United News of Bangladesh

A man allegedly surrendered before police after killing his father over a family feud at Maheshpur village in Sadar upazila of Rangpur district on Monday. The deceased was identified as Nurul Mia, 50 of the village. Abdul Gafur, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said Masud had an altercation with his father Nurul Mia over a family feud in the afternoon. At one stage, Masud stabbed his father with a sharp weapon, leaving him critically injured. Nurul died on the way to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital. Later, Masud surrendered to the Kotwali Police Station. Police took his into custody. The body was taken to the Rangpur Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsy.  

Due to dense fog, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has cancelled the voyages of five luxury launches from Barishal to Dhaka, disembarking passengers as a precaution. On Sunday night at 8pm, BIWTA instructed the authorities to halt the journeys of four direct launches and one via-route launch from Barisal port. The cancelled launches are: Parabat-11, Parabat-12, M Khan-7, Suravi-7, and Via Sundarban-12, confirmed Zulfiqar Ali, BIWTA Traffic Inspector in Barisal. According to the Barisal Meteorological Office, thick fog persisted throughout the day, blocking sunlight. The minimum temperature in Barisal was recorded at 13°C on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, the minimum temperatures were 12.40°C at 9 a.m. Previously, Thursday saw 12.50°C and Wednesday 13.4°C. The continuous cold and fog have disrupted daily life in the region. Rahima Begum, a passenger who had boarded a launch for Dhaka, said, “After sitting on the launch for two hours in freezing weather, we were informed that the journey was canceled. Now I have to return home with my two bags, enduring the hardship.” Zulfiqar Ali added that the launches on the Barisal-Dhaka route will remain suspended until weather conditions improve.  

Launch services with Chandpur and other parts of the southern region will remain suspended from Sunday night due to dense fog. The decision was taken to ensure the safety of passengers as poor visibility continues to affect river routes. Launches that are already en route to their destinations, along with other vessels, have been instructed to operate in accordance with the Inland Shipping Ordinance, 1976, said a notice from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The suspension will remain in effect until weather and visibility conditions improve, it said.

Six people were killed and three others injured in separate road accidents in Bhola and Cumilla districts on Sunday. In Bhola, three people were killed and three others injured when a truck rammed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on Bhola-Charfasson road at Manikar Hat in Borhanuddin upazila on Sunday. The deceased were identified as Md Mizan, 36, Riaz Uddin and Azmiri Amrin, 20 of Borhanuddin upazila. The accident occurred in the afternoon when the truck hit the CNG run-auto-rickshaw carrying five people, leaving two killed on the spot and four others injured, said Shahidullah Kaisar, superintendent of Bhola Police. The injured were taken to a local hospital where the doctors declared one of them dead. In Cumilla, three people were killed in two separate road accidents in Burichang and Chouddagram upazilas of the district on Sunday. In Chauddagram upazila, a covered van driver and his assistant were killed when a lorry hit the Dhaka-bound covered van on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Miabazar area of the upazila in the morning. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Aziz, 31 and his assistant Shamim, 29 of Noakhali district. In Burichang upazila, Akter Hossain was killed when a drum truck hit his motorcycle in Pachoro Sinduria area in the afternoon. Two separate cases were filed in connection with the accidents.

Demonstrators demanding the cancellation of BNP’s nomination in Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon) set fires in at least 10 locations, including railway tracks, disrupting train services. The incidents began Saturday afternoon along Shivganj Road in Gafargaon upazila and spread across key areas of the municipal town. Business establishments in the town remained closed due to the unrest. The fire on the railway track halted train operations between Dhaka and Mymensingh. According to police and local sources, a section of BNP activists blocked the rail line at Shivganj Road railway crossing to protest the nomination of Md. Aktaruzzaman Bachchu and set it on fire. The unrest also led to panic among shopkeepers, who shut down all businesses in Gafargaon municipality. Abul Bashar, sub-inspector of Gafargaon Railway Police, confirmed that train operations on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route were suspended due to the railway fire, and efforts are underway to restore normal services. Meanwhile, Md. Atikur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Gafargaon police station, said protesters set fire to tires at several points in the town demanding a change in nomination. Police and army personnel are present at the sites to maintain law and order. The protests follow BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s announcement naming Md. Aktaruzzaman Bachchu as the party’s candidate for Mymensingh-10, which sparked the violent demonstrations.

A tragic fire at Saha Market in Faridganj upazila of Chandpur killed a 15-year-old shop worker and gutted at least five shops on Saturday. The incident occurred around 10:00 am at the popular Saha Market in Subidpur West Union. The deceased, Sabbir Hossain, was a resident of Salda area of Subidpur West Union and the son of Arif Hossain. Preliminary estimates by shop owners put the financial loss between 40 and 50 lakh takas. According to sources, the fire originated from an electrical short circuit at a grocery store named `Jihad Fatema Store’ and rapidly spread to neighboring shops. While the shop owner, Zainal Ahmed, managed to escape, Sabbir was trapped inside as the back door was locked. A fridge explosion intensified the blaze, leaving him severely burned; he died on the spot. Locals immediately informed the Faridganj Fire Service, but by the time the unit arrived, five shops, including Zainal’s grocery, Iman Pharmacy, Telu Gazi Furniture, Nazrul Islam’s fish feed shop, and Zahid’s workshop, were completely destroyed. Firefighters, with the help of locals, controlled the blaze after nearly an hour and recovered Sabbir’s charred body, which was handed over to Sub-Inspector Rakibul Islam of Faridganj police. Sabbir had been working at Zainal’s store for several years. Faridganj Fire Station Commander Kamrul Hasan confirmed that all affected shops were fully destroyed and that an electrical short circuit was likely the cause. Faridganj police officer-in-charge Helal Uddin said the incident is under investigation, and necessary legal action is being taken.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) attempted to construct a barbed wire fence at the Ghonapara border in Panchbibi upazila of Joypurhat on Saturday morning, violating international border regulations, but were forced to stop after intervention by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Early Saturday morning, under dense fog, BSF personnel began the construction near the zero line at East Unchana Ghonapara, under the Koya BOP, around sub-pillars 47, 48, and 49 of border pillar 281. Local residents informed the Koya camp of the Joypurhat-20 BGB Battalion, prompting BGB personnel to arrive at the site and halt the construction. Subsequently, a flag meeting was held between BGB and BSF officials. During the meeting, BSF assured that no further construction would take place and agreed to remove any erected barbed wire. BGB also formally lodged a protest regarding the incident. Confirming the incident, Assistant Director of Joypurhat-20 BGB Mohammad Imran Hossain said, “A flag meeting was held today with BSF at the company commander level. BGB always maintains a firm stance against border violations and will take all necessary measures to protect the country’s sovereignty.”

Four poor families living beside the railway line in Kumarkhali were left homeless after a fire gutted their tin-shed houses late Friday night, destroying homes, livestock and means of livelihood. “I will not lie. After my two sons died, people gave me clothes, blankets, sarees and a bed. Everything has burned. Now I have nothing left. If only I could put up a few tin sheets, I could stay somewhere with my grandson,” said Zahura Khatun, an elderly woman, breaking down in tears on Saturday afternoon. Zahura, the widow of Kiamuddin Sheikh, lived in the Sherkandi area of Ward No. 6 under Kumarkhali municipality along the Kushtia-Rajbari railway line. Her tin-shed house caught fire late Friday night, burning the house and all belongings to ashes. Her elder son died 20 years ago and her younger son 3 years ago. She had been living there with her grandson Anwar Hossain, 27. Besides Zahura, the fire destroyed three other tin-shed houses belonging to her van puller nephew Kamal Hossain, his son Hridoy Hossain, 22, also a van puller, and their neighbour Nazim Uddin. Four tin-shed houses belonging to four people, two battery-operated vans, four goats, nine ducks, 35 chickens, and all household furniture and belongings were completely destroyed by the fire. Preliminary estimates suggest the blaze, believed to have started from an electrical short circuit, caused losses of at least Tk 8 lakh for the four families. Visiting the spot at around 4:30 pm, this correspondent saw several densely built houses along the railway line reduced to ashes. Parts of two burned vans lay scattered. Only brick and cement pillars remained standing. Even hours later, the smell of burning lingered in the air as smoke continued to rise. Curious locals and relatives gathered at the scene. Nazim Uddin said he woke up around 2:30 am after smelling smoke. “As soon as I opened the door, fire entered my house. I rushed out with my battery-run van wearing only the clothes I had on. Within moments, the entire house was engulfed,” he said, adding that the fire appeared to have started from the room where Hridoy’s van was being charged. Hridoy Hossain said he went to sleep around 1:00 am after checking his two vans and four goats. “About an hour later, I woke up hearing shouts of fire. When I came out, flames were everywhere,” he said. “Locals tried to put out the fire by pouring water and informed the fire service.After nearly an hour of effort, the fire was brought under control. By then, two vans, four goats, nine ducks, 35 chickens, two houses and all belongings had been destroyed,” he added. Neighbour Saju Sheikh alleged that despite efforts by 50 to 60 people, the fire could not be controlled before the fire service arrived. “Although the station is only two to three minutes away, it took at least 45 minutes for the fire service to reach here. That is why everything burned,” he said, adding that without government support the families would not be able to recover. Kamal Hossain’s wife Moyna Khatun said, “We have nothing left except the clothes we are wearing. Everything has burned. Only the pillars are standing. We seek government assistance.” However, Kumarkhali Fire Service team leader Ali Hossain denied the delay allegation. He claimed they received the call through 999 at around 3:00 am and reached the spot by 3:03 am.  “After about an hour of effort, the fire was brought under control. By then, everything belonging to the four families had been burned,” he said, adding that the cause of the fire and the exact amount of damage would be known after investigation. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Akhter said winter clothes and dry food were provided immediately after receiving the news. “Further government assistance will be provided to the families upon submission of a written application, subject to allocation approval.,” she said.

