United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested former RUCSU vice president and ex-vice president of Faridpur district Chhatra League Kawsar Akand a Jubo League activist in connection with a case related to July Movement. Kawsar, a key accused in the case, is known as a close aide of Mujibur Rahman Nixon Chowdhury, former MP of Faridpur-4 constituency and a presidium member of the central Jubo League. Sub-Inspector Fahim Faisal of Kotwali Police Station said Kawsar, son of Dulal Akand, a hotel businessman from Purbo Khabaspur area of the city, and his associate Moslem Biswas were arrested from Onather Mor area of the city around 11:30 pm on Tuesday. Police said Kawsar and a group of Chhatra League activists attacked protesters during the July Movement at Khabaspur Boroitala, injuring several demonstrators. 219 arrested during DMP’s special 24-hr drive on Saturday Kotwali Police Station OC Asaduzzaman said Kawsar and his associate were in connection with the attack on student protesters and investigation is underway.

A 30-year-old man died after being run over by the Sundarban Express train in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur on Tuesday. The accident happened around 9:30 am at East Hasamdiya of the upazila, said Sub-inspector Afzal Hossain Bhanga Police Station. Driver, helper killed as train hits truck at Dinajpur rail crossing The deceased was identified as Roni Sheikh of Sarai Bari village in Tujarpur union of the upazila. He worked at a nearby fish market. “The victim's face and parts of his body were severely damaged. The body has been recovered and sent for autopsy at Faridpur Medical College Hospital," added the SI. 2 motorcyclists die as train hits them in Gazipur

Two people died and another one injured in a three-way collision involving a watermelon-laden truck, a motorcycle, and an autorickshaw on the Dhaka-Faridpur Highway in Faridpur Sadar upazila on Sunday. The victims were identified as motorcycle rider Nayan Sheikh, 24, a resident of Chandpur village in Ishan Gopalpur union, and autorickshaw driver Shajahan Sheikh, 52, from Madandia village, both located in the same union, said Karimpur Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Salahuddin. A truck carrying watermelons to Rajbari lost control and collided with a motorcycle and an autorickshaw, killing Nayan on the spot, the OC said.  Road crash leaves college student dead in Sylhet Nayan’s mother, who was riding as a pillion passenger on the motorcycle, and Shajahan Sheikh were both injured and taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. Shahjahan succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. "The truck driver could not be detained. Legal action is underway in this regard,” added the OC.

The erosion of the Padma River in Charbhadrasan upazila of Faridpur are threatening homes and agricultural land. Residents of at least seven villages are at risk due to unauthorised sand dredging, resulting in the erosion. Several educational institutions and local markets in these villages are also in a vulnerable state. The district administration has pledged to halt illegal sand extraction, with the Water Development Board announcing plans to construct embankments to mitigate the damage. A visit revealed that the riverbank is eroding at an alarming rate, causing continuous loss of land and forcing residents to spend sleepless nights in fear. The villages included Tiliar Char, Intaz Mollardangi, Sabulla Shikdar Dangi, and Jakreswara, among others. A one-kilometer section from Sabulla Shikdar Dangi Government Primary School to the Supari Bagan area is in critical condition. Locals said influential groups are continuously extracting sand illegally from the river using dredgers, causing severe erosion. Sunamganj villagers haunted by river erosion blamed on illegal soil cutting They demand immediate embankment construction to protect their homes and livelihoods. Abdur Rashid, a 70-year-old resident, said, "Sand extraction from this river was rampant under the previous government, and it continues unchanged under new leadership. This illegal activity has not stopped, leaving us helpless." Both men and women from the affected villages expressed their frustration over the ongoing sand extraction. On Thursday a public hearing was held at Jakreswara Bazaar in Charbhadrasan, organised by the Water Development Board, to discuss a proposed riverbank protection project. Local residents voiced their grievances, after which officials from the district administration and the Water Development Board visited the erosion-affected areas. Faridpur's Additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) Ramananda Pal said, "We are here to understand local concerns and discuss the importance of the project. It is essential to implement the project, but stopping illegal sand extraction is the first priority." He further mentioned that about 1.25 kilometres of the riverbank remains unprotected and will be included in the protection plan. The project proposal has already been submitted, and government directives mandate that public opinion be considered before implementation. Based on the hearing, a report will be sent promptly. Faridpur Water Development Board’s Executive Engineer Md. Rakib Hossain expressed hope that the project would be approved soon. Immediate action to be taken to prevent river erosion: Syeda Rizwana Hasan According to sources from the Water Development Board, the estimated cost of the 3.25-kilometre riverbank protection embankment is Tk 400 crore. If approved, the project is expected to begin this year and be completed by February 2028, safeguarding the residents from further erosion.

