United News of Bangladesh

After 16 long years, joy and devotion have returned to the Sri Sri Rasik Roy Jiu Temple in Auliapur of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila, as the Hindu community prepares to celebrate Durga Puja following the withdrawal of Section 144, which had barred festivities at the site since 2009. The ban was originally imposed after a deadly clash on September 18, 2009, between followers of the Sonatani and ISKCON groups over the right to organise Durga Puja at the temple. The violence left a temple servant Phul Babu dead, forcing the local administration to enforce Section 144 and assume control of the premises. Since then, Durga Puja and other religious events had been suspended at the temple due to fears of further communal unrest. However, this year, a breakthrough was reached through the efforts of the district administration, which successfully brokered an agreement between the two factions. With tensions eased, the administration withdrew Section 144, finally allowing the resumption of worship and festivities at the historic temple. Preparations are now in full swing. Idol makers are busy crafting the goddess’s image, and volunteers are decorating the mandap with lights and traditional artwork.

Authorities have shut down a drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centre named “Arpon” in Chandpur following allegations of widespread irregularities, mistreatment and unrest that led to a mass escape of patients earlier this week. The facility, located in Kholisaduli area along the Chandpur–Cumilla highway, was operating with 47 patients despite government regulations allowing a maximum of 10. Patients were reportedly charged Tk 14,000 per month, yet provided with inadequate meals – mainly rice, lentils, mashed potatoes and, once a month, rotten tilapia fish, according to patients’ complaints. Assistant Director of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) in Chandpur, Md Mizanur Rahman, told UNB that dissatisfaction over food and treatment sparked protests and violence inside the centre on the morning of September 24. Patients vandalised property and attacked staff, before 27 of them managed to flee by scaling the boundary wall. One patient, Saqib from Puran Bazar, sustained serious injuries after jumping from the wall and was later admitted to Chandpur General Hospital. He alleged that he was beaten and tortured inside the centre even after being hurt. The situation forced the authorities to close the facility late Wednesday night. Until further orders from higher authorities, the centre— jointly run by Tushar from Cumilla and Sitab from Chandpur— will remain shut. The closure posed a new challenge as 20 remaining patients were left stranded with no supervision, since the management had gone into hiding and many families were hesitant to take their loved ones back. Some mothers even hesitated to accept their sons. However, DNC officials worked through the night to contact families and eventually handed over each patient safely to their guardians. “Addicts are also human beings. Without family, where would they go? It was difficult, but ensuring their safe return home is our biggest relief,” said Mizanur Rahman. He added that the centre had long been cautioned about food quality, CCTV surveillance, recreational facilities and proper management, and was subject to monthly inspections. Patients alleged long-standing inhumane treatment, neglect and psychological abuse at the centre, which fuelled the revolt. Police also rushed to the spot after the incident and have begun an investigation. Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin praised the humane role played by the DNC. “It’s not just about enforcing law – DNC set an example by ensuring every patient’s safety before handing them to their families,” he said, adding that legal action will be taken against those responsible.

Three people, including a mother and her one-year-old son, were killed and five others injured in a head-on collision between a sand-laden truck and a pickup van in Rangpur early Friday. The deceased were identified as Shahina Begum, her baby Walid, and the pickup van’s helper Arif. The accident occurred around 4:00am near the U-turn area of the Damdama Bridge in Rangpur town, said Shahjahan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Rangpur Metropolitan Police’s Tajhat Police Station. CNG-truck collision leaves 3 dead in Bogura According to police, Shahina’s husband, Motaleb, along with his family, was traveling from Dhaka to their home in Rangpur's Pirgachha, aboard the pickup van. While attempting a U-turn near the bridge, the vehicle was struck by a speeding sand truck, killing three on the spot. Five people including Motaleb and the pickup driver sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. OC Shahjahan said that the bodies have been sent to the morgue of Rangpur Medical College. Police have launched a drive to arrest the truck driver and his assistant, who fled the scene immediately after the collision. 30-year-old man electrocuted in Dinajpur Meanwhile, three people, including a child and a CNG autorickshaw driver, were killed and two others injured in a separate road accident early Friday in Sariakandi Upazila of Bogrua. The accident occurred around 7am in the Kathaltala area of Fulbari Union, when CNG autorickshaw collided with a sand-laden drum truck.

Three people, including a child and a CNG autorickshaw driver, were killed and two others injured in a road accident early Friday morning in Sariakandi Upazila of Bogrua. The accident occurred around 7am in the Kathaltala area of Fulbari Union, when a passenger CNG autorickshaw collided with a sand-laden drum truck. The deceased were identified as CNG driver Shukur Ali, 55, a resident of the Tinmatha Railgate area in Bougra, Bipul, 45, and five-year-old Pallab. According to hospital sources, Shukur Ali and Bipul were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Pallab, who sustained critical injuries, died on the way to Bogura city. Two other passengers — Momtaz Begum, 35, and Rupa, 12, — were injured in the crash and are currently undergoing treatment at Sariakandi Upazila Health Complex. Jamirul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sariakandi Police Station, said that the drum truck involved in the collision has been seized. Meanwhile, Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Atiqur Rahman, who is also serving as acting Upazila Executive Officer, said that an investigation is underway regarding the transportation of sand.

