United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will complete the formalities to become a registered voter on December 27 after returning home from London on December 25, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday (December 22, 2025). “December 25 is Thursday, December 26 is Friday, and December 27 is Saturday. During the election period, the Election Commission offices remain open. He will complete all procedures related to becoming a voter and obtaining a National Identity Card on December 27,” he said. Salahuddin Ahmed said this while talking to reporters after a meeting between a BNP delegation and Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were present at the meeting. Read more: Attacks on Daily Star, Prothom Alo a direct assault on democracy: Fakhrul Salahuddin said the BNP delegation recommended the Election Commission to amend or clarify certain legal provisions related to the submission of nomination papers. “We pointed out that the requirement of submitting a certified copy of bail documents along with nomination papers is not mentioned in the Representation of the People Order (RPO). We asked for clarification on this issue and suggested that candidates should not be required to submit certified copies with their nomination papers,” he said, talking about one of their recommendations. Replying to a question regarding the law and order situation, the BNP Standing Committee member said maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of the government. “We want a fair environment for the elections. We hope that the environment for the elections will remain healthy,” he said, adding that the people also want to vote freely in a festive atmosphere. “So, we hope that the law and order situation will gradually improve,” said Salahuddin. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah and former EC’s Acting Secretary Dr Mohammad Zakaria were  other members of the BNP delegation. Read more: Bangladesh Jatiya Dal chief Huda joins BNP Earlier on December 11, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is December 29, while the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday (December 22, 2025) said investigators have made ‘significant progress’ in the probe into the murder of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, warning that no one involved in the killing would be spared. “The interim government, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, is giving the highest priority to bringing those involved in the murder of Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July uprising, to justice,” he told reporters after a meeting on the law and order situation at the Secretariat. Warning that no one involved would be spared, the adviser said 10 people have already been arrested in connection with the murder by joint forces. Those arrested include Shaheda Parveen Samia, wife of Faisal Karim, the alleged mastermind of the killing, along with his parents, brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu, and motorcycle owner Abdul Hannan, he said. Read more: Bangladesh provides gunmen for 20 individuals on hit lists Besides, he said, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has arrested five associates of broker gang leader Philip, including his wife and father-in-law, on suspicion of involvement in the incident and handed them over to the police. Law enforcement agencies have also recovered the motorcycle used in the murder, two foreign pistols, two magazines, 41 rounds of ammunition and a toy pistol. He also noted that police, RAB and BGB jointly briefed the media on the latest developments at a press conference at the Home Ministry on Sunday. When asked about the whereabouts of the killer, Jahangir Alam said, “If we knew where he was, he would have already been arrested.” Responding to a question on whether the mastermind was in the country or abroad, he said, “He could be either inside the country or outside. If his exact location were known, he would have been caught.” Read more: Inqilab Moncho to hold protest rally demanding immediate arrest of Hadi's killers Asked whether the suspect left the country through legal or illegal means, the adviser said he did not leave through any legal channel. “I cannot say, whether he went through the illegal route or not.” Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Dhaka’s Puratan Paltan. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. Later, he was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque at around 3:30 pm on Saturday. Read more: Hadi murder trial under Speedy Trial Tribunal: Asif Nazrul

The interim government of Bangladesh has assigned gunmen to 20 individuals who were on hit lists and facing security risks, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Monday (December 22, 2025). “Those who are on hit lists or concerned about their security have already been given gunmen,” he told reporters after a meeting on the law and order situation. When journalists raised a list suggesting around 50 members of Gono Odhikar Parishad are at risk, the adviser said, “The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Special Branch (SB) have jointly identified those at security risk and prepared a list. Gunmen have been provided accordingly.” Read more: Law and order must be maintained before election: Prof Yunus While some individuals declined gunmen for personal reasons, the intelligence agencies are ensuring necessary security measures considering the risks, he added. “The intelligence agencies are continuously monitoring to maintain normal law and order and prevent any possible attacks,” the adviser said, adding that more people might be brought under security if necessary.

The number of flat owners in Dhaka has risen to around 350,000 due to the steady expansion of the housing sector, said Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) President Wahiduzzaman on Monday (December 22, 2025). Wahiduzzaman said this while announcing the dates of the four-day ‘REHAB Fair 2025’ at a programme held at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital. He said housing projects are expanding rapidly in Dhaka, leading to a growing number of flat owners. Buyers are showing increasing interest in condominiums developed on limited land. “Currently, around 350,000 families in Dhaka own flats. The condominiums being developed now are of international standard. A flat is not just a place to live—it has become a marker of social status. We want to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to become a flat owner in a fair and non-discriminatory manner in the future,” Wahiduzzaman said. Read more: Tk 2105 cr housing projects for July martyrs’ families, injured get govt nod Referring to the gazette of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) published on December 14, the REHAB leader said they are satisfied with the new regulations, noting that many inconsistencies and complications of the previous DAP have been resolved. “This DAP does not favour any particular group. It is a balanced DAP, which is why we have expressed our satisfaction. However, there are still some issues, and we will sit with the authorities to discuss them,” Wahiduzzaman added. He said becoming a REHAB member is mandatory for anyone wishing to do business in the housing sector, as stipulated by a circular issued by the Ministry of Commerce. About 1,500 real estate companies are still outside REHAB membership, and initiatives are underway to bring them under the association. “Many people fall victim to fraud by purchasing flats from non-REHAB members. We are working sincerely to address this problem,” he said. Speaking about flat prices in Dhaka, REHAB Senior Vice President Liakat Ali Bhuiyan said prices in some areas exceed Tk 10 million mainly due to high land costs, while flats are comparatively cheaper in areas where land prices are lower. However, he noted that flat prices have increased overall compared to the past. Read more: 3-day JCX Housing Fair kicks off in Dhaka Meanwhile, REHAB Vice President-2 Akter Biswas said the association is committed to constructing earthquake-resistant buildings by following proper planning guidelines. REHAB plans to organise a workshop in the future to further raise awareness among real estate developers on the issue, he added.

A labour leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) was injured in a gun attack in Khulna city on Monday (December 22, 2025), just days after the shooting of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka, which resulted in his death. The injured, identified as Motaleb Shikder, 42, organiser and divisional chief of Jatiya Sramik Shakti, is the son of Muslim Shikder, and a resident of Sheikh Para area in Khulna city. Read more: Journalist shot dead, another injured in Khulna Police said miscreants shot him in the head around 11:45am. Locals rescued him and took him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, according to Sonadanga Police Station officer-in-charge Animesh Mondol. The attack comes 10 days after Osman Hadi was shot in the capital. He later died from his injuries at a Singapore hospital, triggering widespread outrage and demands for quick arrests. Read more: BNP leader shot dead in Pabna

Law enforcement agencies have arrested at least nine people in connection with recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and two cultural organisations in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. Seven of the arrestees were identified as Md Kashem Faruk, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naim, Faisal Ahmed Pranto, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam, according to a Facebook post by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Monday morning (December 22, 2025). Kashem, a former student of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Kasemul Uloom Madrasa in Bogura, currently lives in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. Saidur hails from Noakanda village in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district. Rakib Hossain, from Sherpur district, was identified in video footage taking part in vandalism and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. He also posted images of the wreckage along with provocative messages on Facebook. Read more: Attacks on Daily Star, Prothom Alo a direct assault on democracy: Fakhrul Md Naim, a resident of Kunipara in Tejgaon, was arrested in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla with Tk 50,000 looted during the attacks. During primary interrogation, he admitted to looting Tk 123,000, part of which he used to purchase a television and a refrigerator from Mohammadpur. The items were later recovered. Sohel Rana, arrested from the Karwan Bazar rail-line area, has 13 cases filed against him, including drug-related charges, at different police stations in Dhaka. Shafiqul Islam, arrested from the same area, has two previous cases related to arson and grenade attacks. Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the police, along with intelligence agencies, has detained two more individuals whose identities are currently being verified. At a meeting on Sunday, police informed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that primary video analysis had identified 31 suspects involved in the incidents. In Chattogram, three people who attempted to create unrest near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner were also identified from video footage. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused. Read more: 17 arrested over attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star offices: DMP

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the law and order situation must be maintained at any cost before the upcoming national election.  The meeting, held on Sunday afternoon (December 21, 2025), discussed in detail various issues, including the return of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to the country, security measures taken on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. Prof Yunus ordered the prompt arrest of those involved in the murder of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and other illegal activities. The issues were discussed at a meeting held at state guest house Jamuna on Sunday afternoon with Prof Yunus in the chair. The meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation in the country. Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, National Security Advisor Dr Khalilur Rahman and top officials of various security and law enforcement agencies were present at the meeting, said Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Monday. Editors’ Council, NOAB condemn arson attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star. Besides, the arrest of those involved in the murder of Inqilab Mancho spokesperson and July fighter Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi and the progress of the investigation were discussed in detail. The police informed the Chief Adviser that 31 people have already been identified through video footage on suspicion of being involved in the recent attacks on the offices of two national dailies and two cultural organizations. At least six people have been arrested in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, in these incidents till Monday morning. The arrestees are Md Kashem Farooqui, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naeem, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam. Mob incited by Elias Hossain sets fire to Daily Star office in Dhaka The operation to arrest the remaining identified suspects is underway. In addition, three of those who tried to create chaos near the residence of the Assistant High Commissioner of India in Chattogram have been identified through video footage.

Vast stretches of mustard fields across Sirajganj have burst into radiant shades of yellow, turning the district into a rolling sea of gold and offering a visual feast that is delighting visitors and farmers alike. From late afternoon until dusk, the flowering fields have become a magnet for people of all ages. Youths, women and men are seen wandering through the blossoms, pausing to admire the view, capturing selfies against the glowing backdrop of nature’s seasonal spectacle. The golden transformation is most striking in Tarash, Raiganj, Ullapara and the char areas—long known as the district’s ‘granary’—where mustard flowers sway gently in the winter breeze, painting the countryside with warmth and colour. Read more: Golden Harvest: Sirajganj farmers reap bumper mustard crop According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a cultivation target of 87,125 hectares was set for mustard farming across Sirajganj’s nine upazilas this season. Farmers, however, have gone beyond expectations, bringing even more land under cultivation and raising hopes of a bumper harvest. Mustard farming has expanded notably in the Chalan Beel areas, particularly in Tarash, Raiganj, Ullapara and Shahjadpur upazilas. Significant cultivation has also been recorded in Kamarkhanda, Kazipur, Belkuchi and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas, reflecting a district-wide surge in production. Among the commonly cultivated varieties are Tori-7, BARI-14, Beena-9 and Beena-14. In the char areas, farmers have opted for the uric acid-free Kalania variety, well-suited to the region’s soil and conditions. Read more: Chapainawabganj farmer sparks local excitement with amazing Chinese orange harvest Local farmers said government incentives have played a crucial role in encouraging cultivation. Seeds and fertilisers were distributed at fixed rates, while agricultural officers provided regular guidance and technical advice to ensure better yields. With favourable weather prevailing, farmers remain optimistic about achieving a bumper output this season. Adding to the vibrancy of the fields, honey collectors from different areas have already installed bee boxes among the mustard crops. Harvesting of mustard flower honey has begun, and collectors expect production to surpass last year’s levels due to the increased acreage under cultivation. Deputy Director of the DAE, AKM Manjur-e-Maula, said farmers had brought more land under mustard cultivation this year compared to the previous season. “We distributed free seeds and fertilisers among small and marginal farmers and provided necessary advice. If the weather remains favourable, there is a strong possibility of a bumper mustard harvest this season,” he said. As Sirajganj’s fields glow under winter skies, the mustard bloom stands not only as a scenic delight but also as a symbol of agricultural promise and rural resilience. Read more: Khulna farmers reap rewards from mustard cultivation, honey production

Abu Bakar Siddique, the elder brother of Inquilab Moncho Sharif Osman Hadi, on Saturday (December 20, 2025) questioned the failure to arrest the killers even after seven to eight days of the shooting. “If criminals can open fire after Jum’a prayers in the heart of Dhaka and escape, there can be no greater disgrace for us as a nation,” he said while addressing thousands of mourners before the namaz-e-janaza of Hadi at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. He also demanded a quick and public trial of those responsible for the killing. Read more: Hadi laid to rest beside National Poet’s grave at DU Siddique said his younger brother had devoted his life to protecting Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and left behind a message for the country’s people on how to safeguard the freedom. Hadi is survived by an eight-month-old child who will never know his father, he said, adding, “When the child was born, my brother asked me to choose a name reflecting revolutionary spirit and courage. I named him Firnas.” He said the family has been shattered by the loss, with their mother repeatedly losing consciousness and other siblings suffering severe trauma. He urged people to pray for Hadi’s wife and child, for his injured brother Omar Faruk who was with him during the attack and for his sister Masuma, who is undergoing treatment for severe trauma. Siddique led the janaza prayers around 2:30 pm. ‘Hadi, you’ll never be lost; no one will ever be able to forget you’: Prof Yunus Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain described Hadi as a poet and cultural activist who co-founded the Inquilab Cultural Center to help shape a new cultural narrative for the country. Inquilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al-Jaber alleged that the killing was the result of a planned conspiracy involving multiple actors. He demanded that the killers, planners and facilitators be brought to justice and urged the Home Affairs Adviser and other officials to publicly explain within 24 hours what steps have been taken so far. He also called on supporters to refrain from violence and warned against acting on any propaganda outside Inquilab Mancha’s directives, saying future programmes would be announced by the platform. Read more: Bangladesh mourns death of Osman Hadi

Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. Hadi was buried beside the mosque beside Kazi Nazrul Islam’s grave at around 3:30 pm. Read more: Hadi’s brother questions failure to arrest killers After the namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, his body was brought to Dhaka University in a procession for burial. For security reasons, all entry points to Dhaka University were kept closed.