United News of Bangladesh

Authorities have collected  28 sacks of cash from the donation boxes of the historic ‘Pagla Mosque’ in Kishoreganj on Saturday morning, after four months and 12 days since the last count. The donation boxes were opened around 7am in the presence of Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) and President of Pagla Mosque Management Committee, Fouzia Khan and Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury. Fouzia Khan said 11 donation boxes were opened this time, and the cash collected was brought to the mosque’s second floor for counting. “Although the boxes are usually opened every three months, this time they were opened after four months and 12 days. Currently, the mosque’s bank account has Tk 80.75 crore,” she added. Additional Deputy Commissioner and Rupali Bank Assistant General Manager (AGM) Mohammad Ali Haresi were also present. Gold, cash ‘looted’ from storeroom of Natore court; 3 in custody: Police A team of nearly 400 people including members of the mosque management committee, teachers, and students of the madrasha and orphanage situated within the mosque complex took part in the counting process. Earlier, on November 30, last year, the authorities found Tk 8.21 crore in ten donation boxes and a tank  after opening those after three months and 14 days. Apart from local currency, a significant amount of foreign currencies and gold ornaments were also recovered from the donation boxes.

The largest Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Bangladesh is set to take place at the historic Sholakia Eidgah field in Kishoreganj at 10:00 am on the day of Eid. This marks the 198th edition of the Eid prayer at this iconic location, which attracts worshippers from across the country and abroad. Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifulloh will lead this year’s prayer, continuing a long-standing tradition of renowned scholars presiding over the event. Due to the field's prestigious reputation and its strong connection to local and regional heritage, hundreds of thousands of worshippers, including those from remote districts and foreign countries, gather here annually to participate in the congregation. Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner and President of the Sholakia Eidgah Management Committee, Fouzia Khan, said, “To facilitate the movement of worshippers to Sholakia for the Eid prayer, two special trains named Sholakia Express will operate on the Bhairab-Kishoreganj and Mymensingh-Kishoreganj routes. The district administration has arranged for the accommodation and meals of the worshippers coming from far-off places.” No threat of conspiracy in empty Dhaka during Eid: Adviser This year’s congregation is expected to see over two lakh worshippers, further cementing the field's reputation as the largest Eid prayer venue in the country. The prayer will be held promptly at 10:00 AM, with security and logistical arrangements carefully planned to accommodate the large turnout. Police Superintendent Md. Hasan Chowdhury said, “Various measures have been taken to ensure tight security and a smooth Eid prayer. In light of the 2016 militant attack at Sholakia, additional security measures will be implemented this year. The entire field and its surroundings will be under a security blanket. During the prayer, a strong security perimeter will be maintained with five platoons of BGB, a large number of police, RAB, and Ansar personnel.  “Various intelligence agency personnel will also monitor the field in plain clothes. Additionally, CCTV cameras, watchtowers, archways, and metal detectors will be installed at the entrance points, and a drone camera will fly overhead for surveillance. As a result, worshippers will be able to offer their prayers safely, without any disturbances, and with complete peace of mind.” RAB-14 Commanding Officer Mohammad Naimul Hasan said, “Over a hundred RAB members will be assigned to various security duties in several layers at the field. Watchtowers have also been constructed to monitor the field.” The number of participants has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing importance of the Sholakia Eidgah as a spiritual centre.  “Praying together at this location is considered a significant source of spiritual reward, with many believers attending in the hope that their prayers will be accepted by Allah Ta'ala,” said a local worshipper. The Sholakia Eidgah, established in 1828 by Dewan Hazrat Khan Bahadur, the sixth descendant of Masnad-e-Ala Isha Khan, spans about seven acres and has 265 rows of prayer spaces. The first Eid prayer at Sholakia, attended by around 1.25 lakh worshippers, gave the field its original name, "Sowa Lakhi Maath." Over time, the name evolved into the current "Sholakia Field." There is a tradition at this field where, five, three, and two minutes before the start of the prayer, the sound of blank gunshots from a short gun is used as a signal to indicate that it is time to prepare for prayer. With such comprehensive planning in place, the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer at Sholakia is set to proceed smoothly, allowing worshippers to offer their prayers in peace and safety.