A woman is battling for her life in ICU after her bladder and part of her intestine were allegedly cut during a cesarean operation at a private clinic in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah. The incident occurred at Al-Arafah Nursing Home and Diagnostic Center in Ghughri Bazar. The victim, 25-year-old Swapna Khatun of Raghunathpur village, wife of Sohel Rana, was admitted to the clinic on September 17 for a C-section delivery. Her brother, Monsur Hossain Miaji, alleged that though the baby was delivered, the doctors mistakenly cut her bladder and punctured her intestine in several places during the surgery. This caused severe internal bleeding as blood and urine accumulated inside her abdomen. When her condition deteriorated, the clinic authorities referred her to Jashore General Hospital, where she is now in critical condition in the ICU. Locals claimed the clinic, owned by Kajol Bhuiyan, has a history of medical negligence and wrongful treatment. Businessman Abdur Rahman alleged that Kajol has long exploited people under the guise of medical care and that several deaths have previously occurred there due to wrong treatment. When asked, Kajol admitted the incident, saying, “Accidents can happen. We are taking care of her treatment. She is my neighbour, so journalists should not make an issue of this.” He also claimed the clinic had proper authorisation and identified the surgeon as Dr. Sohel Rana, reportedly from Kotchandpur Upazila Hospital. However, health officials there confirmed no doctor by that name works at the facility. Jhenaidah Civil Surgeon Dr. Md Kamruzzaman condemned the incident, terming it “inhumane,” and said the Maheshpur Upazila health officer has been assigned to investigate. “If the allegations are proven, action will be taken against the clinic,” he added.

A fire that broke out at a jute warehouse in Konabari area of Gazipur was brought under control Thursday night after about three hours of efforts. The blaze started around 7:45 pm in the Ambag locality under Konabari police station. Seven fire service units – two from Konabari Fire Station, three from Chourasta Modern Fire Station, and one from Sarabo Fire Station – worked to extinguish the fire. By 10:58 pm, the flames were under control. Gas explosion in Dhaka Udyan leaves woman burned No casualties have been reported so far. Mohammad Mamun, deputy assistant director of Gazipur Fire Service, said it is too early to determine the cause of the fire or the extent of the losses without a proper investigation.

A 30-year-old man was electrocuted at a neighbour’s house in Khansama upazila of Dinajpur on Thursday. The deceased was Anit Sen, son of Satyen Sen of Senpara village in Bherbheri Union No. 2. He completed his Master’s degree from Dinajpur Government College. Locals said Anit came into contact with a live electrical wire while  working on an electrical line at his neighbour’s house. He was quickly rescued and taken to the Khansama Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Dr Subrata Halder, resident medical officer at the health complex, said Anit had died before reaching the health complex.

A student of Khulna Polytechnic Institute has died after being hit by a train in Khulna on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred around 7:10 pm at Boikali Junction Railway Station. The deceased student, Shakil, was a resident of Dinajpur and the son of Rafiqul Islam. He lived in a mess in the Boikali area of Khulna. SI Azad Rahman, Officer-in-Charge  of Daulatpur Railway Police Station, confirmed the death. He said, “Shakil was walking along the railway line while a train was coming from Benapole to Khulna. He did not notice the approaching train and was struck by the fast-moving train, falling beside the tracks.” Youth shot in Khulna; firearms and bullets recovered Shakil suffered injuries to his head and died at the spot. After the station master was informed, his body was recovered and sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital for autopsy. His family in Dinajpur was notified about the incident.

Two sisters from a Hindu family in Panthapara village of Federation Bazar under Rajarhat Police Station in Kurigram districtnleft home on September 16 for college. On the same day, their father lodged a general diary (GD) at Rajarhat Police Station. Later, one of the sisters posted a status from her Facebook ID, declaring that both had renounced Hinduism and embraced Islam. On Tuesday, their father informed local police that his daughters were reportedly staying at the house of one Ferdous Hujur in Nageshwari Police Station area. Dangerous Crossing: Kurigram villagers plead for permanent bridge A team from Rajarhat police, accompanied by female officers, searched the house, but the sisters were not found there. Kurigram Police Superintendent said no untoward incident has occurred and the overall law and order situation remains normal.

A child drowned while another went missing in the Louhajang River in Tangail town on Wednesday afternoon. The incident took place near the Stadium Bridge area of West Akur Takur. The deceased was identified as Mehedi Hasan, 8, son of Shafiqul of the area. The missing child is Adib, 10, son of Abdul Karim of the same neighborhood. According to the locals, three children went fishing in the river as usual around 1:30pm. After fishing, they went into the water to bathe and suddenly, two of them drowned. On information, a diving team of the Fire Service launched a rescue operation with the help of locals. Around 3:30pm, they recovered the body of Mehedi Hasan. However, Adib remained missing. SM Humayun Karnain, senior station officer of Tangail Fire Service, said, “The body of one child was handed over to the family while efforts were on to rescue the other.”