United News of Bangladesh

A night of political violence left two people dead in Singra upazila of Natore district early Thursday, as a college teacher was reportedly hacked to death and a woman was burnt alive after her house was allegedly set ablaze. The deceased were identified as Rezaul Karim, 53, an assistant professor at Bil Haloti Trimohoni College and a member of Singra Upazila’s Zia Parishad, and Sabia, 75, mother of local Awami League activist Abdul Wahab. According to police, the incidents took place in Kumarpara area within a short span of time, triggering panic among local residents. Fraternal clash between BNP activists in Mymensingh leaves 10 injured Officer-in-Charge of Singra Police Station ASM Abdur Noor said a group of assailants arrived on a motorbike around 11pm and called Rezaul Karim out of his house. He was then hacked indiscriminately, leaving him dead on the spot. Shortly after the killing, a fire broke out at the house of Abdul Wahab. Sabia, who was inside the house at the time, became trapped and died in the blaze. Police suspect that supporters of Rezaul Karim may have set the house on fire, suspecting Wahab’s involvement in the murder of the college teacher. The OC, however, emphasised that the matter is still under investigation. Fire service personnel and police rushed to the scene following reports of the fire and later recovered the bodies of both victims. Most incidents involving minorities were criminal, not communal: Govt The back-to-back incidents have shocked the local community, raising concerns over political tensions and retaliatory violence in the area. Police said legal action will be taken in connection with both deaths, and investigations are underway to identify those responsible.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has imposed a ban on flying drones over the Alia Madrasa field during a BNP  rally, citing security concerns. The BNP is set to hold the rally at Alia Madrasa field as part of its campaign for the 13th national parliamentary election. Party Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the gathering as the chief guest at around 11:30am. Tarique now in Sylhet to launch election campaign Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Saiful Islam said no individual or organisation will be allowed to operate drones during the rally, except law enforcement agencies. He warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the ban.

At least 10 people were injured in a clash between the supporter groups of two BNP leaders in Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon) constituency on Wednesday evening. The clash occurred in front of Islamia School in Gafargaon after election symbols were allocated for the constituency. Supporters of Akhtaruzzaman Bachchu, who got the BNP candidate A and rebel candidate AB Siddiqur Rahman confronted each other during rival processions, triggering clashes, gunfire, and reported fires in several locations. Police and the army restored calm with baton charges, but shops remained closed and the area stayed tense. Confirming the incident, Mymensingh Additional Superintendent of Police (Finance & Administration) Md. Abdullah Al Mamun said the situation is now under control and those involved will face legal action after investigation. Akhtaruzzaman Bachchu claimed his supporters were attacked by the rebel BNP faction and demanded arrests, while AB Siddiqur Rahman denied the allegations, saying his 10,000 supporters held a peaceful procession and he did not attack anyone. BNP activists accused AB Siddiquur Rahman, joint convenor of Mymensingh South District BNP, of having business ties with fugitive PM Sheikh Hasina’s adviser and Beximco vice chairman Salman F Rahman. They alleged he faces a Tk 136.68 crore embezzlement case with the ACC and is conspiring against the party after being denied the nomination. Regarding the case, Siddiqur said, “There may be a case, but it is not an important matter.”

A 10-year-old boy was found dead at his home at Bahirpura village in Lohagara upazila of Narail on Tuesday evening. The deceased is Sohag Sheikh, a Class V student of Bahirpura Primary School and the son of Ali Sheikh, a local Union Parishad member. Family members said when Sohag’s mother called him for dinner she received no response and upon entering the room she found him unconscious. Sohag was taken to Lohagara Upazila Health Complex where he was pronounced dead. The exact reasons behind his death are under investigation, said Ajit Kumar Roy, Inspector (investigation) of Lohagara Police Station. After completion of formalities, it will be handed over to the family, he said.

Majority of incidents involving minority communities in 2025 were criminal in nature rather than communal, said the government on Monday sharing the yearlong police record on minority-related incidents, law and order situation. Describing every incident as a matter of concern, the government said the data presents a clear and evidence-based picture. This underscored both the complexity of law-and-order challenges and the importance of grounding public discussion in facts rather than fear or misinformation, it added. A yearlong review of official police records for January to December 2025 documents 645 incidents involving members of minority communities, compiled from verified First Information Reports, General Diaries, charge sheets, and investigation updates nationwide, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing based on police headquarters' report. The findings show that 71 incidents were identified as having communal elements, while 574 incidents were assessed as non-communal in nature. Communal incidents primarily involved vandalism or desecration of religious sites and idols, along with a small number of other offenses. Read More: Daylight Murder in Dhaka: Police call slain Mamun a top-listed criminal In contrast, the majority of incidents affecting minority individuals or properties arose from criminal activity unrelated to religion, including neighborhood disputes, land conflicts, political rivalries, theft, sexual violence, and cases linked to prior personal enmity. "This distinction is important. While all crimes are serious and demand accountability, the data demonstrates that most incidents involving minority victims were not driven by communal hostility, but by broader criminal and social factors that affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines," said the press wing. It said Bangladesh remains committed to confronting crime with transparency, accuracy, and resolve. Accurate classification helps prevent misinformation and supports more effective law-enforcement responses. Hundreds of cases were formally registered, arrests were made in many incidents, and investigations are ongoing in others. This reflects an institutional commitment to addressing crime and maintaining public order, particularly in sensitive cases involving religious sites or communal concerns, the government said. At the national level, Bangladesh continues to face serious law-and-order challenges, it said. Each year, an average of approximately 3,000-3,500 people lose their lives to violent crimes nationwide. "This is not a number to be proud of. Every life lost is a tragedy, and no society should be complacent in the face of such statistics. At the same time, these figures must be understood in context. Violent crime affects all communities, cutting across religion, ethnicity, and geography," said the CA’s Press Wing . Importantly, it said, available indicators show that law and order in Bangladesh is improving steadily. Enhanced policing, better intelligence coordination, faster response times, and increased accountability have contributed to gradual but meaningful progress. The government and law-enforcement agencies remain committed to reducing crime further and ensuring equal protection under the law. Read More: Most incidents involving minorities were criminal, not communal: Govt Bangladesh is a country of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and people of other beliefs, all of whom are citizens with equal rights, it said. 'Ensuring safety and justice for every community is not only a constitutional obligation but a moral one," said the government. It said protecting places of worship, preventing incitement, responding quickly to criminal acts, and distinguishing facts from rumor are essential to preserving social harmony. "This report is presented in the spirit of transparency and accountability. It does not deny challenges, nor does it claim perfection," said the government. Rather, the government said, it seeks to provide a factual, evidence-based picture of crime trends affecting minority communities within the broader national context.

 A 35-year-old man was stabbed to death by miscreants at Shyampur Ghoshbari in Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh district on Tuesday night. The deceased was identified as Rafiqul Islam, son of Kashem Ali of the upazila. Additional Superintendent of Mymensingh Md Abdullah Al Mamun, said a group of miscreants stormed into the house of Shafiqul around 11:45 pm and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared him dead. On information, police recovered the body. Read More: 2 killed in Jashore over land dispute Police are working to identify those involved in the killing, said ASP Mamun.    

