United News of Bangladesh

Transparency International (TI) Chair François Valérian has said Bangladesh has the historic opportunity to create a new democracy, not a democracy of the past, which in many countries consisted and still consists solely of more or less regular elections held to select those who will extract profit from power, but the democracy of the future. He laid emphasis on the full participation of the young people, women and marginalised communities in the process, a democracy where power, in the true sense of the word, at last belongs to the people. The TI chair talked about a kind of democracy where all the citizens are considered as who they are, - the public officials, private sector employers and political leaders are accountable, and finally, citizens have the right to know and to voice their demands and concerns about everything that may affect their lives without fear or intimidation. As part of the concluding day of his official visit to Dhaka, Transparency International Chair François Valérian had a dinner meeting on Thursday at TIB’s Dhaka office with civil society representatives, as well as delegates from donor agencies, embassies, and other key stakeholders. He delivered a talk on “People Power and the Fall of Authoritarianism: Opportunities and Challenges for Democratic Transition and Accountable Governance.” He highlighted the role of citizens in resisting authoritarian practices and advancing accountable governance. The talk was followed by an open discussion, where dignitaries shared perspectives on pressing issues such as the current political landscape, indigenous rights, corruption, people’s power, and authoritarianism. The TI chair said what the civil society and the current authorities in Bangladesh are doing also has to be supported by the international community. He said all countries, those where public money is stolen or where bribes are paid in the public sector, and those where stolen money is supposedly safe, have a common interest in cooperating for a world with better-being for all. “Confrontation is never, has never been the right approach to address global challenges,” said the TI Chair. He said Bangladesh has a historic opportunity to set an example for the world in breaking the vicious circle of authoritarianism, - where authoritarian regimes in many countries steal so much money that citizens become desperate and are still more victims of abuse of power and corruption. In the face of a global rise of authoritarianism, Valérian said, the New Bangladesh began its journey with a dream born from unprecedented sacrifices that overthrew authoritarian rule. To fulfill that dream, it is essential to maintain the continuity of reforms. Although corruption still exists even after the fall of the authoritarian government, the fight against it must continue, he said on the final day of his first visit to Dhaka during a ‘Meet the Press’ session with journalists from various media outlets. The program was also attended by TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman; Adviser, Executive Management Prof Dr Sumaiya Khair, and Communication & Outreach Director Mohammad Tauhidul Islam. Transparency International Chair François Valérian due Tuesday Reflecting on his visit to Dhaka, he also noted that had billions of dollars not been laundered abroad, Bangladesh’s GDP could have been significantly higher. He emphasised the need for global cooperation, adequate civic space, and an independent judiciary to effectively combat corruption. TI Chair Valérian said, “Our global movement admires what is happening in Bangladesh. We know the stakes are high and that reforms are ongoing. All these reforms must be sustained. There needs to be a sustainable effort that delves deeply into the necessary reforms of the state and into how power is exercised at every level in Bangladesh.” Addressing the challenges faced by the Interim Government, the TI Chair said, “The challenges are high and I feel that the interim government is aware and genuinely willing to address those challenges. Corruption did not vanish from the country after fall of the authoritarian regime. But there are reforms that are being worked on. Some of them have started, some of them are being implemented and that is what counts.” In response to a question from journalists, Valérian said, “For speaking out against corruption, TIB has always been criticized by those in power. At every government’s tenure, TIB has pointed out mistakes and shortcomings and offered criticism. Since its founding, no government has refrained from criticizing TIB. After the elections in February, the government that comes to power may also feel uncomfortable due to TIB’s watchdog role.” Supporting Valérian’s statement, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the average annual outflow of 16 billion dollars from Bangladesh during the rule of the fallen authoritarian government is only a partial estimate; the actual amount laundered is much higher. Over the past 15 years, he said, more than twice the total amount of annual foreign investment—combined with foreign development aid—has been siphoned off through corruption, said Dr Iftekhar. Closing all avenues for money laundering is therefore far more effective and important, he said. “With political will and institutional capacity, it is also a more realistic approach.”

A 40-year-old woman died after being electrocuted in Nilphamari on Friday morning. The deceased was identified as Jamila Khatun, wife of Bhutto Mia from Charapar Burirdanga village in Itakhola Union, Sadar upazila. Locals said an exposed live electric wire had fallen on the bamboo fence of a duck farm in the area and Jamila was electrocuted when she touched the fence while passing by the farm. Itakhola Union Parishad Chairman Hedayet Ali Shah Fakir confirmed the incident. BTUS condemns worker killing during Nilphamari EPZ protest  

A businessman allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his licensed firearm in Kotchandpur upazila of Jhenaidah early Friday. The deceased was identified as Nazrul Islam Naju, 72, son of Abdur Rahim Biswas of Solemanpur village under the upazila. He had long been involved in garment business in the Kotchandpur town. According to locals, Naju lived with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law in a two-storey house in the Uttarpara area of the village. Around 1:00 am, he came down from the second floor and entered a room on the ground floor, locking the door from the inside. He reportedly shot himself in the head with his licensed gun during the early hours of the morning. Family members discovered the incident and immediately informed the police. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to the Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Kabir Hossain Matobbar, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotchandpur Police Station, said Nazrul Islam had been dealing with long-standing family issues and was under financial stress due to a bank loan. “At this stage, we are treating it as a case of suicide, but a thorough investigation is underway,” he added.

A 34-year-old man was shot dead by miscreants in Khulna's Rupsha upazila on Thursday night, police said. The incident occurred around 11:30 pm, said Johnny Ahmed, duty officer at Rupsa Police Station. The victim Imran Hossain Manik, son of Md. Belayet Hossain of Bagmara village in Rupsa, was travelling towards Ilapur in a van when he was attacked. "Miscreants intercepted him and fired two consecutive shots. One of the bullets struck him in the head, killing him on the spot," said the officer. Hearing the gunshots, locals rushed to the scene, discovered Manik’s body, and immediately informed the police. Upon arrival, officers recovered two empty bullet shells from the site. The body was later sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital for autopsy, police added.

