United News of Bangladesh

Leaders and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League staged a protest march and briefly blocked the Dhaka-Khulna Highway in Gopalganj’s Kashiani upazila on Monday. The programme was held around noon in the Ratail Horticulture Centre area of the upazila, where protesters blocked the highway for a short period and chanted various slogans. According to locals, the demonstration was organized in protest against the vandalisation of a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Kashiani Upazila Parishad premises and to demand the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to the country. An estimated 40 to 50 people participated in the programme, occupying a section of the highway for a brief period before leaving the area. Local sources said unidentified individuals smeared black paint on the mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Kashiani Upazila Parishad premises on the night of June 9. The following night, several Chhatra League leaders and activists were seen cleaning the mural and removing the paint. A video of the incident later circulated on Facebook, triggering widespread discussion and reactions on social media. Mahfuzur Rahman, Kashiani Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said a brief procession had taken place and we are investigating the matter. Since the organization has been declared banned, legal action will be taken against those involved.

An elderly farmer was killed after being struck by a brick during a clash between two relatives in Magura’s Sadar upazila on Monday noon. The deceased was identified as Arab Ali, 70, son of late Yakub Ali of Kodalia Shrirampur village under Haji Pur Union in Magura Sadar upazila. The incident occurred at Uttorpara of Kodalia Shrirampur village around noon during a clash between two relatives over a family dispute. Abdullah Al Mamun, Magura Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said the clash erupted between Sakhawat and Hasan following an altercation over a family issue. At one stage, both sides engaged in brick throwing. During the clash, Arab Ali went to the spot to witness the incident. Suddenly, a brick struck him on the head, leaving him seriously injured. Locals rescued him and took him to Magura 250-bed Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. OC Abdullah Al Mamun said he visited the hospital after receiving the information and a case has been filed in connection with the incident.

A Bangladeshi pilgrim who spent more than three years in hospitals in Saudi Arabia after falling seriously ill while performing Umrah has died just over a month after being brought back home through the efforts of the Bangladesh government. Hedayetul Islam, also known as Manik Huzur, 65, a resident of Maheshpushkarani village in Mirzanagar Union of Parshuram upazila in Feni, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 10am on Monday while undergoing treatment. According to family members, Hedayetul travelled to Saudi Arabia on February 1, 2023, along with his wife and several others to perform Umrah. After staying in Makkah for a few days, he suddenly fell ill in Madinah on February 12 and was later admitted to King Fahad Hospital in Madinah. Following four to five months of treatment in the CCU and ICU, he was transferred to another hospital. He remained under treatment at different hospitals in Saudi Arabia for nearly three years and three months. Family members said he remained unconscious throughout most of that period. The family had been trying for a long time to bring him back to Bangladesh. His second son, Al Shahadat Mohammad Hossain, later submitted an application to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which took up the matter. With the support of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Bangladesh Hajj Mission and the Saudi authorities, Hedayetul was finally brought back to Bangladesh on May 13 under a special arrangement. After returning home, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he remained under treatment for more than a month before passing away. His son Al Shahadat Mohammad Hossain said the family had hoped Hedayetul would recover after being brought home. "We were able to bring our father back after more than three years. We hoped he would return to us in good health, but that was not Allah's will. We seek prayers for the forgiveness of his soul," he said. The funeral prayers were scheduled to be held at around 9:30pm on Monday before his burial.

Police recovered the body of an autorickshaw driver stashed inside a gunny sack from a river in Barishal on Monday, two days after he went missing. The deceased was identified as Nazmul Hossain, 25, son of Abdul Rashid Molla of Makorkathi area under Raipasha-Karapur Union in Barishal Sadar upazila. According to family members, Nazmul left home with his autorickshaw on Saturday morning but did not return. As he remained missing, his father filed a general diary (GD) with Barishal Airport Police Station on Sunday. Locals said they spotted a body floating near the eastern bank of the Kalijira River in the morning, partially wrapped inside a sack. They immediately informed police. A team from Kotwali Model Police Station rushed to the spot and recovered the body. Alok Kanti Sharma, Assistant Commissioner of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station, said the body was sent to the morgue for an autopsy after completion of the inquest. Police have launched an investigation into the incident and suspect it to be a premeditated murder. “Efforts are underway to determine the motive behind the killing and to arrest those involved as quickly as possible,” he added.

A young man was killed after being struck by lightning while playing football in Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj upazila on Monday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Antar Ali, 26, son of Abdul Mannan of Chakdoulotpur-Mondoltola area under Shibganj municipality. The incident took place at a mango forest adjacent to the Bhanga Bridge area of Shibganj municipality during a spell of storm and rain. Mizanur Rahman, Shibganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer, said Antar Ali was playing football at a mango forest adjacent to the Bhanga Bridge area of Shibganj municipality during a spell of inclement weather when lightning struck, killing him on the spot. Following the incident, the Department of Disaster Management provided Tk 25,000 in cash assistance to the victim’s family, he added. Matiur Rahman, Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said legal procedures were completed and the body was handed over to the family.

A teenage boy was critically injured after being electrocuted while attempting to hang a Portugal flag in South Surma upazila in Sylhet on Monday noon. The injured identified as Hamid Ahmod, 15, son of Akhter Mia, an SSC candidate of this year. He was rushed to Ibn Sina Hospital in critical condition and is currently undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Doctors said his condition remains critical. Locals said Hamid, along with his friends, was hanging a long Portugal flag when he climbed an electric pole during the process and suddenly came into contact with live electricity, leaving him severely injured. The teenager is currently receiving treatment to the hospital and remains in critical condition, according to doctors.

River Fair 2026 was held in Sylhet on Monday, bringing together government officials, development partners, researchers, civil society representatives and river-dependent communities to promote awareness and strengthen collective efforts for river conservation. Organised by the Centre for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS), the fair took place at a hotel under the theme “People for Rivers, Rivers for People.” Speaking at the programme as the chief guest, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad said Bangladesh’s rivers are facing growing threats from climate change, erosion, pollution, declining navigability and illegal encroachment. He stressed that while the government is implementing programmes such as dredging, riverbank protection, biodiversity conservation and tree plantation, broader public participation is crucial for protecting rivers. “River Fair 2026 can serve as an effective platform for increasing awareness and strengthening coordination among stakeholders working on river issues,” the state minister said. The event was chaired by Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwoer Alam. CNRS Programme Manager Nadim Hossain Ador said the fair was designed to facilitate knowledge-sharing, dialogue and collaboration among different stakeholders involved in river conservation. Representatives from the Embassy of the Netherlands, Oxfam, the TROSA Programme, government agencies, development organisations, civil society organisations, media outlets and river-dependent communities attended the programme. Participants highlighted the importance of strengthening public engagement and social awareness initiatives to protect rivers and ensure sustainable management of water resources. Organisers said the fair is part of The People’s Riverscape Project, under which participatory river management activities are being implemented in the basins of the Piyain, Sari and Dhalai rivers. The project aims to develop sustainable river management plans by combining local knowledge with scientific research.

A local leader of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal was arrested in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj district early Monday for allegedly attempting to rape a girl in Ataikula of Sadar upazila in Pabna. The arrestee was identified as Abul Kashem, senior vice-president of ward No. 7 unit of Jubo Dal under Ataikula union, and son of Nizamuddin Sheikh of Ariadangi village in Sadar upazila. Officer-in-Charge of Ataikula Police Station Mojibor Rahman said police traced the whereabouts of Kashem with the help of technology and arrested him from Sirajganj district. On June 11, Kashem, also a trader, tried to violated the Class-VII student while she was returning home from her school. The victim’s mother filed a case against Kashem at Ataikula Police Station the following day. Local people swooped on his business establishment and set it on fire following the incident. Meanwhile, the Jubo Dal expelled him from the organisation.

Police have arrested a man on charges of raping an 11-year-old schoolgirl in the Ghurka area under Salanga union in Sirajganj district. The arrestee was identified as Abu Hanif Sheikh, 40, son of Abu Bakkar of the same village. The victim is a student of class five at a local government primary school. 3 held over ‘gang-rape’ of woman in Jashore Aslam Ali, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Salanga Police Station, said Hanif Sheikh called the schoolgirl to an abandoned house in the village on Sunday afternoon and forcibly raped her. Hearing her screams, family members rushed to the spot, caught Hanif, and immediately dialed the national emergency hotline service ‘999’. Upon receiving the call, a police team went to the spot and arrested him. Police further revealed that Hanif had subjected the child to sexual assault multiple times in the past. He had also threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter to anyone. A case has been filed against the accused with the relevant police station. Meanwhile, he was sent to court on Monday, the OC added.

An octogenarian man was killed after being hit by a motorcycle in the Azampur area under Uttara East Police Station in the capital on Monday. The victim, Fazlul Karim, 85, lived with his family in Uttara Sector-10. Jahangir, a passer-by who took the victim to hospital, said Fazlul Karim was crossing the road in the area around 10:00am when a speeding motorcycle suddenly hit him, leaving him seriously injured. Locals rescued him and first took him to Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara. Later, he was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where the doctor on duty at the emergency department declared him dead around 1:15pm. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue.