United News of Bangladesh

A 40-year-old man was killed and another one injured when a covered van hit a stationary truck from behind on Dinajpur-Gobindaganj regional highway in Ghoraghat upazila of Dinajpur district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Al Amin, 40, a helper of a covered van. The accident occurred in the morning when the date palm-loaded covered van hit the stationary truck from behind as its driver lost control over steering, leaving two people injured, said Inspector of Ghoraghat Police Station, Shahidul Islam. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and took the injured to Ghoraghat Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared one dead. Police seized the covered van and the truck.

At least two people sustained bullet injuries during a clash between supporters of BNP and an independent candidate over election campaigning in Mollakandi area of Sadar upazila under Munshiganj-3 constituency on Saturday. The attack and counter-attack took place in Munshikandi village of Mollakandi union in the afternoon. Eyewitnesses said supporters of an independent candidate using the football symbol and district BNP member Ataur Rahman Mallick brought out a campaign procession in the Munshikandi area around noon. At that time, supporters of the sheaf of paddy symbol, led by Upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Ozir Ali and former union BNP leader Awlad Mollah, allegedly ambushed them. Soon after, supporters of both sides became engaged in a clash. James concert cancelled in Faridpur, after clashes leave 25 injured Eyewitnesses reported that cocktail explosions and gunshots were heard during the clash. Several people were injured during the clash Among the injured, Lijon Sarkar and Monir Hossain of Munshikandi village were initially treated at Munshiganj General Hospital and later referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Munshiganj Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Firoz Kabir said there had been a long-standing dispute between the two groups over local dominance, which resurfaced during the election campaign and led to the incident. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further violence. Meanwhile, a video showing a man running through a potato field with a firearm during the incident has gone viral on social media. Police said a drive is underway to arrest those involved in the clash. 20 injured in clashes between law enforcers and technical students in Sylhet

Port workers have announced a fresh indefinite work stoppage at Chattogram Port from Sunday, protesting the proposed leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign operator DP World and pressing four other demands. Humayun Kabir, coordinator of Chattogram Port Protection Movement Council, announced the strike at a press conference at the Chattogram Press Club on Saturday afternoon. He said activities at the port’s outer anchorage would also remain suspended during the strike. Another coordinator of the council Ibrahim Khokon was present at the press conference. Chittagong Port achieved historic milestone in 2025, in container handling and revenue Earlier, port workers observed strike over the same demands starting with eight-hour strikes for three consecutive days from last Saturday followed by an indefinite strike from Tuesday. The pogramme was suspended for two days after a meeting with Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain at the port building on Thursday. The workers said they decided to resume the movement as their demands remained unmet.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a consignment of arms from a border area in Rajshahi early Friday. The weapons were recovered around 5:30 am during a special operation at the Rawtha BOP area along the border in Bagha upazila of the district. The seized items include two foreign-made pistols, four magazines and eight rounds of bullets. BGB said the weapons were smuggled into Bangladesh from India. Commander of BGB’s Rajshahi-1 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Riaz Shahriar, said the arms smugglers fled after sensing the presence of BGB members, leaving behind the weapons along with a motorcycle. Later, BGB personnel searched the abandoned motorcycle and recovered the arms, he added. Lt Col Riaz Shahriar said BGB had earlier received intelligence that a consignment of arms was entering the country through river routes. Based on the information, members of the border outposts jointly took ambush positions in the border area. After waiting for a long time, a suspicious person was seen moving on a motorcycle in the Rawtha-Pirojpur area under Bagha Police Station early in the morning. When BGB members tried to stop him, he fled the scene, leaving the motorcycle behind. The BGB commander also said security has been strengthened in the operational area of the 1st Battalion ahead of the upcoming election. As part of the security measures, 10 base camps, 28 platoons of mobile striking force, K-9 units, seven speedboats and a fast patrol craft have been deployed on the Padma River. In addition, around 700 BGB members, including striking reserves, are on duty at 16 border outposts in the area.

