United News of Bangladesh

Two people were killed as a motorbike crashed into a car on Sylhet-Sunamganj regional highway in front of a food warehouse in Shantiganj upazila of Sunamganj on Saturday. The deceased were identified as motorcyclists Md Jewel Mia, son of Wahid Ali of Saudergaon village in Doarabazar upazila and Md Shobdar Ali, son of late Abdur Razzak of Hasannagar Moynar Point in Sunamganj municipality. Two killed in separate road accidents in Feni Locals said the accident took place around 11:30 am when the motorbike heading towards Jagannathpur collided with the Sunamganj-bound private car, leaving Jewel Mia dead on spot. Shobdar Ali succumbed to his injuries on the way to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital, said Joykolosh Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Suman Kumar Chowdhury .

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in a drive seized huge amounts of contraband items including Indian sarees and cosmetics worth Tk 5.50 crore from  Harinapati village in Sadar upazila of Sunamganj district early Monday. Tipped off, a team of BGB-28 conducted the drive in the bordering area of the district and seized 4,286 pieces of Indian saris, 13 pieces of lehenga, 4,992 pieces of cosmetics, 20,120 pieces of chocolates from a tin-shed godown in the area, said Commanding officer of BGB-28, Lieutenant Colonel AKM Zakaria Kadir. The seized contraband items will be deposited to the Sunamganj customs.

With the advent of the monsoon, riverbank erosion along the Surma has intensified alarmingly, posing a grave threat to the Chatak-Andhariganj-Sunamganj road, a vital communication lifeline for thousands in the region. Local residents have voiced growing concerns that large sections of the road may collapse into the river at any time, severing a crucial transport route that links several communities. The road, already weakened by the devastating floods of 2022, had shown some signs of recovery after repair works commenced in late 2024 under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).  But, a fresh erosion is now rapidly undoing those efforts. A recent visit by the UNB correspondent revealed that the erosion has reached an alarming stage near the mazar (shrine) adjacent to Mallikpur Government Primary School. Surma River to be dredged to save Sylhet city from flood: State Minister for Water Resources Over the past three to four days, the river has edged perilously close to the paved sections of the road. The situation has worsened with the partial collapse of the western approach to the Machukhali Bridge, heightening fears of a major accident if immediate protective interventions are not made. Locals have reported visible cracks in the newly repaired stretches of the road, with some parts already beginning to subside. “The road is at high risk of being washed away, which would leave the surrounding communities completely cut off,” said a resident of Mallikpur. People from Mallikpur and Machukhali have appealed to the authorities to act without delay. They are calling for strong, lasting measures to curb the erosion and protect the road from further degradation. When contacted, Md Rafiqul Islam, Upazila Engineer of Chhatak, said he has visited the erosion-affected areas and acknowledged the severity of the situation. Surma River flowing over danger level in Sunamganj “Necessary steps will be taken promptly to prevent further damage,” he assured. As the river continues to encroach, residents remain on edge, hoping that urgent action will save the road that connects their lives, livelihoods and essential services.

An irrigation crisis has emerged across hundreds of hectares of Boro farmland lying to the south of Jibdara Bazar, Shimulbak Union, in Sunamganj’s Shantiganj Upazila due to a lack of water. The farmlands are cracking due to water scarcity, and the drying up of water bodies in the Haor has caused severe distress for farming families, putting the crops at risk. Locals say the filling up of the water bodies in the Haor has caused the irrigation crisis. Farmers fear that if these water bodies are not dredged soon, the farmlands in the Haor will remain uncultivated in the future. According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office, the Suraiya Beel water body in Ukargaon, Shimulbak Union, has 13.30 acres, but it is devoid of water. On a visit Monday morning, it was observed that hundreds of hectares of Boro farmland were spread across the Haor south of Jibdara Bazar. Farmers had planted Boro rice across the vast Haor, but there is a severe irrigation crisis. The Suraiya Beel water body in the middle of the Haor has no water, making it difficult to identify land and water bodies. The land has become filled with silt, and the water body is now indistinguishable from the land. There is no water left, and the little that was available has been used up by farmers in the past few days. Unregulated fishing devastates Jamalganj haors endangering biodiversity Haor farmer Md Enamul Haque said, "I have a lot of land in this Haor, and I have spent a lot of money cultivating it. Now, there is a severe irrigation crisis. The filling up of the Suraiya Bill water body has caused this hardship." Farmer Sohel Mia from Jibdara village said, "If there is no rain this year, harvesting the planted crops will be uncertain. If this water body is dredged, we will be able to grow rice, otherwise, all the land in this Haor will remain uncultivated next year." The villagers, who have leased the water body, have also been affected by its filling. They believe that dredging the water body would benefit both the government and the farmers. The government’s revenue would increase, and farmers would be able to grow crops. They have urged the government to expedite the dredging process. Sajirul Islam, president of the Jibdara Adarsha Fishers' Cooperative Society, the lessee of the Suraiya Beel water body, said, "At the start of the Boro season, farmers use the water from the water body for cultivation. However, the water body has completely filled up. Every year, we dredge some parts of the water body with our own funds to create ponds, but it is not sufficient. The water body needs to be dredged on a larger scale. We too have been affected as the lessees of the water body." Inoperative water regulators in Sunamganj haors threaten Boro crops Ahsan Habib, Upazila Agriculture Officer, said, "I will inform the Upazila Water Management Committee, and also notify the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) to address the irrigation crisis. To achieve the target, uninterrupted Boro cultivation must continue." Sukanto Saha, Shantiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Water Management Committee President, said, "The filling up of the water body has caused this problem. However, no one has submitted a written request to me regarding this matter." He added, "Every water body needs to be dredged. If the locals apply for the dredging of the water body, we will verify it and grant permission for the dredging or arrange for it through a project."

