United News of Bangladesh

Nearly four decades have passed since the construction of Mohammadpur sub-jail in Magura district, yet the facility has never housed a single inmate. Built with the vision of decentralising judicial and correctional services, the complex today stands as a silent monument to bureaucratic inertia and policy neglect, officials said. Located in Bauijani village under Mohammadpur upazila, the sub-jail was constructed in 1985 during the regime of military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad. It was part of a wider plan to establish courts and detention facilities at upazila level, aimed at easing the burden on district jails and expediting the judicial process. The project, however, was abruptly shelved following a change in government, and the sub-jail was never inaugurated. Its gates have remained locked ever since before it could even begin operation, according to the officials. Spread over 2.71 acres of land, the complex was designed to accommodate 20 male and five female inmates. Khulna new jail opens with 100 convicted prisoners The site includes separate cells for men and women, an administrative office, a kitchen, guard quarters, a pump house, and residential quarters for officers. But time and neglect have taken their toll. A recent visit revealed a picture of decay: walls with peeling plaster, corroded ironwork, and doors and windows missing from their frames. What was once envisioned as a secure correctional facility now stands in ruins, overrun by weeds and disrepair. Prashanta Kumar, an employee of the Upazila Social Services Office, lives in one of the officer quarters with his family and has been informally maintaining the abandoned premises. “Despite the risks, I stay here and try to take care of the property,” he said, pointing to the crumbling buildings around him. Locals have long voiced frustration over the wasted infrastructure, calling it an example of mismanagement and poor utilisation of public resources. Many urge the government to either revive the sub-jail or repurpose it for public welfare. Upazila Social Services Officer Md Abdur Rob confirmed that the site now falls under the jurisdiction of his department but lamented the lack of funds and manpower needed for renovation. “With proper support, it could be turned into a training or rehabilitation centre for the poor, orphans, and persons with disabilities,” he suggested. Govt declares building in Dhaka Cantonment as temporary jail District Social Services Officer Md Zakir Hossain echoed the idea, saying a proposal has already been made to convert the premises into an integrated child rehabilitation centre. According to the Department of Social Services, the Mohammadpur sub-jail is not an isolated case. There are 23 such sub-jails across Bangladesh—none of which are functional. All remain caught in the limbo of policy stagnation, their walls quietly crumbling as years go by. Once envisioned as a cornerstone of local justice and correctional efficiency, the Mohammadpur sub-jail now serves as a reminder of unfulfilled promises and the high cost of administrative neglect.

A man was beaten to death on theft suspicion at Jangalia village in Mohammadpur upazila of Magura on Tuesday. The victim was identified as Israfil, 40, son of Atiyar Rahman of the village. Mohammadpur police officer-in-charge (OC) Abdur Rahman said  some villagers  dragged Israfil out of his home around 6:30 am on Tuesday and beat up  mercilessly accusing him of stealing three mobile phone sets Tk 1,600, leaving him injured. 'Thief’ beaten to death in Feni Later police rescued him along with locals and rushed to Mohammadpur Upazila Health Complex where he succumbed to his injuries. His body sent to 250-bed Magura Hospital for autopsy. The OC said a murder case has been filed at Mohammadpur Police Station and the investigation is ongoing.

Three college students were killed after a speeding bus hit them in front of Abalpur petrol pump on the Magura-Jhenaidah highway. The accident occurred around 5 pm on Saturday (June 1) near a place called Haor, according to Ayub Ali, officer-in-charge of Magura Police Station. The deceased were identified as Robin, 23, son of Lal Mia of Hajipur village; Joy, 24, son of Pratas of Borichara village; and Sajim, 23, son of Bakul Mia of Kashiadanga village. Separate road accidents claim 3 lives in Magura All three were Class XI students of Magura Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy College and residents of the same union. Police said the victims died on the spot.  The bodies were sent to hospital morgue for autopsy, and a case was filed with Magura Police Station.

Three people were killed in two separate road accidents in Sreepur and Mohammadpur upazilas of Magura district on Thursday. The deceased were motorcyclist Taslim, 65, battery-run three wheeler driver Monirul, 50, and 12-year-old bicyclist Abid Hossain. Locals said a three wheeler and a motorcycle collided head-on at Chaturia village under Sreepur upazila around 12pm, leaving Taslim and Monirul critically injured. Drain work, encroachment renders Narayanganj footpaths unusable They were rushed to a nearby private hospital where physicians declared them dead upon arrival, said Idris Ali, officer-in-charge of Sreepur police station. Moreover, a speeding tractor crashed into a bicycle run by Abid at Bethuri village under Mohammadpur upazila, leaving him dead on the spot around 10am, police sources said. The bodies were sent to Magura Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Two separate cases were filed with the police stations in these incidents.    

Police on Sunday submitted the chargesheet in the Magura child rape case before the court, one month after the incident. The chargesheet was submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdul Matin against four people on Sunday afternoon, said Ayub Ali, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station. Magura rape: Locals demand women madrasha at accused's home The prime accused of the case Hitu Sheikh gave a confessional statement before the court under section 164, according to court papers. The case had drawn national attention after the tragic death of eight-year-old Asiya. On March 6 at dawn, Asiya, who had come to visit her sister’s house, became severely ill after being raped allegedly by her brother-in-law’s father, Hitu Sheikh. Magura rape victim’s gayebana janaza held at DU Despite receiving treatment in various hospitals, she ultimately passed away at the Dhaka Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on Thursday, March 13. In response, enraged protesters burned down the houses of the accused. Students and activists continue to blockade the Dhaka-Khulna highway daily in protest, demanding justice for Asiya.

An elephant died after falling sick on a road in Mohammadpur upazila of Magura on Tuesday.The elephant collapsed on the top of a van near Mohammadpur Shyamnagar Petrol Pump, seriously injuring the van driver Rahmat Ullah around 11 am. Wild elephant die from electrocution in SherpurHe was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, said Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdur Rahman.“The elephant was possibly unwell. Its mahout took it out on the village road despite its condition, which led to the accident,” said the OC. Asian elephant population in Cambodia more robust than previously thoughtAs the news spread, locals rushed to the scene to catch a glimpse of the dead elephant.

The health condition of the eight-year-old Magura girl, now battling for her life in the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, has been stated to be very critical, said Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Thursday. “The condition of the child from Magura is very critical; there were two more cardiac arrests today (Thursday); the second time, after about 30 minutes of CPR, she reversed. The brain is not functioning; GCS (coma) level is 3,” he said. Besides, blood pressure and oxygen levels are very low, Azad said. In a medical context, "CGS" can refer to cardiogenic shock, a serious condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Bangladesh Army urges prayers for Magura rape victim Earlier, on Wednesday, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said her “brainstem” and “pupil reflex” were also lower Wednesday than Tuesday. said doctors at the CMH were putting in their best efforts for the girl’s recovery.She was initially admitted to Magura General Hospital and later transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital as her condition deteriorated. On Thursday, she was moved to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) before being shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka.

Residents of Magura are increasingly distressed as the prices of essential commodities have surged alarmingly across the district. The sudden spike has left many struggling to make ends meet, raising widespread concerns about the impact on daily life. In recent weeks, prices of various essential items, including vegetables, eggs, and chillies, have escalated dramatically. The price of raw chillies has soared to Tk 500 per kg, an incredible increase from just Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kg two weeks ago.  Similarly, farm eggs are now selling at a record high of Tk 180 per dozen, up from Tk 150 a week earlier. Local markets have felt the impact of these price hikes, making it increasingly difficult for families, especially those from middle and lower-middle-class households, to afford basic groceries. The prices of potatoes, bitter gourds, and brinjals have also surged, with potatoes now costing Tk 60 per kilogram, pointed gourds at Tk 80 per kg, and brinjals reaching Tk 120 per kg. Read: Drives conducted in Dhaka’s kitchen markets to monitor prices of essentials “This is becoming unbearable. Everything costs more, yet our incomes remain unchanged. It’s a struggle to buy groceries,” lamented a local buyer. The situation is dire, with some families reportedly leaving markets empty-handed due to soaring prices.  “Many come to the market without buying anything and leave disappointed, while others are forced to pay inflated prices,” another resident added. Market control officials attribute the crisis to excessive rainfall disrupting supply chains, and rising wholesale prices.  “Due to heavy rainfall and increased wholesale prices, the costs of raw chilies and vegetables are rising daily,” stated an official. They expressed concern that if this trend continues, prices may escalate further. Rising transport costs are also contributing to the increases, they noted. The repercussions of these price surges are evident, with many vendors reporting a decline in sales. “I used to sell out my stock easily, but now many customers leave without making a purchase,” said one seller, highlighting the impact on local businesses. Read more: Special task force formed to monitor prices of daily essentials The markets have become nearly devoid of small fish, with what little remains priced beyond the reach of average buyers. Larger fish are also expensive, making them inaccessible to many. Even during the peak hilsa season, prices remain high, with almost every vegetable priced at 80 to 120 takas. Meanwhile, although the prices of beef, goat, and both local and broiler chicken have not surged, the costs of rice and oil have increased. District market control officer Mamunul Islam confirmed that excessive rainfall and rising wholesale prices are driving up the costs of raw chilies and vegetables. He noted the potential for further price increases if the situation continues, exacerbated by rising transport costs.  Read more: Essentials’ prices up in Khulna kitchen markets

A child drowned in a pond in Bararia village of Balidia union of Magura’s Mohammadpur upazila. The deceased was identified as Meherima (2), daughter of Md. Abdullah Sardar of Bararia West Para.  Young couple ‘commit suicide’ in Magura: Police She drowned in a ditch at his aunt's house in Shyamnagar village of the upazila on Thursday afternoon. Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Raihanul Islam confirmed the news. 2 die after house catches fire in Magura Mehrima along with her maternal grandmother went to visit her uncle Mahdi Hasan's house in Shyamnagar village on Thursday morning. Later in the afternoon, Mehrima drowned in a pond near the house without anyone noticing. 8-year-old girl electrocuted in Magura A case has been registered in this regard at Mohammadpur police station.

A young man and his lover allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison at Baraichara village in Magura Sadar upazila, police said. The deceased was identified as Swagatam Biswas, 20, and Rupa Sarkar, 25. They were neighbours. 2 die after house catches fire in Magura Magura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sikandar Ali said, Rupa Sarkar got married to Sujan Sarkar, brother-in-law of Swagatam Biswas's sister, six months ago.  As they lived in the same area, the love affair gradually got deeper. Later, a dispute erupted between their families over their relationship. At around 1:00am last night, both Swagatam and Rupa went out of their houses and ingested poison together, said OC Sikandar Ali . 8-year-old girl electrocuted in Magura Later, the family members rescued them and admitted them to Magura Sadar Hospital where they died in the early hours of Friday. Dr Md Ehsanul Haque Masum, emergency medical officer of Sadar Hospital, said,Rupa and Swagatam were admitted to Magura Sadar Hospital late at night after consuming poison. Biker dead, two pillion riders injured in Magura road accident They later died during treatment, he added. A case of unnatural death has been filed with Magura Police Station. The bodies have been sent to the morgue for autopsy.