United News of Bangladesh

A 54-year-old farmer was beaten to death, reportedly after attempting to stop a group of youths from consuming marijuana in Puthia village of Shahjadpur upazila in Sirajganj on Tuesday night. The victim, identified as Azim Uddin Sarkar, was returning home when he encountered a group of youths smoking marijuana in front of his house. According to Shahjadpur Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aslam Ali, when he tried to intervene and stop them, the youths became enraged and attacked him. They beat him severely before fleeing the scene. Locals rushed to his aid and the farmer was quickly taken to a nearby hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries on the way. An angry crowd, which had gathered at the scene, recovered a motorcycle left behind by the attackers and informed the police. Upon receiving the report, officers from Shahjadpur Police Station arrived, recovered the body and seized the motorcycle. Student arrested in Feni over killing domestic help The body was later sent to Sirajganj Shaheed M Mansur Ali Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy. A case has been filed and authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, the OC added.

Hindu holy men were joined by devotees and the public Friday at a revered temple in Kathmandu where they lit up marijuana cigarettes during an annual festival despite prohibition and warnings by authorities.

Bangkok, Dec 26 (AP/UNB) — Thailand's legislature on Tuesday agreed to amend the country's drug law to allow the licensed medical use of marijuana, as well as kratom, a locally grown plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller.