United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit on Tuesday said no flood-affected family in Cox’s Bazar would be deprived of relief and rehabilitation assistance as the government has allocated additional relief materials and cash support to meet the needs of those affected. Speaking to reporters after distributing relief among flood victims in Jhilongja Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar, the state minister said the government had stood by the flood-hit people from the very beginning and would continue extending all necessary assistance until normalcy was restored. He said a coordination meeting held at the office of the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner on Monday reviewed the flood situation, ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation plans. The meeting, attended by district and upazila administrations, local lawmakers and officials of different government agencies, also decided to provide additional allocations for every upazila based on local demand to ensure assistance reaches all affected families. Amit said the government’s objective, under the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was not limited to emergency relief distribution but also to restoring the normal lives of affected people as quickly as possible. He said rehabilitation efforts would include repairing damaged houses, rebuilding roads, bridges and culverts, restoring educational and religious institutions, and rapidly assessing losses in agriculture, fisheries and livestock to implement appropriate recovery measures. Referring to fatalities caused by landslides during the recent floods, the state minister warned that living on hill slopes remained extremely dangerous. He said the government planned to rehabilitate people residing in high-risk areas by providing land and housing in safer locations. Stressing the importance of public awareness, he urged the media to play an active role in informing people about the risks of hill settlements. The minister also said the government would take a tough stance against illegal hill cutting and encroachment, adding that influential groups would not be allowed to engage in such activities. On relief operations, he said coordinated efforts involving the district and upazila administrations, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, elected representatives and private organisations had made relief distribution and rehabilitation more effective. The government intended to strengthen this coordination further, he added. Replying to a question about repairing damaged sluice gates and embankments, Amit said he had already discussed the matter with the state minister responsible for the Ministry of Water Resources. He expressed hope that they would jointly visit Cox’s Bazar within the next one to two weeks to inspect the damaged infrastructure and take necessary measures.

The Bangladesh government has handed over the first tranche of a 400-tonne rice donation to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support food assistance for the Rohingya population living in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief handed over the donation at a ceremony at WFP's Logistics Hub in Ukhiya of Cox’s Bazar district on Thursday, according to a WFP press release. Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Saidur Rahman Khan, WFP Bangladesh Representative and Country Director Coco Ushiyama and Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammed Mizanur Rahman were present. The first tranche of 139 tonnes of rice comes at a critical time as humanitarian needs remain high in the camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, where nearly 12 lakh Rohingya refugees, including an estimated 1.5 lakh new arrivals since early 2024, reside. The rice donation will help WFP support around 30,000 Rohingya for one month. Living in densely populated camps built on steep hillsides, Rohingya families are highly vulnerable to natural hazards. Recent heavy monsoon rains and flooding have once again deepened hardship across parts of the camps, damaging shelters, disrupting movement and essential services, and tragically claiming several lives. With limited livelihood opportunities, the population remains fully dependent on humanitarian assistance to meet its basic food needs. Speaking at the ceremony, Saidur Rahman reaffirmed the government's continued commitment to supporting the Rohingya population. "For decades, Bangladesh has demonstrated compassion and solidarity by hosting forcibly displaced Rohingya people. This contribution reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that humanitarian assistance is sustained to help the Rohingya population meet its basic needs, while we continue to advocate for a sustainable solution to this crisis that will allow these families to return to Myanmar safely and with dignity. I would also like to commend WFP for its contribution to this response, particularly its food assistance programme, which has been both efficient and impactful." The rice contribution will be provided to Rohingya through WFP's food assistance operations, which are regularly reviewed to ensure effectiveness. Since April 2026, WFP has implemented targeted assistance, providing differentiated levels of rations based on households' level of food insecurity. The approach ensures that the most food-insecure families continue receiving the highest level of assistance while maximising limited humanitarian resources. Coco Ushiyama expressed appreciation for the government's support. "WFP is deeply grateful to the government of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for this timely contribution. At a time when humanitarian resources worldwide are under significant pressure, this support speaks volume of Bangladesh's continued leadership and solidarity with the Rohingya people." In addition to food, WFP provides lifesaving malnutrition prevention and treatment services for women and children, school feeding for children attending learning centres, and self-reliance and disaster risk reduction initiatives. In the host communities, WFP and partners support more than 33,000 smallholder farmers through climate-resilient agriculture and market linkage support, connecting them to local markets and WFP's food assistance operations for the Rohingya response. To sustain these operations, WFP urgently needs to raise US$ 116 million over the next 12 months. "Humanitarian assistance remains a lifeline for the entire Rohingya community in Bangladesh. We call on the international community to continue standing with Rohingya families as this protracted crisis continues," added Coco Ushiyama.

