United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s third oldest library, the historic Rammala Library in Cumilla, will be digitized to preserve its valuable manuscripts and books, said Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam on Tuesday. The adviser visited the library at Ishwar Pathshala premises and told media, “Rammala Library is a priceless treasure of our cultural heritage. The manuscripts and books kept here are important records of the nation’s history and heritage. Each copy must be scanned and stored digitally. I will inform the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to take quick steps for digital preservation.” Media infrastructure being opened for anti-fascist voices, says Information Adviser He also noted that the small museum attached to the library holds old coins, artworks, historical artifacts and modern preservation systems are needed to protect these resources. Earlier, he inspected the designated site for a modern information complex along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Jagurjhuli area and inquired about the progress of the project.  

Experts and officials have urged urgent improvements to make digital services more accessible for persons with disabilities (PwDs), emphasising that inclusivity benefits all users, including older adults and first-time users. The call came at the ‘Dissemination Workshop on Accessible Digital Services’, held at the District Social Services Complex. The event was jointly organized by the a2i Programme, the Center for Disability in Development (CDD), and CBM Global Disability Inclusion. Deputy Commissioner of the district Afia Akhtar attended the workshop the chief guest and highlighted the importance of ensuring accessibility in all digital services. Md Nahid Alam of a2i stressed that websites, apps, and other digital platforms must be designed so that PwDs can perceive, navigate, interact with and contribute online. Govt to raise job-entry age for doctors, persons with disabilities to 34 Md Rashidul Mannaf Kabir said simple adjustments—such as screen-reader compatibility, larger text, and keyboard navigation—can remove major barriers, empowering PwDs to use services independently. DC Afia Akhtar pledged to make accessibility a mandatory step in every service, praising a2i’s work on assistive technologies and inclusive design. The experts also emphasised the need for technical support and digital literacy programmes, particularly in remote areas, to ensure that PwDs can fully participate in education, work and everyday life, according to a media release.

Five people including two women were killed when a speeding truck rammed into a CNG-run autorickshaw on Basurhat-Sonapur regional road in Kabirhat upazila of Noakhali district on Tuesday afternoon. The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately. Farid Ahmed, assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Noakhali district town, said the accident occurred around 2:40pm when the truck crashed into the autorickshaw in front of Kabirhat Senior Alia Madrasha, leaving two women and the auto driver dead on the spot and two others injured. Two other victims succumbed to their injuries on the way to Kabirhat Upazila Health Complex, he said. The truck was heading towards Kabirhat from Basurhat, he said, adding that details about the accident will be shared later.

At least two people were killed and 30 others injured in a head-on collision between two buses on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway on Tuesday afternoon. The identities of the deceased yet to be confirmed yet. Shayestaganj Highway Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Taher Dewan said  Sylhet-bound  Ena Paribahan bus lost control and collided head-on with  a Royal Coach bus around noon in Kadamtoli area, leaving two people dead. Woman killed in Dhaka road crash On information, fire service personnel rushed to the scene and rescued the injured. Several seriously wounded passengers were taken to Habiganj Sadar Hospital and other nearby hospitals for treatment, the OC added. The accident caused severe traffic congestion on the highway. Police later removed both buses and then traffic returned to normal, he added.  

A young woman died on Monday morning after being bitten by a snake in Matlab Dakshin (South) upazila of Chandpur district. The victim, Sharmin Akhtar, 21, was treated at Chandpur General Hospital with anti-venom on Sunday and initially seemed to recover. But she fell ill again on Monday at her maternal grandmother’s home in Nobokolos village and later died. According to family members, Sharmin was bitten by a snake while going to the toilet on Saturday evening at her maternal grandmother’s home. Local traditional treatment was given before she was taken to the hospital, where she received anti-venom. But it was evidently too late. Sharmin was daughter of Hannan Mir from Char Nilakhshipur village of Matlab Municipality, and wife of Raju Patwari of Faridganj. Her maternal grandfather said, “She leaves behind a nine-month-old daughter.” Chandpur Sadar Hospital Superintendent Dr. AKM Mahbubur Rahman told UNB, “Snake bite victims must be brought to hospitals immediately, as delayed treatment can reduce the effectiveness of the anti-venom.” Senior doctor Sakhawat Hossain from the Civil Surgeon’s Office informed that in the past nine months, four people have died from snake bites in the district, and 555 were injured. The deaths occurred in Haimchar, Matlab South, and Kachua upazilas. All four victims sought treatment from traditional healers at first. Hospital closed in Chandpur after newborn burial shock Most snake bite injuries were reported in Matlab Uttar (170 patients) and Hajiganj (131 patients). Dr Nur Alam Din, district civil surgeon of Chandpur, told UNB, “Anti-venom is available in all eight upazila health complexes, but lack of awareness continues to make people rely on traditional healers.”  

A forest officer was injured Monday in the Sundarbans, when a group of poachers hunting deer attacked him. The incident took place at Dimer Char in the Sarankhola range of the Sundarbans East Division in Bagerhat. The injured officer, Rana Dev, received first aid at the temporary Dublarchar Health Centre. He serves as an Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) in the Sarankhola range. Dev said that the poachers hit him all over his body, and he bled from his nose and ears. The Forest Department later went after and arrested 3 members of the poaching gang. The detainees are - Rafi Hasan, 25, from Sugandhi village, Al-Amin Akunji, 28. from Jhalbari village, and Shahid Mallik, 27, from Sonatunia village. Additionally, authorities recovered 18 traps used for deer hunting from the suspects. ACF Dev said that he was patrolling the forest with 5 other officers when they spotted the poachers’ traps. They also saw five poachers in the forest. Bagerhat worker killed by falling tree After recovering the traps and detaining three of the poachers, a crowd of 25 to 30 people gathered and tried to rescue the detainees. Md. Shahidullah, Officer-in-Charge of Sarankhola Police Station, said that they were aware of the attack but had not received a written complaint from the Forest Department yet. Meanwhile, the Forest Department is preparing to file a case and continuing the search for other attackers.  

A 42-year-old man was killed when a speeding truck rammed into him in Keshabpur upazila of Jashore on Monday morning. The deceased was identified as Gabril Biswas, son of late Kashem Biswas of Shimulia village of nearby Jhikargacha upazila. Lutfor Rahman, sub-inspector (SI) of Keshabpur Police Station, said Gabril took his wife to a doctor's chamber in an area called Madhyakul Mandartala in the morning. Leaving her behind at the chamber, he went outside and was answering nature's call on a side of the road, he said, when the coal-laden truck- apparently having lost control - smashed into him from  behind, leaving him critically injured around 7:30am.   He was rushed to Keshabpur Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared him dead around 9am, the SI said. The truck driver and his helper managed to flee but the vehicle remained at the scene, he said, adding that it would be impounded and legal action would follow in this regard.

A 22-year-old youth was killed in a shootout between two rival BNP groups in Mollakandi Union of Munshiganj on Sunday night. The deceased, Tuhin Dewan, was the son of Selim Dewan of Dakshin Beherkandi village in Mollakandi. According to locals, the incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute over dominance at the Munshiganj Primary School grounds. The opposing groups, led by Mollakandi Union BNP leader Ozir Ali and Awlad Group follower Liton Bepari, reportedly targeted Tuhin with a cocktail explosion and gunfire. Brahmanbaria Gunfight: Death toll rises to 2 Tuhin was struck by bullets and fell to the ground. Relatives rushed him to Munshiganj General Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. Tuhin was a follower of Mollakandi Union BNP President Wahid Mollah and BNP leader Atiq Mallick. Sources said the dispute between the groups was related to local political dominance. Multiple bullet wounds were found on Tuhin’s back and neck. Following the murder, supporters of Wahid Mollah and Atiq Mallick have reportedly gathered in the area, creating tension throughout the village. Additional police forces have been deployed to prevent further violence and maintain order. Munshiganj Additional Superintendent of Police Firoz Kabir said an operation is underway to apprehend the attackers and that police are actively monitoring the situation.  

A man was hacked to death allegedly by his drug-addicted son while he was offering prayers at their home in Puran Bhadurdangi village of Chartarapur union under Pabna Sadar upazila on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Nizam Pramanik, 60, son of late Entaj Pramanik of the same area. Police detained the accused, Mostafa Pramanik, 30, from the scene soon after the incident. During the detention, Mostafa attacked police personnel, leaving three sub-inspectors — Abu Bakar Siddique, Ziaur Rahman and Abu Raihan — injured. SI Ziaur Rahman was admitted to Sujanagar Upazila Health Complex, while the other two were given primary treatment. According to police and locals, Nizam returned home after selling milk in the market and began offering his Isha prayers after dinner. While he was praying, Mostafa reportedly locked the door from inside and attacked him with a knife, killing him on the spot. When family members realised something was wrong, they broke the door open and found Nizam lying in a pool of blood. Locals informed police, who recovered the body and detained the accused. Mizanur Rahman, another son of the deceased, said, “He hacked my father to death while he was praying. He had previously tried to kill me as well. He frequently tortured my father and the rest of us for drug money. Whenever we refused to give him money, he would vandalize the house. I demand that justice be served and that this murder be properly punished.” Pabna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdus Salam said that additional police personnel have been deployed in the area. “Legal action will be taken following a thorough investigation,” he added.

A youth was killed and another critically injured during a motorcycle race in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj on Sunday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Ruhan Uddin, 25, son of Md Liton of Goyhatta village in Ullapara upazila. The injured, Badsha, is undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The accident occurred around 2:30pm at Tetiarkanda on the Bogra–Nagarbari highway, said Md Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station. He said several youths were racing three motorcycles from Ullapara towards Baghabari when one of the bikes lost control, collided with another, and crashed into a roadside tree. Ruhan died on the spot. Locals rescued Badsha and took him to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Police recovered Ruhan’s body and handed it over to his family as no complaint was filed. A case has been registered in connection with the incident, the OC added.