Three people were killed and at least 14 others injured in a road accident involving a truck and a passenger bus in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur early Friday. The accident occurred around 5:30 am on the Dhaka–Rangpur Highway in front of Pirganj Petrol Pump. The deceased were identified as Rahima Akhter Munni (35) of Gazipur, Abdul Razzaq Howladar (55) of Haragachh in Kaunia upazila, Rangpur, and his son Arafat Sani Sanvi (22). Police and witnesses said a truck rammed into the back of another truck on the highway, leaving its front part badly damaged. At the same time, a Hanif Paribahan passenger bus, coming at high speed from behind, crashed into the damaged truck. As a result, bus passenger Rahima Akhter Munni died on the spot. Critically injured, Abdul Razzaq Howladar was taken to Pirganj Upazila Health Complex, while his son Arafat Sani Sanvi was rushed to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Doctors later declared both of them dead. The accident caused temporary disruption to traffic on the highway. However, normal traffic movement resumed later. Upon receiving information, police from Baradargah Highway Police Station reached the spot and carried out rescue operations. Officer-in-Charge of Baradargah Highway Police Station, Maruf Hossain, said three people were killed in the accident and the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment. Legal action is underway in this connection.

One person was killed and at least 10 others, including women and children, were injured in a clash over government-owned (khas) land in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria on Friday. The incident took place around 3:00 pm at Lomba Hati area of Khagalia village under Bholakut Union. The deceased was identified as Bashir Mia (55), son of Helal Uddin of the same village. The injured are Karima Akter, Chanbanu, Asheda Akter, Khairunnesa, Saima Akter, Putul Akter, Nurunnahar Begum, Taslima Begum, Julhas Mia and Bashir Mia. According to locals and family members of the deceased, there had been a long-standing dispute between two groups over the possession of government khas land in the area. Recently, a man named Alamgir Mia claimed that he had legally purchased the land from the government and began marking boundaries. This led to an argument with women from the opposing Kutub Bari group, which later turned into a violent clash. Both sides allegedly used locally made weapons during the confrontation. Bashir Mia was critically injured in the clash and was taken to Nasirnagar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Khairunnesa, niece of the deceased, alleged that Alamgir Mia and his associates attacked women of their family and tortured them when they tried to resist the land takeover. She claimed that Bashir Mia was strangled when he rushed to save them. Nasirnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahinur Islam said one person was killed in the clash over previous disputes and government land. Several others were injured. Police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. The body will be sent to Brahmanbaria District Hospital morgue for autopsy, and legal action is being prepared after identifying those involved, the OC added.

A businessman was shot and hacked with sharp weapons by miscreants in Munshiganj’s Gazaria upazila on Friday afternoon, leaving him critically injured. The victim was identified as Haji Abdul Kaiyum Dewan, 38, a businessman from Guagachhia Union. The attack took place around 4:30 pm in front of the Guagachhia Central Mosque. Locals rescued Kaiyum in a bullet-hit condition and first took him to Bhoberchar Health Complex. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 6:00 pm. He is currently undergoing treatment at the One Stop Emergency Centre of DMCH’s emergency department. Doctors said his condition remains extremely critical. Kaiyum’s younger brother, Md Main Uddin Dewan, said his brother is a well-known businessman and industrialist who has long been involved in the garments sector and various social activities in the area. He alleged that the attack was linked to the establishment of a police outpost in Guagachhia. According to him, when the administration sought a rented building for the outpost, no one initially agreed. Later, Kaiyum and his family consented on humanitarian grounds to rent out a building for the police. Following the establishment of the outpost, illegal sand extraction, extortion and drug trading in the area reportedly declined, angering local criminal groups, whom the family claims are backed by Awami League-linked elements. Main Uddin said the groups had repeatedly threatened Kaiyum over renting the house for the police outpost, and clashes and gunfights between police and criminals had occurred earlier. He further said that on September 8, the current interim government’s Home Affairs Adviser visited the area following such incidents and ordered a proper investigation. Although the situation remained calm for some time, threats against Kaiyum later resumed, both openly and secretly. According to the family, on Friday afternoon Kaiyum went to attend a social programme. After offering Asr prayers, he was attacked while leaving the mosque by a group of 20–25 armed men, allegedly led by local figures identified as Piyas, Shahadat, Nayan, Riyaz, Nirob and Akash. The attackers reportedly used firearms and sharp weapons, severing tendons in his hands and legs and shooting him four times in the legs. The family alleged that the attackers have long been involved in illegal sand mining, extortion, drug trading and land grabbing, and that many of them have criminal cases filed against them, including murder charges, during the previous Awami League government. They also claimed that looted weapons from police stations during the anti-discrimination student movement have been used by the group. While RAB has recovered some weapons and arrested several suspects, many remain at large, creating fear among local residents. Police said they are investigating the incident and conducting operations to arrest those involved.

