United News of Bangladesh

A farmer in Jaintapur, Sylhet, has suffered nearly Tk 10 lakh in losses after unidentified individuals allegedly vandalized his watermelon field over a past dispute. According to the complaint, Mohammad Ahmad Ali (53) of Daiya village in Darbast Union cultivated watermelons this season on five bighas of land in Bedu Haor, owned by the local mosque. Between around 9 pm on Jan 20 and 8 am on Jan 21, vandals reportedly entered the field and cut down 900 to 1,000 flowering and fruit-bearing watermelon plants. Ahmad Ali filed a written complaint at Jaintapur Model Police Station. Following the incident, the Upazila Department of Agricultural Extension sent a sub-assistant agriculture officer to inspect the site. “I am an ordinary farmer, and this is my first season cultivating watermelon on this land. Overnight, my entire field was destroyed. This is a huge loss for me. I want a proper investigation and exemplary punishment for the culprits,” Ahmad Ali said. Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Shoaeb Ahmed confirmed the inspection, noting the total loss of the crop and describing it as a major setback for the farmer. He said Ahmad Ali’s plants had begun flowering and fruiting, with market-ready melons expected by Ramadan, but the vandals destroyed all prospects. Jaintapur Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Molla said the complaint has been recorded and the incident is being investigated. Efforts are underway to identify and take legal action against the perpetrators.

Two people, including a bus helper, were killed and at least 10 others injured when a mini-bus overturned on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, Thursday evening. The accident occurred around 7:30 pm near Sultana Garments in Mehrabari area of the upazila. The deceased were identified as bus helper Anik Mia (32), son of Altaf Hossain of Jagannathdia village in Ghior, Manikganj, and Shahjan Siraji (40), son of Nurul Islam of Birunia village in Bhaluka. Police and locals said the highway-bound mini-bus lost control near Sultana Garments and overturned on the road, killing Shahjan Siraji at the spot. The driver, helper, and at least 12 passengers were seriously injured. Bhaluka Fire Service and Veradoba Highway Police rushed the injured to Bhaluka Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Anik Mia dead. The critically injured driver was referred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, while others are receiving treatment at the Upazila Health Complex. ABM Mehedi Masud, officer-in-charge of Veradoba Highway Police Station, said the bodies were recovered, the mini-bus seized, and legal action would follow before handing the bodies to the families.

A mobile court in Monirampur upazila of Jashore has fined two parliamentary candidates a total of Tk 2.3 lakh for causing traffic congestion and violating the election code of conduct on the first day of campaigning for the 13th national parliamentary election. The court, presided over by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mahir Dayan Amin and Executive Magistrate Ashish Kumar Das on Thursday afternoon, imposed Tk 1.5 lakh on independent candidate Shahid Iqbal Hossain (symbol: Kalash) and Tk 80,000 on Gazi Enamul Haque, backed by Jamaat-e-Islami (symbol: Daripalla). Shahid Iqbal’s fine was paid by Monirampur Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Nistar Faruk, while Professor Ahsan Habib Liton paid on behalf of Gazi Enamul Haque. The mobile court said both candidates’ supporters gathered in large numbers in Monirampur Bazar for rallies, blocking the main road and disrupting traffic. At the same time, another campaign procession by Gazi Enamul Haque further worsened the situation. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Asheq Hasan, returning from a divisional meeting in Khulna on Thursday, witnessed the traffic congestion in Monirampur Bazar. Mahir Dayan Amin said the violations were registered under Section 27(k) of the 2025 election code of conduct, leading to the fines.

A CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver was beaten to death by assailants in Bayezid Bostami area of Chattogram city on Tuesday, police said. The incident took place around midnight near Amin Jute Mill Midya Para. The deceased was identified as Khorshed Alam, 40, a resident of Raufabad area under the same police station. One suspect, Shamsul Alam, 31, has been arrested in connection with the attack, while police are working to apprehend the other perpetrators. CCTV footage circulating on social media shows Khorshed arguing with three men on the street. The dispute escalated into a scuffle, and Khorshed was repeatedly struck with sticks, falling to the ground. The attackers continued the assault even after he collapsed before fleeing the scene. Bystanders were present but did not intervene. Jahidul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Bayezid Bostami police station, said Khorshed was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead. Authorities reviewed the CCTV footage to identify the suspect and are continuing the investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the attack stemmed from a dispute over the victim’s alleged bad breath. Khorshed’s family is preparing to file a formal case.

The strike by intern doctors at Rangpur Medical College (RMC) Hospital entered its second consecutive day on Thursday, leaving patients in serious distress. The doctors began the protest following an attack by patients’ relatives on medical staff earlier this week. Police have arrested a man identified as Hossain, 20, son of Hafez Ashraful Islam of Chaparhat area under Kaliganj police station in Lalmonirhat district, in connection with the incident. On Thursday afternoon, intern doctors were seen refraining from providing treatment, demanding better security for medical staff. The strike has disrupted normal hospital operations, putting ordinary patients, many of them critical, in extreme danger. Relatives of patients undergoing treatment at the hospital expressed frustration. “We are suddenly in trouble due to the doctors’ strike. Patients are not getting the necessary medical care. If the situation does not improve, we may have to take them elsewhere,” said one relative. Sadman Mir Miraj, President of the Intern Doctors Society of RMC Hospital, said the protest began after patient relatives attacked mid-level doctors, resident doctors and interns in the operation theatre on Tuesday night, injuring several and disrupting ongoing surgeries. “Doctors are now working under extreme insecurity,” he added. The strike will continue until proper security measures are ensured for intern doctors, he warned. Brigadier General Ashikur Rahman, Director of RMC Hospital, said discussions are underway with the authorities regarding hospital security, and he hoped the strike would end soon to ensure uninterrupted medical care.