Crop protection dam work in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj is progressing at a snail’s pace, leaving farmers worried over the protection of Boro paddy. Although one month has elapsed since the start of the work the members of the Project Implementation Committees (PICs) for 86 dams in seven haors ihave not received the first installment of funds yet. According to Dharmapasha upazila administration, seven haors—Chandra Sonar Thal, Joydhana, Sonamorol, Kailani, Joydhana (2), Gurma, and Rui Beel—fall under the jurisdiction of the Sunamganj Water Development Board. The authorities allocated an amount of Tk 19.15 crore for the 86 crop protection dam projects in these haors. The members of the PICs for these 86 projects are still waiting for the first installment of funds. According to the policy, the construction and repairs of the dams were supposed to begin on December 15 last with the work scheduled to be completed by February 28. The work was inaugurated on December 15 but due to delayed water drainage from the haors, work began in the first week of January. The funds for the dam work are supposed to be distributed in four installments through cheques. As per the guidelines, 25% of the allocation is meant to be given as an advance before the work begins. Despite the passage of over a month, the PICs have not received any funds yet. Several farmers from the haor areas expressed concern saying that due to delays in forming the PICs and other preparatory work the dam construction started late, and the work is progressing slowly, putting their Boro crops at risk. On a field visit on Monday last, the correspondent found that work of at least ten crop protection dams in Chandra Sonar Thal and Rui Beel haors was moving at a slow pace. Read: Ballooning number of crop protection dams in Sunamganj haor region raises concern Soil was piled up in some areas, and only five to seven workers were present at each site. Salah Uddin, president of the project implementation committee for the 33rd dam in Chandra Sonar Thal, said that their dam, with a length of 990 meters, has been allocated over Tk 23.33 lakh. "We began the work on time, but we were supposed to receive 25% of the allocated amount before starting the work, however we haven't received a single taka yet. We are facing significant challenges and delays in completing the work. I've heard that the delay is due to the absence of the UNO, but we urgently need the first installment to continue the work," he added. Jahangir Alam, an assistant engineer in charge of overseeing the dam work, said the first installment of the funds has already been deposited in the bank. However, the delay in disbursing funds has been hampering the progress of the work, he said. Acting UNO and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aliduzzaman said that the previous UNO was transferred on December 31, and a new UNO has been appointed.. “We hope the issue will be resolved in a few days," he said. Mamun Howlader, executive engineer of the Water Development Board in the district, said that he spoke to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) about the matter. Read more: Parts of Chandpur town protection dam collapse DC Mohammad Ilias Mia assured that the PICs would receive their first installment of funds within two to three days, he said. Crop protection dams are built to protect crops from early floods and landslides. Haors are wetland ecosystems found in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. Sunamganj district is famous for its numerous haors.

