United News of Bangladesh

A firefighter was killed after a bus ploughed through a fire station while he was on duty in Sherpur upazila of Bogura district early Sunday. The deceased was identified as Md Ahsan Habib, a firefighter posted at Sherpur Fire Station. Witnesses said after receiving a report of a road accident he rang the fire alarm and opened the main gate to allow a fire service unit to respond. 2 killed in Bogra road crash while going to attend funeral As he was stopping a truck on the road to ensure the safe exit of the fire service vehicle a bus from behind hit the truck that ploughed into the fire station, leaving Habib injured. He was rescued and rushed to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital by a fire service ambulance, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead at around 2:30am, said Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of the media cell at the Fire Service and Civil Defence on Sunday afternoon. Both the bus and the truck were seized following the incident. Ahsan Habib had been serving at Sherpur Fire Station since May 11, 2023. He joined government service in 2005. 2 killed in accident on Dhaka–Mawa Expressway He is survived by his wife, one son and one daughter. Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal expressed deep shock at the death and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family. Following his instructions, Rajshahi Division Deputy Director Md Manzil Haque visited the spot.

A case has been filed against 20 people in connection with the death of two people in a crude bomb blast in Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj district. Additional Superintendent of Chapainawabganj Police NM Wasim Firoz said sub-inspector of Sadar Police Station filed the case against 10 identified and 10 unnamed people on Saturday night. The injured victims in the explosion were shown arrested in the case. 2 killed while ‘making bombs’ in Chapainawabganj With these, five people were arrested. They were—Bazlur Rahman, 20, Minhaz, 22, Yusuf, 45, Shakil, 37 and Subho, 20 of Sadar upazila. Police are investigating the incident, said ASP Wasim Firoz. Two people were killed and three others injured in an explosion while they were allegedly making bombs at Fatapara in Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj district early Saturday. Gun powder, bomb-making materials seized in Chapainawabganj

Seventeen of the 25 candidates who contested the national election from parliamentary constituencies in Kushtia have got their election deposits forfeited, according to official figures. Under rules set by the Election Commission, a candidate loses their deposit if they fail to secure at least one-eighth — or 12.5% — of the total votes cast in their constituency. A total of 25 candidates, including one independent and nominees from 14 political parties, took part in the election across Kushtia’s four seats. The only female contender stood under the banner of the Bangladesh Republican Party. The results highlight the strong showing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the district, with the party winning three of the four constituencies. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured the remaining seat. Kushtia-1 In Kushtia-1, where 282,543 votes were cast, BNP candidate Reza Ahmed defeated Jamaat’s Belal Uddin. Candidates who failed to reach the required threshold included JSD’s Md. Gias Uddin (star symbol), who received 203 votes; Bangladesh Islami Front’s Md. Badiruzzaman (candle symbol) with 241 votes; Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md. Aminul Islam (fan symbol) with 4,063 votes; independent candidate Md. Nuruzzaman Hablu Molla (cycle symbol) with 17,864 votes; Ganoadhikar Parishad’s Md. Shahabul Islam (truck symbol) with 613 votes; and JP’s Md. Shahriar Jamil (plough symbol) with 1,094 votes. Kushtia-2 A total of 348,911 votes were cast in Kushtia-2. Jamaat candidate Md. Abdul Gafur defeated BNP’s Ragib Rauf Chowdhury. Three candidates forfeited their deposits: Bangladesh Communist Party’s Nur Uddin Ahmed (spade symbol), who secured 80 votes; Islami Front Bangladesh’s Md. Babul Akter (chair symbol) with 1,123 votes; and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md. Ali (fan symbol) with 3,887 votes. Kushtia-3 In Kushtia-3, Mufti Amir Hamza won the seat, defeating BNP’s Engineer Md. Zakir Hossain Sarker. Of the 321,323 votes cast, four candidates failed to retain their deposits. They were BASAD’s Mir Nazmul Islam (moy symbol) with 442 votes; Bangladesh Republican Party’s Rumpa Khatun (elephant symbol) with 475 votes; Ganoadhikar Parishad’s Md. Shariful Islam (truck symbol) with 299 votes; and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md. Abdullah Akand (fan symbol) with 5,153 votes. Kushtia-4 In Kushtia-4, where 308,260 votes were cast, Jamaat’s Md. Afzal Hossain defeated BNP’s Syed Mehdi Ahmed Rumi. Among those forfeiting deposits were Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Anwar Khan (fan symbol) with 1,373 votes; Bangladesh Minority Jatiya Party’s Tarun Kumar Ghosh (rocket symbol) with 671 votes; Ganoforum’s Md. Abdul Hakim Miah (rising sun symbol) with 255 votes; and Bangladesh Labour Party’s Md. Shahidul Islam (pomegranate symbol) with 308 votes.

Thirteen out of 20 candidates who contested the national election from three parliamentary constituencies in Manikganj have lost their deposits after failing to secure the minimum required votes. Under Election Commission rules, candidates must obtain at least 12.5% of the total valid votes in their respective constituencies to retain their deposits. An analysis of the final results shows that a majority of contestants in the district did not meet that threshold. Across Manikganj-1, Manikganj-2 and Manikganj-3, candidates from smaller political parties and several independents were among those who forfeited their deposits, while nominees of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured decisive victories in all three seats, election officials said. Manikganj-1 In Manikganj-1 (Ghior–Daulatpur–Shibalaya), four of the seven candidates lost their deposits, according to the officials. BNP candidate SA Jinnah Kabir won the seat with 137,773 votes. Independent candidate Mohammad Tojammel Haque Toja came second with 77,818 votes, followed by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abu Bakar Siddique, who received 71,310 votes. The candidates who failed to reach the required vote share were from Gono Odhikar Parishad, Jontar Dal, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and an independent contender. Manikganj-2 In Manikganj-2 (Singair–Harirampur and part of Sadar), two of the four candidates forfeited their deposits. BNP’s Moinul Islam Khan won with 175,776 votes, well ahead of his nearest rival Mohammad Salah Uddin of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, who secured 81,531 votes. Candidates from the Jatiya Party and Islami Andolon Bangladesh did not obtain sufficient votes to retain their deposits. Manikganj-3 In Manikganj-3 (Sadar–Saturia), seven of the nine candidates lost their deposits. BNP candidate Afroza Khanam Rita was elected with 167,345 votes. Her closest competitor, Muhammad Saidunur of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, received 68,282 votes. Among those forfeiting deposits were candidates from Jatiya Party, Jatiya Party (JP), Bangladesh Jasad, Islami Andolon Bangladesh and several independents. Clear Margins The results underline the dominance of BNP candidates in the district, who won all three seats by substantial margins, the election officials said. In each constituency, most rival candidates failed to cross the 12.5% threshold required to retain their deposits, reflecting a wide gap between the leading contenders and the rest of the field.

A man was shot dead by miscreants while on his way to offer prayers at a mosque in Rajshahi metropolis on Saturday night. The deceased was identified as Md Mustafa, 50, son of Taimur Uddin of the Danshmari area under Motihar Police Station in the city. The incident occurred around 8pm on a road adjacent to the wall of Hojapur cemetery. Officer-in-Charge of Motihar Police Station Abul Kalam Azad, quoting locals, said Mustafa was heading to the mosque to offer prayers when miscreants opened fire on him. He was shot in the right leg and fell unconscious on the spot. Locals rescued and rushed him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where the doctor on duty declared him dead on arrival. Dr Shankar Kumar Biswas, in-charge of the Emergency Department at the hospital, said Mustafa was brought in dead. He had sustained a bullet injury to his right leg and died due to excessive bleeding. The OC said the motive behind the attack is yet to be known and the assailants remain unidentified. An investigation is underway and legal action will be taken, he added.

Supporters of BNP candidates staged protests and road blockades in Pirgachha and Launia upazilas of Rangpur district on Saturday, demanding a recount of votes in Rangpur-4 and Rangpur-6 constituencies over allegations result manipulation. From the morning, a shutdown was observed in Haragachh area under Rahngpur-4 with traders and locals joining the protest, claiming that vote rigging deprived BNP candidate Emdadul Haque Bhorsa of victory. Demonstrators blocked Haragachh–Rangpur road, burning tyres and halting vehicular movement from Friday afternoon until around midnight at Haqbazar in Kaunia upazila. JP candidate alleges harassment by NCP in Rangpur BNP leaders and activists gathered there and warned of tougher programmes if votes are not recounted. In Pirgachha upazila town, BNP supporters also brought out processions and held rallies urging the Election Commission and the district returning officer to quickly recount the votes. BNP candidate Bhorsa alleged that about 8,500 votes were rejected under suspicious circumstances and claimed that supporters of rival candidate Akhtar Hossain created mobs between 3pm and 5pm on polling day with alleged administrative backing to change the results. He issued an ultimatum for a recount, warning of stricter agitation otherwise. Rangpur poised for tight electoral battle as AL reserve votes look decisive Rejecting the allegations, winning candidate Akhtar Hossain of NCP claimed BNP activists attacked NCP supporters, vandalised houses, looted property and damaged motorcycles. BNP denied the accusations. According to unofficial results, Akhtar Hossain won Rangpur-4 with 149,966 votes while Bhorsa secured 140,564 votes. In Rangpur-6 (Pirgachha), Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Nurul Amin won with 120,128 votes, while Saiful Islam got 117,703 votes.

Faridpur, Feb 14 (UNB) – Twenty people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over establishing supremacy at Mayendia Bazar in Faridpur district on Saturday. Mahmudul Hasan, assistant superintendent of (Saltha-Nagarkanda) circle, said Mannan Matubbar, chairman of Poromeshwari union in Boalmari upazila and Tulu Mia-Zihad Mia of Saltha upazila had been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the area. As a sequel to the enmity, an altercation ensued between the supporters of both groups at Mayendia Bazar in the middle of Saltha and Boalmari upazilas around 10 am. Bus-truck collision leaves 2 dead in Faridpur At one stage, both groups equipped with lethal weapons attacked each other, leaving 20 people injured. A number of houses were vandalised and set on fire during the clash. On information, police and army personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Police also arrested some people along with locally made weapons, said police. ​​​​​​​Two brothers among 3 killed as train hits pickup in Faridpur

A nine-year-old boy was beaten to death over allegations of stealing betel nuts in Haluaghat in Mymensingh on Friday afternoon. The victim, Imon Mia, was the son of Dulal Mia of Bausha village in Swadeshi Union. According to police and local sources, Imon had allegedly stolen betel nuts from his neighbor Atahar Ali’s tree about a month ago. After keeping silent for nearly a month, Atahar Ali on Friday called Imon to his house, locked the door, and beat him severely. Imon’s family rescued him and took him to Haluaghat Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Police recovered the body and are preparing for post-mortem examination. Four election officials withdrawn in Mymensingh, Naogaon over irregularities Md Ferdous Alam, officer-in-charge of Haluaghat Police Station, said preliminary investigation shows the killing was linked to the betel nut theft. “The matter is being investigated seriously,” he added.

A BNP leader on Friday has opened a closed party office of the Bangladesh Awami League in Panchagarh, triggering controversy within his own party. The office was opened in the morning at Chaklahat Union in Panchagarh Sadar upazila by Abu Daud Pradhan, president of the Sadar upazila unit of BNP. A video of the incident later went viral on social media. It showed Abu Daud Pradhan standing on the veranda of the Awami League office and giving a speech. According to local sources, Abu Daud Pradhan is a former chairman of Chaklahat Union Parishad. In his speech, Abu Daud Pradhan said he was unaware that the Awami League party office had remained locked and claimed he would have opened it earlier had he known. He also said the recent election victory came after 18 years and described it as a mandate given by forces from both sides of the Liberation War, adding that the party had received a record number of votes across Bangladesh. He said every party has some wrongdoers and that there are clear instructions to expel such elements. Stressing law and order, he urged leaders and activists of both parties to ensure that peace and stability are not disrupted in Panchagarh. Referring to local results, he expressed disappointment that the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol failed to secure first position in any polling centre of his own union. Addressing Awami League supporters, he said they are citizens of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh and urged them not to engage in any wrongdoing. He said no offender would be spared, regardless of party affiliation, and asked them to inform him if they faced any harassment. He referred to cases against Awami League leaders and activists, saying that regardless of their nature, the party’s leader would soon go to Parliament to take oath and, he hoped, become prime minister, after which the situation would be clear. Freedom fighter Abul Hossain said the office had earlier been locked by Jamaat supporters. He added that the office was opened with local people present and would temporarily be used by freedom fighters, not for Awami League political activities. Speaking on the matter, Abu Daud Pradhan said the move was not a party decision. He said the Awami League office was opened only to prevent tension in the area and maintain peace, adding that the office had earlier been locked by Jamaat supporters. District BNP Convener Md Jahirul Islam Kacchu said there was no decision from the district or central BNP regarding opening the Awami League office. Awami League was right fit for Jamaat : Mirza Abbas He said the upazila BNP president would have to bear responsibility for his action and that the matter would be discussed with the central leadership. He also said opening the banned Awami League office immediately after the election victory was not a good move and that organisational action would be taken against Abu Daud Pradhan following an investigation for breaching party discipline.

A fire that broke out at a jhut godown in the Ambagh area under Konabari area of Gazipur on Friday night was brought under control about one and a half hours later. Md. Mamun, assistant director of Gazipur Fire Service, said the blaze started around 7:30pm. Five firefighting units were deployed to the scene to control the fire and was brought under control about one and a half hours later. 18 injured in gas balloon blast during electioneering in Gazipur The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities are set to assess the full extent of the damage