United News of Bangladesh

A 37-year-old man allegedly raped his 15-year-old daughter in Shahrashti Upazila, Chandpur, leaving her four months pregnant. Furious locals locked his house Tuesday. Shahrashti Police OC Mir Mahbubur Rahman confirmed the incident to UNB. The victim is a tenth-grade madrasa student. Sources said the accused, from Chengachor village in Tamta Uttar Union, had allegedly subjected his daughter to prolonged physical abuse. When her mother noticed changes in her health, she took the girl to a local hospital, where doctors confirmed the pregnancy. The revelation led to a heated argument between the mother and father. Seven days ago, the mother took the girl to a relative’s home in a neighboring upazila to undergo a clandestine abortion. However, the news soon spread locally, causing widespread anger. Local leaders, including Union Parishad member Mosharraf Hossain and ward BNP secretary Khorshed Alam, confirmed the incident and urged the girl’s family to take legal action. Police have visited the victim’s home but could not locate her or her family. Efforts to arrest the accused are ongoing. Residents warned that protests could erupt demanding his arrest and strict punishment.  

Allegations of irregularities have surfaced over the distribution of government rice to fishermen who refrained from catching mother hilsa during the fishing ban in Bhedarganj Upazila, Shariatpur. Instead of the allotted 80 kilograms, many fishermen reportedly received 6 to 10 kilograms less, sparking concern in the locality. The incident occurred on Tuesday at South Tarabunia Union Parishad, where accusations were raised against the local panel chairman, tag officer, secretary, and their associates for distributing less rice than allotted. Under government directives to conserve juvenile hilsa and boost fish production, fishing—including hilsa—is prohibited from March 1 to April 30 across five protected areas. Registered fishermen are provided 80 kilograms of rice each through the VGF program of the Department of Fisheries. In Bhedarganj, 1,050 fishermen were entitled to receive the aid. Victim fishermen reported that rice distribution began before the scheduled time and in reduced quantities. Rockib Majhi said, “I was supposed to get 80 kilograms but received only 70. When I asked, they said the rice stock was low. We are poor and cannot protest.” Another beneficiary, Faisal Hossain, added, “I measured my portion at 72 kilograms. The chairman claimed the upazila sent less, but when journalists arrived, everyone received the full 80 kilograms.” Upon learning of the irregularities, Bhedarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Hafizul Haque sent Assistant Commissioner (Land) K.M. Rafsan Rabbi and Senior Fisheries Officer M.A. Imran to supervise distribution. They confirmed the discrepancy and ensured the remaining rice was distributed fairly. Panel chairman Sekandar Khan denied the allegations, claiming the rice was correctly measured. UNO Hafizul Haque said a probe committee would investigate and take legal action if necessary. Bhedarganj has a total of 15,818 registered fishermen, many of whom rely on government aid. Locals stress that irregularities not only reflect administrative failure but also injustice to vulnerable communities, and await visible action against those responsible.

Shahidul Molla of Chunkhola Mor in Narail Sadar Upazila remains paralysed after being brutally attacked on the morning of January 20. The assault, allegedly carried out by followers of former local chairman Khair Molla, left him with both legs broken. Despite long-term medical treatment, he now walks only with the help of two sticks and cannot stand unaided. Shockingly, Shahidul has recently been named as the fifth accused in a newly filed murder case, a development that has caused widespread concern in the area. His family questions how someone who is paralysed could be implicated in such a serious crime. Shahidul said, I was severely injured and have not regained the ability to walk properly. I cannot move without two sticks. Yet I have been made the fifth accused in a murder case. On the day of the incident, I was under treatment and completely immobile. I have been deliberately implicated. He appealed for a fair investigation, adding, “The real perpetrators should face justice, but innocent people should not be harassed. Narail Sadar Police Officer-in-Charge Oli Mia said two separate murder cases have been filed in connection with killings in Borokula village of Sadar Upazila. On February 25, Rubel Sheikh, son of the deceased Khalil Sheikh, filed the first case, naming 69 individuals and 40–50 unidentified persons. On February 28, Osman Fakir, father of the deceased Osibur, filed the second case, naming 54 people and 10–15 unknown individuals. Police confirmed that both cases involve multiple accused from opposing parties, complicating the ongoing investigations. Authorities said all allegations are under review and investigations are continuing to ensure justice is served.  