Friday marked the 79th birth anniversary of the late eminent Bangladeshi printmaker Kalidas Karmakar. To commemorate the Faridpur-born and internationally renowned artist's birth anniversary, a grand event took place at Ambika Maidan in Faridpur city. Born on January 10, 1946 in Faridpur to a family of goldsmiths and artisans, the internationally renowned maestro cemented his legacy as one of the most respected artists of Bangladesh. On Friday afternoon, guests inaugurated the program with releasing balloons and lighting lamps, which was followed by a drawing competition for children and a cultural program, under the patronage of the artist's family. Over a hundred children from various schools in the city participate in the drawing competition. Additionally, local artists showcased musical performances, and the celebration was complemented with a cake cutting ceremony. Members of Kalidas Karmakar’s family, leaders of the cultural organization, and distinguished individuals were present at the event. Regarding the event, Kalidas Karmakar’s younger brother Proshanta Karmakar Buddha said, "Today is the 79th birth anniversary of the eminent artist, my elder brother Kalidas Karmakar; and to enlighten our next generation of artists about his life and works, we organised the event from the family." AR-VR exhibition featuring July uprising posters opens at BSA "Throughout his entire life, Kalidas Karmakar worked to elevate the country's art to the world; he was a globetrotter throughout his life and had many options to settle abroad, but he always chose his motherland and became an internationally acclaimed artist. The art competition we have arranged today will not have any top place holder, rather we want them to draw as they wish and flourish their artistic talent, just like Kalidas Karmakar," he added. Rezaul Karim, a visitor, said, "The Ekushey Padak-winning artist Kalidas Karmakar is the pride of our Faridpur. We are extremely happy that today we are being able to celebrate his birth anniversary with this special event at his birthplace." "Artist Kalidas Karmakar is a globally acclaimed artist, but we were unable to properly celebrate his eventful life and works," stated Shipra Goswami, a local women's leader. "In order for the next generation to learn about our great artist, it is the duty of both the government and the people of our local community to plan and organize such events." At the ceremony, Kalidas Karmakar's younger brother Proshanta Karmakar Buddha informed that an archive in Faridpur is being established to preserve the eminent artist's work. An art college, in honor of the 'alluvial' artist, is also planned to be established in Faridpur, Prashanta Karmakar Buddha stated. A maestro of printmaking especially viscosity printing, Kalidas Karmakar’s diverse artworks featuring metallic and other objects, handmade paper, and oil on canvas prints have been widely exhibited throughout South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the United States and many other places across the world. Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin’s 110th birth anniversary being observed Known as the ‘Alluvial Man’ in the country's art sphere, Kalidas began his career in paintings through assembling metal objects in the 1970s and with prints, he began to explore mythical images in the ‘80s, opening up new possibilities for etching and aquatint. His maiden solo art exhibition was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 7, 1976; and more than 50 of his exhibitions were held in 70 countries across the world. Throughout his illustrious career, he received multiple prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including the Polish Government Scholarship in Graphic Art at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Art, Warsaw University; the French Government Superior Scholarship in Fine Arts for research in multicolour etching at Atelier-17, in Paris; Japan Foundation Fellowship on Japanese Woodblock Printing at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music; ICCR Special Scholarship for research in Contemporary Modern Sculpture, West Bengal Lalit Kala Academy Studio; and Asian Cultural Council New York, Fellowship with Artist Residency program in the US, to name a few. He was one of the advisers of Gallery Cosmos and the modern state-of-the-art printmaking studio Atelier71 at the gallery venue in Cosmos Centre, Malibagh in the capital, for which he had always shown great dedication. He was engaged with the gallery till his death on October 18, 2019, following a heart attack. For his remarkable contribution to the Bangladeshi fine arts, Kalidas Karmakar was awarded the Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018.

Police recovered the body of a 70-year-old caretaker with his hands and feet tied, from a doctor’s house in Alekhaar Kanda village of Nasirabad union under Bhanga upazila in Faridpur. The deceased, Wahab Matubbar,  a resident of nearby Tujarpur village, had been serving as the caretaker of the house for many years, said police on Thursday. The body was found on Wednesday night. Assistant Superintendent of Police (Bhanga Circle) Md Asif Iqbal said that the house belonged to the late Dr Jalal Uddin, whose wife and three daughters live in Dhaka but occasionally visit the property. Farmer beaten to death over ‘forbidding marijuana consumption’ in Sirajganj “Wahab Matubbar was entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the house. On Wednesday around 10pm, locals informed us about his body lying near the second-floor rooftop door,” Asif Iqbal said. Upon receiving the information, police and a team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrived at the scene and recovered the body. The motive behind the murder is yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing, he added.

