United News of Bangladesh

A suspected robber was killed and another injured in a lynch-mob attack in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali district early Sunday. The deceased was identified as Ujjal, of Kanakdia union while the injured was identified as Rajib of Subidkhali in Mirzaganj upazila. Akteruzzaman Sarkar, officer-in-charge of Baufal police station, said a group of masked robbers numbering 8/10 swooped on the house of Jalil Jamaddar, a Bangladeshi expatriate in Malaysia, around 3 am at Kashipur village and looted valuables including gold ornaments and cash. When the same robber gang entered the house of Shohagh Hawladar local people encircled them and caught two of them while they were trying to flee the scene. At one stage, they were given a good thrashing, leaving Rajib and Ujjal injured. They were taken to a local hospital where Ujjal succumbed to his injuries.    

Thousands of families along the Teesta and Dharla riverbanks in Lalmonirhat face uncertainty as relentless erosion continues to wipe out homes, farmlands and livelihoods. Over the past decade, numerous families have become landless as croplands and houses have disappeared into the riverbeds. Once self-reliant farmers are now fighting extreme poverty after losing their last means of survival. The residents of College para, Dhubni, Sindurna, Parulia, Dauabari, Votmari, Harinchara, Rajpur, Paglarhat in Sadar upazila, parts of Aditmari and Kaliganj upazilas, are among the worst affected ones. “Our homestead is the only thing left as the river keeps devouring everything. Only the Almighty Allah knows how we will survive in the days ahead,” said Abdur Rahman Sheikh, a 65-year-old farmer from Boomka village in Sadar upazila. Lalmonirhat flood: Teesta water recedes, miseries mount Bhola Nath Debnath, 60, from the same village, said the Teesta has already taken away five bighas of his land and the rest is under threat. “We once had a solvent life, now we are on the verge of being homeless.” Executive Engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board Sunil Kumar said erosion has been reported from nearly 25 spots across the district. Some protective work is now going on under WDB’s supervision, he said, adding that they have sought allocations from higher authorities. Geo-bag dumping will resume once funds are released, he said.

An 18-year-old college student went missing on Saturday evening after jumping into the Teesta River while attempting to film a TikTok video with friends near the Mohipur Teesta Bridge in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur. The missing student, Nirob Roy Utsya, son of Tapan Roy from Paschim Bangla village in Nilphamari’s Jaldhaka upazila, was swept away by the river’s strong current around 6 pm. According to local residents and police sources, Nirob and seven friends had arrived at the Mohipur Teesta Bridge around 5 pm to hang out and make videos. Three of them — Nirob, Shakil, and Rupam — jumped into the river as part of a stunt for TikTok. While Shakil and Rupam managed to swim back to shore, Nirob was swept away by the current. Hearing the screams of the group, bystanders rushed to the scene and informed authorities. Gangachara Fire Service personnel responded promptly and launched a rescue operation. A diving team from Rangpur later joined the effort and continued the search until 9 pm, but Nirab remained missing. Abdul Mannan, station officer of Gangachara Fire Service, said, “We started the rescue operation immediately after receiving the report. The strong current is hampering the effort, but the operation will continue until Nirob is found.” The other individuals present with Nirab during the incident were identified as Alamin, 18, Mahdi Hasan, 19, Shakil, 18, Sri Shishir, 18, Kaif Kifayat, and Rupam Islam. Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Hasan Mridha expressed concern over the incident, saying, “Such risky behavior is extremely dangerous. It is crucial for both youth and their guardians to remain vigilant and responsible."

In a deeply tragic incident, a man in Chuadanga died of a stroke moments after hearing about the death of his mother at a local hospital on Saturday evening. The deceased Saiful Islam, 40, had rushed to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital after hearing that his mother, China Khatun, 63, had fallen seriously ill. According to family sources, China Khatun, wife of the late Alauddin of Baganpara in Chuadanga Municipality, collapsed in front of her house on Saturday afternoon due to high blood pressure. She sustained a head injury during the fall and was immediately taken to the hospital. Schoolboy killed in Moulvibazar bike crash Saiful arrived shortly afterward and met his mother at the hospital ward. Later, he went out to buy medicine for her. Moments later, he received the devastating news that his mother had passed away. Unable to bear the shock, Saiful too collapsed within minutes. Hospital sources confirmed he suffered a fatal stroke. Despite immediate medical attention at the emergency department, he was declared dead soon after. Dr. Israt Jerin Jessica, medical officer in charge of Chuadanga Sadar Hospital's emergency department, said Saiful Islam died of a heart attack shortly after receiving news of his mother’s passing. 9 of a family suffer burn injuries in N’ganj fire “It is rare to witness such a tragic sequence—mother and son dying within ten minutes of each other,” she added. The double tragedy has plunged the Baganpara neighborhood into mourning. Locals and hospital staff alike were left shocked and heartbroken by the incident.

