United News of Bangladesh

Khairul Kabir Khokon, Member of Parliament for Narsingdi-1 (Sadar) and BNP Joint Secretary General, has warned unscrupulous traders against creating artificial shortages or hiking prices during Ramadan. He said strict action will be taken against anyone found violating these rules. Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon after monitoring the Narsingdi Boro Bazar, Khokon said the administration is vigilant to ensure people can observe the holy month peacefully without financial hardship. We want people to fast peacefully. I have instructed consumer rights authorities and the administration to continue regular monitoring so that no one can exploit the public, he added. Earlier, Khokon visited various wholesale and retail shops in the market, checking the prices and stock levels of essential commodities. During the inspection, he directed traders to display price lists properly and sell goods at fair prices. Officials from the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate and members of law enforcement were present during the monitoring exercise.

To mark Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day 2026, the Magura District Shilpakala Academy organized drawing and poetry recitation competitions, celebrating the occasion with due respect. The events began at 10 a.m. on Friday, drawing lively participation from schoolchildren. Winners in three categories of each competition were awarded certificates and prizes. The initiative aims to commemorate the sacrifices of language martyrs of February 21, 1952, who fought to preserve the Bengali language. Observed globally as International Mother Language Day, the competitions highlighted the spirit of Ekushey, the Shaheed Minar, and the creativity of the language movement, while fostering awareness among the younger generation about its history and significance. Parents appreciated the event, noting that such organized activities had not been held in recent years, and thanked the authorities for arranging it. Paarth Protima Das, District Cultural Officer of the Shilpakala Academy, said around 200 students participated in the competitions. He added that regular participation in such events helps nurture talent and mental development among children.

Local residents blocked the Dhaka–Bogura highway in Shahjahanpur on Friday morning, placing the body of a housewife killed in a road accident on the road and demanding deployment of traffic police at the accident-prone spot. The blockade took place at Lichutola Second Bypass intersection in Shahjahanpur Upazila, causing long tailbacks on both sides of the highway. The demonstrators withdrew the blockade after about an hour. The deceased was identified as Chameli Begum, 35, wife of Jewel from Betgari South Para village. According to local sources and police, Chameli and three members of her family were critically injured when a bus collided with an easy-bike at the Lichutola Second Bypass intersection on Wednesday afternoon. They were taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura, where Chameli died around 2am on Friday while undergoing treatment. Her two-year-old child, Soaed, also injured in the crash, had one leg amputated through surgery and is now receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. After news of her death spread, locals gathered at the bypass intersection around 10am with the body and blocked both lanes of the highway, creating traffic congestion stretching several kilometres. The protesters demanded immediate deployment of traffic police and construction of a foot overbridge at the accident-prone intersection. Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Mostafa Manjur said the situation was brought under control following police intervention and assurances from the MP of Bogura-4 constituency. Traffic movement on the highway has since returned to normal.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Friday stressed the need to keep prices of essential commodities at a tolerable level during the holy month of Ramadan and ensure security for all, regardless of political affiliation. She made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting with government officials at the deputy commissioner’s conference room in Faridpur. Saying that her party wants to serve people as a public servant, the state minister urged the administration to remain vigilant so that no mob situation or deterioration in law and order occurs. Addressing the district and police administrations, Shama Obaed said a hardline approach must be taken against real offenders whenever law and order worsens, without considering political identity. Time to view Bangladesh differently: Shama Obaed She also emphasized that police investigations must remain neutral and that no innocent person should be punished. “When it comes to people’s safety, there should be no political consideration; the real criminals must be brought under the law,” she added. Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamrul Hasan Molla presided over the meeting, where special guest and Faridpur-4 MP Shahidul Islam Babul, Police Superintendent Md Nazrul Islam, district BNP convener Advocate Modares Ali Isha, member secretary AK Kibriya Swapan and Faridpur Press Club President Kabirul Islam Siddiqui, among others, also spoke.  

Local residents formed a human chain and brought out a protest procession in Bauphal of Patuakhali on Thursday, demanding swift arrest and capital punishment for those involved in the brutal killing of Sakil Mridha. The hour-long human chain was held around 3:30pm on Milghar Road in Adabaria union of Bauphal, with participation from the victim’s relatives, neighbours and locals. A protest march later paraded different roads of the union and ended at the same spot. Speakers termed the incident a premeditated and heinous murder and called for a fair and speedy trial. They warned of tougher protests if the killers are not arrested immediately and given exemplary punishment. Police recovered the body of Sakil Mridha, 25, with hands and feet tied from a pond in the Milghar area on Monday afternoon and later confirmed his identity. He managed ticket counters of Dhaka-bound Moon Paribahan and Chairman Paribahan and was the son of the late Sobhan Mridha of Mahashraddi village. The victim’s elder brother Advocate Siddikur Rahman filed a murder case with Bauphal Police Station against unnamed suspects. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Siddikur Rahman said one person has been detained and drives are underway to identify and arrest others involved.

Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah, elected from Cumilla-4 constituency, has said he will serve people of all religions equally during the next five years. Speaking Friday at the 21st reunion of Bangladesh Sebashram Jubo Songho in Debidwar, he said his responsibility is not only to Muslims but to everyone. He urged citizens to cooperate with him, saying he cannot succeed without their support. He said, while religious beliefs may differ, social, cultural, and economic harmony is common for all. No compromise on Nasiruddin Patwary issue: Hasnat He added that religion, caste, or ethnicity will not influence his work, and he will provide equal services to all citizens. The event concluded with a procession organized by the Sebashram Jubo Songho under the slogan "Satya Seba Dharma," which paraded through the town’s streets. Leaders from the Hindu community also joined the rally.  

A village doctor was stabbed to death by miscreants in Sharsha upazila of Jashore while returning home after offering prayers on Thursday night. The incident took place around 9:30 pm at Baripota village in Sharsha upazila. The deceased was identified as Al Amin, son of Rafiqul Islam of the Sharsha Navaron area. He was known locally as a village doctor and used to provide primary medical services in the area. According to police and local sources, Al Amin was on his way home after finishing prayers when a group of attackers suddenly assaulted him. They stabbed him with sharp weapons and fled the scene, leaving him critically injured. Locals found him lying on the road in a bloodied condition and rushed him to Sharsha Upazila Health Complex. The on duty doctor there declared him dead. After receiving the information, police rushed to the spot, brought the situation under control and started collecting evidence. 2 workers injured in Jashore bomb blast Inspector Shah Alam of Sharsha Police Station said police are gathering details of the incident. “We have started working to identify those involved and to find out the motive behind the killing,” he added.  

Two people were killed and 10 others injured in a road accident in Melkai area of Dasar upazila in Madaripur district on Thursday afternoon. According to eyewitnesses and police, a passenger bus of Imran Paribahan, traveling from Dhaka to Barishal, collided head-on with a BRTC bus coming from the opposite direction. 6 killed as bus hits auto-rickshaw in Madaripur Two people died at the spot., but the identities of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately. Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Mostafapur Highway Police Station, said the injured were taken to Kalikini and Madaripur Sadar hospitals for treatment.

Train communication on Rahanpur-Rajshahi route in Chapainawabganj, which remained suspended as four wagons of an oil-laden train derailed at Amnura Railway Junction, resumed after nine hours on Thursday. Hasibul Hasan, Station Master of Amnura Railway Junction, said the train was carrying oil from Khulna to the Amnura Power Plant. When the train reached Amnura Junction, four wagons of the train veered off the tracks around 4:45am, disrupting train movement on the Rohanpur-Rajshahi route. A relief train from Ishwardi Railway Junction reached the spot around 10am and salvaged the train around 2:15 pm. Later, the train communication on the route resumed around 2:15 pm, said Station Master Hasibul.

Consumers in Chattogram are facing steep price increases for essential food items on the first day of Ramadan, raising concerns over affordability for iftar and sehri meals. A market survey found medium-sized lemons, which sold for Tk 20–40 two weeks ago, now priced above Tk 60. Vendors said pre-Ramadan prices last year ranged from Tk 40–50, but this season, limited supply and heightened demand have pushed prices up to Tk 120. Other vegetables have also seen notable gains. Eggplant and cucumber rose by Tk 20 per kilogram, now trading at Tk 80–120 and Tk 80–100, respectively. Tomato and carrot prices increased by Tk 10 per kilogram, while green chilies are fetching Tk 140–160. Traders cited rising wholesale costs as a primary driver of retail price hikes. Meat prices are climbing as well, straining budgets for low- and middle-income households. Broiler chicken, which sold for Tk 160–170 per kilogram two weeks ago, now costs Tk 200–220, while Sonali chicken is priced at Tk 320–350 per kilogram, up by Tk 30–40. Farmers and sellers pointed to higher chickling prices and winter poultry mortality as key factors. Fish such as tilapia, pangas, rui, and katla have also seen increases of Tk 20–50 per kilogram. Authorities are stepping up monitoring to curb price manipulation. Foiz Ullah, Deputy Director of the Department of Consumer Rights Protection, said syndicates are using phone networks to control markets, adding that raids and legal action are underway. Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Jahidul Islam Miah met traders at the city’s wholesale hub in Khatungonj, urging them to maintain affordable prices. Chattogram port workers' strike called off The Chattogram Metropolitan Police, alongside senior officials, conducted inspections of wholesale rates for onions, dates, lentils, sugar, chickpeas and other Ramadan essentials. “Any attempt at artificial price hikes will be met with strict action,” DC Jahidul Islam said, warning that syndicate manipulation would not be tolerated.