United News of Bangladesh

A youth was killed and another critically injured during a motorcycle race in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj on Sunday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Ruhan Uddin, 25, son of Md Liton of Goyhatta village in Ullapara upazila. The injured, Badsha, is undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The accident occurred around 2:30pm at Tetiarkanda on the Bogra–Nagarbari highway, said Md Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station. He said several youths were racing three motorcycles from Ullapara towards Baghabari when one of the bikes lost control, collided with another, and crashed into a roadside tree. Ruhan died on the spot. Locals rescued Badsha and took him to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Police recovered Ruhan’s body and handed it over to his family as no complaint was filed. A case has been registered in connection with the incident, the OC added.

A painter died after being electrocuted while working in Lama Jhingabari village of Jhingabari union under Kanaighat upazila in Sylhet on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Jasim Rana, son of Nur Mohammad of Nawamati village in the same union. Locals said Jasim had gone to Lama Jhingabari a few days ago for painting work. On Sunday morning, while painting a house, he accidentally came into contact with a live electric wire and was severely electrocuted. Locals rescued him and took him to Sylhet Women’s Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Rajaganj Union Parishad Chairman Maulana Shamsul Islam confirmed the incident, saying, “Jasim Rana from Nawamati village died of electrocution while working as a painter. We express our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.” Jasim, who was married just a year and a half ago and leaves behind a young child.

The death toll from a gunfight over local dominance in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria has risen to two. Hotel employee Yasin, son of Shafiqul Islam of Alamnagar village in Barikandi union, died from his injuries while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Sunday afternoon, police said. Earlier, Shipon, son of Abdul Monnaf alias Manek Dakat of Nurjahanpur village in the same union, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital on Saturday night. Two others, Nur Alam and Emran Master, were also shot in the incident and are currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. According to police and local sources, the violence erupted due to a dispute between Rifat of Thollakandi village and Shipon over local dominance and other issues. Rifat, Arafat, and several others allegedly opened fire on Shipon while he was eating at a hotel near the Ganishah shrine on Saturday night, injuring him and three others. During the same period, associates of Manek Mia reportedly attacked his rival, Emran Master, who was also shot and sent to Dhaka for treatment. The incidents caused panic in the area. Additional Superintendent of Police of Nabinagar Circle, Piyas Bosak, said the situation is now under control. No case has been filed yet, and police are conducting operations to apprehend those involved, he added.

At least 25 people were injured in a violent clash between residents of two villages in Gopinathpur, Hamirdi Union of Bhanga Upazila, Faridpur, over land disputes. The confrontation on Sunday afternoon also saw houses and shops vandalized and looted. Local sources said the conflict traces back to a dispute between Simon Matubbar and Kuddus Matubbar on Friday, which escalated into a fistfight. A reconciliation meeting (shalish) was scheduled on Sunday, attended by mediators from nearby villages. However, tensions escalated during the meeting, and villagers from both sides attacked each other with homemade weapons including shields, sharp sticks, machetes, and stones, wearing helmets for protection. The violent clash continued along the road for around two hours, leaving more than 25 villagers injured. Seriously injured individuals were rushed to Bhanga and Faridpur Medical College Hospitals for treatment. Eyewitnesses said residents from neighboring areas — Chhoto Hamirdi, Khara Kandi, and Baisha Khali — also joined the fight, taking sides with the two groups. In the absence of effective law enforcement on-site, the clashes resulted in extensive property damage, with homes and shops broken into and valuables looted. Bhanga police officer-in-charge Ashraf Hossain said the police arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the violence. “We found the situation uncontrollable and had to step back. Additional police and military personnel have been informed and are expected to help restore order,” he said.

A human chain was formed in Jhenaidah on Sunday protesting the appointment of a “corrupt” Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and alleging widespread irregularities and corruption in government departments. The Anti-Fascist Student Unity organised the protest in front of the Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner’s office, joined by former leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and other student organisations. Participants carried banners and festoons during the hour-long programme. Abu Huraira, former convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Jhenaidah district branch; member secretary Saidur Rahman; Islami Chhatra Shibir city branch general secretary Masud Parvez; Islami Chhatra Andolan vice president M Abdur Rahman; and KC College Shibir president, among others, spoke at the event. They alleged that Sudipto Kumar Singh, the UNO of Sharankhola upazila in Bagerhat—accused of corruption, extortion, and acting against students and the public—had been transferred to Harinakundu upazila in Jhenaidah. The protesters declared that they would not allow him to take charge in Jhenaidah. The speakers also demanded immediate action to stop corruption and irregularities in various government departments, warning that officials involved in such activities would face strong public resistance.

As the Dudhkumar River continues to erode its banks following an untimely rise in water levels, more than a hundred families in the Kharuarpar Sabujpara area of Ghogadaha Union, Kurigram Sadar Upazila, are living in dire conditions after losing their homes. Locals have called for the formation of a separate Ministry of Char Affairs to address poverty, create jobs, and ensure overall development for people living in char (river island) areas who are affected by erosion. The demand was raised during a human chain and rally organised by the Char Development Committee, Ghogadaha Union branch, on Sunday morning. The event was presided over by the organisation’s President Abdul Jalil. Speakers at the rally included District Char Development Committee President Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, General Secretary and journalist Ashraful Haque Rubel, Senior Vice President Principal Khwaja Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rintu, and several local leaders and residents. Standing on the banks of the Dudhkumar River, Sharif said tearfully, “My house has been washed away by the river 18 times. It’s already afternoon, and I haven’t had a handful of rice to eat.” Sabura Begum, who lives with her three daughters and works in other people’s homes, said, “I didn’t get any work today. I don’t know if we’ll have anything to eat tonight.” Another resident Salema Begum said her husband is disabled and they live in a small tin house that could collapse into the river at any time.

The police recovered the body of a young man from the pond of the historic Shah Paran's (R) shrine in Sylhet on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as Harun Mia, 30, was the son of Lal Mia from Mongolkata village under Sunamganj Sadar Police Station. Sylhet Metropolitan Police Media Officer, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam said police recovered the body around 9:15 am. It bore deep cuts on the neck. But, it is too early to determine whether the death was a suicide or the result of foul play. The police officer added that reviewing CCTV footage from the area would provide further details. Preliminary reports indicate that he had been admitted to Osmani Medical College Hospital but left the hospital on Saturday without informing anyone. On Sunday morning, locals noticed a person lying in the pond near the shrine and found him dead. Upon receiving the information, police from Shah Paran Police Station recovered the body and sent it to the Osmani Medical College morgue for autopsy, Saiful Islam added.

Workers of Opsonin Chemical Industries in Barishal have continued their protest for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday to protest the retrenchment of over 500 employees. The agitated workers gathered in front of the factory early morning and blocked the road, demanding reinstatement of their jobs. Workers from other industrial establishments in Barishal also joined the protest in solidarity. Company authorities said  the layoffs were a result of the shutdown of a section of the factory. The terminated workers allege that the management plans to replace them with new hires at lower wages. “Our monthly salaries ranged between Tk 12,000 and Tk 16,000. First, we were told to take three days off, and then we received termination letters by post,” one worker said. “We’re struggling to survive with our families. If our jobs are not reinstated, we’ll be left destitute,”he said. Dr. Monisha Chakraborty, Barishal district coordinator of the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASAD) expressed solidarity with the workers, saying, “The dismissal of 500 workers in such an inhumane manner has thrown their families into crisis. Barishal’s workers are now united in the fight for their rights.”

In the quiet hours before dawn on Sunday, a village in Gaibandha’s Gobindganj upazila turned into the scene of a deadly episode of mob justice, as three men, suspected of attempting to steal cattle, were beaten to death by locals in Nasirabad area. According to police, the incident occurred around 2:30am when a group of eight alleged thieves tried to lift cows from the shed of one Abdus Salam Mia. Hearing noises, Salam shouted for help, drawing villagers out of their homes. What followed was a chaotic chase through the darkness as the locals pursued the fleeing group. While five of the suspected thieves managed to escape, three were caught and brutally assaulted by the mob. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gobindganj Police Station, Bulbul Islam, said two of them died on the spot, and the third succumbed to his injuries while being taken to Gobindganj Upazila Health Complex. Sirajganj man stabbed, beaten to death by mob over alleged cattle theft The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, Superintendent of Gaibandha Police Nishat Angela, accompanied by senior officials, visited the scene later in the morning. “A murder case will be filed, as no one has the right to take the law into their own hands,” OC Bulbul told UNB. Local residents said incidents of cattle theft had been frequent in the area in recent weeks, leaving villagers frustrated and anxious. Police have intensified patrols in the area and launched an investigation to identify those involved in the killing, as well as the rest of the suspected cattle lifters who managed to flee. Read more: Mob justice not acceptable, says Attorney General  

The Lalmonirhat Battalion (15 BGB) seized a significant quantity of drugs during a special operation in the border area. The operation, conducted on Friday night and also during the day, led to the recovery of 160 bottles of Indian Iscaf syrup, 120 yaba tablets, and an easy bike. According to reliable intelligence, BGB patrols launched two separate operations in the Ramkhana BOP and Shingjhar BOP areas after observing suspicious movements of smugglers But, the smugglers fled, leaving behind the drugs and the vehicle, which were later seized. Continuous rain flattens half-ripe paddy in Lalmonirhat, farmers worried The total estimated market value of the recovered items is Tk 2,31,600. Commanding Officer of Lalmonirhat Battalion (15 BGB), Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, PSC, said, “BGB is always vigilant and ready to keep the youth of the country drug-free. Intelligence monitoring and patrols in sensitive border areas have been strengthened to prevent drug trafficking. This operation demonstrates BGB’s courage and strategic skill and is considered an important step towards building a drug-free Bangladesh.”