United News of Bangladesh

A BNP leader on Friday has opened a closed party office of the Bangladesh Awami League in Panchagarh, triggering controversy within his own party. The office was opened in the morning at Chaklahat Union in Panchagarh Sadar upazila by Abu Daud Pradhan, president of the Sadar upazila unit of BNP. A video of the incident later went viral on social media. It showed Abu Daud Pradhan standing on the veranda of the Awami League office and giving a speech. According to local sources, Abu Daud Pradhan is a former chairman of Chaklahat Union Parishad. In his speech, Abu Daud Pradhan said he was unaware that the Awami League party office had remained locked and claimed he would have opened it earlier had he known. He also said the recent election victory came after 18 years and described it as a mandate given by forces from both sides of the Liberation War, adding that the party had received a record number of votes across Bangladesh. He said every party has some wrongdoers and that there are clear instructions to expel such elements. Stressing law and order, he urged leaders and activists of both parties to ensure that peace and stability are not disrupted in Panchagarh. Referring to local results, he expressed disappointment that the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol failed to secure first position in any polling centre of his own union. Addressing Awami League supporters, he said they are citizens of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh and urged them not to engage in any wrongdoing. He said no offender would be spared, regardless of party affiliation, and asked them to inform him if they faced any harassment. He referred to cases against Awami League leaders and activists, saying that regardless of their nature, the party’s leader would soon go to Parliament to take oath and, he hoped, become prime minister, after which the situation would be clear. Freedom fighter Abul Hossain said the office had earlier been locked by Jamaat supporters. He added that the office was opened with local people present and would temporarily be used by freedom fighters, not for Awami League political activities. Speaking on the matter, Abu Daud Pradhan said the move was not a party decision. He said the Awami League office was opened only to prevent tension in the area and maintain peace, adding that the office had earlier been locked by Jamaat supporters. District BNP Convener Md Jahirul Islam Kacchu said there was no decision from the district or central BNP regarding opening the Awami League office. Awami League was right fit for Jamaat : Mirza Abbas He said the upazila BNP president would have to bear responsibility for his action and that the matter would be discussed with the central leadership. He also said opening the banned Awami League office immediately after the election victory was not a good move and that organisational action would be taken against Abu Daud Pradhan following an investigation for breaching party discipline.

NCP Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam was defeated in Panchagarh-1 as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won both parliamentary seats in Panchagarh district, according to unofficial results announced on early Friday. Kazi Md Sayemuzzaman, Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh, announced the results and declared the winners unofficially. All candidates from both constituencies were present during the announcement. In Panchagarh-1, BNP candidate Barrister Mohammad Nawshad Zamir, contesting with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol, was unofficially elected with 186,189 votes. His nearest rival, Jamaat and NCP alliance candidate Md Sarjis Alam, who contested with the ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol, received 168,049 votes. In the constituency’s referendum vote, 219,576 voters cast “Yes” votes, while 99,594 voted “No”. No compromise on Nasiruddin Patwary issue: Hasnat In Panchagarh-2, BNP candidate Forhad Hossain Azad won the seat unofficially with 174,650 votes. Jamaat candidate Md Safiullah Sufi, contesting with the ‘Dartipalla’ symbol, secured 128,862 votes. In the referendum in this seat, 163,875 voters voted “Yes” and 129,088 voted “No”.

Members of the forest department rescued an injured nilgai, a species considered nearly extinct in Bangladesh, on Wednesday from the Joydharbhanga area of Chaklahat union of Panchagarh Sadar upazila. The rescue was made possible with the help of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members from a nearby Border Outpost (BOP) and assistance from local residents, said Haripad Babu, a ranger of the Panchagarh Forest Department. The animal will be sent to Gazipur Safari Park once it recovers fully. "Nilgai is almost extinct in our country. This one entered Bangladesh from India," he added. According to officials, the animal sustained injuries in various parts of its body while crossing the barbed wire fence from India into Bangladesh. After the rescue, it received primary medical treatment at the upazila livestock office and is currently being kept in the custody of the Panchagarh Forest Department. Local residents said the nilgai entered Bangladesh around noon on Wednesday, breaking through a section of barbed-wire fencing at the Pradhanpara border of Panchagarh Sadar. 11 fishermen abducted by ‘Arakan Army’ from Bay Mistaking it for a deer, hundreds of locals chased the animal. Eventually, it jumped into the Panga River in the Joydharbhanga area, where it was caught and tied up by villagers. Upon receiving the information, BGB personnel rushed to the scene and took the animal to their camp. Later, local public representatives informed the Panchagarh Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Mohammad Zainul Abedin, a beat officer of the Panchagarh Forest Department, visited the spot and took the nilgai to the upazila livestock hospital for primary treatment. The animal is currently being kept in a room at the Forest Department's office.