At least nine supporters of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates were injured following a clash between the groups in Ullapara on the first day of campaigning on Thursday (January 22, 2026). The identities of the injured could not be immediately confirmed, said Rupkar, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Ullapara Model Police Station. Read more: BNP leader shot and injured in Keraniganj OC Rupkar said both sides were campaigning in Tetulia village under the Sirajganj-4 (Ullapara) constituency when a verbal argument escalated into a physical clash. Supporters from both sides reportedly chased each other, and private cars and motorcycles belonging to Jamaat supporters were vandalised. Police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Patrolling has been strengthened in the area to prevent further clashes. Legal action will be taken if any formal complaints are filed regarding the incident, added the OC. Read more: No loan defaulter to be allowed to rule Bangladesh: Nahid 

A night of political violence left two people dead in Singra upazila of Natore district early Thursday, as a college teacher was reportedly hacked to death and a woman was burnt alive after her house was allegedly set ablaze. The deceased were identified as Rezaul Karim, 53, an assistant professor at Bil Haloti Trimohoni College and a member of Singra Upazila’s Zia Parishad, and Sabia, 75, mother of local Awami League activist Abdul Wahab. According to police, the incidents took place in Kumarpara area within a short span of time, triggering panic among local residents. Fraternal clash between BNP activists in Mymensingh leaves 10 injured Officer-in-Charge of Singra Police Station ASM Abdur Noor said a group of assailants arrived on a motorbike around 11pm and called Rezaul Karim out of his house. He was then hacked indiscriminately, leaving him dead on the spot. Shortly after the killing, a fire broke out at the house of Abdul Wahab. Sabia, who was inside the house at the time, became trapped and died in the blaze. Police suspect that supporters of Rezaul Karim may have set the house on fire, suspecting Wahab’s involvement in the murder of the college teacher. The OC, however, emphasised that the matter is still under investigation. Fire service personnel and police rushed to the scene following reports of the fire and later recovered the bodies of both victims. Most incidents involving minorities were criminal, not communal: Govt The back-to-back incidents have shocked the local community, raising concerns over political tensions and retaliatory violence in the area. Police said legal action will be taken in connection with both deaths, and investigations are underway to identify those responsible.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has imposed a ban on flying drones over the Alia Madrasa field during a BNP  rally, citing security concerns. The BNP is set to hold the rally at Alia Madrasa field as part of its campaign for the 13th national parliamentary election. Party Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the gathering as the chief guest at around 11:30am. Tarique now in Sylhet to launch election campaign Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Saiful Islam said no individual or organisation will be allowed to operate drones during the rally, except law enforcement agencies. He warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the ban.

At least 10 people were injured in a clash between the supporter groups of two BNP leaders in Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon) constituency on Wednesday evening. The clash occurred in front of Islamia School in Gafargaon after election symbols were allocated for the constituency. Supporters of Akhtaruzzaman Bachchu, who got the BNP candidate A and rebel candidate AB Siddiqur Rahman confronted each other during rival processions, triggering clashes, gunfire, and reported fires in several locations. Police and the army restored calm with baton charges, but shops remained closed and the area stayed tense. Confirming the incident, Mymensingh Additional Superintendent of Police (Finance & Administration) Md. Abdullah Al Mamun said the situation is now under control and those involved will face legal action after investigation. Akhtaruzzaman Bachchu claimed his supporters were attacked by the rebel BNP faction and demanded arrests, while AB Siddiqur Rahman denied the allegations, saying his 10,000 supporters held a peaceful procession and he did not attack anyone. BNP activists accused AB Siddiquur Rahman, joint convenor of Mymensingh South District BNP, of having business ties with fugitive PM Sheikh Hasina’s adviser and Beximco vice chairman Salman F Rahman. They alleged he faces a Tk 136.68 crore embezzlement case with the ACC and is conspiring against the party after being denied the nomination. Regarding the case, Siddiqur said, “There may be a case, but it is not an important matter.”

A 10-year-old boy was found dead at his home at Bahirpura village in Lohagara upazila of Narail on Tuesday evening. The deceased is Sohag Sheikh, a Class V student of Bahirpura Primary School and the son of Ali Sheikh, a local Union Parishad member. Family members said when Sohag’s mother called him for dinner she received no response and upon entering the room she found him unconscious. Sohag was taken to Lohagara Upazila Health Complex where he was pronounced dead. The exact reasons behind his death are under investigation, said Ajit Kumar Roy, Inspector (investigation) of Lohagara Police Station. After completion of formalities, it will be handed over to the family, he said.