United News of Bangladesh

A child has died with symptoms consistent with measles in Sylhet in the past 24 hours till Friday morning, raising the death toll linked to the outbreak in the division to 58 this year. The information was confirmed on Friday morning by Dr Md Mahbubul Alam, director of the Sylhet divisional office of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). According to the divisional health office, the latest victim was a nine-month-old child named Arim from Chhatak upazila of Sunamganj district. The child died at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. It said a total of 205 patients with measles-like symptoms are currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals across the Sylhet division. Although no new laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported during the period, 18 suspected patients were admitted to different hospitals over the past 24 hours. According to the DGHS data, 165 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been detected in the division between January 1 and May 29 this year. Of them, the highest number – 86 cases – was reported in Sunamganj district, followed by 42 in Sylhet, 21 in Habiganj and 16 in Moulvibazar.

Three more children died in Sylhet showing symptoms of measles in the past 24 hours, raising the death toll in the division to 55. Of the deceased, one was from Doarabazar in Sunamganj (14 months old), one from Sylhet Sadar (8 months old) and one from Moulvibazar Sadar (4 months old). One of the children died at Dr Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital in Sylhet, while two others died at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, according to the latest report from the Sylhet Divisional Office of the Directorate General of Health Services. Officials said the total number of deaths from measles and measles-like symptoms in the Sylhet division has reached 55 as of Monday morning. Of these, four were confirmed measles deaths, while the rest were reported with similar symptoms. Sources said 58 new patients were admitted to various hospitals in Sylhet with measles or measles-like symptoms in the past 24 hours. A total of 270 patients are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals in the division. Meanwhile, five more children tested positive for measles in laboratory tests in the past 24 hours in the division.

A member of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was stabbed to death allegedly by a drug dealer in the Keane Bridge area of Sylhet city on Friday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Emon Acharya, a RAB-9 member. Police arrested the accused identified as Asadul Alam Bappi after the incident. According to RAB-9 sources, Emon Acharya was injured around 12:00pm when Bappi stabbed him during an operation. He was taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Mohammad Manjurul Alam said a group of people was involved in drug consumption and selling near the Keane Bridge when police chased them. The suspects fled the scene. He said RAB member Emon, who was in plainclothes, tried to catch one of the suspects. However, the accused stabbed him in his desperate attempt to flee, leaving the RAB man injured. After the attack, the suspect reportedly fled and later took a child hostage at knifepoint inside a house in the Topkhana area. Police later arrested him from there, Manjurul said.

Five more children have died in Sylhet in the last 24 hours showing symptoms of measles, taking the death toll in the Sylhet division to 47, officials said on Friday morning. They said this is the highest number of deaths recorded in a single day in the division from measles-like symptoms. Of the deceased, two died at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, two at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, and one at Sunamganj Sadar Hospital. A total of 283 patients with measles symptoms are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals across the division. Although no new lab-confirmed cases were reported in the last 24 hours, 74 suspected patients were admitted to hospitals. Director General of Health Services data shows that 158 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been recorded in the division between January 1 and May 22 this year. Officials said four of the deceased children were confirmed measles patients, while the rest were suspected cases. Meanwhile, 20 intensive care unit (ICU) beds have been prepared at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital and 14 at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital to treat severe cases.

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.