A Panchagarh court has put former railway minister Nurul Islam Sujan on a 3-day remand in a case over the murder of an easy bike driver during the anti-discrimination student movement in Panchagarh. Senior Judicial Magistrate Nahid Akter Juliet passed the order after hearing  on Thursday. Govt won’t let AL to hold protests unless it apologises: Press Secretary When Sujan was brought to the court at 10:20am people gathered on the court premises and chanted slogans like "Bhua Bhua" and "Bhot Chor Bhot Chor". Last year, easy bike driver Al Amin remained missing since August 4 after participating in the anti-discrimination student movement in Panchagarh. Security tightened at Biswa Ijtema ground: IGP Al Amin's father Manu Mia filed a murder case on November 10 accusing 19 people including ex minister Sujan, also district Awami League president. Another 150 people were named as unidentified accused in the case.    

The northwestern district of Panchagarh is enduring severe cold as this season’s lowest temperature 7.3 degree Celsius was recorded here on Friday. The mercury has come down to single digits, with the temperature starting to drop and causing suffering of people, especially children, senior citizens and the poor. The chilly weather has pushed up the demand for warm clothing. Jitendranath Roy, officer-in-charge of Tetulia Weather Observation Centre, said they recorded the season’s lowest temperature at 6am on Friday. Earlier the lowest had been 8.3 degree Celsius, a fall by 1 degree Celsius. Read:  Temperature drops sharply as cold wave grips Chuadanga A cold breeze has been blowing from the Himalayas due to the fall in temperature, he said, adding that the district was covered with thick fog from night to 8am. By 8am on Friday, the sun was seen which might help a rise in temperature with the passage of time, he forecast. According to district administration, a total of 17,000 blankets have been distributed so far and Tk 33 lakh has been allocated for the purchase of more blankets. The poor people, including homeless ones, stone and tea workers, and day labourers, have been suffering due to a shortage of winter clothing. Read more: Cold waves loom as dense fog grips Bangladesh Jipu Islam, a resident from Old Panchagarh area, said the temperature coupled with dense fog suddenly dropped, resulting in immense suffering of marginalised people. Soharab Ali, a restaurant worker of the district headquarters, said that the fog and wind have badly impacted daily life as his family has been facing financial hardship.  

Shivering cold has gripped the residents of Panchagarh district with temperature dropped to 9.4 degrees Celsius. The temperature, recorded at 6 am at 9.8 degrees Celsius, dipped further to 9.4 degrees by 9 am on Sunday, according to Jitendranath Roy, in charge of the Tetulia Weather Observation Center. The region is experiencing a mild cold wave, he added. Despite sunshine, the biting cold has been hampering the daily life of people. Although daytime temperatures have risen slightly due to sunlight, the chill intensifies in the afternoon, said locals. Vehicles have been using headlights even during the day as the dense fog has reduced visibility. Many residents, especially low-income workers, had to venture out despite the severe cold.

Panchagarh experienced the country’s lowest temperature on Friday morning, with the mercury dropping to 8.4 degrees Celsius. At 6 am, the temperature stood at nine degrees Celsius and fell further to 8.4 degrees by 9 am. Cold air from the Himalayas caused the temperature drop, according to Jitendranath Roy, officer-in-charge of the Tetulia Meteorological Office. Chuadanga shivers as temperature drops to 9.8°C The cold weather has severely impacted the district's vulnerable communities. Many daily wage earners, agricultural workers, and labourers have been unable to work due to the chill. Lacking sufficient warm clothing, they are struggling to survive. Delwar Hossain, a battery-run autorickshaw driver, said, “Dense fog and wind make it impossible to drive in the morning. Few passengers travel during this time, and my income has dropped.” Similarly, day labourer Lutfar Mia said, “Winter reduces work opportunities, and I am struggling to provide for my family.” Dry weather, fog, mild cold wave continue across Bangladesh: BMD Tea worker Aleya Khatun shared her struggles, saying, “In the morning, the dense fog wets the tea plants, making it difficult to pluck leaves. My hands and feet go numb from the cold.” District Agricultural Extension Officer Md Abdul Matin said, despite the cold, the weather benefits agriculture, particularly the cultivation of potatoes, wheat and corn. However, the cold has also increased patient numbers, particularly among children and the elderly. Panchagarh Civil Surgeon Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman said hospitals face greater pressure on outpatient and inpatient departments as winter-related illnesses rise. Dense fog halts Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route for 6 hours Panchagarh Deputy Commissioner Md Sabet Ali reported distributing 2,000 blankets through the upazila nirbahi officers of the district’s five upazilas. He added that the administration has requested additional allocations from higher authorities.  

The lowest temperature of the country was recorded at 10.3 degrees Celsius at Tetulia in Panchagarh on Saturday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Panchagarh district has been experiencing the lowest temperature for the last five days until Saturday. However, the intensity of the cold has decreased with the visibility of the sun. On Saturday morning, people went out for work wearing warm clothes. Ctg, Khulna, Barishal divisions may experience light rains: BMD Severe cold was felt throughout the night. Jitendranath Roy, acting in-charge of Tetulia Weather Observatory Centre, said the residents of the district have been witnessing 10.3 degrees Celsius for the past five days which is the country’s lowest temperature.  

Hundred tonnes of Atap rice have been imported from India through the Banglabandha land port on Tuesday, after two years, in Panchagarh. The shipment arrived in four cargo trucks, said Abul Kalam Azad, manager of Banglabandha Land Port Limited.  The rice was imported by Pahar International through Al Amin Enterprise, marking a rare instance as this land port is primarily used for importing stones. TCB to procure soybean oil, sugar, lentil to sell through OMS Nur Hasan, additional deputy director of the Plant and Quarantine Center at the land port, said that the imported rice underwent thorough testing and inspection. “The rice was released after submitting a report stating that it is of good quality and fit for consumption,” he added. Banglabandha Land Port is the only land port in Bangladesh facilitating trade with India, Nepal and Bhutan via land. Although some goods have been exported through this port, the most imported is stone, according to port sources.  

While the northern regions of Bangladesh are experiencing cooler mornings with thick fog, residents of Dhaka and other parts of the country remain largely unaffected by the chill, as winter continues to delay its arrival. In recent years, the country has typically felt the onset of winter in January, with temperatures dropping significantly between January and February. Md Bazlur Rashid, a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said that while some regions are experiencing a mild chill, a proper winter is unlikely to be felt in December. "Some people are feeling a bit of cold, but there is no chance of winter being felt in December," he said. Low pressure area likely to form over Bay Tuesday He attributed the cooler sensations to changes in wind patterns rather than a true seasonal shift, adding that the country can expect winter to begin in January. “The monsoon season is no longer active.” Winter’s First Signs in Panchagarh and Nilphamari In the northern district of Panchagarh, often referred to as the ‘Daughter of the Himalayas’, the arrival of winter seems imminent. Dense fog has blanketed the area, falling like dew throughout the night and lingering well into the morning, creating a thick, misty atmosphere. According to the Met Office, the departure of the south-west wind, coupled with the presence of clouds in the sky, has contributed to this fog, signalling the forthcoming winter. In Nilphamari, the town has been engulfed in fog since the midnight of October 12, with visibility reduced to the extent that flights at Syedpur airport were disrupted on that day. The fog serves as another early indicator that winter is on its way to the northern regions, even as the rest of the country waits for its arrival. Winter Vegetables Hit Markets Despite the delayed winter, markets across the capital are already buzzing with winter vegetables, though prices remain steep. In markets such as Jinjira, Aganagar in Keraniganj, and the capital’s Karwan Bazar, Newmarket, and Hatirpool Raw Market, vegetable stalls are well-stocked with produce, including aubergine, cucumber, pointed gourd, snake beans, papaya, and bitter gourd. Winter staples such as beans, carrots, radishes, cauliflower and cabbage have also made an appearance. Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘unhealthy’ However, vegetable sellers at Karwan Bazar report that recent rains and floods have driven up prices. In some cases, vegetable prices have surged by as much as Tk 20 in just one week, further straining household budgets amid an already challenging economic climate. Chill to Intensify in January Though winter remains elusive in much of the country, meteorologists predict that temperatures will drop significantly in the coming months, particularly in the northern and hilly regions, where the average temperature can fall to 12°C. January is expected to be the coldest month, with average temperatures across Bangladesh dropping to around 10°C. As the colder months approach, residents in these regions are bracing for the seasonal chill. Bangladesh’s winter, though typically mild, brings a welcome respite from the high humidity and sweltering heat experienced throughout much of the year. For now, as the late arrival of winter looms, the country’s residents wait in anticipation of cooler days ahead. Read more: 10 Tasty Immunity Boosting Winter Soup Recipes for Children