Several hundred thousand residents in Jagannathpur upazila of Sunamganj are going through severe hardship due to the poor condition of three major bridges over the Naljur River. These bridges, located in the heart of the upazila, have become increasingly unsafe, causing constant traffic jams and raising concerns over potential accidents. One of the main bridges, situated near the food warehouse in Naljur area, has been under construction for over a year and a half, after the old bridge was demolished. Despite initial promises, the new bridge is only about 60 percent complete, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, another bridge, the Dak Bungalow Bridge, is under threat due to increased vehicle pressure, and its narrowness is causing frequent traffic congestion. Hatirjheel: From scenic spot to a place of fear The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing use of an alternative Bailey Bridge, which operates under one-way traffic. The approach road to this bridge is in terrible condition, making it difficult to navigate. Adding to the problem, a bamboo bridge built for pedestrians next to the new bridge is rapidly deteriorating, making it almost impossible to walk across safely. Zakir Hossain, a local resident of the area, said "We are fed up with the constant demolition and delay of these bridges.”  “We’ve been living with this problem for too long, and the administration has not taken effective action," Zakir added. Another passerby, Shamim Ahmed, said that the crowd in the area has increased significantly after the Upazila Sadar was converted into a municipality. Siddhirganj Lake Project, supposed to be completed in 2021, still incomplete “Lakhs of people are suffering due to the pitiful condition of these bridges," he added. The issues surrounding these bridges have a long history. In 1987, the original bridge in front of the food warehouse was built with the initiative of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. However, during the tenure of the previous government, it was demolished, and on March 26, 2023, former Planning Minister MA Mannan laid the foundation for a new bridge, modeled after Hatirjheel in Dhaka. The project was estimated to cost Tk 14 crore and work was given to Kishoreganj-based contractor M/s Bhati Bangla Enterprise. However, despite the expectation that construction would be completed by April 2024, the work has been progressing at a slow pace, with only 60 percent of the work completed. Large influx of migratory birds enhances scenic charm of Ramrai Dighi in Thakurgaon Local residents raised concerns during the bridge's construction, warning that it might go under water during the monsoon and urged for it to be raised. However, their concerns were ignored, and the bridge sank during heavy rains and flash floods, causing traffic to be closed for three to four months each monsoon. Meanwhile, the construction of the Dak Bungalow Bridge on the same river began in 1988 with funds from locals and businessmen, and was completed in 1996 by LGED. In 2022, the bridge was damaged when an excavator accidentally cut through its pillar during river excavation work. This led to an 11-month closure of the bridge, with the only available traffic route being the damaged alternative bridge. Even after steel plates were installed to temporarily restore the Dak Bungalow Bridge, its condition remained precarious, and traffic was restricted due to the heavy vehicle load and rising water levels. Saiful Alam, site manager overseeing the construction of the new bridge, said that delays were partly due to the rising water levels in the river. Informal bargaining overtakes app-based ridesharing in Bangladesh! However, he assured that construction was now progressing rapidly and would be completed soon. "We expect the construction work of the bridge to be finished by February," said Sohrab Hossain, Jagannathpur Upazila Engineer at the Local Government Engineering Department. Once the new bridge is completed, it is hoped that the public suffering will ease. However, until then, the residents of Jagannathpur remain caught in a cycle of traffic chaos, safety concerns, and frustration over ongoing delays. Traffic congestion escalates in Narayanganj city due to rules violation

Normally the river erosion occurs in the monsoon, but surprisingly some 50 to 60 families of two unions in Jagannathpur upazila of Sunamganj have lost their homesteads and other establishments over the past few days. The unseasonal erosion has taken a serious turn in the Kushiyara River for factors blamed on rampant soil cutting from the riverbanks for brick kilns.   Forty residents have relocated their establishments to save those from the erosion and many are still residing under the open sky. Many are still living on the riverbanks risking their lives. On the other hand, some left poles of houses and fences on homesteads hoping that those wouldn’t be affected.     Mongla Port Development: Work on Pashur Channel Dredging begins Besides, over 300 families of the unions, religious establishments, including mosques, temples, graveyards and cemeteries, and schools are under the erosion threat, caused after some influential took away soil from the river banks for brick kilns. Those yet to be affected are passing sleepless nights fearing the river erosions, urging the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to halt it. It was learned that the river is breaking intermittently from the Zero Point of the Raniganj Bridge of the river to Purbo Jalalpur, Bhangabari, Baghmaina for the past few months, swallowing up three to four kilometers of land. Visiting several areas of the unions, it was found that one Al Amin of Sonatala village in Pailgaon union and Faruk Mia, owner of Shapla Brick Field in Raniganj union, were illegally taking soil from the river banks. Locals alleged that Al Amin was selling soil regularly without caring for the administration. Erosion was going on in the Balisree and Bagmaina areas. Khulna farmers reap rewards from mustard cultivation, honey production Though GO bags have been thrown off the erosion continued, said the locals. Promod Das, a resident of Raniganj village, said he had a house but it had been swallowed up by the river at night. Bulai Robi Das, another villager, alleged that land grabbers were cutting soil from the riverbanks every year, resulting in the erosion. The land grabbers were doing the same job. Kalpana Rani Das said, "Who will build our house? We (husband and wife) both live in a small room. I may not be able to stay the night (Sunday). The house will be broken into the river. I can't say how we will stay, how we will live, who will feed us.” Seeking intervention from the administration, Balishi village’s Ashraful Haque said they held a human chain demanding an end to the erosion but had no cooperation from the Water Development Board and the Administration. Lamenting for the villages, Pailgaon Union Parishad’s Chairman Md Nazmuddin alleged that they apprised the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of the matter but no actions had been taken yet. Water Development Board’s Deputy Assistant Engineer Sabju Kumar Shill said they threw some GO bags into the river to resist the erosion.   Naogaon farmers make a fortune on mustard and honey Regarding the soil cutting, he warned that actions would be taken against those responsible.     Engineer Sabuj said they prepared a project, which is waiting for the final approval, to address the problem permanently by throwing GO bags and Blocks. Upazila Assistant Commissioner (AC-Land) Riyadh Bin Ibrahim Bhuiyan said they learned about the soil cutting from the riverbanks and assured of taking action against the accused. He ordered the authorities to look into the matter soon.