Five people were killed and four others injured as a microbus fell into a pond after being hit by a train on  Gerda Level crossing on Rjabari-Bhanga rail route in Sadar upazila of Faridpur district on Tuesday. Four of the deceased were identified as Sayem, 40, son of Masum Sharif, Sadia Zahir, 45, Rani Sharif Bhuiya, 67 and Raihan, 11, all from Narayanganj district while the identity of another deceased could not be known immediately. The Munshibazar-bound microbus from Gerda plunged into the pond near the rail tracks after the Dhaka-bound Madhumati Express train from Khulna hit it while it was passing the unauthorised level crossing around 12:15 pm, leaving three people dead on the spot and six others injured, said Superintendent of Police Abdul Jalil. The injured were taken to Faridpur Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared two of them dead. The microbus got smashed as the train dragged the microbus 100-150 yards along the tracks. On information, a fire fighting unit rushed to the spot and recovered three bodies from the pond, said Nazrul Islam, senior station officer of Faridpur Fire Service. However, the firefighters managed to pull the microbus from the pond but no body was found inside it, he said. Takdir Hossain, Station Master of Faridpur Rail Station, said there is no authorised level crossing in the area. 61 BNP men acquitted in a case in Sylhet  

Three people were killed and seven others sustained injuries in two separate road accidents in Faridpur  on Monday night. The deceased were identified as Tajim Sardar,20, Shaon Matubber,24 and Md Milon, 25, and injured Khalid,1,  another motorcycle passenger.  The identities of six other injured could not be known yet. In the first incident reported  around 8:30 pm, a collision between a truck and a motorcycle in Nagarkanda upazila on the Dhaka-Khulna Highway claimed the lives of two friends. Tajim died on the spot. Shaon succumbed to his injuries at Bhanga Hospital and Khalid was critically injured and is undergoing treatment, said police. Former Chhatra Dal leader killed in Manikganj factional clash Sub-Inspector (SI) Mohammad Mamun of Bhanga Highway Police Station said that the motorcycle, coming from Bhanga, was hit by an unidentified truck heading in the opposite direction. A legal process is underway. On the other hand, a man was killed and six people were injured in a road accident in Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur. On Monday afternoon, a car of Golden Line Paribahan from Faridpur collided with a car of Sraboni Construction Limited coming from the opposite direction at Madhukhali Upazila's Maskandi and the bus fell into the ditch. The helper of the bus was killed on the spot and six others were injured. Girl aged 8 stabbed dead by ‘evil stepmother’ in Natore; father attempts suicide The injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Police said, further investigations are ongoing.

Overspeeding of buses and movement on the wrong side of the road were blamed for the deadly road accident that left five people killed and 27 others injured in Faridpur Sadar upazila early Tuesday, according to authorities. Maruf Hossain, assistant superintendent of Faridpur Highway Police, said the collision occurred between a Jhenaidah-bound bus of Green Express and a Dhaka-bound bus of Khagrachhari Paribahan carrying some 40 workers for brick kilns when the Green Express bus was running on wrong side in Mallikpur area of Faridpur Sadar around 4am. He held over speed and movement on the opposite side responsible for the accident that claimed five lives including supervisor and helper of the Khagrachhari Paribahan. The deceased were identified as Abu Bakkar, Babu, Pikul, Md Mohsin, Nahid. Of them, Moshin was supervisor and Nahid was helper. Read: 20 dead, 24 injured in Sylhet division road accidents in Sept The workers were going to Dhaka from Satkhira’s Shyamnagar upazila to seasonally work for brick kilns in Dhaka, he said, adding that most workers were asleep during the accident. All the 27 were admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur while condition of the six injured was stated to be critical, he said. One of the injured was shifted to Dhaka for better treatment, said Dr Mahmuduzzaman, a physician of the hospital. Faridpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Kamrul Hasan Molla and Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Abudl Jail visited the spot on Tuesday morning. The DC said each family of the deceased was distributed Tk 25, 000 and Tk 10, 000 to each family of the 17 injured. Read more: Two killed in Dinajpur road accident He said a probe committee will be formed to find out why such accidents happen there repeatedly. Echoing highway police officer Maruf, SP said the doziness of the drivers might be the reason behind the accident. District labour organisations suggested keeping two drivers for a long route journey.

A head-on collision between two buses left five people dead and at least 20 injured in Mallikpur Sadar Upazila of Faridpur early Tuesday, police said. The crash involved two buses, one belonging to 'Jhinaidah Paribahan' coming from Dhaka to Jhinaidah, and the other from 'Green Express' heading to Dhaka from Jhenaidah. According to highway police, at least 15 of the injured have been admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. However, the identities of the deceased and injured are yet to be confirmed. 2 killed in Bogra road crash while going to attend funeral Highway police and fire service personnel have jointly conducted rescue operations at the scene, said Karimpur Highway Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Salauddin Chowdhury. The buses involved in the accident have been seized and brought to the Karimpur Highway Police Station, he added.