The Chandpur district administration and the Department of Environment jointly fined two owners of illegal brick kilns a total of 700,000 taka on Tuesday during a mobile court operation. The fines were imposed in Motlob North Upazila for operating brick kilns without approval, violating the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act. The mobile court was presided over by Executive Magistrate Md. Masud Rana of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, with prosecution provided by Shormita Ahmed Lia, an inspector of the Department of Environment. M/s Matin-Monowar Bricks was fined 500,000 taka, and M/s Torqui Bricks was fined 200,000 taka, with the amounts collected immediately in cash. Officials from both the district administration and the Department of Environment were present during the operation. During the crackdown, Motlob North police maintained law and order, while the local Fire Service and Civil Defense remained on standby to prevent any potential fire hazards. The mobile court emphasized that operating brick kilns without proper approval not only violates the law but also poses serious environmental and safety risks. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment in Chandpur, said such operations would continue in the future to ensure environmental protection and enforce the law. These actions are crucial for safeguarding the environment and ensuring compliance with regulations. We will continue such initiatives to prevent illegal brick kilns from operating in the district, he added.

Abdullah Al Amin, joint secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and MP for Narayanganj-4, was reportedly trapped for around two hours on Tuesday evening during an iftar event organized by Jamaat-e-Islami in Fatulla’s BSCIC industrial area. The confrontation arose after Al Amin referred to Mohammad Hatem, president of the country’s largest knitwear association, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), as a “fascist’s stooge.” This remark sparked outrage among Narayanganj businesspeople, who blocked the MP and staged a protest at the venue. Eyewitnesses said both Al Amin and Hatem were invited guests at the iftar program. Upon seeing Hatem on stage, Al Amin refused to sit with him and later publicly insulted him, saying, “I will not sit on the same stage as a fascist’s stooge.” Following the comment, tensions escalated, with hundreds of businesspeople and supporters surrounding the venue in protest, demanding action against the MP’s remark. Police from Fatulla Thana were dispatched to manage the situation and eventually evacuated Al Amin around 9 p.m., according to witnesses. Business leaders said Hatem is a democratically elected leader and key figure in sustaining the country’s economy. Labeling him a fascist’s stooge, they argued, was an insult to the entire business community. A factory owner in the area noted, because of Hatem’s strong leadership and pro-business approach, they’ve been able to continue operations in Narayanganj despite challenges. Al Amin reportedly remained on the fourth floor of the five-story building where the iftar was taking place and said he felt safe due to the presence of police, army, and border guards. However, he alleged that Hatem’s supporters had assaulted some NCP members outside the venue. Fatulla Thana Inspector Anwar Hossain said that police were dispatched to the scene after receiving news of the incident. However, according to eyewitnesses, additional police arrived at the venue and rescued MP Abdullah Al Amin around 9 p.m., taking him away by vehicle to protect him from the angry businesspeople.  

A 22-year-old woman looking for work at Bandar, Narayanganj was reportedly held at gunpoint and raped, prompting the filing of a case under the Women and Children Opression Prevention Act. The victim lodged the complaint on Tuesday morning at Bandar Police Station. With her and local residents’ help, police apprehended the suspect, Rahmat Mia, 34, from Madanpur area of Bandar Police Station, on Monday night and took him into custody. Man burned in Narayanganj gas explosion dies The accused Rahmat, son of Shohkti Ramzan Mia of Dighaldari area under Aditmari upazila in Lalmonirhat, had been living for an extended period in a rented house of Mukhtar Mia in Kutubpur, Sonargaon. He was sent to court on Tuesday afternoon, while the victim was taken to Narayanganj General Hospital for medical examination. According to police, on Friday night, the woman was abducted at gunpoint and repeatedly raped in a vacant building in Hirajhil Residential Area under Siddhirganj Police Station. The victim completed her HSC in 2022 from Mojida Khatun Women’s College in Aditmari, Lalmonirhat. Before the incident, she had been living in Kutubpur, Sonargaon, as a tenant at Azizul’s house and seeking employment in different places after leaving her family home. Narayanganj gas explosion: Another victim dies at DMCH On Friday evening, she went shopping at the Madanpur bus stand. While returning home around 9 p.m. in a rickshaw driven by her acquaintance Ershadul, Rahmat allegedly stopped the rickshaw, sat beside her, and at gunpoint forced her across the river via Kutubpur khalpar ghat to a vacant building in Hirajhil Residential Area, where he raped her multiple times. He released her the next morning around 7 a.m., threatening her not to report the incident. Following the assault, Rahmat repeatedly called the victim from various numbers, threatening her and asking her to meet him at Madanpur bus stand. On Monday night, with the help of locals, the victim managed to catch Rahmat, who was handed over to the police. Bandar Police Station OC Golam Mokter Ashraf Uddin said, A case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act has been filed. The accused has been arrested and sent to court. We will continue the investigation to verify the facts.

