United News of Bangladesh

Teesta Battalion (61 BGB) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified operations at the Hatibandha and Patgram borders in Lalmonirhat to prevent fuel oil hoarding and smuggling, officials said on Monday. In a press release, 61 BGB said temporary check posts have been set up at key locations along the border, and activities of nearby filling stations and dealers involved in fuel extraction and sale are being closely monitored.  Surprise inspections of suspicious vehicles, strengthened mobile patrols, and increased surveillance of important transport routes are also underway. Intelligence operations have been intensified to identify possible syndicates engaged in fuel smuggling. Awareness meetings with local communities are being organised to educate the public about the dangers and legal consequences of hoarding and smuggling, with an aim to discourage such practices. “The BGB remains vigilant and committed to ensuring the country’s energy security. We will continue these measures to prevent illegal fuel activities,” the release said.

A court in Kushtia on Monday sentenced four men to life imprisonment in connection with the 2019 murder of farmer Sahabul Islam Mondal in Mirpur upazila. Kushtia District and Sessions Judge Court Judge Md Enayet Kabir Sarkar handed down the verdict on Monday. The court also imposed a fine of Tk 20,000 on each of the convicts; in case of default, they will have to serve an additional year in prison. The convicted are Asadul Pramanik, also known as Kalu, son of Mohin Pramanik of Miton Paschimpara village; Abu Taher, son of Moslem Mollah of the same village; Habil Hossain, son of Abul Kashem; and Milon, son of Omar Ali. Except for Abu Taher, the others were present in court when the verdict was announced. According to court sources, Sahabul went missing on October 20, 2019, after going to the local market to do some shopping. The next morning, police recovered his body from the alley of a field in Nawda Azampur Mathpara of the upazila. The prosecution said the murder stemmed from a local factional dispute. Allegedly attempting to implicate rivals, the accused conspired together and abducted Sahabul Islam Mondal and killed him. Following the incident, the victim’s wife Sumi khatun filed a case at Mirpur Police Station against unidentified individuals. During the investigation, Mirpur Police Station investigation officer Sub-Inspector SM Jabid Hasan arrested Asadul Pramanik, alias Kalu, based on suspicion outlined in the complaint. During questioning, Kalu reportedly confessed to his involvement and named his alleged accomplices. All four accused were later identified, and after completing the investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against them.

The much-awaited honey collection season in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is set to begin from April 1, with honey collectors (mowal)  already completing their preparations. According to the Forest Department, a target has been set to collect 1,100 quintals of honey and 600 quintals of beeswax during the 2025–2026 season. The honey collectors are currently preparing their boats and will enter the forest with valid permits issued by the authorities. Forest Department sources said that during the previous 2024–2025 season, a total of 1,709 honey collectors entered the Sundarbans Satkhira range against 248 valid permits. During that period, they collected 854.5 quintals of honey and 275.5 quintals of beeswax from natural hives. As in previous years, permits will be issued in phases across different ranges of the Sundarbans, allowing groups of honey collectors to enter deep forest areas to harvest honey from natural hives. The collection season will run from April to June. Abdur Razzaq, a team leader of honey collectors from Dumuria village under Gabura union of Shyamnagar upazila, said he has formed a 12-member team this year. “I collect honey from the Sundarbans every year. We are prepared and will start our journey on April 1 after obtaining permits,” he said, adding that Sundarbans honey is in high demand nationwide due to its natural and adulteration-free quality. Razzaq said they carry out their work risking their lives as Royal Bengal Tiger, venomous snakes and harsh environmental conditions pose constant threats. He also expressed concern over the recent rise in activities of forest robbers, including reported abductions for ransom. Some honey collectors have reportedly decided not to enter the forest this season due to extortion demands. A honey collector , wishing anonymity, said that the robbers demanded Tk 10,000 from each honey collectors and a number of group has to pay the extortion which discouraged many from going into the Sundarbans for honey collection. Another honey collector, Shahajan Sardar from Burigoalini area, recounted a terrifying experience from last season when he encountered a tiger while searching for honey. The Forest Department said it has taken measures to ensure the safety of honey collectors and instructed them to follow guidelines to protect forest resources. Officials warned that legal action will be taken against those who destroy hives indiscriminately or engage in overharvesting. Masihur Rahman, a range officer in the Sundarbans Satkhira region, told UNB that they will ensure strict monitoring to prevent illegal honey collection.

The body of a businessman was recovered from a hotel in Sylhet on Sunday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Mofazzal Haque Saurav, 32, owner of Tonni Kitchen, a hotel in Lamabazar area of the city. Saurav was staying in a room on the fifth floor of Relax Inn, a residential hotel in the northern part of Dhopadighi area, said hotel staff. Hotel staff noticed him hanging in the room around 3:30 pm and immediately informed  police who broke open the door and recovered his body. The body was sent to Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, said Khan Muhammad Mainul Zakir, Officer-in-Charge (acting) of Kotwali Thana. He added that further legal action is underway.

An Awami League leader sustained critical bullet injuries after being shot by miscreants in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia on Sunday evening. The injured, 52-year-old Shafiqul Islam Azam, is a former general secretary of Amla Union Awami League and son of late Abul Mandal of Bil Amla village. The incident took place around 7 pm at Sadarpur Bazar in Amla Union. Police said Shafiqul was at his business establishment when a group of people called him outside. Shortly afterwards, he was shot and the attackers fled the scene. Locals rescued him in a critical condition and took him to Kushtia General Hospital. Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Hossain Imam said Shafiqul sustained bullet injuries to his right eye, left jaw and upper abdomen. “The abdominal injury has likely damaged blood vessels, causing heavy bleeding. His condition is critical,” he said, adding that he has been referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Police recovered three rounds of live bullets, a magazine and a motorcycle from the scene. Assistant Superintendent of Police (Mirpur Circle) Muhammad Mahmudul Haque Majumder said an investigation is underway.

Authorities have opened a dedicated isolation centre in Sylhet as measles infections continue to rise, with dozens of patients admitted in recent days. The 4th unit of Sylhet Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital has been designated as an isolation facility to treat measles patients, hospital sources said. Since the facility began operations on March 26, a total of 30 patients have been admitted over the past three days, with 16 currently undergoing treatment. According to hospital officials, 14 patients have already been discharged, while three new patients were admitted on Sunday. Resident Medical Officer Dr Md Mizanur Rahman said many of the patients are suffering from complications, including pneumonia. Among those admitted are two siblings aged 20 and 22, while the rest are children. A parent, Sabbir Ahmed from the city’s Madina Market area, said his one-and-a-half-year-old daughter was admitted with fever, cough and diarrhoea and was later diagnosed with measles. He said she had received the first dose of the measles vaccine at nine months but had not yet taken the second dose scheduled at 15 months. Deputy Director of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital Mahbubur Rahman said patients were initially treated in isolated arrangements within the hospital, but the growing number of cases prompted authorities to shift them to a separate facility. Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Janmejoy Dutta said the situation is being closely monitored, with regular supervision at the isolation centre. Patients from Sylhet city, district and across the division are receiving treatment there. Health officials stressed that as measles is highly contagious, isolating patients remains a key step in containing the spread.

Concern is growing in Sylhet as measles infections increase, with at least 12 children currently receiving treatment at hospitals across the district. Health officials said a rising number of children are being admitted daily with symptoms of the highly contagious disease. Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Janmejoy Dutta said on Sunday that some of the affected children are below nine months of age, including infants as young as five to six months, who are not yet eligible for vaccination. In some cases, children have been infected despite receiving the vaccine. He said the health department has launched a special investigation to determine the reasons behind such infections. Dr Dutta noted that there had been some disruption in measles vaccine supply last year, although there is currently no shortage of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine. Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through the air, particularly affecting children. Initial symptoms include fever, cold and cough, followed by a rash that spreads across the body within a few days. While the disease usually subsides within two weeks, complications may develop during the second week. Doctors said many affected children develop complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, eye infections and electrolyte imbalance. In rare cases, it can lead to kidney or heart failure, encephalitis and seizures. In Bangladesh, the MR vaccine is administered in two doses the first at nine months and the second at 15 months which generally provides strong immunity. However, immunity takes time to develop, and children under nine months remain the most vulnerable. Health officials said several of the infected children had recently travelled or visited crowded places, which may have contributed to the rapid spread. Children who missed vaccination are at higher risk, while preventing infection among those not yet eligible for vaccines remains a major challenge. The Sylhet health department is preparing to launch a special MR vaccination campaign targeting children aged between nine months and five years, particularly in areas with high dropout rates. Sources said the campaign is expected to begin soon, and the age range may be extended if necessary to ensure wider coverage. Health experts advised parents to keep infected children away from crowded places, ensure proper nutrition, hydration and rest, and seek medical care if complications arise. They also stressed isolating infected children and completing vaccination on time. With pressure mounting on hospitals, officials emphasised that timely vaccination and isolation remain the most effective measures to control the outbreak.