A 13-year-old schoolboy was killed after being hit by a passenger bus in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat on Wednesday evening, prompting the locals to block the highway in protest. The boy was identified as Imam Islam, son of Saudi expatriate Nur Islam and 6th grade student of Hatibandha Sohor Uddin Sarker Govt. Model High School. The tragic accident took place near the BRAC office on the Burimari highway at Dighirhat area.  According to police and locals, Imam was returning home along the highway after school and a Dhaka-bound Faumita bus coming from Burimari hit him, leaving him dead on the spot. Locals stopped the bus and handed it over to police, but the driver managed to flee away. Local residents staged a highway blockade around 7 pm to express anger over the accident and the delayed police response. They, later, lifted the blockade once the police arrived at the scene. Head on collision between two motorcycles leaves 2 youth dead in Lalmonirhat SI Sanjay Kumar of Hatibandha Police Station confirmed that the bus had been seized. “Legal action will be taken after completing the necessary procedures,” he added.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) arrested nine people, including two brothers from the notorious ‘Kobji Kata’ gang on Wednesday, over a violent attack on a police officer in Shyamoli Housing, Adabor. The arrested brothers were Md. Joni, 24, and Md. Roni, 27. The other suspects included - Md. Osman, 20, Md. Nazir, 20, Md. Raju, 27, Md. Shakil, 19, Md. Abul Kamal Azad, 19, Md. Reju Khan Alam, 22, and Md. Al-Amin, 18. Two sharp homemade weapons had also been recovered from their possession. According to DB Tejgaon, the incident occurred on the night of September 1, around 8:25 pm, when police responded to a kidnapping report in the area while the kidnappers launched a sudden attack on the police and journalists using sharp homemade weapons. Officer Al-Amin sustained serious injuries to his wrist and left hand, while several other officers were also hurt. The attackers damaged a police patrol vehicle before fleeing the scene, as well. Following the attack, DB Tejgaon launched targeted operations to detain the gang members. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects to be active members of the feared ‘Kobji Kata’ gang operating in the Mohammadpur-Adabor area. DB arrests 7 members of 'honey trap' gang in Bogura With gang leader Anwar in jail, Joni and Roni were managing the gang locally involved in criminal activities, such as - attacks on police, extortion, robbery, assault, drug abuse, eve-teasing, kidnapping, ransom demands, and illegal occupation of properties. DC media of DMP Talebur Rahman said that legal action against the arrested individuals was underway.

A 10-year-old boy committed suicide after allegedly being scolded by his mother on Wednesday morning. The kid was identified as Samiul Adib, son of Abedin Sumon of Khamtiar village, Sunamganj sadar, now living near PTI Training Center in Subid Bazar of Sylhet. Around 11:30 am, Samiul went to the bathroom after his mother allegedly rebuked him. As the boy was not responding for a long time his mother broke the door of the bathroom and found him hanging. He was rushed to Osmani Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Man killed in inter-family dispute over ducks in Sylhet Ziaul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station, said the body was kept at the hospital morgue and no complaint was filed. “The reason why his mother rebuked him is yet to be known”, he added.

Police have uncovered five torture cells allegedly operated by the notorious criminal gang 'Suman Bahini' in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur. The operation was carried out late Tuesday night across Pathantek, Baranol, Koshadia, Barkul and Nandia Sangun villages in Barmi Union. According to police sources, the torture cells were used to detain people who were then subjected to brutal physical abuse. Victims were reportedly tied up and tortured with sharp weapons, while large sums of money were extorted from them. During the raids, police recovered an air gun, several locally-made weapons, and wooden batons. Three members of the gang were also arrested. Mohammad Abdul Barik, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sreepur Police Station, said police are continuing their investigation to dismantle the entire criminal network. Locals said members of 'Suman Bahini', led by top criminal Suman Sheikh, frequently moved in groups on motorcycles, sparking fear in the area. The gang is known for its involvement in organised crimes, including extortion, drug trafficking and violent assaults. Suman Sheikh, the gang’s leader and a top-listed criminal, was arrested last Sunday from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. Further raids are planned to locate additional hideouts and arrest more members of the criminal network, the OC added.

A dump truck driver and his assistant were killed when their vehicle was struck by a train at an unguarded railway crossing in Gazipur’s Sadar Thana area early Wednesday. The identities of the deceased were not immediately known. Md. Nadiruzzaman, in-charge of the Joydebpur Railway Police Outpost, said the accident occurred around 1:30 am when a Dhaka-bound Panchagarh Express train hit the dump truck as it was crossing the tracks. One person died at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries after being taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital. Both bodies were later sent to the hospital morgue.

Two children drowned in a pond in Shakhipur of Bhedarganj upazila, Shariatpur, on Tuesday. The deceased children were identified as Emon Hossain, 5, son of Badol Sarker of Madbor Kandi village and  Tauhid Islam, 5, son of Shah Alam Bepari of the same village. Another child, Jannat, 3, was rescued alive from the edge of the pond and taken to the hospital. According to the police and local sources, the three children were playing near their home and went missing, all of a sudden. Housewife commits suicide in Shariatpur Local resident Abul Hossain said, “After the children went missing, villagers saw something floating in the pond. One child was rescued, and another was found later, but both had died. Jannat was found alive on the pond edge and sent to the hospital.” Md. Obaidul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Shakhipur Police Station, confirmed the tragedy and said that the bodies would be handed over to the families after legal procedures.