Local people blocked a road and set fire to four tractors and an excavator machine following the death of a teacher in a road accident on Naogaon-Badalgachhi regional highway in Kadimpur of Sadar upazila in Naogaon district on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Rimon Hossain, 30, a teacher of a coaching centre and son of Shaheen Hossain of Kirtipur village in the upazila. Local people said Rimon died on the spot when a tractor of BBC brick kiln hit a motorcycle carrying him while he was heading towards Archa village for tuition around 2:30 pm. Later, the agitated local people blocked the highway and set fire to four tractors and one excavator machine of the BBC Brick Kiln company in Shahir intersection. They also demanded that the operations of the brick kiln be stopped. On information, local administration, police and members of Army personnel rushed in and brought the situation under control. Vehicular movement on the highway became normal following assurances from local administration. Additional superintendent of Naogaon (Sadar Circle) Police, Mushfiqur Rahman, said police seized the tractor but could not arrest its driver.

Police in a drive arrested the prime accused in connection with the death of a seven-year-old girl, who was rescued with her throat slit from a remote hilly area of Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco Park, from Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district on Tuesday. The arrestee was identified as Babu Sheikh of Kumira area in Sitakunda upazila. Shakila Zahan, additional superintendent of Chattogram police (Sitakunda circle), said after citing the CCTV footage of the area, police identified Babu Sheikh and arrested him. 2 construction workers die after falling from Chattogram building The girl, identified as Jannatul Ira, breathed her last early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Victim’s mother filed a case over abduction and attempted murder on Sunday night and it will now be converted into a murder case, said ASP Shakila Zahan. Police said the girl was found with her throat slit in a deep hilly area of the eco park on Monday morning. Workers engaged in renovation work on the Chandranath Temple road first spotted her lying in a bloodied condition. She was rescued with the help of locals and taken to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex before being shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital as her condition deteriorated. Hospital Director Brig Gen Taslim Uddin said the girl underwent throat surgery on Monday night. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the ICU, where she died early Tuesday. He said it would be confirmed after medical tests whether the child had been sexually assaulted. Mohammad Sujan, uncle of the victim, said Jannatul was shifted to a ward after surgery but developed breathing complications on Monday night. Doctors later found that a device placed in her throat had become blocked. Due to delays in arranging necessary equipment, she was taken to the ICU, where doctors declared her dead in the early hours. The body was sent to the hospital morgue around 11am for autopsy, he added.

A 14-year-old boy was killed and his father was injured when a truck knocked them down on Feni-Noakhali regional highway in Dagonbhuiya upazila of Feni district early Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Nur Mohammad, son of Nur Alam of Lakshmipur district. The accident occurred around 5 am when a truck ran over them while they were going to a local mosque for offering fajr prayer, leaving Nur Mohammad dead on the spot and his father injured, said Asadul Islam, officer-in-charge of Mohipal Highway Police Station. The injured were taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital. On information, police recovered the body and seized the truck.

-Trade between Bangladesh and India through Benapole Land Port remained suspended on Tuesday due to Dol Purnima holiday in India. Passport passenger movement between the two countries continued as usual despite the suspension of trade activities. Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain said import-export operations were kept closed as it was a public holiday in India on the occasion of Dol Purnima. He said that although trade activities remained suspended operations at the port and the customs house were functioning normally. Import and export activities through the port will resume from Wednesday morning, he added. Revenue Officer of Benapole Custom House Monibur Rahman said the government loses around Tk 180 million in revenue for a single day due to the suspension of import-export activities.