United News of Bangladesh

Transport workers in the Sylhet Division have announced an indefinite work stoppage from 6am on May 19, demanding the withdrawal of what they say are false cases filed against several leaders of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the federation’s Sylhet divisional committee on Thursday night. Leaders said the cases were filed against divisional president Haji Moynul Islam, joint general secretary Ali Akbar Rajon, treasurer Abdus Shahid and several other leaders in connection with the deaths of two transport workers during a clash between two groups at the Kadamtali bus terminal in Sylhet on April 27. They claimed the accused leaders were not involved in the incident and called for a fair and impartial investigation into the deaths. A murder case was later filed with South Surma Police Station against 29 people, including the federation leaders. The transport leaders urged workers across Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar and Habiganj to observe the strike to press home their demand.

A 15-year-old schoolboy died after being struck by lightning while playing football in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria district on Thursday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Md. Fahad Mia, 15, son of Faruk, a resident of Dakshinpara area of Binauti village under Binauti union in Kasba upazila. According to local sources, Fahad was playing football with classmates in a field near his home when the weather suddenly turned cloudy and stormy. Missing 6-year-old child's body found inside jute sack in Brahmanbaria A sudden lightning strike hit him during the game, leaving him critically injured. Hearing the screams of other children, family members rushed to the field, rescued him and took him to Kasba Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Nazneen Sultana, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kasba Police Station, said police were sent to the spot after receiving information and an investigation is underway. People are urged to avoid open fields and open spaces during thunderstorms, as lightning-related incidents continue to pose a serious risk in rural areas.

A man was killed in an attack allegedly by robbers at Muktishpur village in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Nazrul Islam, 45, son of Gazi Mia of the village. Victim’s wife Shahnaz Begum said a group of 4-5 men called Nazrul by his name around 12:30am. As he opened the door, they – all wearing masks – stormed the house, tied Nazrul and started beating him. They also beat Shahnaz Begum and took away keys. Shahnaz said the robbers strangulated Nazrul to death as he could recognised them. Later, they looted valuables worth around Tk 12 lakh, including Tk 60,000 in cash and 5 bhoris of gold ornaments. Officer-in-Charge of Sonargaon Police Station Golam Sarwar said they found no clear evidence of robbery. He also said they detained a man named Ujjal for questioning in connection with the incident.

Sunamganj-1 MP Kamruzzaman Kamrul found no teachers present during sudden visits to three government primary schools in his constituency on Thursday morning. The MP was supposed to visit Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination centres in Madhyanagar and Dharmapasha upazilas. On his way, he decided to inspect the regular activities of local educational institutions. At around 9:30am, he entered Abidnagar Govt Primary School in Madhyanagar, where no teachers were present. At 9:42am, he visited Dugnoi Govt Primary School and found the same situation. Unplanned embankments worsen flooding in Sunamganj haors; massive crop losses reported The most alarming situation was observed at Kayetkanda Govt Primary School, where the MP stayed until 10:00am, but no teacher reported to duty during his visit. Expressing dissatisfaction, Kamruzzaman termed the “absenteeism” irresponsible and detrimental to education. He spoke with local residents and students on the spot and criticised what he described as an “evading mentality” among teachers. He said while the government is giving top priority to primary education, such negligence at the grassroots level is unacceptable. “If teachers do not arrive at schools even after 10:00am, what will happen to the future of young students? This is clearly irresponsible and against public interest,” he said. Following the incident, the MP informed the upazila and district primary education officers and instructed them to take departmental action following investigation. Local guardians and conscious citizens said teachers often engage in such practice due to weak monitoring in remote areas. They appreciated the MP’s surprise visit, saying it could help ensure transparency and accountability in the education sector.

An 11-year-old girl who was critically injured after being hit by stray bullets fired by some armed criminals in Bayezid area of Chattogram has died at a hospital. The victim, Reshmi Akter, succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.  On May 7, Raju of Roufabad area under Bayezid Bostami Police Staiton was killed in a gun attack by some miscreants. Reshmi suffered bullet injuries by stray bullets while going to a shop adjacent to her house. First, Reshmi was taken to a local hospital from where she was taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital. She was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital following deterioration of her condition on Friday. Sakina Begum, mother of Raju, filed a case in this connection. So far police arrested six people in this connection. Amirul Islam, deputy commissioner of North Zone of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, said police arrested Syedul Karim from Sugandha Sea beach area in Cox’s Bazar in connection with his suspected involvement in the killing. During priliminary interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in the shooting, he said. One foreign made pistol, magazine, two rounds of bullets, used during firing, were recovered.  

A Bangladeshi national was killed after being shot by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Amjhol border in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Khademul Haque, 25, son of Amzad Hossain of the Amjhol area. Locals said Khademul, along with several alleged smugglers, crossed into around 150 yards inside Indian territory when BSF personnel from the 78 Battalion’s Paglamari camp opened fire on them. He sustained injuries to his face, chest and head in the firing. Locals and his associates later brought him back to Bangladesh in a critical condition. He was taken to a clinic in Rangpur, where he died while undergoing treatment. Lt Col Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Lalmonirhat 15 Battalion, confirmed the incident. He said BSF initially denied the firing allegation and a flag meeting at the company commander level has been convened in this regard. Earlier on May 8, two Bangladeshi nationals were killed and at least 12 others injured in firing by the BSF along the Pathariadwar border in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria district.

The locomotive of Chattogram-bound intercity train Udayan Express caught fire in South Surma upazila of Sylhet on Wednesday night. The train left Sylhet Railway Station around 10:00pm. As soon as it reached the Shibbari Parairchok area in South Surma, smoke and fire sparks were seen coming out of the engine. Sensing danger, loco masters immediately stopped the train. Panic spread among passengers, and some attempted to jump off, though many disembarked safely after the train came to a halt. Local residents said smoke was suddenly seen coming out of the engine, followed by flames, triggering panic among passengers who rushed to safety. Sylhet Railway Station Manager Md Nurul Islam said local people quickly rushed to the spot and attempted to bring the fire under control before Fire Service personnel arrived and doused the fire. Fire Service Warehouse Inspector Tito Shikder said cloth pieces had been mistakenly placed near the engine’s silencer for drying. Due to the engine’s heat during operation, those caught fire. He said three fire service units worked together to extinguish the flames. After inspection, the train resumed its journey towards its destination. Railway authorities said there was no major damage to the engine due to the incident.

At least five people have died in a week after being bitten by a rabid dog in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha, triggering panic over rabies in the area amid a reported shortage of vaccines at local health facilities. The latest victim, Yasmin Sultana, 40, died on Wednesday at her house at Bajra Konchibari village. According to locals, a rabid dog attacked at least 13 people, including children and women, in several villages of Konchibari and Chaprohati unions on April 22. The injured initially received treatment locally and later went to Gaibandha General Hospital seeking anti-rabies vaccines. However, vaccines were reportedly unavailable, forcing them to seek treatment elsewhere, many struggling due to financial hardship. Among the victims, Afroza Begum, 50, died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, while Nanda Rani and Fulu Mia died on May 6, and Ratneshwar Kumar, a mason, died on May 8. Yasmin Sultana became the latest victim, raising the death toll to five, according to local authorities. Currently, eight other victims are undergoing treatment at home after returning from hospital, with two reported to be in critical condition. The upazila administration has provided Tk 10,000 in financial assistance to each affected family. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Effat Zahan Tuli said the administration is monitoring the condition of those still undergoing treatment.

Police have arrested a man in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter over several months, leaving her six months pregnant. The arrestee was identified as Shafiqul Islam, 48, son of late Habibullah of Dhala Ashrayan Project at Dhala Jatrabari village under Bishkakunia union. According to police and local sources, the victim previously worked at a house in Dhaka. Her mother also works as a domestic help at another house. Around six months ago, her father brought her back to their home. Two to three days after her return, he allegedly began sexually abusing her taking the advance of his wife’s absence, first through intimidation and threats, and continued the assaults regularly. Around two months ago, she was sent to work at a house in Mymensingh. There, a pregnancy test conducted due to visible physical changes confirmed she was pregnant. Later, Shafiqul hurriedly brought her back home and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter. As the girl’s physical condition became increasingly apparent, locals noticed the changes, leading to the incident coming to light and sparking outrage in the area. Around 11:00am on Wednesday, on the orders of Netrokona’s Superintendent of Police Md Tariqul Islam, a team of police from Purbadhala Police Station rushed to the spot. They talked to the victim when she narrated the brutality. Later, accompanied by local Union Parishad members Hafiz Uddin and Ziaur Rahman, she visited the police station and filed a written complaint. Following the complaint, police arrested the accused from the Goruakanda area of Khalishapur Union around 5:30pm on Wednesday. Purbadhala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said they rescued the victim immediately after receiving the news and arrested the accused.

At least 70 students fell sick during class hours at a school in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna on Wednesday afternoon, triggering panic among students and teachers. The incident occurred around 2:00pm at Muladuli High School, when students of Class-VI began experiencing illness shortly after their midday break. According to initial information, two students first became unwell after reportedly noticing a strong smell coming from a plastic container found inside the classroom. Housewife killed, 10 injured in BNP factional clash in Pabna Later, more students from the same class began to feel sick one after another. Several students from classes VII and VIII also reportedly fell ill due to panic. School authorities immediately informed the Fire Service, who rushed to the scene and rescued the affected students. They were later admitted to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex, said its Medical Officer Dr Kaveri Saha. Acting headteacher of Muladuli High School Basna Rani said two students first became ill, followed by symptoms, including dizziness, headache and nausea among many others. She said a plastic container was found in the classroom, which doctors suspected may have contained lice-killing medicine. Several students have since recovered, she added.