A Bangladeshi youth was killed by bullets  allegedly fired from the Indian side along Chinakandi border area in Bishwambharpur upazila  of Sunamganj on Wednesday. The deceased was identified Md Saidul Islam, 24, son of Joynal Abedin, a resident of Gamatola Khaspara East in Dhanpur union of the upazila. Sunamganj Battalion 28 BGB Commander AKM Zakaria Qadir said  it is still unconfirmed whether the shots were fired by BSF personnel or Indian Garos. A flag meeting has been scheduled between the Machimpur BOP and Karaigara BSF camp in India regarding the matter, he said. Caretaker’s body found in Faridpur with hands and feet tied Locals said Saidul Islam might have been killed by BSF possibly after an altercation between him and the BSF personnel while he was attempting to cross the border with betel nuts. He was rushed to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital where the attending physician Dr Shafiqur Islam  confirmed his death. The deceased had two gunshot wounds on his chest and stomach and the nature of the bullet will be determined following an autopsy, he said.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized smuggled Indian goods worth over Tk 94 lakh along the borders in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. The frontier force also seized a pickup van and a microbus during the drives which continued from 12 am on Tuesday to early Wednesday. However, no one could be detained in this connection, said a media release sent from the BGB-48 Battalion on Wednesday morning. Being tipped-off, several teams of the BGB conducted drives along Banglabazar, Panthumai, Sreepur, and Sonalichela areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts and recovered the smuggled items. Read: BGB seizes smuggled goods worth Tk 147.84 cr in Dec The suspected smugglers left the vehicles abandoned after hearing the drives of the BGB. The recovery includes Indian sugar, oranges, betel nut, liquor and others, the media release says. The drives against smuggling will continue and security has been beefed up along borders, added the release.

Farmers in Jagannathpur upazila of Sunamganj district are struggling to cultivate Boro paddy due to waterlogging caused by a newly built road. More than a hundred farming families in Rouyail and Alampur villages are now worried about their crops. A complaint was filed with the Jagannathpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer on Thursday, highlighting the issue. According to the complaint, the water in Parua Haor, located in Rouyail village of Raniganj union, has not drained properly. This problem arose after the construction of the Balisree-Panachatal road by the Rouyail Hilalpur Water Management Cooperative Society Limited, a local cooperative society under the LGED, last year. During construction, no drainage provisions were made, leaving the haor waterlogged. Read: Bumper Boro paddy yield in Khulna’s saline land brings joy to farmers Zakir Hossain Jamal, a farmer from Rouyail village, said, "This is the ideal time for Boro cultivation, but the water in the haor is still knee-deep, making it impossible to plant paddy sapling. Farmers in both Rouyail and Alampur villages are extremely concerned about the Boro crop." Another farmer, Samuj Mia, explained, "The road was built without a drainage path, so the water is stuck. We have contacted the Water Management Cooperative Society many times but received no solution, which led us to file this complaint." Motaher Ali Nunu, General Manager of Rouyail Hilalpur Water Management Cooperative Society, said that the area where a culvert was planned to drain the water has now dried up. However, he assured farmers that the company is committed to supporting them in any efforts to resolve the issue. Read more: Govt to procure 17 lakh tonnes Boro paddy, rice Md. Barkat Ullah, Jagannathpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said that the Upazila LGED has been instructed to take immediate action. Local LGED official Sohbar Hossain added, "We are seriously looking into the matter."