Traffic on Kishoreganj-Bhairab highway remained suspended for two hours on Tuesday as locals blocked the highway, protesting the death of 2 schoolboys in Madhyapara area in Katiadi upazila of the district. The deceased were identified as Ali Akbar, 13, an eighth-grader of  Madhyapara High School and son of Faruk from Madhyapara village, and his cousin Junaid, 12, a sixth-grader of the same school and son of Ferdous from the same area. Witnesses said when the boys were going to their school’s sports event on a motorbike a bus hit the motorbike, leaving Ali Akbar dead on the spot. Feni road crash kills six, injures 10 Junaid was rushed to a hospital with critical injuries where he succumbed to his injuries. Enraged by the deaths, locals including students blocked the highway by setting fire to tires and vandalised several vehicles, disrupting traffic for nearly two hours. Katiadi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tariqul Islam said he and Katiadi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Maidul Islam visited the scene.

Gas supply will remain suspended for 12 hours in Monohardi upazila in Narsingdi and Kishoreganj on Wednesday. According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, the gas supply will remain off for 12 hours from 6 pm on Wednesday to 6 am on Thursday in Kishoreganj district and Monohardi upazila due to modification works of the gas metering stations. Gas supply likely to improve this evening in Dhaka city, elsewhere During the period, low pressure in gas supply may prevail in Narsingdi district, eastern part of Dhaka City, Kaliganj, Jaydevpur, Konabari, Chandra and adjacent areas, said the Titas Gas regretting the inconvenience of its consumers. Gas supply to be low countrywide for 72 hours from Wednesday

A local leader of BNP was killed and three others were injured in a clash between two factions of the party  at Banail Bazar in Tarail upazila of Kishoreganj district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Abul Hasan Ratan, president of Rauti union unit BNP. 58 Rohingyas detained while attempting to enter Bangladesh Sohel Mia, Officer-in-Charge of Tarail Police Station, said BNP formed a new committee through the party’s council on Saturday where Ratan was elected president of the Rauti union unit BNP. A heated argument ensued between the supporters of the former president and the followers of Ratan over the issue on that day. As a sequel, the supporters of both groups engaged in a clash around 11 am at Banail Bazar, leaving three people injured including Ratan. Jubo Dal leader snatched from police station in Munshiganj The injured were taken to Tarail Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared Ratan dead. A tense situation has been prevailing in the area following the death of the BNP leader, forcing the local administration to deploy additional law enforcers in the area to avert further trouble.

Farmers in Kishoreganj, the hub of agricultural activity in the region, are diligently preparing seedbeds for Boro rice cultivation, as they anticipate a bumper harvest this year. Agriculture is the primary livelihood source for many in the district and farmers are committed to the successful cultivation of Boro rice in the haor areas, barring any unforeseen natural calamities. With favourable weather conditions this year, farmers from all upazilas have started early preparations for sowing Boro paddy. As part of the proactive approach, farmers are preparing seedbeds for Boro-Aman paddies without taking risks. They are sourcing high-quality seeds from the agriculture office to ensure a strong start to the season. Ballooning number of crop protection dams in Sunamganj haor region raises concern According to the local farmers, late November to early December brings severe cold and dense fog, which poses a threat to the tender Boro rice seedlings, often destroying them in the seedbed. To avoid this, they have decided to begin seedbed preparation earlier than usual this year. The farmers have procured good quality seeds from the agricultural seed marketing offices. Seedbed preparation is already underway and farmers expect to begin planting soon. The agriculture department has advised farmers to prepare ideal seedbeds and procure quality seeds to enhance the chances of a fruitful harvest. The department also expressed confidence in meeting its Boro cultivation target this season, with expectations of higher-than-usual production. In Kishoreganj district, a total of 3,100 metric tons of seeds have been allocated for Boro cultivation. Currently, around 1,600 metric tons of seeds remain in stock, ensuring no shortage of seeds for farmers, according to the department sources. People in Chandpur suffer as demand for concrete bridge goes unheeded Authorities have also emphasised that strict legal action will be taken against any attempts to create an artificial seed crisis. AKM Moniruzzaman, deputy director of Seed Marketing in Kishoreganj said that the target for Boro cultivation this year is set at 168,100 hectares of land. “With favourable weather conditions, farmers are hopeful that this year’s harvest will surpass all previous records, with an expected output of approximately 737,020 metric tons of rice,” he said.

Two people  were killed in a lynch-mob attack over an alleged buffalo theft in Ashtagram upazila of Kishoreganj on Saturday morning.  The deceased were identified as Shajahan Mia, 35, son of Charu Mia of Kachua village in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district and Nasir Mia, 30, son of Hira Mia of Kagji village in Deoghar union, Kishoreganj.  Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ashtagram Police Station Md Ruhul Amin said on information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies. Grocer hacked to death in Natore According to locals, villagers caught the duo while they were attempting to steal a buffalo from Bangalpara area . They took them Deoghar Government Primary School where an agitated mob beat them up, leaving both dead on the spot.  The bodies were sent to Kishoreganj Sadar Hospital for autopsy, the OC added.  

An expatriate student, drowned after falling into the river while trying to board a launch in Bhairab upazlila of Kishoreganj on Monday (April 22, 2024). The incident happened at the Bhairab Bazar Launch Terminal around 8:30 PM on Monday. The deceased was Al Islam (30), son of Alauddin, director of the Bhairab Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Two CUET students on motorcycle killed by speeding bus in Chattogram Bhairab River Police Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam confirmed the matter. He said, after being informed, a police team reached the spot and rescued Islam with the help of local divers after 40 minutes. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Islam had gone to Germany for studies on a scholarship about a year and a half ago. He came home on vacation a few days before Eid. Family members said Al Islam was going to board a ferry to hang out with his friends by the riverbank. At that time, he slipped and fell into the river. Read more: Body of Navy person recovered 8 hrs after going missing in Muhuri River

The counting of donations at Pagla Masjid, a 250-year-old mosque in Kishoreganj, has shattered all previous records. With some sacks still left, by 7:30pm on Saturday night, the total count had already crossed Tk 7.38 crore (7 crore 38 lakh). The previous highest on record, in December 2023, had been Tk 6.32 crore, from 23 sacks of the 9 donation boxes of the mosque.  This time the 9 boxes yielded 27 sackloads of cash, apart from stones including gold jewellery, some foreign currency, and assorted items, which escape valuation.  Read more: Amid support and challenges, mosque for hijra community opens in Mymensingh Shaukat Hossain, administrative officer of the mosque, confirmed the matter to the UNB correspondent. “According to the latest information, after counting till 8:30 tonight, we already have a new record for the highest money received in the history of Pagla Masjid,” Hossain said.  He added that the mosque authorities are anticipating the count may even cross the Tk 8 crore mark this time around.  Read more: Top 10 Historical Mosques in Bangladesh

The High Court on Wednesday ordered the people concerned to pay Tk 30 lakh to 13-year-old Naim Hasan who lost his one hand while working at a workshop in Kishoreganj in 2020. The HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque passed the order. The HC also asked the workshop owner to deposit Tk 7,000 to the school account of Naim, of Ashuganj upazila in Brahmanbaria, for his study purpose every month until his SSC examination. Take measures in preventing price hike of daily essentials: IGP Barrister Anik R Haque stood for the petitioner while Advocate Quamrul Islam represented the workshop owner. The court asked  Iqbal, owner of Nur Engineering Workshop in Kishoreganj’s Bhairab, to pay  the boy Tk 15 lakh in the form of  fixed deposit within April and rest 15 lakh within December this year, said Barrister Anik. Bar fetters be used only for top terrors, dangerous criminals: HC   Naim will be able to withdraw the deposit money after 10 years, it said. On September 28, 2020, Naim’s sustained injury while working at his workshop and during surgery the physicians amputated his hand from elbow to wrist. According to the case filed by Naim’s father, manager of the workshop Raju forced his son to operate the machine. Naim’s father filed the case against five people including the owner and manager of the workshop. Bangladesh Police set guidelines for Ijtema On December 27, 2021, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking compensation. On January 14, this year, the HC also issued a rule asking the people concerned to explain as to why compensation should not be provided to Naim who lost his hand while working at a workshop in 2020.