United News of Bangladesh

After years of uncertainty, the newly constructed 250-bed Sylhet District Hospital at Chowhatta in the city is finally set to open, officials said. The hospital, built at a cost of Tk 85 crore after demolishing the historic Abu Sina Hostel, was completed in 2023 but has since remained unused due to administrative complications and lack of ownership by health authorities. Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Sarwar Alam on Thursday said that all complexities are being resolved and the hospital’s activities will start within the next one or two months. Once operational, it is expected to ease the heavy patient load at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Officials said the delay stemmed from disputes over who would run the hospital—the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Osmani Medical College Hospital, or the Civil Surgeon’s Office. None agreed to take charge initially, leaving the Public Works Department unable to hand over the building. Last week, the Health Ministry formed an eight-member committee, including officials from the Civil Surgeon’s Office and DGHS engineers, to decide on management, staffing, logistics and supervision. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations soon. The PWD said construction of the 15-storey building, up to the eighth floor, has been completed with parking, outpatient, diagnostic, surgical, ICU and ward facilities. It includes 19 ICU beds, 9 CCU beds and 40 cabins. Only minor finishing and cleaning work remains. However, shortages of furniture, medical equipment, and even a boundary wall have delayed the inauguration. A supplementary budget is being prepared to complete the remaining work. Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Janmajoy Dutta said the hospital, built next to Shahid Shamsuddin Hospital, will likely be handed over to its management once the supplementary budget is approved and pending work is finished. Sylhet Divisional Civil Surgeon Director Dr Nure Alam Shamim has been given interim charge. The project began in January 2019, when then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated construction on 6.98 acres of land. Work started in early 2020 after cultural activists withdrew protests against the demolition of Abu Sina Hostel. Officials expressed hope that once operational, the modern hospital will significantly reduce pressure on Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital and improve healthcare access in the region.

A 2-year-old boy drowned in a pond in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat on Friday afternoon. The deceased kid, Saleh Ahmed Tahsin, was the son of Sablu Mia of West Jagatber Musollitari area in Jagatber union. According to police and locals, Tahsin’s grandmother went outside in the morning to cut grass for cows while the kid quietly followed her and accidentally fell into a pond near their home. Family members began searching when they could not find him. Later, locals spotted him floating in the water and tried to rescue him immediately. Tahsin was taken to Patgram Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. 2 brothers electrocuted in Lalmonirhat Jagatber Union Parishad Ward 1 member Tojammel Hossain confirmed the tragic incident. Mizanur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Patgram Police Station, said, “The body was handed over to the family as there was no complaint from the family.”  

The body of a 16-year-old boy, missing during Durga idol immersion in Atrai River, was recovered 24 hours later in Mohadevpur upazila of Naogaon on Friday evening. The deceased, Roni Chandra Pal, was the son of Ranjit Chandra Pal of Manda upazila’s Madanchak Bandubi village. According to the locals, the accident happened Thursday evening in Shivganj area during Durga Puja celebrations. Roni had visited his aunt’s house in Kunjbona of Mahadebpur for the festival. He went to the river with his cousin, Prantajit Halder, to immerse the idol at Kunjbona Sri Sri Raghunath Ji temple. While crossing the river in a boat, it suddenly lost balance  and Roni fell into the river and went missing. Police and Fire Service divers began a rescue operation immediately, but could not find him on the first day. 16-year-old boy missing in Naogaon’s Atrai River during idol immersion, search ongoing On Friday, the search resumed in the morning and his body was recovered around 6 pm near the southern side of the old bridge in Mohadevpur upazila town. Shaheen Reza, Officer-in-Charge of Mohadevpur Police Station, confirmed the recovery and said, “The body will be handed over to the family after legal procedures for burial.”  

A motorcyclist was killed in a head-on collision with a bus in Nachole upazila of Chapainawabganj on Friday afternoon. The deceased, Khalid Musabbir, 28, was the son of the late Abdul Malek of Maktarpur village in Nachole. He served as the imam of Hatbakoil Mosque in the upazila. The accident took place around 12:30 pm in the Hamidpur area on the Nachole-Amanura road. Monirul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Nachole Police Station, confirmed the incident, saying, “Khalid Musabbir was going to the mosque to lead the Friday prayers when the bus coming from the opposite direction crashed into his motorcycle. He died on the spot.”

A human chain was formed in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday morning, demanding a fair investigation into the brutal murder of six-year-old Tayeba, who was a resident of Shakhiur in Shariatpur. Professionals, students, parents, and concerned citizens from Sakhipur, who are living in Dhaka, formed the human chain to demand justice for Tayeba. Speakers at the human chain alleged that Ayesha Khatun killed her niece, Tayeba, over a family dispute and dumped her body in a septic tank on September 24. The child had remained missing for two days before locals found her half-decomposed body on September 26. The speakers said that they are frustrated with the role the police are playing. They accused the police of being negligent in performing their duty. Influential quarters are also trying to protect the suspect, the speakers said. The speakers also complained about the police failing to protect those who are being intimidated for demanding justice for Tayeba. DU students held human chain protesting BNP leader Fazlul's statement They said that the police were late to secure the crime scene and spent a while analyzing mobile call records, giving rise to suspicion. They demanded that the case be transferred to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal to ensure a fair trial. They also called for the protection of the victim’s family and witnesses, the removal of the Sakhipur OC from the case, and a departmental investigation against him. Tayeba’s parents - Titu Sardar and Dolly Begum – joined the human chain.

A man was brutally killed by his son in Khulna city’s Bashupara Bashtola area on Thursday night after refusing to give him money, reportedly for buying drugs. The victim Liton Khan, 50, was a fish seller and a resident of the area. Kabir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sonadanga Model Police Station, said Liton had recently borrowed Tk 50,000 from a private financial institution. His son Abu Bakar Limon had been pressuring him to hand over Tk 20,000 from that amount. However, Liton declined, knowing that his son was addicted to drugs. On Thursday around 11:30pm, when Liton's wife was not at home, Limon and his wife, Chandni, allegedly executed the murder. Police said the couple first hanged Liton and then slit his throat with a sharp object to ensure his death before fleeing the scene. OC Kabir Hossain said the body was recovered and sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

The body of one of two children who went missing after a boat capsized during Bijoya Dashami celebrations in the Turag River in Kaliakoir upazila has been recovered. A diving team from the Fire Service retrieved the body of Ankita Moni Das, a resident of Dakshin Hijaltoli village, after a 14-hour search on Friday morning. Upazila Executive Officer Kawsar Ahmed said that the rescue operation will continue until the second missing child, Tanmoy, is found. The incident occurred on Thursday evening when a motorized boat carrying 18–20 people—mostly children—capsized following a collision with another boat during the immersion of idols. Most passengers managed to swim ashore, but Ankita and Tanmoy went missing, eyewitnesses said.

Panic has gripped residents of Amaipur Sonarpara village in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur district after several people showed symptoms of anthrax. Dr. MA Halim Lavlu, Disease Control Officer at Mithapukur Upazila Health Complex, said that seven people are currently receiving treatment for suspected anthrax, with the condition of five patients improving while two continue to show symptoms. According to the Upazila Health Complex and Livestock Office, the scare began after multiple residents developed skin sores. The affected people had consumed beef purchased from Rahmatpur market on September 20. Subsequent testing of leftover meat, stored in a refrigerator, confirmed that the slaughtered cow had been infected with anthrax. The news spread rapidly, triggering fear and concern across the village. In response, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) received samples from other people who had consumed the same beef. Two of those tested showed anthrax symptoms, authorities confirmed. Dr. Lavlu emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, warning that untreated anthrax can be fatal in around 20% of cases. However, he reassured that the patients currently under treatment are responding well. Upazila Livestock Officer Altab Hossain urged residents to avoid consuming meat from ill animals. He also advised that carcasses of infected livestock should be buried at least six feet underground to prevent further spread. To raise awareness, the Livestock Department has launched public education initiatives, including yard meetings and discussions with local meat vendors. Dr. Shahina Akhter, Civil Surgeon of Rangpur district, said that 28 anthrax cases have been confirmed across the upazilas of Mithapukur, Pirgachha, and Kaunia. She assured the public that healthcare providers in all upazilas are on high alert, and there is no cause for widespread panic at this stage.  

A 16-year-old boy went missing after falling into the Atrai River during an idol immersion ceremony in Mohadevpur  upazila of Naogaon on Thursday evening. The missing boy was identified as Roni Howlader, son of Ranjit Howlader from Bandubi village in Manda upazila. According to locals and police, the idol immersion festival was being celebrated as usual. Many people, including family members and friends, took a boat to the river to enjoy the event. The boat reached the Shivganj area of Mohadevpur r when it suddenly went out of control, causing Roni to fall into the river. 2 children drown in Naogaon village pond People on the boat immediately informed the police and with their support, a diver team from the local Fire Service, along with villagers, started a rescue operation. However, four hours have passed, and Roni is yet to be found. Shahin Reza , officer-in-charge of Mohadevpur  Police Station, confirmed the incident, saying, “We hope to find the missing boy soon.”

Two children went missing after a motorized boat capsized in the Turag River in Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur on Thursday evening, during the immersion of idols at the end of Bijoya Dashami celebrations. The missing children have been identified as Tanmoy and Ankita, both residents of Dakshin Hijabatoli village in Kaliakoir. Eyewitnesses said two boats collided in the river, causing one—carrying around 18 to 20 people, including several children—to overturn. While most passengers managed to swim ashore, the two children remain unaccounted for. On information, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kawsar Ahmed, along with Fire Service personnel and local police, rushed to the scene and launched search and rescue operations.