United News of Bangladesh

As household budgets tightened amid Ramadan across the country, subsidised sales in trucks by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) have emerged as a vital lifeline for many low- and middle-income families in Naogaon.  Yet the relief they offer is tempered by limited supplies, long queues and mounting frustration among consumers. Since February 17, TCB has been operating mobile truck sales across 99 unions and three municipalities under 11 upazilas in the district.  The programme, scheduled to continue until March 12, aims to give a relief to the vulnerable groups from the seasonal spike in essential commodity prices. Across Naogaon, the cost of daily necessities has risen sharply with the onset of the holy month, placing additional strain on working-class families.  For many, the opportunity to purchase essentials at subsidised rates can mean the difference between managing and falling short. Under the scheme, five key items are being sold at reduced prices. But while the initiative has drawn appreciation, the scale of demand has far outstripped the allocation available at each point. At distribution sites, scenes of anticipation begin at dawn. Hours before the trucks arrive, people gather to secure a place in line, knowing that sales are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. At the Raninagar Upazila Parishad premises, around 200 men and women waited for the truck on a recent morning. Some used bricks to mark their positions in the queue; others hurried into line as soon as word spread of the truck’s approach. Occasional verbal disputes broke out over who had arrived first. Many had come before sunrise. Others joined between 6:00am and 9:00am. Despite the uncertainty, few were willing to leave without trying. Nasir Uddin, a van-puller from Khotteshwar village, said he had sacrificed a day’s earnings to stand in line. “I run my family by driving a van. If I can buy these items at lower prices, it saves me a lot,” he said. He believes that increasing the allocation would significantly ease the hardship faced by families like his. For elderly residents, the process can be especially challenging.  Sakhina Bibi, 75, a beggar from West Balubhura village, arrived leaning on a stick after borrowing money to make her purchases.  In a crowd of more than 300 people, she was pushed out of the women’s queue several times before finally managing to buy the goods. Concerns have also been raised about the management of the sales process. Rahidul Islam, a day labourer from Simba village, said that unlike in previous years, serial slips were not distributed before sales began. Narayanganj’s daily battle with traffic and broken roads “Last Ramadan, slips were given according to serial numbers, which maintained order. This time, whoever can push ahead gets the products first,” he alleged, calling for a more disciplined system to prevent harassment and ensure fairness. On the supply side, logistical constraints remain a challenge. TCB dealer Abdur Razzak Molla of Raninagar said products must be collected daily from the Bogura regional office, and trucks often arrive late, making it difficult to begin sales at the scheduled 10:00am. “The allocation is much lower than the demand. If we could operate four to five points simultaneously as in previous years, the pressure would be reduced,” he said. He added that efforts are made to maintain order and to prioritise elderly and disabled individuals. Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam said that through TCB dealers, eligible residents are being provided one kilogram of sugar at Tk80, two kilograms of lentils at Tk70, two litres of edible oil at Tk115, one kilogram of chickpeas at Tk60 and 500 grams of dates at Tk80. Each truck serves around 400 people. He urged consumers to remain patient, acknowledging that supply remains significantly lower than demand.  Strict instructions have been issued to dealers to follow proper procedures, and legal action will be taken against any irregularities, he added. As Ramadan continues, the subsidised truck sales offer essential, if limited, support.  For hundreds lining up each morning in Naogaon, they represent both hope for relief and a reminder of the economic pressures shaping daily life, locals said. 

At least 20 candidates, including a former state minister and a former MP, are set to lose their election deposits in the 13th national election across six constituencies of Naogaon. A total of 32 candidates contested the six seats. An analysis of results announced by the returning officer shows that 20 candidates failed to secure the required votes to claim their deposits. According to election law, a candidate must secure at least one eighth of the total valid votes to retain the deposit. None of the 20 candidates reached that threshold. In Naogaon-1, Akbar Ali, Md Abul Haq Shah and three time former MP Dr. Salek Chowdhury failed to secure the minimum votes. In Naogaon 2, Motibul Islam of the AB Party did not reach the required mark. In Naogaon 3, six candidates are set to lose their deposits as they did not secure one eighth of the valid votes. In Naogaon 4, four others fell short of the legal threshold to retain the deposits. Four election officials withdrawn in Mymensingh, Naogaon over irregularities In Naogaon 5, three candidates failed to secure enough votes to save their deposits. In Naogaon 6, three candidates, including former state minister Alamgir Kabir, will lose their deposits for failing to reach the required vote share.

Four election officials were withdrawn from duty in Mymensingh and Naogaon on Thursday following allegations of irregularities during voting. In Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila, an assistant presiding officer and two polling officers were dismissed at Kansherkul High School centre over allegations of allowing open voting and forcing out agents of rival candidates. Confirming the matter, Bhaluka Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Firoz Hossain said an assistant presiding officer and two polling officers were removed for “not preventing open voting.” Come out and vote without fear: Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman At Birunia Dakhil Madrasa centre in the same upazila, several youth were found sitting inside booths posing as agents without proper identification. Their ID cards carried only the presiding officer’s signature, without names or candidate details. Presiding Officer Mujibur Rahman said, “I was feeling unwell and did not notice the matter.” He later asked them to write their respective symbols in front of journalists. Speaking on condition of anonymity, some alleged that supporters of the “Dhaner Shish” candidate had driven out rival agents and taken their places with the presiding officer’s support. In Naogaon, Presiding Officer Nazim Uddin of Katkhoir High School centre in Sadar upazila was withdrawn around 1:30pm for allegedly signing and sealing the result sheet before vote counting and announcement. “There is no provision to sign the result sheet before counting,” said Assistant Returning Officer and Sadar UNO Mohammad Ibnul Abedin. He said Mukatadul Hasan, a senior officer of Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, took charge around 3pm. Nazim Uddin has been brought to the UNO office and further action will be taken after review. 47.91% voter turnout by 2pm: EC Secretary

A cultural campaign was held in various crowded areas of Naogaon-1, 2, and 3 constituencies on Sunday to raise awareness among people about ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election. The initiative aimed to sensitize the public so that no one exploits minority communities or religious sentiments to create disorder. The campaign was organised by the Peace Facilitator Group in collaboration with the Bangladesh chapter of the non-governmental organisation, The Hunger Project. The awareness drive started at 10:00 am from Nazipur Newhat in Patnitala upazila. Naogaon gears up for Tarique’s first rally in nearly two decades Sajedur Rahman Dulal, coordinator of the Peace Facilitator Group in Patnitala, inaugurated the day-long programme. During the campaign, leaflets promoting a peaceful election and supporting the upcoming referendum were distributed among the public. The campaign vehicle visited and conducted cultural performances at Amaitara Bazar in Dhamoirhat, Agradigun Bazar, Sapahar Zero Point, Modhail Bazar, Patnitala Bazar, Matajihat Bus Stand, and Nazipur Bus Stand.

A revenue official was found dead at Naogaon 250-bed General Hospital early Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Zunayed Saki, 37, an assistant revenue officer of Dhaka and hailed from Pirojpur district. Bappi, a trolleyman said two people arrived at the hospital in a pickup van carrying the body around 5 am and fled the scene after leaving the body onto a trolley in front of the emergency department of the hospital. Read More: 5 farmers killed in Naogaon road crash “As they were leaving, several people shouted at them from behind, but they ignored it and ran away,” Bappi said. Staff of the hospital later took the body to the emergency department where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Quoting family members, Zunayed Saki had travelled by train from Dhaka and got down at Santahar Railway Junction to visit his wife in Mahadevpur upazila of Naogaon. Rashed Ahmed, Naogaon Customs Assistant Revenue Commissioner said Zunayed, son of Manjurul Haque, was serving as an assistant revenue officer at Dhaka Customs, while his wife is a college teacher in Naogaon. Read More: Mother, daughter killed in Naogaon road crash Rehenuma Munmun, duty doctor of the hospital, said the victim was brought dead. Several injury marks were found on his hands and legs. Niamul Haque, Officer-in-charge of Naogaon Sadar Model Police, said the victim’s wife came to the police station to lodge a complaint. “We are trying to identify those who left the body in front of the hospital,” said OC. Legal action will be taken after investigation, he said.

A woman  and her daughter were killed as a truck hit a motorbike  carrying them near Nazipur municipal bus stand area in Patnitala upazila of Naogaon on Monday evening. The deceased were identified as Khadija Akter, 28, wife of Kawsar Rahman of Usthii village and their daughter Fatema Jannat, 9. Witnesses said  when Kawsar Rahman was returning home from Nazipur market with his wife and daughter on the motorbike he lost control while trying to give way to a battery-run auto-rickshaw. The motorbike fell on the road and a timber-laden truck coming from Sapahar ran over Khadija and Jannat, leaving both dead on the spot. Angry locals vandalized he truck and beat up the driver. Patnitala Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Md Abu Taleb said police recovered the bodies from the spot. Mother throws toddler into river in Naogaon, rescued with police help As the family raised no complaint, the bodies were handed over after legal process without post-mortem. “The truck has been seized and the driver has been taken into police custody. A case has been filed in this connection,” he added.

Along the Naogaon bypass road, tall palm trees once stood like silent sentinels—lining the highway, softening the concrete stretch with shade and symmetry, and serving a purpose far beyond aesthetics. Today, many of those trees bear blunt, shaved tops, their branches cut back abruptly, leaving locals fearful that a decades-old natural shield is slowly being destroyed, locals and environmental activists said. The cutting of branches from around 750 palm trees by the Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited (NESCO) has sparked anger and concern among residents and environmental activists, who say the work was carried out without consultation and with little regard for environmental consequences. For years, villagers along the bypass—from Rambhadrapur to Battali Boalia—had planted palm trees using seeds collected from nearby areas. Most of the trees are now between 20 and 30 years old. Outrage in Sylhet after date palm trees cut down at Shahjalal's shrine Over time, they transformed the two-kilometre stretch into a greener, cooler corridor, breaking the monotony of the road and offering protection against lightning, a known benefit of palm trees in Bangladesh. But recent branch-cutting and top-shaving to accommodate electricity poles and overhead lines have changed the landscape dramatically. During a recent visit to the area, the UNB correspondent observed that while several thousand palm trees stand along the stretch, around 750 have been visibly altered, with many appearing weakened. Residents fear the damage may be irreversible. “It was not right for the electricity office staff to shave the tops of the palm trees,” said local resident Sakhawat Hossain, pointing towards several injured trees. “Some trees died after similar work before. Even when we protested, no one listened,” he said. Man held for felling 50 Bakul trees on Dhaka-Chattogram highway Another local resident, Belal Hossain, echoed the frustration. “Palm trees take decades to grow. The electricity staff cut the branches and shaved the tops in just one day. They could have moved the poles slightly to save the trees, but instead they damaged them deliberately,” he said.

In Naogaon municipality, the relentless rise of dengue cases is exposing a deeper public health crisis, as residents confront swarms of mosquitoes amid longstanding urban sanitation failures. For weeks, communities across the town have battled insects invading homes, schools, businesses and offices—pestering residents even in daylight hours. Coils, sprays and smoke have become everyday essentials, yet the relentless buzzing and painful bites continue. Locals said what was once a seasonal nuisance has transformed into a source of fear, frustration and growing anger at local authorities. Read more: Young adults hit hard as Bangladesh logs 593 dengue cases, 3 deaths A Town on Edge Naogaon Municipality, home to over 268,000 people across nine wards, is facing what locals describe as a preventable mosquito explosion. Open heaps of uncollected garbage, uncovered and clogged drains, and stagnant water turning neighbourhoods into breeding grounds have compounded the crisis. “We close our doors and windows before evening, but it’s useless. Mosquitoes fly over burning coils. Their bites cause swelling and a burning sensation. I spend at least Tk 10 a day on coils, but if this continues, dengue is unavoidable,” said Shamim Ahmed, a resident of Masterpara. Students are among the hardest hit. “Studying has become nearly impossible. I have to sit inside a mosquito net with a coil burning. This is no way to study,” said Arif Hossain from the Degree Mor area. Tax Increasing, Services Declining Residents complain that despite yearly hikes in municipal taxes, improvements in mosquito-control efforts are barely visible. Many allege that fogging and spraying target administrative or high-profile areas, leaving densely populated neighbourhoods neglected. “There’s a municipal waste dump near my house. Mosquito-control activities here are rare. We pay higher taxes every year, but receive no proper services,” said Asfaq Uddin of Komaigari. Read more: Best Foods to Increase Platelets in Dengue Fever Health Risks Growing According to the Naogaon Civil Surgeon’s Office, 56 new dengue cases were reported as of November 23. October saw 120 cases and September 116, bringing the district’s total infections this year to 321. At Naogaon 250-bed General Hospital, 120 dengue patients were treated over the last three months. “No deaths have occurred so far, and we are providing adequate treatment,” said hospital statistician Dilruba Sultana. Nationwide, the situation remains concerning. The DGHS reported two more dengue deaths on Monday, pushing the national toll to 366. With 705 new cases on the same day, the total infections reached 90,969 this year. Local Authorities Admit Limitations Naogaon Municipality Engineer Sajjad Hossain acknowledged the challenges, noting that the municipality has only three fogging machines and three hand-spray units. “For the past two years, we haven’t received dedicated funds for mosquito control. We are running operations using municipal revenue and prioritising hand spraying, as it destroys larvae more effectively,” he said. Read more: 8 more dead, 778 hospitalised as Bangladesh fails to curb dengue

Farmers in the northern district of Naogaon are struggling with fresh uncertainty as unseasonal rain, triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, has damaged prepared seedbeds for early winter vegetables and partially ripe Aman paddy. Potato fields, in particular, have been affected, causing concern among growers hoping to recover losses from last year. Agriculture officials said stagnant water in the fields has raised fears of widespread damage to newly planted potato seeds, transplanted Aman paddy and early winter vegetables, including cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, chili, eggplant and radish. Many plants, they said, are lying flattened in waterlogged fields across several upazilas. Read more: Polyshade tomato farming reviving Narail’s rural economy According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Aman has been cultivated on 193,000 hectares this year, while early winter vegetables cover 1,845 hectares. Potato cultivation is targeted on 21,000 hectares. A field visit revealed that farmlands prepared for potato cultivation or recently sown are submerged, forcing farmers to focus on draining the water to save their crops. Farmers also fear delays in planting on fallow lands that remain waterlogged and excess moisture has already caused root rot in some vegetables. Zainal, a farmer from Kalikapur Dangapara in Atrai upazila, expressed his worries, saying, “Last year I suffered a big loss from potato farming; hence I planted early this year in hopes of a better price. But now rainwater has submerged the field and I fear the seeds may not sprout properly. I don’t know what to do.” Sharing a similar experience, Ashraf Hossain from Varsho village in Manda upazila said, “Early potato farming is always risky, but I wanted to try since others were doing it. I planted on one bigha of land, but the sudden rain has filled the field with water.” Read more: Hidden hands in the fields: Dealers blamed for artificial fertiliser shortage in north Ratan Mollah of Barshail in Sadar upazila said, “I just finished planting potato seeds when the rain began. It’s still drizzling, and the soil remains soaked. Potato seeds rot easily if they stay wet. I’m worried most of my field will be damaged.” Meanwhile, Susheel Mistri of Hapania reported that his Aman paddy, which was ripening, had been flattened by rain and gusty winds. Vegetable grower Indri Mia from Kirtipur said, “The rain over the past few days has caused rot at the base of my cauliflower and other vegetable plants.” Downplaying the extent of the damage, DAE Deputy Director Homayra Mondal said, “Although it rained, it wasn’t a heavy downpour. Potato planting has just started and the newly planted seeds may face minor setbacks, but fields planted eight to ten days ago will likely remain safe. The rainfall is even beneficial for Aman. If the water drains quickly, there won’t be any major problem.” Read more: Rain pushes green chilli price to Tk 300 per kg, almost all vegetable prices upward As farmers race against time to salvage their crops, the unseasonal rainfall has once again highlighted the vulnerability of early winter cultivation to unpredictable weather.

The government has appointed new deputy commissioners (DCs) for three districts, including Chattogram, ahead of the national election slated for February next. A notification, signed by deputy secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Aminul Islam, was issued on Sunday morning. Mohammad Abdul Awal, Mohammad Anwar Hossain and Monira Hoque have been made DC for Chattogram, Narsingdi and Naogaon districts respectively. 6 districts get new DCs Of them, Abdul Awal was posted as DC in Naogaon, Anwar was assigned as deputy secretary at the Division of Health Education and Family Welfare under the Ministry of Health and Monira performed as deputy secretary at the Division of Secondary and Higher Secondary under the Ministry of Education.   The order will come into effect soon, the notification says.