United News of Bangladesh

A woman gave birth to conjoined twins in Chandpur on Thursday night. The newborn is currently admitted to Crescent Hospital in Chandpur town. The mother, Sumi Akter, gave birth to the child via cesarean section. Her husband, Masud Gazi, is a daily wage laborer. The family resides in Purbo Borali village of Faridganj upazila. Speaking to UNB, pediatric specialist Dr. Mahbubur Rahman observed that the baby has one body but two heads, a condition caused by a congenital abnormality. He said the child has been referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for further treatment. The operation to separate the heads is possible but highly complex and costly. The baby’s father, Masud Gazi, lacks the financial means for the surgery and has appealed to the wealthy and social workers for assistance. He has requested support via bKash at 0188-3562060.

Out of 203 polling centres in Khagrachhari for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, 189 have been identified as risky by district police and intelligence agencies, while 68 of them have been classified as highly risky. Sources said reports on the risky centres have already been sent to the Election Commission. Among the highly risky centres, Khagrachhari Sadar upazila has the highest number with 16 centres, followed by Ramgarh with 11, Guimara with 10, Manikchhari with nine, Mahalchhari with eight, Matiranga with five, Dighinala with four, Panchhari with three and Lakshmichhari with two. Only 14 centres have been considered general. Due to remote locations and poor communication, election materials and law enforcement personnel will be transported by helicopter to three centres — Naraichhari in Dighinala upazila and Futtyachhari and Shuknachhari in Lakshmichhari upazila. According to Election Commission data, the total number of voters in the Khagrachhari constituency is 554,114. Of them, 149,626 voters are registered at the 68 highly risky centres. Local voters and public representatives said that scattered settlements, long walking distances and communication difficulties in the hilly areas often prevent voters from reaching polling centres. They believe increasing the number of centres would reduce risks and boost voter turnout. 4 candidates seek special security at high-risk polling stations in Khagrachhari Khagrachhari District Election Officer SM Shahadat Hossain said the centres were identified based on observations by the police Special Branch (DSB) and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure peaceful voting. Khagrachari Superintendent of Police Sayem Mirza Sayem Mahmud said additional law enforcement personnel would be deployed at highly risky centres, patrols would be intensified and intelligence surveillance strengthened.

A clash broke out on Friday morning between BNP and Jamaat activists in Monpura upazila of Bhola over election campaigning, leaving at least eight people injured. The navy and police rushed to the scene to bring the situation under control. The incident took place around 8:00 am in Ward No. 3 of Sakuchia North Union under Monpura Upazila. Abdur Rahim, Sakuchia North Union secretary of Jamaat, alleged that BNP members blocked their campaign while they were seeking votes. A verbal argument escalated into a clash, injuring about five Jamaat supporters. BNP leader Kamal Uddin said Jamaat activists attacked BNP members in a coordinated manner while they were campaigning, leaving three to four BNP activists injured. Abdur Rahim Farazi, joint general secretary of Monpura unit BNP, said BNP members went to a house to seek votes when Jamaat leaders arrived, leading to a scuffle in which three BNP members were hurt. BNP-Jamaat clash leaves 30 injured in Sherpur The injured include BNP supporters Rasel Howlader, Md. Gonimajhi and his mother and Jamaat supporters Md Idris, Md Rubel, Tarek, Maulana Sharif and Md Saddam. Sheikh Farid Uddin, officer-in-charge of Monpura Police Station, said the police have been sent to the scene. “Legal action will be taken if a written complaint is filed,” he added.

A young man was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Khulna town late Wednesday night, police said. The victim was identified as Rakib Hossain, 23, son of Anwar Hossain of the Ashibigha area under Labanchara Police Station. Quoting locals, police said Rakib was staying at a nearby salon in the town’s West Tutpara area when two youths arrived and forcibly dragged him outside. The attackers then shot him twice in the head and fled the scene. Triple murder suspect arrested in Khulna Rakib was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital by police and locals, where doctors declared him dead. Deputy Commissioner (South) of Khulna Metropolitan Police Mohammad Tajul Islam said police from Sadar and Labanchara police stations immediately went to the spot and recovered two fresh bullets from the scene. Police are investigating the motive behind the killing.

Two local election camps of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were vandalized in Kapasia, Gazipur, following tensions over a political rally on Thursday night. According to local residents, the incident took place near Saldaoi Bazar while a Jamaat election rally was ongoing. A scuffle broke out between supporters of the two parties, which later escalated into a chase. During the clash, both BNP and Jamaat election camps were damaged. Candidates from the two parties blamed each other for the incident. Fire gutted 36 dwelling houses in Gazipur Shahinur Alam, Officer-in-Charge  of Kapasia Police Station, said, “Police rushed to the scene after receiving reports and quickly brought the situation under control.” The police urged both parties to maintain peace to ensure a smooth election.

