United News of Bangladesh

The residents of Kaliganj upazila in Lalmonirhat are enduring extreme hardship as a vital road, left dug up for construction work, has turned into a hazardous waterway. Makeshift rafts are now being used to cross the stretch, with accidents reported almost daily, yet authorities appear slow to intervene. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) confirmed that a Tk 5.87 crore allocation was approved for the improvement of the Duhuli–Jorgach GC Road (length: 5.25 km) in Chalbala Union. Barendra Construction Limited won the tender and deposited the required performance security, but the company could not start work as the work order had not been issued. In early August, however, another contractor allegedly began work on the project without authorisation. Complaints were subsequently lodged with the LGED Executive Engineer and Kaliganj police. Informal workers battle soaring inflation in Bangladesh Following administrative intervention, the unauthorised work was halted — but not before around 1.5 km of the road had been dug up, rendering it impassable. Locals say the stretch has since become a knee-deep canal, making walking extremely difficult and halting all vehicular movement, including vans, rickshaws and ambulances.  

The illegal trade of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders continues unabated in Lalmonirhat’s villages and markets, reflecting a nationwide problem in Bangladesh, amid lax government monitoring and inadequate regulation. From roadside tea stalls to grocery stores, hardware shops and even cement depots, the highly flammable cylinders are reportedly available everywhere, often stored recklessly beside open flames! Many sellers distribute cylinders without fire safety measures or approval from the Department of Explosives, placing both buyers and residents at constant risk. Cross-filling, the transfer of LPG from one cylinder to another, is also carried out by unauthorised individuals and unregulated businesses across the country. As LPG is highly flammable, improper handling and the use of substandard equipment can lead to leaks, fires, explosions and even fatalities. Bangladesh’s leather sector stuck at $1bn; $5bn could be tapped: Experts Locals claim that this illegal trade is widespread in almost every market in the district and is operating openly in the sight of authorities. Cylinders are frequently transported on trucks and vans, only to be carelessly unloaded by being tossed onto the ground, further heightening the risk of leaks, fire, or explosions. Nur Alam, a resident of Khorda Bamandanga in Sadar Upazila, said, “Gas cylinders are kept in roadside tea stalls where fires are always burning. There’s no safety system in place.” A shopkeeper in Hatibandha Upazila, requesting anonymity, admitted that he sells LPG cylinders without a licence. “We buy supplies from trucks and store them in our shops. But we don’t really know the risks involved,” he said. Fire Service and Civil Defence Station Officer Rokonuzzaman confirmed that the illegal trade persists in the district’s markets, in clear violation of safety regulations. “This business must operate under rules and structure. We are working with the district administration to conduct mobile court drives regularly,” he said. Deputy Commissioner of the district HM Rokib Haydar said restrictions have been imposed to prevent the sale of LPG cylinders without a Department of Explosives licence. “Mobile courts are already conducting drives and these operations will continue,” he said. Even though thousands of LPG cylinders exceed their safe lifespan, they continue to be refilled and delivered to households across the country, contributing to a growing number of gas-related explosions and casualties. Experts warn that LPG cylinders are extremely flammable and, if mishandled, could cause devastating accidents.

A rickshaw-puller was killed as a tree fell on him while cutting it at Kachua Para in Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat district on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Rahmat Ali ,47, son of late Posor Mamud from Kachua Para area. Police said when Rahamat Ali was cutting a tree in the afternoon on the land of a nearby graveyard the tree fell on him, leaving him seriously injured. Land dispute in Pabna; one killed, another injured Local people  rescued him but he succumbed to his injuries on the way to Patgram Upazila Health Complex. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patgram police station  Mizanur Rahman said police were sent to the scene after receiving the news.