A 30-year-old woman and her minor son were hacked to death  allegedly by her husband over family feud at Kutupalong rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Nur alias Sufia, 30, wife of Ehteshamul Haque and their five-year-old son Mohammad Shamim . Their another son, Afsar alias Bappi, 14, also sustained injuries. Mujibur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Ukhiya Police Station, said Ehteshamul and his wife Sufia had an altercation at block B/6 of the Rohingya camp around 1:30 am. At one stage, Ehteshamul stabbed his wife and two sons with a sharp weapon,leaving Sufia and Shamim dead on the spot and injured Bappi. Injured Bappi was taken to Kutupalong MSF Hospital while Ehteshamul managed to flee the scene.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated the re-excavation of historic Patali Canal in Pmkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila, a canal closely associated with the memory of former President Ziaur Rahman. Soon after arriving in Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka, the Prime Minister went to Pmkhali and formally launched the re-excavation programme at around 10:50am. Forty-eight years ago, in November 1979, then President Ziaur Rahman personally inaugurated the excavation of the canal by cutting earth with a spade. During the visit, he also planted a date palm tree on the canal bank, which still stands as a reminder of that historic initiative. Despite heavy rain, Tarique Rahman proceeded to the site and formally inaugurated the re-excavation work by cutting earth with a spade. He also planted an almond sapling on the canal bank. Home Minister and Cox’s Bazar-1 lawmaker Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Choudhury Anee, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for  LGRD Mir Sahe Alam, State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and Land Mir Md Helal Uddin, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, Cox’s Bazar-3 MP Lutfur Rahman Kajal, Chattogram-10 MP Sayeed Al Noman and Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan were among others present. Thousands of people from Patali village and surrounding areas gathered along the canal bank from the morning braving heavy rain to witness the programme and greet the Prime Minister. Patali Canal is regarded as a landmark irrigation project launched during Ziaur Rahman’s rule. According to local officials, the initiative drew international attention at the time. Former World Bank President Robert McNamara, Nepal’s King Birendra, Bhutan’s King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Bangladesh to observe the country's rural development and agricultural initiatives. Officials said irrigation from the canal helped bring nearly 12,000 hectares of previously uncultivated land under farming, contributing to a significant boost in agricultural production and the local economy. However, after remaining operational for several years, the canal gradually became clogged with silt due to inadequate maintenance, while parts of it were encroached upon, disrupting irrigation facilities for local farmers. The eight-kilometre canal is expected to benefit around 40,000 people once re-excavation is completed, according to local engineers of the Water Resources Ministry. Local farmer Khorshed Alam said he was delighted to see Tarique Rahman inaugurate the restoration of a canal originally excavated by his father. “Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman excavated this canal, and today his son has come to restore it. We are happy to see Tarique Rahman in person,” he said. “The canal has become filled up over the years. Once it is re-excavated, we farmers will benefit greatly and will no longer have to worry about irrigation water for our crops,” Alam added. Earlier, the Prime Minister and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman arrived in Cox’s Bazar around 9:50am by air. After inaugurating the re-excavation work, Tarique Rahman went onto a temporary stage beside the canal and waved to the crowd, exchanging greetings with local residents.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday morning on a daylong visit to attend a series of development and environmental programmes. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the Prime Minister reached Cox’s Bazar International Airport at around 9:50am on a commercial flight amid rain. After the formal reception at the airport, the Prime Minister left directly by road for Pmkhali Union to attend a programme marking the re-excavation of the Patali Canal. At the airport, he was received by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and Land Mir Md Helal Uddin, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan and other officials. He is also scheduled to address a public gathering there following the inauguration of the canal re-excavation work. According to the programme schedule, Tarique will later visit the Dulahazara Safari Park and formally launch the nationwide programme to plant 25 crore trees by planting saplings at the Malumghat Reserved Forest. PM leaves for Cox’s Bazar with his wife