The political landscape in Sylhet Division has taken a clearer, yet more complex, shape as the deadline for withdrawal of nominations for the parliamentary elections passed on Tuesday. While a total of 26 candidates withdrew from 19 constituencies across the division, five rebel candidates from BNP chose to remain in the contest, complicating their party’s electoral calculations. According to Election Commission sources, the five BNP rebels are contesting as independent candidates despite the party’s official nominations in their respective constituencies. Their decision to stay in the race is being seen locally as a significant challenge for BNP and its alliance partners, particularly in tightly contested seats. The rebel candidates include Mamunur Rashid, popularly known as CUCSU Mamun, in Sylhet-5; Sheikh Sujat Mia in Habiganj-1; Mohsin Mia Madhu in Moulvibazar-4; Barrister Anwar Hossain in Sunamganj-3; and Dewan Zainul Zakirin in Sunamganj-4. All five are former or recently expelled BNP leaders with established political influence in their areas. In Sylhet-5, Mamunur Rashid is the sole rebel candidate in the district. His decision to contest as an independent led to his recent expulsion from BNP, where he had been serving as vice-president of the Sylhet district unit. The constituency has drawn particular attention as BNP has not fielded its own candidate there, leaving the seat open for an alliance partner. Jamaat-e-Islami president Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq is contesting from the constituency, adding another layer of political intrigue. In Moulvibazar-4, which covers Srimangal and Komolganj, former Srimangal municipality mayor Mohsin Mia Madhu is running independently. A member of the BNP convening committee, Mohsin Mia faces BNP’s official candidate Haji Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury. Local observers believe the contest could split BNP-leaning votes in the tea garden-dominated constituency. Sunamganj district has emerged as a hotspot for rebel candidacies. In Sunamganj-3, comprising Jagannathpur and Shantiganj, BNP central committee member Koyesh Ahmed is the party’s nominated candidate. He, however, faces competition from Barrister Anwar Hossain, a former district BNP vice-president now contesting independently. A similar situation exists in Sunamganj-4, which includes Sunamganj Sadar and Bishwambarpur. BNP has nominated Advocate Nurul Islam Nurul, a former district secretary and current member of the party’s convening committee. Challenging him is Dewan Zainul Zakirin, also a former district BNP vice-president, who has opted to remain in the race as an independent. Not all rebel candidates, however, chose to defy party pressure. In Sunamganj-5, covering Chhatak and Dowarabazar, BNP central executive committee member Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury Mizan withdrew his nomination on the final day, easing concerns of internal vote division in that constituency. In Habiganj-1, encompassing Nabiganj and Bahubal, BNP’s official candidate is Dr Reza Kibria. He faces Sheikh Sujat Mia, a former district BNP president, joint convenor and ex-MP, who is contesting independently. Tarique Rahman to launch election campaign with Sylhet tour Sheikh Sujat’s continued presence in the race is widely viewed as a test of BNP’s organisational discipline in the district. Local political analysts say the participation of these rebel candidates could significantly influence the outcomes in their constituencies by dividing traditional BNP support bases. As campaigning intensifies, how the party manages internal dissent in Sylhet Division may prove crucial to its overall electoral performance.

Two women were killed in a head-on collision between a truck and an autorickshaw (CNG) in Boda upazila of Panchagarh on Tuesday afternoon. The accident occurred in the Chandanbari area on the Boda–Debiganj highway. The deceased were identified as Khaitali Bala (52), wife of late Dhiren Ray of Amlahar area in Panchagarh Sadar, and Champa Khatun (45), wife of Abdul Sattar from Board Office Kathaltali area under Bhulli Police Station in Thakurgaon district. Among them, Khaitali Bala died on the spot, while Champa Khatun succumbed to her injuries at Boda Upazila Health Complex. At least four others were injured in the accident. The injured were identified as Nasrin Akhter, Himel, Nasima, and Moklesha. They were initially taken to Boda Upazila Health Complex, where doctors referred four injured persons to Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital and one to Rangpur Medical College Hospital due to their critical condition. According to police and local sources, the auto CNG was heading toward Boda from Debiganj with several passengers when a stone-laden truck coming from the opposite direction lost control and collided head-on with it. Khaitali Bala died instantly after sustaining severe head and bodily injuries, while other passengers were injured. Boda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Selim Malik said two people were killed in the road accident. An unnatural death case will be filed, and further legal action will be taken if complaints are lodged.

A postmaster was killed in a road accident on Tuesday afternoon while returning home from his workplace in Magura. The deceased, Mizanur Rahman, was a resident of Urura village in Mohammadpur Upazila. According to Mohammadpur police station OC Abdur Rahman and local sources, Rahman lost control of his motorcycle near the Eidgah in his village and collided with a jackfruit tree by the roadside. He sustained serious injuries. Locals rushed him to Magura 250-Bed Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital due to excessive blood loss. A case has been filed at Mohammadpur Police Station in connection with the incident.

Police recovered nine locally made single-barrel guns during a special drive in Bhujpur area of Fatikchhari upazila early Tuesday. A team from Bhujpur Police Station, acting on a tip-off, conducted the operation in the Baromasia Tea Garden area under Ward No. 4 of Suabil Union to recover illegal firearms. During the drive, around 2:00 am, police recovered nine locally made single-barrel guns from two sacks abandoned by unidentified miscreants inside a jungle area of the tea garden, about 500 yards behind Baromasia Tea Garden T.K. Government Primary School. The recovered firearms were seized following proper legal procedures. Superintendent of Police Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan said preliminary investigation suggests that the unidentified criminals had secretly stockpiled the firearms to establish dominance and carry out various criminal and terrorist activities. He added that a regular case has been filed under the Arms Act, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved.