United News of Bangladesh

To mark the 55th Independence Day, a cultural event titled ‘Shatadhwani-e-Shadhinotar Jhongkar’ was held in Naogaon on Friday, featuring 175 artists performing together on a single stage. The event, organized by the local cultural group Hatekhori Naogaon, took place at the premises of Biyam Laboratory School. Naogaon-5 (Sadar) MP Zahidul Islam Dholu attended as the chief guest, while Magfurul Hasan Bidyut, president of the organization, presided over the program. Other dignitaries included Local Government Deputy Director TMA Momin, Additional Superintendent of Police Joybrat Pal, District Freedom Fighters’ Council convener Sirajul Islam, Hatekhori Naogaon advisor Baizid Hossain Palash, Naogaon Cultural Unity president Monowar Hossain Liton, and general secretary Nowrin Akhtar Sharmin. In the evening, the 175 artists presented recitations, songs, and dance performances, making the event vibrant and engaging. The organizers said that since its founding in 2010, Hatekhori Naogaon has been promoting cultural activities to nurture children’s talent and creativity. Over the past 15 years, many participants have gone on to study at Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Jahangirnagar University, and Jagannath University, while achieving national recognition in recitation and painting.

A case has been filed following a tragic accident in Kala Kachua, Burichang Upazila, Cumilla, where a private car was hit by a bus on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, killing five people, including a husband, wife, two children, and the car driver. The case was lodged at Burichang Police Station by the brother of deceased Jharna Begum, Faisal Ahmed, confirmed OC Lutfur Rahman on Friday evening. The district administration provided financial assistance of Tk 25,000 each to the deceased families and Tk 15,000 each to the injured. Locals said the private car was on the wrong side of the road, which led to the fatal collision near Miami Hotel on Thursday evening. The car was heading towards Dhaka but had entered the Chattogram-bound lane to stop at the hotel for food. OC Abdul Momin of Moynamati Highway Police said the case was filed against unidentified persons, and an investigation is ongoing. He added that the private car was reportedly on the wrong side, and more details would be available after the probe. Burichang Upazila Executive Officer Tanvir Ahmed said the administration gave Tk 1,40,000 to the victims’ families and the injured. Families were also advised to apply for additional support from the BRTA Trustee Board.

At least 20 people were injured when a passenger bus crashed into the rear of a sand-laden truck on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in Feni on Friday. The accident occurred around 1pm in the Silonia area under Kalidah union of Sadar upazila. According to police and local sources, a Didar Paribahan bus travelling from Chattogram lost control and rammed into a sand-laden truck ahead, leaving the driver, helper and several passengers injured. Among the injured, four were treated at Feni Royal Hospital and another four at Feni General Hospital, while others received primary treatment at nearby pharmacies and private clinics. The identities of some of the injured were confirmed as Md Arif (37) from Noakhali, his wife Minu (25), and Sohag (48). The identities of several others could not be immediately known. A staff member of Feni Royal Hospital said four injured persons were brought there for treatment, though some left after receiving primary care without providing details. Mahipal Highway Police Sergeant Kajal Kanti Nath said police rushed to the scene and restored traffic movement. Most of the injured sustained minor injuries, while those more seriously hurt also left after receiving treatment. He said over speeding is suspected to be the primary cause of the accident. The bus driver and helper fled the scene after the crash. The damaged bus has been taken into police custody.

A nine-month-old baby was kidnapped in Rupganj, Narayanganj, after the family failed to pay a debt. The suspect, Sonia Akter, was arrested by locals and handed over to the police. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon near Bagber City Market. According to Rupganj police, Sonia Akter, wife of Ashraful from Krishnanagar area, along with her husband, abducted the infant, Wasik, from Jalil Mia, who owed Ashraful 50,000 taka. Jalil had repaid 25,000 taka over the past six months. Sonia reportedly demanded the remaining 25,000 taka be sent via a nearby mobile payment shop, warning that the child would not be returned otherwise. Suspicious shopkeepers detained her, and she was later handed over to the police along with the baby. The child has been safely returned to the family. Rupganj OC Sabzel Hossain confirmed a case has been filed against Sonia Akter under kidnapping and ransom charges, and she has been sent to court.

Six people, including a retired army officer, were fined by a mobile court in Munshiganj’s Gazaria upazila for hunting migratory birds on Thursday. Locals detained the group along with their vehicle at Mathabhanga in Imam­pur evening after discovering that they had hunted a large number of birds. Later, police and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) rescued them from an angry crowd. As the accused confessed to the offence, a mobile court fined retired Lieutenant Colonel ASM Hadiul Islam Bhuiyan (81) Tk 1 lakh, while the other five were fined Tk 30,000 each, considering their age. The other fined individuals are Haji Osman Ali (77), Mazharul Haque Qureshi (70), Abdullah Noor (72), Abrar Uddin Ahmed (70), and Arik Ahmed (27). During the drive, authorities seized three shotguns, one air gun and 63 rounds of ammunition used for hunting. According to police and local sources, the group travelled from Dhaka to the Meghna River area in Gazaria in the morning and hunted birds in different char areas along the Meghna and its branch, the Phuldi River. When they were returning in the evening, locals noticed six sacks filled with hunted birds, estimated to weigh around four maunds, sparking outrage. Villagers blocked their vehicle near a local Eidgah and kept them confined until authorities arrived around 10pm. Witnesses alleged the group used firearms extensively and killed hundreds of migratory birds in a single day, causing significant environmental damage. The accused retired army officer claimed they had no ill intent and hunted the birds merely as a hobby, adding that he had visited the area for hunting on previous occasions as well. UNO Md Mahmudul Hasan said the incident was verified and fines were imposed under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. Considering the age and physical condition of the accused, imprisonment was not awarded. They were also warned against engaging in such activities in the future.

The district administration conducted a special operation on Friday against illegal fuel storage and trading in the Patenga area of Chattogram, seizing approximately 6,000 liters of diesel. The raid, carried out at 10:45am based on credible intelligence, was led by Executive Magistrate Subrata Haldar with joint participation from Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and Bangladesh Police. Thirty drums of illegally hoarded diesel were recovered, though no suspects were found at the scene. The confiscated fuel is now secured in police custody and legal action is underway under the Special Powers Act, 1974. Preliminary investigations suggest that a dishonest network had been siphoning fuel from sea-going vessels and depots and supplying it to local traders illegally. The district administration said it remains committed to maintaining discipline in the fuel sector, ensuring smooth supply and preventing illegal stockpiling. All depots, petrol pumps and associated traders are under strict supervision and operations against illegal activities will continue. Information and Public Relations Officer Muhammad Arif Sadeq of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources issued the statement.

A robber was killed by his own gunfire while attempting to snatch cash from a businessman in Dighalia upazila of Khulna, police said. The incident occurred around 2:45am on March 26 near the Steamer Ghat area. The identity of the deceased robber has not yet been confirmed. According to police and local sources, Tahidul Islam, a flexiload businessman and son of Jabed Ali Sheikh of Devara village, was returning home with the day’s earnings when three robbers blocked his path near Popular Jute Company. During the scuffle to snatch the cash, one of the robbers accidentally fired a shot that struck a member of their own group, killing him on the spot. Tahidul Islam sustained injuries in the incident. Local residents rushed the injured businessman to a hospital for treatment. Police arrived at the spot, recovered the body, and are continuing operations to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the attempted robbery. 

Unknown assailants shot and killed a leader of the UPDF (Democratic) in Sutakarmpara area of Panchhari upazila of Khagrachhari on Friday morning. The deceased was Niti Dutta Chakma, 45, Panchhari upazila organizer of UPDF (Democratic) and a resident of Uttar Shantipur.  He was the son of renowned Chakma leader Barnanatit Chakma. Local sources said Niti Dutta Chakma was sitting in a shop in Sutakarmpara when unidentified armed men arrived and opened fire at close range.  He sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Khagrachhari District Sadar Hospital by locals where doctors declared him dead. Dr. Joya Tripura , a physician of the hospital, said he had died before reaching the facility. Officer-in-charge of Panchhari Police Station, Ferdous Wahid, said police are  investigation the killing.  

A massive fire gutted 35 shops at Boalkhali New Market, the main commercial hub of Dighinala upazila in Khagrachhari, early Friday morning. The fire broke out around 3:00 am and engulfed shops, including shoe stores, cosmetic outlets, salons, pharmacies and jewellery shops. Two units of the Fire Service, with assistance from Dighinala police, the army and local residents, managed to bring the blaze under control after nearly one and a half hours, said Pankaj Barua, officer-in-charge of Dighinala Fire Station. By then, most of the goods and furniture in the affected shops had been completely destroyed. Fire Service officials said the lack of nearby water sources delayed firefighting efforts. Preliminary estimates by business owners and the market management committee put the total loss at around Tk 4–5 crore. Mohammad Alamgir Hossain, general secretary of the Boalkhali Market Management Committee, said the affected shop owners have lost everything and will find it extremely difficult to recover from the devastation. Local BNP leaders and administrative officials visited the site to assess the damage and expressed their sympathy for the affected business owners. The cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, though a short circuit is suspected to have sparked the blaze.

A wedding in Patuakhali’s Dashmina Upazila took a turn for the worse on Thursday when a dispute over ‘gate money’ escalated into a clash, leaving several guests injured. On Thursday afternoon, laughter and happiness filled the Mallik house in Dhandhania village, where friends and relatives had gathered to celebrate a wedding. But by around 4:30 pm, the cheerful atmosphere gave way to tension, as a disagreement over a customary practice known as ‘gate money’ spiralled out of control. The tradition often seen as a light-hearted negotiation between the bride’s and groom’s sides—became the spark for a heated argument. Within moments, the situation escalated into a clash, leaving at least four people injured. The groom’s family claimed losses of around Tk 300,000. Those injured are Russel Mallik, 25, Shafiq Hawlader, 26, Shakil Hossain, 16, from the groom’s side, and Jamal Hawlader, 40, from the bride’s side.