The Upazila administration of Companiganj  on Saturday gave a three-day ultimatum to return stones that were robbed from local quarries and hidden in different places  during a public meeting in the Companiganj Upazila Parishad hall with local residents. Officials said that if anyone is found keeping the stones after three days, strict legal action will be taken against them. Padmasan Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Overall) of Sylhet, attended as the chief guest chaired by Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Robin Mia. Special guests included Companiganj-Goainhat Circle ASP Abdullah Al Noman, Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Abdul Matin, O.C. (Investigation) of Companiganj Police Station Sujan Chandra, Secretary of Companyganj Press Club Abdul Jalil, Sylhet BNP Adviser Advocate Kamal Hossain, Amir of Companiganj Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana Faizur Rahman, Ishaklas Union Chairman Sajjad Hossain Saju, General Secretary of Stone Importers Group Nazrul Islam, President of Crush Mill Owners’ Association Abdul Jalil, President of Stone Traders’ Association Abul Hossain, General Secretary of Khelafat Majlis Hafiz Masum Ahmed, and Convenor of Gono Adhikar Parishad Liton Mahmud, and many others. Sada Pathor spot to be brought under 24/7 CCTV surveillance: Sr Secy Mokhlesur Rahman Moderated by Companiganj Upazila Women Affairs Officer Shibli Atika Tinny, speakers at the meeting said that since Companyganj is a stone-rich area, quarries should be leased following traditional methods for stone extraction, or stopping illegal stone extraction will be difficult. Traders demanded an end to harassment of those importing or crushing stones legally, and restoration of electricity connections to crushing mills. Chief guest Padmasan Singh said, “We need your co-operation to return the stones to their original places. Following the district commissioner’s instructions, residents of each ward should return the stones within three days. If anyone fails to comply, legal action will be taken.” He added that announcements about this would be disseminated through public microphone from Saturday afternoon.

A schoolboy was killed and another injured in a motorcycle accident in Moulvibazar on Saturday morning. The deceased was identified as Amit Dutta, son of Asit Dutta, while the injured was his neighbour Sourav. According to police and family sources, Amit took his uncle’s motorcycle without permission around 7 am. While riding on Dak Bibhag Road in Moulvibazar town, he lost control and collided with an electric pole, leaving both severely injured. They were rushed to the 250-bed Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared Amit dead. Amit was a candidate for the SSC examination in 2026. Gazi Md. Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC)of Moulvibazar Sadar Model Police Station, said that the body was handed over to the family after a post-mortem examination.  

Four members of a family, including two children, fell ill from smoke inhalation following an air conditioner (AC) explosion on the seventh floor of a multi-storey building in Keraniganj Model Town on Saturday afternoon. The victims have been identified as Mohammad Mamun, 45, his wife Laki Akter, 38, and their sons Mihad, 16, and Siam, 12. They were rescued around 1:15 pm and rushed to the Emergency Department of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Sohag murder: Two more accused arrested in Keraniganj Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, residential surgeon at the institute, confirmed that all four were brought in from Keraniganj following the AC explosion. “All of them are currently under observation at the emergency unit,” he said. Further details about their condition have not yet been disclosed.

Nine members of a family sustained burn injuries when a fire broke out at a house apparently from gas pipeline leak at Hirajhul village in Siddhirganj area of Narayanganj district early Saturday. The victims were identified as Tanjil Islam, 40, a day labourer, his wife Asma Begum, 35, their two children—Trisha Akter, 17 and Arafat, 15, Salma Begum, 32, sister of Asma and her husband Hasan, 35, a day labourer and their three children—Imam Uddin (one-month), Jannat, 4 and Muntaha, 11. Quoting Rakibul, a family member of the victims, Dr Sultan Mahmud Shikdar, resident surgeon of National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery, said the fire broke out at the semi-pucca house around 3 am, leaving them injured. Among them, Hasan received 44% burn injured, Jannat 40 %, Muntaha, 37%, Salma 48%, Imam Uddin, 30%, Arafat 15 %, Trisha Akter, 53 %, Asma, 48 % while Tanjil was given first aid, said Dr Sultan.  

A 13-year-old schoolgirl was killed and her parents were injured in a road accident in Monirampur upazila of Jashore on Thursday night, police said. The deceased has been identified as Hosna In (Iffa), daughter of Gias Ahmed Sohel and Swapnil Islam of Bhavakhali in Narail's Sadar upazila. The accident occurred around 10:30 pm in the Bijoyrampur Khayatola area when the family was travelling from Keshabpur to Jashore town in a private car. According to family sources, an unidentified covered van hit their car from behind, causing it to lose control and veer off the road. Local residents rescued the injured and first took them to the Monirampur Upazila Health Complex. They were later transferred to Jashore General Hospital at around 11:15 pm for further treatment. Iffa was declared dead at 11:55 pm by the attending doctor. Jubo League figure hacked to death in Jashore Her mother, Swapnil Islam, is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital, while her father, Gias Ahmed Sohel, has been referred to Dhaka in critical condition. Bablur Rahman Khan, officer-in-charge (OC)of Monirampur Police Station, said a police operation is underway to trace the covered van.  Legal proceedings have been initiated in this regard.

A Somoy TV journalist and his cameraman were attacked and their camera was damaged while gathering information on irregularities in a calf distribution program in Bhola on Friday. The incident occurred around 3:00 pm in front of a house in Ward No. 9 of Bhabanipur Union, Daulatkhan upazila where Journalist Nasir Uddin Liton and cameraman Utpal Debnath were injured. They were rushed to the Daulatkhan Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Liton said that they were collecting information on irregularities in calf distribution under the Fisheries Department’s Hilsa Resource Development Project, when a group led by organizing secretary of the upazila BNP, Md. Rasel Kazi, attacked them. The miscreants dragged them onto the road, broke their camera, recorded videos on a mobile phone, and threatened their lives. Md. Zillur Rahman, the Officer-in-charge of Daulatkhan Police Station, confirmed that a general diary was filed and legal actions were underway.