United News of Bangladesh

Faridpur, known as Bangladesh’ jute capital,is facing a looming setback in jute production as farmers struggle with an acute shortage of diesel during the crucial sowing season. The shortfall in fuel coupled with irregular electricity supply, has disrupted irrigation activities across the district, raising fears that jute output may be affected this season. However, agricultural officials remain cautiously optimistic, saying a couple of spells of heavy rainfall could ease the crisis. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Faridpur, the target for jute cultivation in the current Rabi season has been set at 87,000 hectares. Farmers typically begin sowing jute seeds immediately after harvesting onions, relying heavily on irrigation to prepare the fields. So far, around 60 percent of the targeted land has already been brought under cultivation. The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has impacted global oil markets, leading to a fuel shortage in the country that is now affecting agricultural operations at the local level. With diesel supplies falling short and power outages persisting, many growers are worried about meeting irrigation needs on time. Local farmers from Saltha and Nagarkanda upazilas said timely irrigation is critical for jute cultivation. “The soil needs to retain some moisture during sowing so that the seeds can germinate properly. Without adequate water, germination is poor,” one farmer explained. Jute growers in Boalmari including Paritosh Kittunia, Moniruzzaman and Mizanur Rahman, echoed similar concerns. Frequent load-shedding, lack of fuel, falling groundwater levels, and fertiliser shortages — everything together has made farming extremely difficult,they said. Sahida Begum, a model farmer in the district, said prolonged diesel crisis could reduce not only jute production but also output of other crops. Shahduzzaman, deputy director of the DAE in Faridpur, said the department has introduced fuel cards to ensure diesel supply reaches genuine farmers. “We hope this will provide some relief. Moreover, a couple of heavy rainfall during the season could significantly reduce the current pressure,” he added. Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamal Hasan Molla said the administration has designated specific filling stations to facilitate easier access to diesel for farmers and intensified monitoring of fuel distribution across the district. “We are prioritising jute farmers during this critical period to ensure irrigation activities continue uninterrupted,” he said. Farmers said any prolonged disruption could severely affect crop production, leading to financial losses for growers and broader economic repercussions for the country.

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has detained two drug dealers with 11 kilograms of hemp in an anti-drug operation in Faridpur on Sunday. Sagor Hossen, 30, and Sajib Molla, 32, were detained from the toll plaza area of Bhanga Upazila in the district. During the operation, 11 kilograms of hemp were recovered from their possession, said Shirin Akhtar, Deputy Director of the Narcotics Control Directorate in Faridpur. Two separate cases were filed at Bhanga Police Station in this incident. The ongoing operation against drugs will continue, and the directorate is in a strict position to eliminate drugs, said the official.

At least 15 people were injured in a clash between two groups reportedly over occupying a government land at Harina village in Saltha upazila of Faridpur district on Friday night. Locals said Sanjay Malo of Harina village had a long standing dispute with his neighbour Masud Chowdhury over the lease and occupation of a government land. As a sequel to the enmity the two groups attacked each other with locally made weapons at 9 pm , leaving 15 people injured. Clash leaves 20 injured in Faridpur , houses torched The injured were admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital and Nagarkanda Health Center. Saltha Police Station Inspector (Investigation) KM Maruf Hasan Russell said after receiving information about the clash around 9:30 pm police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Faridpur, Feb 14 (UNB) – Twenty people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over establishing supremacy at Mayendia Bazar in Faridpur district on Saturday. Mahmudul Hasan, assistant superintendent of (Saltha-Nagarkanda) circle, said Mannan Matubbar, chairman of Poromeshwari union in Boalmari upazila and Tulu Mia-Zihad Mia of Saltha upazila had been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the area. As a sequel to the enmity, an altercation ensued between the supporters of both groups at Mayendia Bazar in the middle of Saltha and Boalmari upazilas around 10 am. Bus-truck collision leaves 2 dead in Faridpur At one stage, both groups equipped with lethal weapons attacked each other, leaving 20 people injured. A number of houses were vandalised and set on fire during the clash. On information, police and army personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Police also arrested some people along with locally made weapons, said police. ​​​​​​​Two brothers among 3 killed as train hits pickup in Faridpur

On a quiet morning at the Government Pilot High School polling centre in Bhanga upazila under Faridpur-4, an elderly voter stood out on Thursday for his emotional words. Suruj Khan, 80, arrived at the polling centre slowly, leaning on his wife, Nurbahan Begum, for support. Each careful step reflected both age and determination. For Suruj, this was not just another election day; it was perhaps a final chapter in a lifelong exercise of democratic duty. Women flock to Dhaka polling centres as voting progresses Seeing the elderly voter approach, on-duty law enforcers moved forward to assist him. The presiding officer made arrangements so that he would not have to stand in line, allowing him to cast his ballot with ease and dignity. After voting for his preferred candidate, Suruj became visibly emotional. Tears welled up in his eyes as he uttered softly, “Perhaps this is the last vote of my life.” His words captured a lifetime of participation in the nation’s electoral journey, a reminder of how deeply personal the act of voting can be. When asked about the type of candidate he supported, Suruj replied with quiet conviction: “I voted for someone who will not create unrest in the area and will allow all of us to live in peace.” In the Faridpur-4 constituency, a total of eight candidates are contesting this election, offering voters a range of choices. Festive mood marks peaceful start to national election across Bangladesh