Four candidates in parliamentary constituency 298 of Khagrachhari Hill District have called for heightened security measures at polling stations deemed risky or high-risk ahead of the upcoming elections, urging authorities to ensure free, fair, and impartial voting. At a press conference at the Khagrachhari Press Club on Thursday, the candidates said that out of 203 polling stations in the constituency, 121 are considered risky and 68 are high-risk. They demanded that the army be granted magisterial powers at least two days before the election and that law enforcement agencies maintain strict surveillance around polling centers. The speakers highlighted the threat of armed groups in the hilly areas potentially capturing centers, intimidating voters, exerting influence, and casting fake votes. They urged the administration and law enforcement agencies to remain on the highest alert to allow voters to exercise their rights safely. Authorities still restrict movement in parts of Khagrachari BNP candidate Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, Ganadhikar Parishad candidate Dinamoy Roaja, Jatiya Party candidate Mithila Roaja, and Insaniat Biplob Dal candidate Md. Nurul Islam were present at the press conference. Eleven candidates—including those from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and three independents—are contesting in the constituency.

Joint forces in a drive on Thursday arrested two activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) along with firearms from Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh district. The arrestees were identified as Quamrul Islam, 35 and Md Sabbir, 23, of Uthora village in the upazila. Tipped off, a team of police and members of the Bangladesh Army conducted a drive in the area and arrested them along with one pistol, one magazine, one bullet, one Chinese axe, two locally made pistols and eight sharp weapons, said Abdullah Al Mamun, additional superintendent of Mymensingh police. Later, they were sent to jail after interrogation, police said. Read More: DB arrests listed terror suspect with firearms in Pallabi

The bodies of a couple and their two children have been found inside a home in Dhaka’s Wapda Bihari camp area, as investigators began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Police identified the deceased as Mohamamd Masum, 35, his wife Fatema Akter Sumi, 30, and their two children-- Minhaz, 4, and Asad, 2. Farzina Nasrin, additional deputy police commissioner (Mirpur), said Masum, a rickshaw-puller used to live with his family at a tin-shed house at Wapda-3 building in Pallabi-11 area. His wife used to work as a domestic help in different households. Read More: Police constable found dead at Jatrabari police camp According to local people, the family had taken loans from various local associations and was under heavy debt. They said lenders frequently visited their house to demand repayment. “It primarily appears that the couple killed their two children before committing suicide,” said Farzina Nasrin. An investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause behind the deaths of four people, she added.

Miscreants vandalised the election office of AB Party chairman Mujibur Rahman Manjur, the Eagle-symbol candidate of the 11-party alliance, at Izzatpur in Feni Sadar late Wednesday night. Local sources said the office, located on Daiyabibi Bazar Road at Izzatpur, was inaugurated by party leaders and supporters on Wednesday morning. Chairs and tables inside the office were destroyed overnight. Supporters discovered the damage when they visited the office early Thursday morning. Feni Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Sultana Nasrin Kanta said she heard about the vandalism and assured that legal action would be taken according to the law. Ctg Port Unrest: Shipping Adviser’s convoy blocked as workers stage protests Feni district AB Party Secretary Fazlul Haque said, “The attack on our office will not create a favorable environment for the election. People will hold those responsible accountable through the ballot on February 12.” Mujibur Rahman Manjur they have submitted a written complaint to the authorities.

A total of 387 July warriors have been upgraded to 'A' category from their previous 'B' and 'C' categories while 474 warriors in 'C' category have been promoted to 'B'. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs issued a notification of the revised list of categories on February 1 and officially published in the government gazette on February 3. The government had granted July warrior status to individuals injured during the movement to topple the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Those severely injured have been classified under the 'A' category, the seriously injured under 'B', and the others injured under 'C'. The government released the lists of July warriors in these three categories in multiple phases. Earlier, the gazette recognition of 128 warriors was cancelled due to false information or duplicate entries. Read More: Bangladesh promulgates ordinance granting immunity to July fighters The government provides benefits according to injury categories. Those in the 'A' category have received a one-time payment of Tk 500,000 and a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000. Seriously injured individuals in the 'B' category receive a one-time payment of Tk 300,000 and a monthly allowance of Tk 15,000. Those in the 'C' category were given a one-time Tk 100,000 and a monthly allowance of Tk 10,000.