Police in Beanibazar, Sylhet, apprehended a young man carrying a large consignment of banned Indian bidis during a special operation. A CNG auto-rickshaw used to transport the contraband was also seized. The arrested individual has been identified as 22-year-old Abid Ahmed, a resident of Golapganj Upazila in Sylhet. The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of Sylhet Police Superintendent Kazi Akhtar Ul Alam and the guidance of Beanibazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Omar Faruk. Inspector (Investigation) Md. Shobed Ali, along with SI (Acting) Hosain Mia and a team, set up a checkpoint at Sachan area on the Zakiganj-Sylhet regional road. During the checkpoint inspection, police searched a CNG auto-rickshaw and recovered 98,000 pieces of Indian ‘Sheikh Nasiruddin’ brand bidis from the suspect. Imam killed in trolley crash in Sylhet OC Md. Omar Faruk confirmed that a case has been filed against Abid Ahmed under the Special Powers Act, and he will be produced in court along with the seized items. Police stated that such operations will continue to prevent smuggling and the transportation of illegal goods.  

A concert by popular Bangladeshi rock icon James, also known as Nagar Baul, was cancelled on Friday night following clashes at the Faridpur Zila School campus during the institution’s 185th anniversary celebrations, leaving at least 25 people injured. The concert was scheduled to begin around 9:30pm on the school grounds as the closing event of the two-day programme. However, moments before the performance, a group of outsiders allegedly attempted to force their way into the venue after being denied entry. According to witnesses, the agitators hurled bricks and stones and tried to take control of the stage. Students of Faridpur Zila School resisted, forcing the attackers to retreat. Several students were injured in the incident. Around 10:00pm, convener of the organising committee Dr Mustafizur Rahman Shamim announced from the stage that the concert had been cancelled following instructions from the Faridpur Deputy Commissioner, citing the volatile situation. Rajibul Hasan Khan, convener of the publicity and media sub-committee of the anniversary programme, said all preparations had been in place to ensure a successful concert, but the sudden attack led to chaos. He said at least 15 to 20 students of the school were injured by brickbats. Considering the overall situation and on the directive of the district administration, the organisers were compelled to cancel the event, he added. The two-day celebration began on Thursday morning with the hoisting of national and commemorative flags, rendition of the national anthem, oath-taking, and a colourful procession through the town featuring banners, festoons and horse-drawn carriages. The programme was scheduled to conclude on Friday night with a raffle draw, cultural events and James’ performance. Established in 1840 during British rule, Faridpur Zila School is one of the earliest government schools in the region. For 185 years, the institution has played a significant role in the area’s education, culture and social movements, maintaining its reputation as one of the region’s leading schools.