United News of Bangladesh

Abu Naser Md Mahbub, Jatiya Party’s (JP) candidate for Rangpur-4 (Kaunia-Pirgacha) constituency, on Tuesday night alleged that his car was stopped and he was harassed by workers of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and Jamaat while returning from a relative’s home. The incident took place at Mahiganj Saryartal in the city. Mahbub said that NCP and Jamaat workers blocked his car and seized the driver’s keys. Locals asked them to return the keys, but a confrontation broke out. JP leaders later arrived at the scene, forcing the workers to retreat, while residents detained Ward Jamaat leader Manjurul Islam. 394 foreign observers, 197 foreign journalists to monitor Bangladesh  elections The harassment quickly drew hundreds of JP supporters, prompting army and police to intervene and rescue the detained Jamaat leader, who was taken to the local police station. NCP district convener Al Mamun could not be reached for comment despite several attempts. Mahiganj police station officer-in-charge (OC) Maidul Islam said that the situation was brought under control immediately, and one person had been rescued and taken to the station.

Miscreants set fire to a polling station at Nesaria Government Primary School in Pangashia Union of Dumki Upazila, Patuakhali, on Tuesday night. The fire broke out around 8:42 pm, though it was not immediately clear who was behind the incident. Local residents rushed to douse the flames and managed to bring the fire under control by around 9:15 pm. Several benches and the tin fencing of a classroom were damaged in the blaze. Assistant teacher Obaidul Haq said the fire had been deliberately set in one of the rooms, but the extent of the damage was not significant. On receiving the information, members of the Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) rushed to the spot and secured the area.

Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, led by its Feni-3 constituency candidate Mohammad Fakhruddin Manik, laid a siege to Daganbhuiyan Police Station on Tuesday night, alleging bias by the officer-in-charge (OC) and demanding his withdrawal. The protest followed a police raid at the house of Jamaat supporter and former headmaster of Ataturk School, Master Abdur Rahim, based on a tip-off that ballot papers were stored there.  Police, however, found no evidence to support the allegation. Claiming the drive was 'motivated' and conducted to harass Jamaat activists, party leaders staged demonstrations in front of the police station and demanded the withdrawal of OC Muhammad Faizul Azim and Sub-Inspector Balaram. As tensions mounted, senior police officials, Jamaat leaders and local dignitaries held discussions at the station premises, bringing the situation under control. District Jamaat Ameer Mufti Abdul Hannan alleged that the OC carried out the raid in coordination with BNP activists to implement a political agenda and influence the election.  He also claimed the OC held meetings with BNP leaders, allegations that could not be independently verified. Efforts to contact Daganbhuiyan BNP Convener Akbar Hossain for comment were unsuccessful. AB Party candidate’s election office vandalised in Feni Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sonagazi and Daganbhuiyan Circle) Syed Mumid Raihan said police conducted the raid based on confidential information, which later proved to be incorrect. If anyone feels aggrieved due to the operation, I apologise, he said, adding that an additional superintendent of police from Chandpur joined duty in Daganbhuiyan on Wednesday to ensure neutrality in the election process. Police expressed the hope that, with cooperation from all sides, a free and fair election could be ensured.

Police in Chandpur have arrested two men for attempting to embezzle Tk 9 lakh belonging to bKash by hiding the cash in a hole dug in a residential house. According to Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station, during a special operation, the money was recovered from the house of the bKash Sales Representative (DSO). The arrested men were sent to jail after a court hearing on Tuesday afternoon. Officer-in-Charge of Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station, Foyez Ahmed, confirmed the matter to UNB. The arrested are: bKash DSO M. Rabbi (22), son of Md. Dulal Gazi of Uttar Ichuli area, and his accomplice Farhad Hossain (21), son of Delwar Hossain Gazi from the same area. Investigations revealed that on February 5, M. Rabbi, DSO of M/s Diba Enterprise, a bKash distributor, withdrew Tk 9 lakh from Dhaka Bank’s Chandpur branch via office supervision. The money was meant for distribution to bKash agents across Chandpur Sadar Upazila. After taking the cash, Rabbi disappeared and later called his office claiming he had been kidnapped. A General Diary (GD No. 267) was filed at Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station by the delivery manager Monir Hossain Talukdar on the same day. Police investigation led to Rabbi’s arrest on Tuesday morning. During interrogation, he admitted that the kidnapping and assault claims were fabricated. Following his guidance, police recovered the Tk 9 lakh, wrapped in plastic and buried underground at his residence. Rabbi’s accomplice, Farhad Hossain, was also arrested. OC Foyez Ahmed said the accused, entrusted with distributor funds, attempted to embezzle Tk 9 lakh through breach of trust and fraud. A case was filed by the delivery company, the recovered money has been seized, and the investigation is ongoing. Both accused were sent to jail by court order in the afternoon.

Muggers looted Tk 15 lakh after killing a rice trader at Bagar Bazar intersection in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh district on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Sushen Chandra Sarkar, son of Rash Behari Sarkar of Saudkanda village in the upazila. Mohamamd Firoz Hossain, officer-in-charge of Trishal Police Station, said a group of muggers swooped on the warehouse of Sushen around 10:30 pm and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him dead on the spot. Man stabbed dead in Mymensingh Later, they also looted Tk 15 lakh from the warehouse. On information, police rushed to the spot and sent the body to Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police are investigating the incident, said OC adding “Police could not find any evidence of looting at the warehouse.” RAB nabs 3 wrongly released from Mymensingh central jail

Four polling centres were set on fire in Sadar and Purbadhala upazilas of Netrakona district early Tuesday. Mamun Sarkar, Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station, said miscreants set fire to three polling centres (government primary schools) in sadar upazila at night around 3:30 am. The schools include--Parla Government Primary School, Bamonmoha Government Primary School and Sridharpur Government Primary School. Being informed by local people, police rushed to the spots and brought the fire under control. In another incident, miscreants also set fire to Hironpur Government Primary School in Purbadhala upazila in the dead of night, said Officer-in-Charge of Purbadhala Police Station Didarul Islam. Police are investigating the incidents, he said.

An election office of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate and two shops were set ablaze in  Rajapur and Sadar upazilas of Jhalakathi district early Tuesday. Advocate Hafizur Rahman, district Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, alleged that the attacks were carried out by rival candidates’ supporters. Dr. Fayzul Haque, Jamaat’s candidate for Jhalakathi-1, claimed the arson was intended to create fear among voters during the final phase of the election. The aim is to intimidate ordinary voters and disturb the electoral process, he said. Jamaat candidate in Jhalakathi Dr Faizul Haque served show-cause  Hafizur Rahman said failure by authorities to take swift action could negatively affect the election environment. Rajapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (Acting) Mohammad Ismail said police were informed about the incident and an investigation is underway to identify those involved.

At least 20 people were injured after a passenger bus lost control and fell into a roadside ditch in Jajira Upazila of Shariatpur on Monday afternoon. The accident took place in the Thandar More area of Jajira Municipality. Quoting locals, police said the Padma Travels bus was traveling from Dhaka to Naria in Shariatpur with around 35 passengers on board. When it reached the Thandar More area, the driver lost control, and the bus overturned into a nearby ditch due to the narrow road caused by ongoing renovation work. At least 20 passengers, including the driver, were injured. BNP leader Shimul Biswas, 3 others injured in Pabna road accident Many passengers escaped by breaking the bus windows. Local residents quickly came to their aid, helping those trapped by breaking windows and doors. Members of the fire service later joined the rescue operation. The injured were taken to Jajira Upazila Health Complex for first aid, while two of the seriously injured were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Saleh Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jajira Police Station, said police arrived at the scene promptly and arrangements have been made for the injured to receive treatment. The cause of the accident is under investigation. 2 killed in accident on Dhaka–Mawa Expressway

CCTV cameras have been installed at 680 polling centres in Gaibandha district, including high-risk char areas to maintain law and order situation. According to the local administration, 379 out of 680 polling centers have been designated high-risk and CCTV cameras have been installed in all centers. Members of Bangladesh Army, BGB, RAB, police, and Ansar will be on standby, along with 40 executive magistrates, to respond to any incidents. Gaibandha Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Masudur Rahman Molla said that CCTV coverage has been extended to all polling centers and the helipads in char areas will allow quick military response to maintain law and order. All necessary preparations have been taken centering the national election, he said. Mob justice claims three lives in Gaibandha Besides, 165 polling centers in remote areas along the Teesta, Jamuna, and Brahmaputra rivers in seven upazilas of the district are particularly challenging. Many voters in these char areas are hesitant to go to polling stations due to unfamiliar people, fear of robbery and difficult terrain. Roads are limited, fields separate homes from polling centers, and overall security is minimal. To maintain law and order, the army has deployed patrols in Fulchhari’s Jigabari char and Kurigram’s Chilmarir char. Four helipads have been constructed in the remote char areas of Teesta, Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers to ensure rapid deployment of troops if needed.

Eighteen people suffered burn injuries from a gas balloon explosion during electioneering of BNP candidate of Gazipur-2 constituency Manjurul Karim Rony in Tongi of Gazipur on Monday. The injured were identified as Anik, 27, Hasu, 28, Hasnat, 18, Hasnat, 22, Akash, 28, Ramjan, 18, Rafi, 12, Bijoy, 16, Tasin, 18, Siam, 16, Minhaz, 17, Nuru, 18, Shaon, 20, Imam, 14, Nirjan, 22, Maruf, 22, Rubel, 34 and Rabbi, 13. Md Shahin Alam, officer-in-charge of Tongi West Police Station, said the explosion occurred at the local BNP election office near Main Road of Tongi Bazar when some gas balloons kept inside the office exploded with a big bang around 4 pm, leaving 18 people injured. All of them were set to go for an election campaign, said police. The injured were taken to Tongi Government Hospital. Later, they were shifted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for treatment around 6:15 pm.