United News of Bangladesh

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized a large quantity of smuggled goods worth around Tk 1.90 crore in separate operations in the Sylhet border area. Acting on secret information, the Sylhet Battalion (48 BGB) conducted drives on Sunday in several border areas, including Banglabazar, Kalairag, Minatila, Sangram, Bichnakandi, Pratappur and Sripur, and recovered Indian smuggled goods, said BGB sources. The seized items include 7,264 kg of cumin, 7,200 pieces of skin bright cream, 2,260 sunglasses, 28,944 packets of biscuits, 3,450 pieces of Klop G cream, 1,701 pieces of gel, 495 kg of snakehead fish, one buffalo, 6,772 pieces of chocolate, 285 kg of betel nut, 345 kg of fuchka, 153 trousers, 585 tubes of toothpaste, 100 kg of sugar, 20 cubic feet of stone, one truck, one motorcycle, one trolley and 41 bottles of Indian liquor. The estimated value of the seized goods is Tk 1,90,08,070. Lieutenant Colonel Md Nazmul Haque, commanding officer of Sylhet Battalion (48 BGB), said BGB remains vigilant to ensure border security and prevent smuggling and drug trafficking. “As part of ongoing efforts, a significant amount of illegal goods has been seized. Legal action will be taken as per rules regarding the confiscated items,” he added.  

The death toll from a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup van in South Surma upazila of Sylhet has risen to nine, as another victim succumbed to his injuries. The deceased was identified as Ramim Mia, 50, son of Alimuddin of Bhatipara in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj. He died around 10:30pm while undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Earlier, at least eight construction workers, including two women, were killed and 10–12 others injured in the collision in South Surma upazila on Sunday morning. The victims were Suruj Ali, 60, son of Fakhrul Ali, Munni, 26, daughter of Basir Mia, Faridul, 35, son of Nur Salam of Dirai upazila, Nargis, 45, wife of Idris Mia of Dharmapasha upazila, Azir Uddin, 40 of Bishwambharpur upazila in Sunamganj district, and Amiruddin, 35, Badrul Zaman, 40, son of Surut Ali, and Pandab Biswas, 20, son of Kutir Biswas of Companyganj upazila in Sylhet. The accident occurred around 6:15am on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in the Telibazar area. According to locals, a pickup carrying 20-22 construction workers was heading towards Sunamganj from Sylhet when it collided with a truck loaded with jackfruits coming from the opposite direction. Md Monjurul Alam, additional deputy commissioner (Media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said the deceased include two women. Four people died on the spot following the crash, while three others succumbed to their injuries at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH), he said, adding that another victim died while undergoing treatment at Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital. The injured were admitted to different hospitals. Khadija, wife of deceased Badrul, who was travelling with him, survived with serious injuries. The couple, both construction workers, had set out together for work as usual. Family members said Badrul died on the spot after a construction mixer machine fell on him when the pickup overturned during the crash. Brig Gen Umar Rashed Munir, director of SOMCH, said the injured are being provided with necessary medical care. Police seized both vehicles involved in the accident. They also arrested the assistant of the truck driver while the trucker managed to flee. Deputy Director of Sylhet Fire Service Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan said preliminary findings suggest the accident occurred as the bus driver fell asleep at the steering. Ashraful Islam, Officer-in-Charge of South Surma Police Station, said all the victims were construction workers and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident. Thirteen construction workers were killed and 13 others injured in a truck-pickup collision near Nazirbazar in South Surma upazila of the district on June 7, 2023.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday offered fateha at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) during his first official visit to Sylhet since assuming office. After arriving at Osmani International Airport at 10:05am on a domestic flight with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, the Prime Minister headed straight to the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) where he offered fateha and recited Darood Sharif. During his day-long visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of a Sylhet City Corporation project at Chandni Ghat aimed at easing waterlogging in the city and address a civic gathering there. At noon, he will inaugurate the re-excavation of the Baisha River in Kashipur Union under Sylhet Sadar upazila. After offering Zuhr prayers and having lunch at the Circuit House, Tarique will inaugurate Notun Kuri Sports-2026 at Sylhet District Stadium at 3:00pm. He is also scheduled to attend a meeting with party leaders and workers at the Shilpakala Academy later in the day before returning to Dhaka in the evening.This is Tarique Rahman's first visit to Sylhet as Prime Minister. He last visited the city on January 21 during the campaign for the 13th parliamentary elections.

A 50-year-old man was killed in a clash between two groups of villagers over the naming of a mosque at Galongshah in Sylhet city on Friday. The deceased was identified as Delwar Hossain Dilbar, son of Makhon Mia of Moghalgaon union under Jalalabad police station. Shamsul Habib, Officer-in-Charge of Jalalabad police station, said there had been enmity between people of Galongshah and Khaser Gaon villages over naming a newly-built jam-e-mosque at Galongshah village. As a sequel to the enmity, the local people organised arbitration over the issue after Juma prayers on Friday. During the arbitration, both groups locked into heated arguments, triggering a clash that left  Delwar  injured. Later, he was taken to Ragib-Rabeya Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared him dead. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Two members of Jatiotabadi Swechhasebak Dal have been expelled from the party following a clash over beef prices in Sylhet. They are Aziz Khan Sajib, joint convener of the Metropolitan Swechhasebak Dal, and member Golam Rabbani. The decision was taken by Central Committee President SM Jilani and General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, according to a press release by Joint Office Secretary Md. Osman Gani on Friday. The incident occurred on Thursday night around 9:30 pm at the Medina Market area, where a scuffle broke out between leaders and activists of two BNP-affiliated groups over beef prices. At least 10 people were injured. Police and army personnel rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Sylhet Metropolitan Volunteer Party member secretary Afsar Khan said the central committee suspended the two members after verifying the facts of the clash. Sylhet Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Md. Manjurul Alam said quick action was taken to ensure public safety.

A group of local people attacked police and snatched away two suspected accused while they were being taken to a police station with drugs in Sylhet district. Manjurul Alam, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said a team of Shahparan Police Station, led by sub-inspector Alif intercepted a pick-up in front of Doloipara Sakina in district town around 6 pm on Tuesday. Later, they recovered 297 pieces of Yaba tablets and arrested Shahidul Islam, 45, son of Samsu Mia and Jabed Ahmed, 26, of Alibagh area of the city. Seven suspected robbers arrested with knives in Sylhet At one stage, some local people, numbering 30-35 people, including Abdul Ahad, Enam, Sakib and Rebul carried out an attack on police and snatched away the accused from police custody and allowed them to flee the scene. However, no policeman was injured and police are trying to arrest the accused, said Manjurul. Two separate cases were filed in this connection.

Police have arrested a woman for allegedly killing her mother-in-law in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj. The deceased was identified as Ferdousi Islam Chowdhury, 53, wife of the late Sirajul Islam Chowdhury. Her son, Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury, is an expatriate living in Dubai. Ferdousi had been living at the house with her daughter-in-law Tamanna Akhtar, 22. Police said Ferdousi’s body was recovered from her residence on Monday morning with her hands and feet tied and her face taped. The body was later sent to Habiganj Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy. Police arrested victim’s daughter-in-law Tamanna Akhtar. During initial interrogation, she reportedly confessed to her involvement in the murder. Police said Tamanna had an illicit relationship with a youth from Sunamganj. On the night of the incident, the man, along with two to three accomplices, entered the house. They allegedly broke open a cupboard and looted gold ornaments and cash. When Ferdousi woke up and began to scream, the accused tied her hands and feet, taped her mouth, and later strangled her to death, police said. In this connection, the victim’s brother, Faruk Ahmed, filed a murder case against Tamanna,s alleged lover and several unidentified persons. Nabiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monayem Mia said it was a planned killing. “The main accused has been arrested and drives are underway to arrest the others involved,” he added.

A 55-year-old fisherman was killed when a thunderbolt struck him while he was catching fish in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet district on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Ram Chandra Talukdar, 55, son of Mohananda Talukdar of Dharmapasha upazila in Sunamganj district. He used to live in the Kalairag Natunbazar area. Shafiqul Islam Khan, officer-in-charge of Companiganj Police Station, said Ram Chandra died on the spot when a thunderbolt struck him while he was catching fish in the Dhalai River around 9 pm amid rain. The body of Ram Chandra was sent to the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue.

The Department of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has seized and publicly destroyed a large quantity of expired and hazardous cosmetic products, including items imported illegally from India, in Sylhet city. The shop responsible was fined Tk 60,000. The operation took place on Monday around 4:00pm at Lal Dighirpar Hawkers Market. Acting on a tip-off, officials raided the warehouse of Rudrakshi Enterprise, and found a stockpile of banned and adulterated cosmetics that posed a risk of skin cancer. Md Arif Murshed Mishu, Deputy Director of the DNCRP Sylhet office, said the raid was conducted with support from members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-9, during which one employee of the shop was detained. The shop was fined Tk 60,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, and the employee was released after payment. All confiscated expired and hazardous products were publicly burned.  The raid also recovered various counterfeit Indian cosmetic items, including fake olive oil products. Authorities warned that similar illegal and dangerous cosmetic items would not be tolerated and urged consumers to report suspicious products.

Commerce  Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Friday said the government has adequate stocks of essential commodities to keep market prices stable during the holy month of Ramadan. “The main responsibility of the Ministry of Commerce is to ensure price stability of essential food items. This responsibility becomes even more important during Ramadan,” he told reporters in Sylhet.  The minister said when the current government assumed office, there was little scope to take special measures ahead of Ramadan.  “However, the positive aspect is that the amount of food stock we currently have is sufficient to maintain price stability in the market,” he added. Minister Muktadir speaking to journalists at Sylhet Osmani International Airport after exchanging greetings with officials of different government departments and party leaders. Responding to a question on development plans for Sylhet, the minister said he had highlighted these issues throughout his election campaign and manifesto.  “We want to implement initiatives that are directly linked to improving the quality of life of the people of Sylhet,” he said, adding that priority would be given to employment generation, expansion of IT-related professions and the establishment of an AI centre. The minister also said the government would work sincerely over the next five years, utilising every single day to move Bangladesh forward in the global arena. 'Not all collections in the road transport sector is extortion': Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister Replying to a question about job creation at the Sylhet IT Park, he said investment is essential to generate employment.  “To attract investment, we need to improve communication systems, reduce red tape and ensure a supportive environment, including political stability,” Muktadir said. He added that special policy support is needed for expatriate and local investors in Sylhet. “We are working on these issues and their implementation will be visible very soon." Among others present were Sylhet MP MA Malik, Divisional Commissioner Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi, Range DIG Md Mushfekur Rahman, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Acting President Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi and Sylhet District BNP President Abdul Qaiyum Chowdhury, along with leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its associate bodies.