A man has been sentenced to 10 days of simple imprisonment for allegedly setting fire to an election camp of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abu Sadat Md Sayem in Naogaon-5 (Sadar) constituency. The verdict was delivered on Friday afternoon by Chairman of the constituency’s Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee Md Asaduzzaman Noor. The convict was identified as Liton Kumar Chouhan, a resident of Nuniyapara Sweeper Colony in Naogaon town. According to local sources, Liton was caught red-handed by locals while setting fire to the Jamaat election camp at Muktir Mor, a busy area of the town, around 4:00 am on Friday. He was later handed over to the police. However, his political affiliation could not be confirmed. Sources from the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee said a local Jamaat leader submitted a written complaint after the suspect was handed over to police. Following an investigation, the committee found the allegations to be true. As the act was deemed a violation of Rules 7(gha) and 15(ga) of the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct for the Parliamentary Elections 2025, the committee convicted Liton under Rule 27 through a summary trial and sent him to jail for 10 days of simple imprisonment.

A woman gave birth to conjoined twins in Chandpur on Thursday night. The newborn is currently admitted to Crescent Hospital in Chandpur town. The mother, Sumi Akter, gave birth to the child via cesarean section. Her husband, Masud Gazi, is a daily wage laborer. The family resides in Purbo Borali village of Faridganj upazila. Speaking to UNB, pediatric specialist Dr. Mahbubur Rahman observed that the baby has one body but two heads, a condition caused by a congenital abnormality. He said the child has been referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for further treatment. The operation to separate the heads is possible but highly complex and costly. The baby’s father, Masud Gazi, lacks the financial means for the surgery and has appealed to the wealthy and social workers for assistance. He has requested support via bKash at 0188-3562060.

Out of 203 polling centres in Khagrachhari for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, 189 have been identified as risky by district police and intelligence agencies, while 68 of them have been classified as highly risky. Sources said reports on the risky centres have already been sent to the Election Commission. Among the highly risky centres, Khagrachhari Sadar upazila has the highest number with 16 centres, followed by Ramgarh with 11, Guimara with 10, Manikchhari with nine, Mahalchhari with eight, Matiranga with five, Dighinala with four, Panchhari with three and Lakshmichhari with two. Only 14 centres have been considered general. Due to remote locations and poor communication, election materials and law enforcement personnel will be transported by helicopter to three centres — Naraichhari in Dighinala upazila and Futtyachhari and Shuknachhari in Lakshmichhari upazila. According to Election Commission data, the total number of voters in the Khagrachhari constituency is 554,114. Of them, 149,626 voters are registered at the 68 highly risky centres. Local voters and public representatives said that scattered settlements, long walking distances and communication difficulties in the hilly areas often prevent voters from reaching polling centres. They believe increasing the number of centres would reduce risks and boost voter turnout. 4 candidates seek special security at high-risk polling stations in Khagrachhari Khagrachhari District Election Officer SM Shahadat Hossain said the centres were identified based on observations by the police Special Branch (DSB) and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure peaceful voting. Khagrachari Superintendent of Police Sayem Mirza Sayem Mahmud said additional law enforcement personnel would be deployed at highly risky centres, patrols would be intensified and intelligence surveillance strengthened.