Uddin, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Though blind, he can dismantle an entire engine and reassemble it perfectly. His work is flawless.” The young entrepreneur who brought orange farming to Naogaon

The western district of Chuadanga has been reeling from the escalating impacts of climate change, with farmers suffering losses worth ‘hundreds of crores of taka’ over the past five years. Prolonged droughts, devastating storms and extreme cold spells have battered agriculture, livestock and fisheries, leaving thousands of families struggling to survive. “Extreme heat is not just a seasonal inconvenience. Its impact is far reaching. As we see in Bangladesh that the rising temperature is affecting our health and productivity, and the country’s prosperity,” said Jean Pesme, The World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan. Between April and June each year, temperatures now frequently soar between 36°C and 40°C, scorching farmlands and reducing yields. Winters, on the other hand, have become unusually harsh, with temperatures plunging to record lows, compounding the stress on crops and livestock. Worsening Climate Disasters Chuadanga’s agricultural sector has been particularly hard-hit by repeated bouts of drought, storms and irregular rainfall. Major crops such as Boro paddy, wheat, maize, winter vegetables, tobacco, onions, bananas, papaya, betel leaves and fruit orchards have suffered extensive damage, with many farmers unable to recover before the next calamity strikes. Disaster Preparedness: Govt to construct 90 three-storey cyclone shelters  in 12 districts Field surveys conducted by non-governmental organisations, including Wave Foundation and Riso, indicate that the scale of devastation may be far greater than official figures suggest. Their studies estimate that climate change is causing annual agricultural losses amounting to between Tk 200 crore and Tk 300 crore in the district. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has reported significant losses over the last five years, with 2022 emerging as the most catastrophic year.