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left for Cox’s Bazar on Saturday morning on a day-long visit to attend a series of development, environmental and public engagement programmes. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the Prime Minister reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 8:30am after leaving his Gulshan residence. “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is travelling to Cox’s Bazar by air. His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, is accompanying him,” he said. The flight left the airport for Cox's Bazar around 9:00am, Rumon said. PM Tarique to visit Cox’s Bazar Saturday He said the Prime Minister will return to Dhaka at night after attending various programmes, including a tree plantation campaign and canal re-excavation activities. After arriving in Cox’s Bazar, the Prime Minister is scheduled to begin his official engagements around 10:30am by inaugurating the re-excavation of the Patali Canal in Pmkhali in Chakaria upazila and addressing a public gathering there. According to the programme schedule, Tarique Rahman will later visit the Dulahazara Safari Park and formally launch the nationwide programme to plant 25 crore trees by planting saplings at the Malumghat Reserved Forest. He is also expected to visit the grave of Md Wasim Akram, one of the martyrs of the July 2024 mass uprising, in Pekua and meet members of his family. The Prime Minister will then lay the foundation stones of the newly created Pekua municipality and Matamuhuri upazila. In the afternoon, he will attend a public rally organised by the district BNP in front of the Chakaria Municipal Bus Terminal. Later, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inspect the Marine Drive and Cox’s Bazar sea beach before joining an interaction with distinguished citizens at a hotel in the evening. He will return to Dhaka by air after completing the programmes. This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Cox’s Bazar since assuming office as Prime Minister following the BNP’s victory in the 13th parliamentary election. After spending more than a decade and a half in London, he returned to Bangladesh on December 25 last year. Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister after his party secured a majority in the national election held on February 12.  

A Rohingya woman and her daughter were killed in an attack by a herd of wild elephant  in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar early Thursday. The deceased were identified as Asma Bibi, 27, wife of Md Ekram Mia and their 3-year-old daughter Chemon Ara Begum , residents of Syed Colony in West Khuniapalong under Khuniapalong union. Locals said the elephants entered the locality around 6am, triggering panic among residents. Madrasa teacher Jubairul Islam said hearing noise, Ekram fled with their six-year-old son Rehan Uddin but Asma Bibi and her younger daughter failed to escape and died on the spot. Khuniapalong Union Parishad member Zainal Abedin said the herd consisting of three elephants was highly aggressive, leaving the victims no chance to escape. The elephants later moved toward nearby hills after damaging houses and feeding on fruits. Md Tosaddek Hossain, range officer of the Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division (Dhoapalong Range), said forest officials drove the elephants back into deep forest and are taking steps to control their movement. Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam Bhuiyan said police visited the scene, completed inquest procedures and handed over the bodies to the family. A case of unnatural death will be filed in this connection, he said .

Three youths were found dead in a remote hilly area at North Shilkhali in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Tuesday morning. The deceased were identified as Aminul Islam Robi, 19, son of Ruhul Amin, Mujibur Rahman, 38, son of Nurul Kabir and Nur Bashar, 20, son of Nurul Islam of Baharchhara union of the upazila. Ruhul Amin, father of one of the victims, Robi, said that after being informed by local people, he went to the area and identified his son. A police team rushed to the spot and is conducting a rescue operation, said Durjoy Sarkar, in-charge of Shamlapur police camp. However, the exact cause of their death will be determined after the post-mortem. The matter is being investigated with the highest importance, said ANM Sajedur Rahman, superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Police.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam on Wednesday told the Parliament that the upgradation of Cox’s Bazar Airport into an international airport will take a few more months. “The upgradation of Cox’s Bazar Airport into an international airport will take several more months,” she said while replying to a scripted question from ruling party lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury (Cox’s Bazar-4) in the House. The Minister said that several key steps have already been taken to facilitate the commencement of international flights from the airport. To this end, certification has been obtained from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) after ensuring compliance with international rules, regulations, and operational suitability. The runway of Cox’s Bazar Airport has been extended from 9,000 feet to 10,700 feet towards the sea to ensure safe landing and takeoff of large aircrafts at full load, along with enhancing overall operational capacity. A new international terminal building with a 17,955-square metres floor area has been constructed to support international flight operations. The terminal, equipped with all necessary operational facilities, is currently undergoing testing and commissioning, she said.

A student leader of July movement was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants in Cox’s Bazar late Tuesday night. The deceased was Khorshed Alam, son of Shah Alam of  Isulur Ghona area of Cox’s Bazar, a local leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and a student coordinator. According to police and witnesses, a group of unidentified attackers swooped on Khorshed around 10:30pm while he was at Kobita Chattar area and stabbed him multiple times, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital by his friend Shah Alam and fellow studentswhere doctors declared him dead. Hospital sources said several stab wounds were found on his abdomen and legs. Police took into custody a female coordinator, identified as Tarin, who was accompanying him at the time, for questioning. The killing has sparked tension  in Cox’s Bazar town with leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal and other organisations gathering in front of the hospital upon hearing the news. Around 12:30am, agitated activists of Cox’s Bazar district Chhatra Dal brought out a protest procession , demanding immediate identification and arrest of those responsible. Officer-in-Charge of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Shamim Uddin said efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved.