United News of Bangladesh

Counterattacks and widespread vandalism occurred over voting in Kalaiya Port of Baufal Upazila of Patuakhali on Friday. The incidents took place from Friday morning to noon, eyewitnesses said. Jubo Dal activists, including Sujan, Alamin, and Langa Mizan, followers of Upazila Jubo Dal convener Gazi Gias, allegedly attacked the business establishment of decorator businessman Md. Shah Alam Biplob, 46, around 9:15am over claims of voting irregularities. They later beat a timber trader, Md. Selim, 52. Following these attacks, the group reportedly took up residence at Gias’s house armed with country-made weapons. In response, Jamaat-backed activists and local businessmen reportedly attacked Gias’s business establishment and party office, vandalising it extensively. At least 10 motorcycles and a refrigerator kept in front of Gias’s residence were damaged. Meanwhile, Jamaat supporters beat and injured BNP activists Alamgir Gazi, 55, and Shahabuddin Sarda, 48, in the Khairbazar area of West Birpasha, Kanakdia Union, around 8 am. They were admitted to Baufal Upazila Health Complex. Besides, BNP activists and supporters reportedly beat and injured a Jamaat supporter, Md. Firoz, 55, in Mominpur village of Keshabpur Union around 1pm. Firoz was sent to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for treatment. Atiqul Islam, Inspector (Investigation) of Baufal Police Station, said police were sent to the spot after receiving reports of attacks, vandalism, and beatings at several locations. “Legal action will be taken if a written complaint is filed,” he added. Jamaat’s winning candidate, Shafiqul Islam Masud, said, “I do not support revenge politics. Injustice will not be tolerated. If any workers or supporters are involved in attacks, party and legal action will definitely be taken against them.”

A man was hacked to death allegedly by his wife at Joypur village in Rupsha upazila of Khulna early Friday. The deceased was Mohor Ali, 45, hailed from Bajuya area in Dacope upazila. He used to work at a sweetmeat shop. Mir Razzak, Officer-in-Charge of Rupsa Police Station said the deceased, Mohor Ali, 45, had converted from Hinduism to Islam about 22 years ago and married Hosneara Begum of Joypur village. Ex-BNP leader dies amid tension at Khulna polling centre The victim’s son, Shimul Hossain, said his father returned home from work on Thursday night. His parents were sleeping in the next room. He said that very early in the morning his mother, Hosneara Begum Putul, knocked on their door and told him to keep the door open before leaving. Shimul went back to sleep. Around 6:30am, he woke up after hearing his brother-in-law’s screams and found his father lying in a pool of blood. He said they searched for his mother but could not find her anywhere. Later, they informed police. Shimul alleged that his mother fled after killing his father, taking her necessary clothes with her. Her mobile phone was also found switched off. OC Mir Razzak said police recovered the body and legal steps will be taken. Man beaten to death in Khulna

Miscreants snatched away ballot paper after exploding crude bombs at a polling centre under Bhola-1 (Sadar) constituency in Sadar upazila of Bhola district on Thursday, forcing authorities to suspend votes for nearly one and a half hours. Omar Faruk, Presiding Officer of Alinagar School and College polling centre in Sadar upazila said a group of people entered the centre after setting off crude bombs around 12:15pm. Later, they beat up polling officials and snatched away 56 ballot papers and stamped 76 others irregularly. ‘Perhaps my last vote,’ says octogenarian voter in Faridpur Voting process was suspended for about one and half an hour due to the incident. Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arifuzzaman along with police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Police also arrested an activist of Jamaat-e-Islami from the spot.

On a quiet morning at the Government Pilot High School polling centre in Bhanga upazila under Faridpur-4, an elderly voter stood out on Thursday for his emotional words. Suruj Khan, 80, arrived at the polling centre slowly, leaning on his wife, Nurbahan Begum, for support. Each careful step reflected both age and determination. For Suruj, this was not just another election day; it was perhaps a final chapter in a lifelong exercise of democratic duty. Women flock to Dhaka polling centres as voting progresses Seeing the elderly voter approach, on-duty law enforcers moved forward to assist him. The presiding officer made arrangements so that he would not have to stand in line, allowing him to cast his ballot with ease and dignity. After voting for his preferred candidate, Suruj became visibly emotional. Tears welled up in his eyes as he uttered softly, “Perhaps this is the last vote of my life.” His words captured a lifetime of participation in the nation’s electoral journey, a reminder of how deeply personal the act of voting can be. When asked about the type of candidate he supported, Suruj replied with quiet conviction: “I voted for someone who will not create unrest in the area and will allow all of us to live in peace.” In the Faridpur-4 constituency, a total of eight candidates are contesting this election, offering voters a range of choices. Festive mood marks peaceful start to national election across Bangladesh

A local Swechchhasebak Dal leader was detained by the Coast Guard along with Tk 50 lakh in cash in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali on Wednesday night. The detainee was identified as Kajal Mridha, 41, joint convener of the municipal unit of Swechchhasebak Dal. He was held around 10pm from an area adjacent to Khepupara Girls’ Secondary School, said Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kausar Hamid. Acting on a tip-off, a Coast Guard patrol team conducted a drive in the area. During the operation, the team searched a market bag in Mridha’s possession in the presence of Executive Magistrate Md Mohidul Hasan and recovered Tk 50 lakh in cash. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Yasin Sadiq, members of the Detective Branch (DB) and other law enforcement officials were present during the drive. Officials said no evidence of the money’s link to the election was found. The Coast Guard later filed a money laundering case against him with Kalapara Police Station.

A local leader of Krishak Dal sustained critical injuries after miscreants severed the veins of both his hands and legs in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi on Wednesday afternoon. The injured was identified as Biraj Ali, 47, son of late Amir Mollah of Ramchandrapur village. He is the general secretary of Nimpara Union Krishak Dal and an active worker of Abu Sayeed Chand, the paddy sheaf candidate for Rajshahi-6 constituency. The attack took place around 2pm on the Kaluhati-Arani Road in the Ramchandrapur Gorestan area. Family members said Biraj Ali was returning home after cutting grass for cattle when a helmeted man arrived on a motorcycle and attacked him with a machete, leaving him critically injured before fleeing the scene. Hearing his screams, locals rescued him and took him to Puthia Upazila Health Complex. He was later shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. His elder brother Abdul Majid said the attacker had covered the motorcycle’s number plate with cloth. He claimed Biraj had no known personal or political enmity and that there had been no dispute over the upcoming elections. Charghat upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Shahinur Rahman Shahin said Biraj Ali had no known conflicts, though it is suspected the attacker might be a local as he appeared familiar with the area while fleeing. Police are investigating whether the attack was politically motivated. Helal Uddin Farooki, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Charghat Model Police Station, said police visited the scene after receiving information and necessary legal steps would be taken following investigation.  

Two people including an assistant presiding officer, were killed and five others injured when a mini-truck hit a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on Sherpur-Jamalpur road at Shimultoli in Sadar upazila of Sherpur district on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Md Rokonuzzaman, 31, assistant presiding officer of Sherpur Government Girls’ High School and son of Tara Mia and Mahfuza Begum, 19, wife of Nirob Mia of Jamalpur district. Read More: Sherpur-3 Jamaat MP candidate Nuruzzaman Badal passes away  The accident occurred around 9 am at Jamalpur Bridge area when the mini-truck crashed into the CNG-run auto-rickshaw, leaving Rokonuzzaman killed on the spot and six others injured, said Sohel Rana, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station. Among the injured, Mahfuza died on way to Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital while the others were admitted to Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital and Sherpur Upazila Health Complex.

Abu Naser Md Mahbub, Jatiya Party’s (JP) candidate for Rangpur-4 (Kaunia-Pirgacha) constituency, on Tuesday night alleged that his car was stopped and he was harassed by workers of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and Jamaat while returning from a relative’s home. The incident took place at Mahiganj Saryartal in the city. Mahbub said that NCP and Jamaat workers blocked his car and seized the driver’s keys. Locals asked them to return the keys, but a confrontation broke out. JP leaders later arrived at the scene, forcing the workers to retreat, while residents detained Ward Jamaat leader Manjurul Islam. 394 foreign observers, 197 foreign journalists to monitor Bangladesh  elections The harassment quickly drew hundreds of JP supporters, prompting army and police to intervene and rescue the detained Jamaat leader, who was taken to the local police station. NCP district convener Al Mamun could not be reached for comment despite several attempts. Mahiganj police station officer-in-charge (OC) Maidul Islam said that the situation was brought under control immediately, and one person had been rescued and taken to the station.

Miscreants set fire to a polling station at Nesaria Government Primary School in Pangashia Union of Dumki Upazila, Patuakhali, on Tuesday night. The fire broke out around 8:42 pm, though it was not immediately clear who was behind the incident. Local residents rushed to douse the flames and managed to bring the fire under control by around 9:15 pm. Several benches and the tin fencing of a classroom were damaged in the blaze. Assistant teacher Obaidul Haq said the fire had been deliberately set in one of the rooms, but the extent of the damage was not significant. On receiving the information, members of the Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) rushed to the spot and secured the area.