United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka’s footpaths have once again fallen back into chaos just days after a coordinated eviction drive, underlining the persistent challenge of freeing public spaces from long-standing encroachments. Sidewalks cleared during a five-day drive by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have already been reoccupied in many key areas, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of such enforcement efforts. The drives were conducted from April 1 to 5 in eight traffic divisions, targeted illegal shops, street vendors and unauthorised parking on roads and footpaths. Authorities removed structures, fined violators carrying out mobile court drives. Yet, within days, most areas saw hawkers return. According to DMP data, 405 cases were filed, Tk 11.56 lakh were realised in fines, 57 individuals were warned and 96 others were sentenced to jail during the drives. Relief short-lived For a brief period, citizens experienced some relief in areas such as Gulistan, Dholaikhal, Uttara, Shanir Akhra and Kalabagan in Dhanmondi. Within two days of the drive ending, sidewalks in most areas were once again occupied. DMP fines Tk 3.33 lakh, jails nine in eviction drives In Gulistan, vendors have reclaimed footpaths much like before, though some now operate more cautiously. In front of Golap Shah Mazar, many who previously used fixed stalls have shifted to laying goods on sheets, allowing them to move quickly if needed. Similar scenes have returned in Paltan, Motijheel and New Market areas where makeshift shops line the sidewalks. Visiting the stretch from Science Laboratory to Nilkhet UNB found hundreds of vendors occupying both sides of the road, forcing pedestrians onto busy streets and worsening traffic congestion. Cycle of eviction and return The pattern has become familiar: eviction drives briefly clear footpaths, only for vendors to return soon after. Beyond New Market, hawkers have reappeared in Mohammadpur, Shyamoli Ring Road, Moghbazar, Banglamotor, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Gulistan and several other parts of the capital.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Thursday urged cilizens to actively participate in mosquito control by keeping their surroundings clean and eliminating stagnant water regularly. In a public notice, the city corporation called on citizens to dispose of any accumulated water on their premises daily to prevent mosquito breeding and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Administrative and legal action will be taken under existing laws against anyone violating these instructions, the notice warned. DSCC also reminded business establishments that shopping malls, markets, and shops must close by 7 pm in line with current government directives. Furthermore, the city corporation instructed that the lights on all billboards and LED boards, as well as activities related to fairs, trade fairs, and cultural programmes, must be turned off or concluded by 7:00 pm. The notice called on all individuals and institutions to strictly adhere to these directives and emphasised that maintaining cleanliness in personal premises is vital.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Saturday announced a strict ‘zero tolerance’ approach to negligence in mosquito control operations, as a 10-day crash programme is set to begin across the city from Sunday. DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam issued the warning during an emergency meeting with officials from the Health Department’s mosquito control wing at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium on Saturday. He said any failure, complacency or corruption in mosquito control would not be tolerated. The meeting was convened in response to a recent rise in mosquito prevalence in DSCC areas. Officials discussed measures to ensure the effectiveness of insecticides, proper application methods and strengthening field-level supervision. Abdus Salam instructed the Health Department to work closely with the Waste Management Department to boost mosquito control efforts. He also stressed the importance of public awareness and indicated that mobile courts could be deployed if Aedes mosquito larvae are detected. “Our position is clear—zero tolerance on negligence, failure or corruption in mosquito control,” he said, adding that he would personally conduct on-site inspections of mosquito control activities. The administrator announced a phased 10-day ‘crash programme’ across DSCC’s 10 zones, involving both city corporation officials and local residents. The meeting also explored training initiatives to enhance the skills of mosquito control workers and trial use of new, more effective insecticides. Md Abdus Salam instructed strict legal action against any government or private establishment found harbouring mosquito breeding grounds that fail to take corrective measures despite repeated warnings. DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Jahirul Islam, Corporation Secretary Mohammad Nasim Ahmed, Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahabubur Rahman Talukder, and departmental heads, zonal officials and Health Department officers attended the meeting.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has recorded the highest number of dengue deaths in Bangladesh this year where 89 fatalities were reported from January to September 23, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). With 5 more deaths reported in 24 hours till Wednesday morning the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh rose to 187 this year. Besides, 28 deaths, the 2nd highest this year, were reported in Barishal City Corporation(BCC) which also witnessed the highest 12613 cases. The 2nd highest 6710 dengue cases were reported at DSCC. Dengue situation has worsened this month as it has claimed highest 65 lives till September 24 while  the death toll was 41 and 39in July and August respectively, according to DGHS.

A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) on Wednesday seeking a direction to prevent  BNP leader Ishraque Hossain from taking oath as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The writ also sought action against the Judge of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal for giving a fraudulent judgement by declaring Ishraque as mayor. Md. Mamunur Rashid, a resident of Dhaka South City Corporation, filed the writ in the relevant branch of the High Court. The secretary of the local government division, law secretary, chief election commissioner, election commission secretary, joint district judge Md. Nurul Islam and Md. Ishraque Hossain were made defendants in the writ petition. The writ petition will be heard by the High Court bench of Justice Md. Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury next Sunday, said the petitioner's lawyer Kazi Akbar Ali. Zubaida Rahman granted bail in graft case Earlier on March 27 , Judge of Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal Md Nurul Islam cancelled the results of the 2020 DSCC election and announced BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Later on April 27, the EC issued a gazette notification declaring him as mayor. On April 28, two Dhaka residents, including writ petitioner Mamunur Rashid, sent legal notices to the authorities concerned to appeal or review the verdict and decree given by the Election Tribunal declaring Ishraque as mayor. The notice also asked to refrain from publishing gazettes in the name of Ishraque and administering oaths to him. Meanwhile, supporters of Ishraque staged a demonstration on Wednesday, demanding that he be sworn in and handed the responsibilities of mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation. Mystic singer-turned AL MP Momtaz detained: DB The protest, held outside the Dhaka South City Corporation headquarters, culminated in the announcement of a nonstop sit-in starting at 9am tomorrow to press home their demand. Earlier in the morning, at around 8:30am, thousands of people gathered in front of Nagar Bhaban under the banner of Dhakabashi (Residents of Dhaka) and formed a human chain in support of Ishraque.

The Election Commission published a gazette notification declaring BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) to implement a court verdict as no opinion was received from the Law Ministry within the stipulated timeframe, Election Commissioner Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah said on Wednesday. “We implemented the court order (through publishing the gazette) to avoid any deviation from the directive of the court,” he told reporters after a meeting of the Election Commission in the capital. The meeting was held with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair, while all four election commissioners and the EC senior secretary were present. Sanaullah said the EC waited until 5 pm on Sunday last for the law ministry’s opinion. As the EC didn’t receive any reply by then, the commission published the gazette to comply with the Election Tribunal’s order. "We were obliged to resolve it within 10 days. We resolved it,” he said, replying to a question over the gazette notification that declared Ishraque Hossain as the DSCC mayor without receiving the opinion from the Law Ministry. “We sought an opinion as soon as possible. April 25 was the tenth day, that day was a Friday. We took two days. We waited until 5:00pm on Sunday. Since we did not receive the reply, we implemented the court order so that there would be no deviation," he said. Chinmoy Das secures HC bail in sedition case The EC on April 27 last issued the gazette notification, but the next day Law Adviser Asif Nazrul claimed the EC acted before receiving opinion from the Law Ministry. On March 27 last, Judge of the Election Tribunal in Dhaka Md Nurul Islam nullified the result that had declared Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh elected in the 2020 DSCC election and instead declared Ishraque Hossain the winner. The DSCC election was held on February 1, 2020, where Awami League’s Taposh was declared winner “defeating Ishraque by nearly 190,000 votes”. Taposh assumed office on May 16 that year and the first meeting of the elected body was held in early June. So, the five-year term of the elected body is set to end by June this year.

Kutub Uddin Sohel, Ward Secretary of Ward No. 4 in Zone-2 of Dhaka South City Corporation, was caught red-handed by a special team of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) while taking bribe. Saiful Islam, the manager of Life Care Diagnostic Center in East Basabo, Sabujbagh, Dhaka, filed a written complaint with the ACC's Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1.  In the complaint, he stated that a clearance certificate from the city corporation was required to open the under-construction diagnostic center, said ACC public relations officer Aktarul Islam. . After submitting the application, Ward Secretary Kutub Uddin Sohel visited the site and found no faults but still demanded a bribe of TK10,000 in exchange for issuing the clearance. CIC orders bank account freezing of ad agency giant Asiatic The complaint further mentioned that  Sohel threatened to withhold the clearance certificate if the bribe is not paid. It was also found Sohel regularly demands bribes from service seekers for issuing such documents. Out of respect for the law and with the intent to bring the corrupt official to justice, Saiful Islam strategically agreed to pay the bribe. During an ACC sting operation on Wednesday, Sohel was caught in the act of receiving the bribe. The bribe money and other evidence were seized from the scene.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has completed all preparations for the main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation at the National Eidgah ground.At a press briefing at the National Eidgah Administrator of DSCC Md. Shahjahan Mia said the venue is ready to accommodate approximately 35,000 Muslim devotees.To ensure a smooth and secure congregation, law enforcement agencies, including police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), will be deployed around the venue, he said. Special security measures have been put in place, and necessary facilities have been arranged for the convenience of Muslim devotees. Eid Journey: No Traffic Jams on Dhaka-Chattogram HighwayEmergency medical services will also be available, with medical teams and ambulances on standby to address any health emergencies during the congregation.In case of rain or unfavorable weather, alternative arrangements have been made to facilitate prayers. Besides, a second Eid congregation has been scheduled at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9 am.“We have completed all necessary arrangements to ensure that people can perform their Eid prayers comfortably and safely,” said the DSCC administrator, urging Dhaka residents to join the main congregation.

Five more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 509 this year. Among the recent fatalities, two took place in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), while one occurred in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and two in Dhaka Division (outside the city corporations). During the period, 629 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This year’s death toll from dengue surpasses 500 Of them, 112 dengue patients were admitted in hospital under Dhaka North City Corporation while 92 were hospitalised in Dhaka South City Corporation. As of now, 2,431 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Since January 1, 2024, a total of 94,314 dengue cases have been reported. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 1,705 people, making it the deadliest year on record. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), there were 321,179 dengue cases and 318,749 recoveries in 2023.

Five more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 193 this year. During the period, 981 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, 196 dengue patients were admitted in hospital under Dhaka North City Corporation while 180 were hospitalized in Dhaka South City Corporation.  Read: Two more die of dengue; 1,218 hospitalised Some 3,384 patients are receiving treatment in different hospitals across the country. A total of 38,789 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year. Read more: Dengue: 4 more die, 1,225 hospitalised in 24hrs