United News of Bangladesh

A man and his son were stabbed to death allegedly by two of his sons from his second marriage over a dispute over property in Mondolpara area of Chirirbandar upazila of Dinajpur on Tuesday morning. The deceased were identified as Dulu Mia, 70, and his son Kabil, 30. Another son, Habil, was injured in the attack. Chirirbandar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahmudul Nabi said Dulu Mia had four sons from two marriages. A dispute had been going on over the distribution of around 16 bighas of land owned by Dulu Mia. As the conflict escalated, two sons from his second marriage- Sadequl and Sakib- allegedly stabbed their father and step-brother Kabil with sharp weapons, killing them on the spot, he added. The two suspects went into hiding after the incident. The OC said police are sending the bodies to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy and efforts are underway to arrest the suspects.

An alleged drug dealer has been arrested along with narcotic syrups and foreign liquor at Jagirpara village in Dinajpur Sadar upazila. The arrestee was identified as Md Jewel Babu, 25, son of late Abu Tahanur of the village. A team of Dinajpur CPC-1 camp of Rapid Action Battalion-13 conducted a drive at the village on Wednesday afternoon based on a tip-off. During the raid, a total of 581 bottles of narcotic syrups of two brands were recovered from a house owned by Raihan Kabir alias Babu, a fugitive accused in another case. Besides, the elite force recovered 25 bottles of foreign liquor and arrested Jewel at that time.

A microbus driver was killed and 10 passengers injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a microbus in Ghoraghat upazila of Dinajpur on Saturday morning. The deceased was identified as Nasim ,35, son of Sahab Uddin of Chakai village in Birganj upazila of the district. Sahidul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC)of Ghoraghat Police Station, said the accident occurred in the Damodarpur Sonamukhi Bazar area when a microbus carrying passengers from Mymensingh was heading towards Birganj and collided head-on with a vegetable-laden truck coming from the opposite direction on the Dhaka-bound road. Schoolboy killed in Dinajpur road crash The collision left the truck overturned by the roadside and the microbus badly damaged, he added. He said the microbus driver died on the spot, while 10 passengers, including five in critical condition, were rescued and taken to the upazila health complex. They were later referred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital after receiving primary treatment. Police said all the injured passengers are members of the same family.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday pledged to transform Bangladesh into a beautiful, prosperous, economically and politically strong country with the support of its people, saying his government has begun nation-building work through a nationwide canal restoration programme. Addressing a public rally near Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur during the inauguration of the canal excavation and re-excavation programme, he also urged people to remain alert against those who try to create chaos and mislead them with sweet words. “We have started the work to build the nation through the canal excavation programme… We want to create a Bangladesh where people can assert their own rights and where the country will be strong both economically and politically. This is the Bangladesh we aim to build,” Tarique Rahman said. He also emphasised that the people of Bangladesh are the true owners of the country and that with their support, the nation can be successfully developed. “Many of you have relatives abroad. When you speak to them, they often praise other countries and say how beautiful those places are. But it is the people of those countries who have built and developed their nations, not outsiders… If they could do it, why can’t we? Inshallah, we can do it too,” the Prime Minister said. He recalled the heroic efforts of the people who fought for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and of the students who ended dictatorship through the 2024 mass uprising. “It was the people of this country who doubled food production through efforts like irrigation and canal digging during the tenure of Martyred Ziaur Rahman. If they could achieve so much, surely we can build the future Bangladesh,” Tarique said. He said that public support and proper planning are essential to move the country forward. “We must remain alert and vigilant against those who try to create disorder in the country through false narratives and misleading remarks. We need to be careful, as many speak sweet words but aim to confuse and mislead people.’ The Prime Minister stressed that the government’s plans are aimed at benefiting farmers, empowering women, ensuring better healthcare, improving education for the next generation, and creating employment opportunities in agriculture and industry. “But I cannot do this alone. I need the people’s support. Just as you supported the BNP’s symbol of the sheaf of paddy during elections, your continued support is essential. Without the backing of the people, national development is not possible, because the people are the true source of all power,” he said. The Prime Minister also said with the support of people, any plan can be successfully implemented. “I always say one thing: we will work and build the nation—Bangladesh comes first. Let us build that Bangladesh together. Let this be our pledge and our oath today.” “Once fully completed, the Sahapara canal will supply water to around 31,000 farmers and benefit nearly 350,000 people. About 1,200 hectares of land will receive irrigation from this canal. Farmers in this area will see increased crop production, potentially producing 60,000 metric tonnes more than currently,” he said. Tarique also said the canal will also support fish farming, conserve water during the dry season, and provide opportunities for tree planting along its banks. “Once the re-excavation is complete, I will return to see the canal again.” The Prime Minister also highlighted other election pledges, including the Family Card programme, waiving agricultural loans (up to Tk 10,000 with interest), distributing agriculture cards in April, and creating employment opportunities. “Do you think these initiatives will change people’s lives? We believe they will… The BNP’s politics is about improving people’s lives. We want to take steps that will double people’s income. This is the aim of our politics — the politics of Martyred Ziaur Rahman, the politics of Khaleda Zia, and the politics of your elected BNP government,” he said. The Prime Minister said most of Bangladesh’s nearly 200 million people live in rural areas and agriculture is their main livelihood, making it essential to build the sector on a strong foundation. He also mentioned plans to develop agro-based industries in the agriculture-dependent northern region. Tarique said discussions are underway with major agro-processing companies, and after Eid a meeting will be held with them to take initiatives to establish agro-based mills and industries in areas including Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh. Stating that changing people’s fates is the core goal of the BNP, he said the current government also wants to stand by the farmers. “Our goal is to support farmers. Shaheed Zia and Khaleda Zia were friends of farmers, and the present BNP government elected by you is also a friend of farmers. If farmers do well, the people of Bangladesh will alsodo well. That is why we want to strengthen agriculture and build the country’s farming sector on a strong foundation.” The rally was jointly organised by the Water Resources Ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain, among others, spoke at the programme. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpu, The nearly 12-kilometre Sahapara canal was originally excavated by then and Tarique’s father President Ziaur Rahman in 1977. Just like his father, the Prime Minister personally cut the soil with a spade to launch the programme on Monday at around 12:27pm. Dressed in a polo shirt, jeans and sneakers, Tarique Rahman wore a red-and-green cap inscribed with the slogan ‘Bangladesh First’. Through this event, he formally launched the canal excavation and re-excavation programme in 54 districts across the country, including the Sahapara canal in Balrampur of Kaharol upazila in Dinajpur. After reaching the canal bank, the Prime Minister first looked at a map of the canal and then moved forward to cut the soil of the canal. Later, he planted several trees along the canal banks. After introducing the Family Card programme earlier, the Prime Minister launched the canal revival initiative to fulfil another election pledge made by the BNP ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reached Saidpur Airport on Monday morning on his way to Dinajpur to inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme. The Prime Minister left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:30am on a domestic flight and reached Saidpur Airport around 10:15am, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. From the airport, Rumon said the Prime Minister will travel by road to Balrampur Sahapara area in Kaharole upazila of Dinajpur. He said Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the nationwide Canal Excavation and Re-excavation Programme-2026 by re-excavating the Sahapara canal, marking the start of simultaneous activities across the country. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a public meeting at Sahapara around 12:30pm. It is Tarique Rahman’s first visit outside the capital since assuming office as Prime Minister on February 17. After introducing the Family Card programme, the government is now launching the canal excavation programme to fulfil another election pledge of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The Prime Minister will offer fateha at the graves of his grandfather Md Iskander Majumder, grandmother Taiba Majumder and aunt Khurshid Jahan Haque at Sheikh Farid Model Graveyard on the outskirts of Dinajpur town. In the evening, he will attend an iftar gathering and a views-exchange meeting with distinguished guests and political leaders at Dinajpur Circuit House at 5:00pm before returning to Dhaka by air at night. Security forces have taken extensive measures ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, while the occasion has created huge enthusiasm among BNP leaders, activists, farmers and people from different walks of life in Dinajpur.

A seven-year-old boy was found dead with his throat slit in a maize field in Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur district on Friday. The deceased was identified as Sirajul Al Shams, 7, a Class II student and son of Mominul Islam of Amrulbari Dangapara area in the upazila. Inspector Sirajul Islam, in-charge of Aftabganj police camp, said Sirajul’s family had been unable to locate him before iftar on Friday. After a frantic search, local people found Sirajul’s body with his throat slit in the maize field and took him to Phulbari Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. The body bore several injury marks and the tendons of his hands and legs were also severed, police said. However, the motive behind the killing could not be known immediately. Police arrested two people on suspicion of their involvement in the killing, said Inspector Sirajul.

A 40-year-old man was killed and another one injured when a covered van hit a stationary truck from behind on Dinajpur-Gobindaganj regional highway in Ghoraghat upazila of Dinajpur district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Al Amin, 40, a helper of a covered van. The accident occurred in the morning when the date palm-loaded covered van hit the stationary truck from behind as its driver lost control over steering, leaving two people injured, said Inspector of Ghoraghat Police Station, Shahidul Islam. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and took the injured to Ghoraghat Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared one dead. Police seized the covered van and the truck.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said improving the lives of farmers Dinajpur is possible through the expansion of agro-based industries and the export of local agricultural products, particularly Katari Bhog rice and litchi. Speaking at an election rally at the Birampur Government College grounds in the afternoon, he announced plans to establish an agro-based industrial institution in the district to promote its traditional produce in the international market. Tarique Rahman said exporting Katari Bhog rice and litchi would help farmers secure fair prices, create employment opportunities for unemployed youth and earn foreign exchange for the country. Referring to Dinajpur as an agriculture-based region, the BNP chairman said targeted industrial support could transform the rural economy and strengthen farmers’ livelihoods. He later described Dinajpur as emotionally close to his heart, saying he shares a “soul connection” with the people of the district. “I am very happy today because, by the grace of Allah, I have come to my grandmother’s house after many years. This is my grandmother’s home. I have a soul connection with the people of this area,” he said. As part of his election campaign, Tarique Rahman is visiting three northern districts — Thakurgaon, Nilphamari and Dinajpur — on Saturday (February 7). Feb-12 election a mandate to restore people’s rights, rebuild nation: Tarique He arrived at the Birampur College grounds at 3:15 pm and began his speech at 3:38 pm, seeking votes for BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy. The rally was presided over by District BNP President Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal. District BNP Senior Vice President Md Mokarram Hossain, Vice President Khalequzzaman Babu, Dinajpur-3 constituency candidate Syed Jahangir Hossain, Dinajpur-4 candidate Akhtaruzzaman Mia, Dinajpur-5 candidate Barrister Kamruzzaman and Dinajpur-6 candidate Dr AZM Zahid Hossain also addressed the programme.

Power generation at Unit-1 of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Dinajpur was suspended on Sunday (January 18, 2026) after a boiler tube burst, bringing electricity production at the plant to a complete halt. As a result, all three units of the plant, with a combined capacity of 525 megawatts (MW), are now out of operation. Read more: Child killed, 15 injured as bus overturns in Dinajpur Abu Bakar Siddique, chief engineer of the power plant, said that of the three units, Unit-1, with a capacity of 125 MW, had been generating around 60 MW of electricity at the time of the incident. “The boiler tube of Unit-1 burst around 11am due to excessive heat pressure. The water flowing inside the boiler has a temperature of around 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit,” he said. He added that it may take about a week for the boiler to cool down, after which the extent of the damage can be assessed. “If repairs are completed successfully, power generation can be resumed,” he said. Meanwhile, Unit-3, which has a capacity of 275 MW, has been shut down for overhauling work being carried out by Chinese engineers, while Unit-2 (125 MW) has remained out of operation for a long time due to technical faults. As a result, the coal-fired power plant is currently completely shut down. Read more: Big push for renewables: 220 MW Sonagazi solar plant gets green light Officials warned that the shutdown may lead to load-shedding in northern districts, potentially disrupting production at electricity-dependent industries and causing hardship across the region.

Two young men whose bodies were recovered from the Atrai River in Chirirbandar upazila of Dinajpur on Monday have been identified but police are yet to determine whether they were murdered. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Russell Mia, 25, son of Saidul Islam of Subhashahar Ward No. 7 near Phulbari bus stand and his friend Al Amin, 28, son of late Nur Mohammad of Nimnagar South Balubari Line area. Police recovered the bodies as unidentified from near the Lakhitala Bridge over the Atrai River in Bhial Union’s Baniakhari Dolla village on Monday. Inspector Ahsan Habib of Chirirbandar Police Station said a special team of the Criminal Investigation Department attempted to identify the bodies through fingerprint scanning, but the effort was unsuccessful. Later in the afternoon, family members identified the bodies at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital morgue by the clothes they were wearing. Quoting family members, the police officer said Russell and Al Amin used to go out together and return home after five to seven days. They left their homes together around 9:30 pm on January 6 and did not return. Their families had lost contact with them and were preparing to file a general diary at the police station. After receiving information from the morgue staff, they went there and identified the bodies. Police said the bodies had remained in the river for several days which made identification difficult. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the deaths, he said . BNP leader’s death in custody sparks shock in Chuadanga