At least four people were injured when a train hit a private car at a level crossing in Khulna city on Sunday. Three of the injured were identified as driver Omi, 25, Sami, 25 and Aymun Dipu, 22 of Shiromoni Paschimpara while the identity of another could not be known immediately. The accident occurred around 4:45pm in the Afil Gate area when the Khulna-bound ‘Sundarban Express’ train hit the private car carrying four people, leaving them injured, said Hawladar Sanwar Hossain Masum, officer-in-charge of Khan Jahan Ali Police Station. The accident occurred when the victims were returning home to the Shiromoni area by private car after cricket practice in Moshiali. The impact left the car badly mangled and threw it about 20 yards off the railway track to the western side. Among the injured, Omi and Sami are undergoing treatments at a private hospital in the city, while Aymun Dipu and another victim received primary treatment and returned home.

Tanker workers in eight northern districts began an indefinite strike on Sunday morning to protest the imprisonment and fines imposed on three of their colleagues in Nilphamari. Due to the strike, no diesel, petrol or octane was lifted from the Railway Head Oil Depot in Parbatipur. Leaders of the Rangpur Divisional Tanker Workers Union called the strike, demanding the release of the detained workers within 24 hours and the removal of Nilphamari Nezarat Deputy Collector (NDC) Niaz Bhuiyan. If the situation persists, transport services, including buses and trucks, and the movement of goods may be severely disrupted. However, discussions are underway between the concerned parties to resolve the issue and end the strike. According to sources, the incident occurred on Saturday when a tanker carrying fuel from the Parbatipur Railway Head Depot developed a mechanical fault near the Nilphamari jail gate while on its way to a filling station. A mobile court later arrested filling station manager Ekramul Haque, tanker driver Sri Krishna and his assistant Rifat, accusing them of stealing 13 litres of fuel. They were sentenced to six months in prison and fined Tk 1 lakh by NDC Niaz Bhuiyan. Following the incident, tanker workers launched the strike, halting fuel supply across Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat. The Petrol Pump Owners Association has expressed support for the workers’ demands. Ataur Rahman, general secretary of the Rangpur Divisional Tanker Workers Union, said the administration has not yet initiated discussions with them. “The strike will continue until our demands are met. However, no one will be obstructed if they wish to take fuel from the depot,” he said. If the strike continues, there is a risk of a complete halt in both passenger and goods transport across the region due to fuel shortages.  

All filling station in Narail district were shut as the filling station owners called an indefinite strike for Sunday protesting the alleged killing of a pump manager over his refusal to supply fuel to a truck driver. Saiful Islam Hitru, joint convener of Narail Petrol Pump Owners Association, said they have decided to close all ten pumps in the district for Sunday. Earlier in the day, Nahid Sardar, 33, manager of M/s Tanvir Filling and Gas Station in Tularampur union under Sadar upazila, was killed and another worker of the filling station, Jihad Molla 27, injured when a truck hit a motorcycle carrying them near Tularampur rail bridge area while returning to their respective home around 2:00 am following an altercation over fuel selling. The truck driver identified as Sujat Molla of Peroli village arrived at the filling station on the Jashore–Narail highway to refuel and an altercation ensued between Sujat and Nahid as he refused to supply diesel due to its unavailability. The injured Jihad was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. CCTV footage shows that despite an altercation late Saturday night, the truck driver remained at the filling station. At around 2:10am, Nahid left the pump on a motorcycle with his colleague Jihad after finishing work. The truck was then seen chasing them at high speed immediately after they exited the station. Officer-in-Charge of Tularampur Highway Police Station Sekendar Ali said the body was sent to Narail Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Efforts are underway to arrest the accused driver and seize the truck involved in it, said OC.