Police on Thursday recovered a bomb-like object from a meat shop beside a polling center at Dumain Bazar in Madhukhali Upazila under Faridpur-1 constituency. Officer-in-Charge of Madhukhali Police Station Fakir Md. Taijur Rahman said police reached the scene following reports and removed the item. He said the object which contained a battery and exposed wires, posed no serious threat. Police suspect that it was placed by miscreants to create fear among people.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday warned that a ‘deep conspiracy’ is underway in Bangladesh and urged people to remain vigilant, saying the establishment of ‘people’s rule’ depends on the coming days. Addressing an election rally organised by the Faridpur district BNP at Rajendra College ground on Wednesday, Tarique Rahman said, “If the alleged conspiracy is thwarted by 12 February, from the 13th, people’s rule will be established.” In his 24-minute speech, he promised that if BNP comes to power, commitments made regarding Faridpur’s development, including granting it city corporation status and recognising it as a division, would be fulfilled. The BNP chief said he had been away from the country for 17 years and claimed that what had taken place in the name of development during that period was ‘plunder’. “The time has come to restore the rights that have been taken away from you.” He also pledged to create job opportunities for the unemployed youth. Referring to families affected by the July incidents, the BNP chairman said those who had been subjected to enforced disappearances, killings or injuries were seeking the return of rights taken from Bangladeshis over the past 16 years. “Many suffered for demanding their rights.” He said individuals who publicly show disrespect towards the country’s mothers and sisters cannot be trusted with national leadership. Tarique Rahman criticised what he described as a secretive group demanding verification numbers and national identity cards, calling such actions unethical. He said people should not expect good governance from those who fail to respect citizens’ rights. “Much damage has been done to the country. Schools and colleges need rebuilding, factories must be set up, canals and rivers re-excavated, and cold storage facilities built for farmers. The nation needs reconstruction,” the BNP chief said. Tarique labels Jamaat as ‘secret organisation’, warns of new oppression Highlighting river erosion as a major problem in the region, he said preventing it could help boost agricultural exports, particularly jute, a key crop of greater Faridpur, and earn foreign currency. Introducing BNP candidates for all 15 parliamentary constituencies in greater Faridpur, Tarique urged voters to cast their ballots for the party’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. BNP Central Organising Secretary Shama Obaed, Faridpur BNP Secretary AK Kibria Swapon and BNP leaders Abzal Hossain Khan Palash and Khandakar Nasirul Islam also addressed the rally.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for Dhaka Range Rezaul Karim Mallick has said that those responsible for the violence in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district will be brought to book. “We will undoubtedly bring the fascists to justice. I have instructed the authorities concerned to arrest those involved in the violence. The real perpetrators behind the attack will be identified and brought under legal action,” he told a press briefing at Bhanga Police Station Complex around midnight. Steps are being taken to ensure public safety and law and order, he added. “We have spoken with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Faridpur regarding Monday’s incident, the law and order situation and public safety. We have also talked with the people who were on duty during the violence,” the DIG said. Mallick also mentioned that four to five police personnel were injured during the incident. Constituency demarcation: Protesters vandalise police station, govt offices in Faridpur “Legal action will be taken against those involved in Monday’s attack. We are doing everything necessary to maintain public security,” he added. Referring to the damages caused by the attack, the DIG said the district police have been tasked with assessing the losses at Bhanga Police Station, while the Deputy Commissioner has been assigned to evaluate the damages at the Upazila Parishad. Meanwhile, Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Quamrul Hasan Molla said, “We have talked with the Election Commission, expressing the public's emotions and sentiments through a report. The commission will review it.” He also mentioned that a writ petition has been filed with the High Court over the alleged redrawing of two union boundaries, with the hearing expected on September 21. The DC urged Bhanga residents to remain calm and step back from protest programmes. “We understand people's emotions. We are working on these concerns. I again urge the residents of Bhanga to wait patiently for the legal process to unfold and refrain from any further protest programmes. You have a good reputation—please ensure no harm comes to the public,” he said. Regarding the extent of the damage, the DC said a full on-site assessment would be conducted and detailed information shared later. Earlier, on Monday, protesters went on a rampage in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district opposing the demarcation of the Faridpur-4 constituency by the Election Commission. They vandalised Bhanga Police Station, the Upazila Parishad building, a highway police outpost and the Bhanga municipality building, and set the local Election Commission office and several vehicles on fire.  

Local residents in Faridpur have once again blocked two highways for the third consecutive day on Wednesday morning protesting the demarcation of constituencies by the Election Commission . The protests began around 9:00 am, leaving trucks and buses stranded on the roads. The residents are protesting against the recent demarcation of constituencies in Faridpur and are demanding a reversal of the changes. Earlier, they had blocked the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway at the Bhanga roundabout and another major highway twice, causing severe suffering to commuters. Collision between two buses leaves 3 dead in Faridpur On Monday, locals set fire to tires, fell trees and electric pole, and erected bamboo barricades at nine points along the Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Barishal highways, including the Bhanga roundabout on the expressway, halting traffic from all 21 southern districts. The demonstrations follow the Election Commission’s recent gazette which redrew boundaries for 46 parliamentary constituencies ahead of the upcoming national election. According to the gazette, Algi and Hamirdi unions of Bhanga Upazila, previously under Faridpur-4, have been attached to Nagar Kanda Upazila under Faridpur-2. This decision has sparked outrage among local residents.

Three passengers were killed and at least 10 others injured in a head-on collision between two buses in the Karimpur area on the Dhaka-Khulna highway in Faridpur on Thursday morning. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maruf Hossain of Faridpur Police said the two buses coming from opposite directions collided head-on. “Two passengers died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition,” he said. The injured were taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. 2 platoons of BGB deployed in Faridpur ahead of NCP rally According to the police official, the accident occurred between a Royal Paribahan bus travelling from Satkhira to Dhaka and a local bus heading from Faridpur to Magura. Upon information, police from Kanaipur Highway Police Station rushed to the scene, rescued the injured and took them to local hospitals for treatment.