Police have so far detained 14 accused, including two convicts, in connection with the recent attack, vandalism and clash at Patgram Police Station of Lalmonirhat district to snatch away the convicts from the police custody. Among those arrested are Belal Hossain and Sohel Rana, two stone quarry workers each sentenced to one month in jail by a mobile court, Nurunnabi Kazal, convenor of Hatibandha upazila Swechchhasebak Dal and several activists from BNP, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal. The incident of snatching convicts from the police custody, clashing with police, vandalizing valuables occurred on Wednesday night when the two convicts Belal and Sohel were brought to Patgram Police Station following their sentencing. Their cohorts soon gathered, triggering tensions that escalated into an attack on the station. Protesters vandalised doors, windows, furniture, and laptops before forcibly freeing the two convicts. Later, police filed a case naming 27 people and many unidentified ones. 2 convicts snatched in Lalmonirhat; police station vandalised Eight BNP and Swechchhasebak Dal activists were initially arrested followed by six more including Belal and Sohel, bringing the total to 14 in the two cases. Meanwhile, due to road blockades, police from Hatibandha failed to reach the spot despite requests for reinforcement. Another case was filed at Hatibandha Police Station, leading to the arrest of Nurunnabi Kazal and two others. Kazal was suspended from the party while Jahangir Mostafiz Chapal, former member of the Patgram upazila unit of the BNP and Patgram municipal Jubo Dal leader Mahmud Hossain were removed for breaching party discipline. Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police Tarikul Islam said those involved will be brought to justice based on video footage and other evidence as drives were on.

An illegal road project cutting through fertile farmland in Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat district is drawing sharp criticism, as sand dredged unlawfully from the Teesta River is being used for its construction. The construction, carried out with high-powered dredgers locally known as ‘bomb machines’, has triggered concerns over environmental degradation, infrastructure damage and the threat of large-scale erosion. Despite repeated complaints from local residents, the activity continues unabated, allegedly backed by a politically connected syndicate. The project not only violates environmental regulations but is also viewed as a direct threat to public resources and livelihoods. A road built on sand literally The road, currently under construction through cropland in the Munshir Bazar area of Tushbhandar Union, is being built entirely with sand illegally extracted from the Teesta River. Locals report that the builders are presenting the project as a "voluntary community initiative" to avoid legal scrutiny. But, many believe the primary motive is to ease sand transportation for commercial purposes. Witnesses confirm that several dredging machines operate around the clock, disrupting the river’s natural flow. Locals warn that the river is already shifting course, putting hundreds of acres of farmland at immediate risk. “Sand traders are building this road by destroying our farmland and threatening our future,” said Saiful Islam, a 70-year-old resident. “They’re using muscle power while the administration looks the other way.” Bamboo breathes new life into Madaripur’s barren lands, rural livelihoods Legacy infrastructure at risk The illegal road runs parallel to a government-built road and bridge constructed over a decade ago as part of a Tk 30 lakh project by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Originally intended to serve a cluster village (Guchhogram) for landless families, the road and bridge have remained crucial transport links between Kaliganj upazila and neighbouring Gangachara upazila in Rangpur district, even after the original settlement was swallowed by the river. Over the years, the government has invested millions of taka in repairs to support local transport and agriculture. That legacy is now under threat. Heavy sand trucks have already caused severe damage to the government road, leaving it riddled with potholes and virtually unusable during the monsoon. In protest, locals recently imposed a ban on truck movement. In retaliation, the syndicate reportedly began building the new road across cultivable land. “If this continues, the government-built bridge will become useless, and our fields will flood due to blocked drainage,” warned a local resident. Syndicate operating with impunity Locals allege that the sand extraction and illegal construction are being carried out by a syndicate previously backed by former Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed during the Awami League tenure. Though he no longer holds office, his former associates are reportedly continuing operations without consequence. “The government road has been destroyed for their benefit, and now they’re taking our farmland too,” said KM Ar Shahin, a local community leader. Frustrated by the lack of action, residents have organised several human chains and submitted written complaints to the local administration. Authorities acknowledge the issue Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Zakia Sultana told UNB that the administration is aware of the situation and maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal sand extraction. “Whenever we receive reports, we conduct mobile court drives. But the sand traders often flee before we arrive. There is absolutely no permission for building a new road over arable land,” she said. The UNO confirmed the receipt of a written complaint and assured that there will be a formal investigation into the matter.

An elderly man was hacked to death allegedly by his nephew following a land dispute in Sanjana union of Lalmonirhat’s Hatibandha upazila on Friday. The deceased was identified as Abu Sama, 64, a resident of the same area. His nephew and prime accused, Hashem Ali, son of Boser Ali, has been on the run since the incident. Three people were arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are underway to arrest the prime accused, said Hatibandha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mahmudunnabi. According to the OC, a dispute arose between the uncle and nephew on Thursday after Abu Sama, while cultivating his land with a tractor, allegedly damaged a portion of the boundary embankment (ail) of Hashem Ali’s land. One killed, another injured in Lalmonirhat road accident Although locals initially intervened and resolved the matter, tensions resurfaced on Friday afternoon when Abu Sama visited Hashem Ali’s house. During the discussion, an altercation broke out again, and at one point, enraged Hashem allegedly attacked his uncle with a sharp weapon, leaving him critically injured. Locals rushed Abu Sama to Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Dr Anwarul Haque, residential medical officer of the health complex, said that the victim had died before reaching the hospital due to excessive bleeding. Following the incident, police recovered the body and sent it to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC added.

A motorcyclist was killed and another injured in a collision between a motorcycle and a  truck in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila on Friday afternoon. The accident occurred in the Tapti area of Mahendranagar union, Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nurunnabi confirmed this. The deceased was identified as Golam Zakaria Plabon, a resident of Chamta area in Kaliganj upazila of the district. According to locals, the motorcycle carrying three people collided head-on with the truck, leaving one dead on the spot. BGB detains 6 push-ins from Lalmonirhat; claims they're Indians Another passenger was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, while the third person received first aid. The OC said that on receiving information, teams from Lalmonirhat Fire Service and Sadar Police Station arrived at the spot and recovered the body.

A woman and her son died of electrocution while trying to save a cow at their home in Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat on Saturday. The deceased were identified as Kamala Begum, 55, and her son Jamal Hossain, 33, of Dulali Harikhawa village.  Nor'wester lashes Lalmonirhat; houses, crops damaged According to police and locals, Jamal was electrocuted when he came into contact with a live wire while got close an auto-rickshaw parked at their cattle farm for charging. Seeing this, his mother rushed to save him and was also electrocuted. Both died on the spot. Officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station Selim Malik said the bodies were handed over to the family for burial as they did not file any complaint.  Locals block highway for ‘Burimari Express’ to start from Burimari Station in Lalmonirhat

A 22-year-old worker died and another was injured while cleaning a septic tank at Satpatki village in Sadar upazila of Lalmonirhat district on Saturday morning. The deceased was identified as Maruf Hossain, son of Abdul Khaleq from Balapara area of Rajpur union in Sadar Upazila and the injured worker was Rahim Mia, 30, son of Mofazzal Hossain from the same area. Mohammad Nurnabi, officer-in-charge (OC) of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, said as soon as the two workers had entered the septic tank for cleaning they fell sick apparently after inhaling toxic gas. Rahim managed to climb out but Maruf could not. Fire breaks out at Gazipur jhut godown On information, firefighters rushed to the scene and recovered Maruf’s body from inside the tank. OC Nurnabi said it is suspected that Maruf died due to inhalation of poisonous gas inside the septic tank. Maruf’s body was sent to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital for autopsy.  

A nor'wester accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms swept several upazilas of Lalmonirhat district on Saturday night, damaging hundreds of houses, trees, and crops. The storm which began around 9:45pm  and lasted for about 30 minutes left a trail of destruction in Aditmari, Kaliganj, Hatibandha, and Patgram upazilas among other areas. According to locals, the storm uprooted trees and blew away tin-roofed houses, leaving many families in distress. Nor’wester hits Sunamganj; damages houses, crops Crops including mangoes, litchis, maize, paddy, and jute suffered damages. Suman Mia, a resident of of Kakina union in Kaliganj said a tree fell on his tin-shed house, causing severe damage. "My tobacco crops have also been badly affected," he said. Another local, Saidul Islam, said three tin houses in  Kakina char area were destroyed after a banyan tree collapsed on them. "Many shops in the adjacent market were also damaged. Fallen trees blocked roads in several areas," he added. In Hatibandha's Goddimari union, residents reported damage to houses and crops as uprooted trees fell onto homes and roads. Fire Service teams, along with locals, worked through the night to clear the roads. Alal Uddin, panel chairman of Kaliganj’s Chalbala union, said he visited several affected areas after the storm subsided and found many houses damaged. A list is being prepared to assist the affected families, he said. Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner HM Robik Haydar said local officials and residents have started assessing the damage. No casualties have been reported so far, he said.