United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rain or thundershower in Chattogram and Sylhet divisions within 24 hours, starting from 9 am today. “Rain or thundershower accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country,” said a Met office bulletin. Rainfall threatens mustard crop in Jashore, farmers fear losses Meanwhile, a mild heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Madaripur, Gopalganj, Sylhet, Chattogram, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Bandarban, Khulna, Satkhira, Chuadanga, and Bhola and it may continue. Day and night temperatures may rise slightly over the country. Due to the increase in moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase. The low pressure over south-west Bay and adjoining area now lies over west-central Bay. It is likely to intensify further. 28 mm rainfall recorded in Dhaka; rain likely in 5 divisions Country’s highest temperature was recorded at 37.8 degrees Celsius in Rangamati on Wednesday while the lowest temperature was recorded at 23.4 degrees Celsius in Bogura on Thursday.  

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan made the sensational disclosure Wednesday (May 22, 2024) that Anwarul Azim Anar, MP for Jhenidah-4, had been murdered in West Bengal, while on a medical trip to India. He said the slain MP’s remains had been found in a flat in New Town, Kolkata. “Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who went missing in India, was murdered at a Calcutta flat,” Khan told journalists. “So far, we have come to know that all the killers involved are Bangladeshis. It was a planned murder.” Police in Kolkata however have said no body has been found, and they are continuing their search in this regard. All that has been found are blood stains in a flat in suburban New Town where Azim was seen entering with three others on May 13. What is known so far is that Azim went to Kolkata. He entered India through the Darshana border (connecting Bangladesh’s Khulna with Nadia) on May 12 for a medical consultation, and started staying with a friend, Gopal Biswas, a gold trader, in the Baranagar area. Bangladeshi criminals killed MP Anwarul Azim: DB Chief Around 1.40pm on May 13, he left Biswas’s house to meet a neurologist at a Kolkata hospital in a cab. According to The Telegraph, an influential Kolkata daily, the taxi driver who drove Azim around has told the police they had picked up another Bangladeshi national from the New Market area and from there proceeded to the flat in New Town. The medical appointment, had there been one in the first place, was not kept. CCTV footage has revealed that apart from Azim, two men and a woman had entered the flat at Sanjeeva Gardens, an upmarket development in Rajarhat. Over the next four days, CCTV footage shows the other three leaving the building at different times, but there is no further sighting of the MP. What West Bengal Police are saying Stating that the police had “reliable inputs” that Anwar “may have been murdered”, Akhilesh Chaturvedi, IG, CID, West Bengal Police, said that they were yet to recover the victim’s body, as of Wednesday evening. “We had no prior intimation of the Bangladeshi MP’s arrival to this city. We came to know about him after his acquaintance in Kolkata, Gopal Biswas, filed a missing diary on May 18. A Special Investigation Team was formed by the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate to trace the missing politician. “We were in the middle of that investigation when, on May 20, we received an intimation from the Ministry of External Affairs and today an input that makes us suspect that the victim may have been murdered,” Chaturvedi said. The IG confirmed that the apartment was owned by Sanjib Ghosh, an employee of the state excise department, who, in turn, had rented it out to one Akhtaruzzaman, a US national. Missing Jhenaidah -4 MP found dead in Kolkata; PM Hasina mourns death Additionally, police sources told the Deccan Herald, another influential Indian daily, that Anar was accompanied by two men and a woman when he checked into the New Town apartment. CCTV footage showed that the unidentified men and woman left the residential complex in phases between May 15 and May 17, and at least two of the three later returned to Bangladesh. Arrests in Bangladesh The killers of Anwarul Azim Anar were Bangladeshis, according to the Chief of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, backing up an earlier assertion by the home minister. "An investigation is underway to ascertain the reason behind the murder. A few persons were arrested and others who were involved in the murder will be brought to justice. But the names can't be disclosed now for the sake of the investigation," the DB chief said while talking to reporters at his office today (22 May). The home minister had also revealed the number of persons arrested was three. The arrests were reportedly made from Wari in the capital. There is no confirmation on whether any of them were part of the trio that accompanied the MP to New Town, and later slipped back inside Bangladesh. Meanwhile an abduction case was filed against unnamed persons at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, based on the complaint of Mumtarin Ferdous Dorin, daughter of MP Anar. The Indian authorities have not yet acknowledged the murder, complicating any intention to file a murder case. ‘Going to meet Amit Shah’ In the case statement, Dorin states: "On May 13, we received a message from my father's Indian SIM number. It said, 'I am going to Delhi suddenly, I have VIPs with me. I am going to meet Amit Shah. No need to call me. I will call you later.' Apart from this, several other messages also came.” The messages bear an eerie resemblance to messages received by Gopal Biswas around the same time, as revealed in the missing person complaint he filed with the local police on May 18. In his complaint, Biswas stated that Anar left his Baranagar residence to keep a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon of May 13, stating that he would be back home for dinner. BUt then later that day, Biswas alleged, he received a WhatsApp communication from the MP’s phone stating he would be moving to Delhi on some urgent work and that his host “need not call him”. Then on the morning of May 15, Biswas stated he received further communication from the victim confirming he reached Delhi and was “flanked by VIPs”. In her case statement, Dorin said she suspects that the abductors took hold of her father's phone and sent these messages from May 13th. Biswas may now contend the same. And some communication, or attempted communication, that apparently took place on May 16th with the MP’s aide in Bangladesh, was also probably the same. The truth, for now at least, still evades the people of Bengal on both sides of the international border. Abduction case filed over MP Anar's death

A case has been filed following the death of Jhenaidah-4 Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar,  who was found dead on Wednesday in a hotel in Kolkata of West Bengal. The case was filed against unnamed persons at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station this afternoon following the complaint of Mumtarin Ferdous Dorin, daughter of MP Anar, said Abdul Ahad, officer-in-charge (OC) of the police station. Locals mourn MP Anar as 'a man of the people' In the case statement, Dorin mentioned that on May 9, her father left NAM Bhawan (Members of Parliament's residential building) on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka to go to their village home, Jhenaidah. Two days later, on May 11, at 5:45pm, she spoke to him on a mobile phone which was found switched off later on. Dorin states: "On May 13, we received a message from my father's Indian SIM number. It said, 'I am going to Delhi suddenly, I have VIPs with me. I am going to meet Amit Shah. Don't need to call me. I will call you later.' Apart from this, several other messages also came.” In the case statement, Dorin said she suspected that the abductors took hold of her father's phone and sent the messages. Missing Jhenaidah -4 MP found dead in Kolkata; PM Hasina mourns death "We kept searching for my father in different places. Finding no trace of him, my father's friend Gopal Biswas lodged a general diary on May 18 at the Radhanagar police station in Kolkata. “We continued to search for my father. Later, we came to know through various news media and social media that unknown persons had kidnapped my father in a pre-planned and coordinated manner. “We searched for my father in all possible places but could not find him anywhere,” it added. Earlier this day, Dorin demanded justice through a fair investigation into her father's death. “I want to see them hanged. Today I have become an orphan. I have not finished my studies yet,” she said while talking to reporters at the Detective Branch (DB) office on Wednesday. Anwarul Azim was found dead on Wednesday in a hotel in Kolkata of West Bengal, eight days after he had gone missing there. Jhenaidah-4 MP goes missing after going to India for treatment Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of MP Anwarul Azim, also president of Jhenaidah Kaliganj upazila unit Awami League. Meanwhile, the Chief of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Mohammad Harun or Rashid said the killers of Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar were Bangladeshis. “An investigation is underway to ascertain the reason behind the murder. A few persons were arrested and others who were involved in the murder will be brought to justice. But the names can’t be disclosed now for the sake of the investigation,” the DB chief said.

Lawmaker of Jhenaidah-4 Anwarul Azim Anar had a good reputation for various social works as a Member of Parliament, according to the locals. “From early morning till late at night, he used to visit the villages of the constituency, meet the people, listen to their problems and solve them,” they said. Locals said MP Anar, also president of Jhenaidah Kaliganj upazila unit Awami League, felt comfortable to move alone without using any police protocol. Ohiduzzaman Odu, chairman of No. 1 Sundarpur Durgapur Union of Kaliganj Upazila, said that the leaders and activists came in front of the political office after hearing the news of his death. Replying to a question whether MP Anar had any dispute with anyone, he said there was very little but his popularity was great. He said his family members are staying in Dhaka. They left for Jhenaidah. “We will get to know more from them,” he added. Rubel Hossain, an associate of MP Anar, said he thought about poor people all the time. MP Anar, who went missing from Kolkata on May 14, was found dead in Kolkata on Wednesday. He went there on May 11 for medical treatment. MP's personal assistant, Abdur Rauf said “Anar went to India for medical treatment on May 11. He maintained contact with his family members till May 14. Since then, all communication with him has been lost. His WhatsApp number is also unreachable.” He lived in a house at Bhushan Road in Kaliganj town of Jhenaidah district. He left behind two daughters, a wife and a host of relatives. Anwarul Azim Anar was first elected to the parliament on 5 January 2014 from the Jhenaidah-4 constituency as an Awami League candidate. He also served as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Shipping Ministry. Anar was re-elected in 2018 and, again, in 2024.

Speakers have emphasized the importance of integrating nutrition into the agricultural value chain to enhance food security and improve livelihoods at a workshop held in Dhaka. The national inception workshop, organized by the Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project-Diversified Resilient Agriculture for Improved Food and Nutrition Securities (SACP-RAINS) on May 21, focused on promoting climate resilience and diversifying agriculture. The workshop discussed that by incorporating nutritional considerations at each stage of the value chain—from production and processing to distribution and consumption—agricultural policies and practices can play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition. The Department of Agricultural Extension, the leading implementing agency of the project, has coordinated efforts with the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, and the Department of Agricultural Marketing to improve the life and livelihood of smallholder farmers. Dr Malay Choudhury, Additional Secretary (Extension), Ministry of Agriculture said, "I hope that all participants and associated institutions agree on adopting innovative ideas and practical strategies to advance the activity of the project." He also emphasized the importance of sustainable technology, necessary inputs, and training provided to smallholder farmers, noting that these resources would significantly improve their production, consumption, and marketing activities. The four-year project works in 20 districts in the coastal region, the drought-prone region, and the northern Char region, supporting communities to build resilience to environmental and economic shocks. By specifically targeting households most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, RAINS directly improves the income and nutrition of 670,000 women and men. The IFAD-financed SACP project supports 250,000 coastal farmers to diversify crops, improve livelihoods, and build climate resilience and its success of this model has opened opportunities to extend the project's reach to an additional 420,000 farmers through a grant financing provided by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program. Technical assistance for the project is provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The project targets climate-vulnerable hotspot areas, including coastal regions, river erosion zones, and drought-prone districts, aiming to enhance the income and living standards of 670,000 smallholder farmers. The project's integrated approach ensures close collaboration among key agricultural bodies, guaranteeing effective implementation and tangible outcomes.  Rilla Kirk, Prgramme Manager, IFAD in Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of the initiative, and this initiative represents a vital step towards ensuring that smallholder farmers are equipped with the tools and knowledge to build resilience against climate change. "We are proud to work hand in hand with the government of Bangladesh and other partners to support a project that promises to enhance food security and nutritional outcomes for vulnerable communities in rural Bangladesh."              The workshop was presided over by Md. Tajul Islam Patwari, acting Director General and Director of the Field Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension. Project Director Dr Muhammad Emdadul Haque delivered the welcome speech and presented the project's keynote.  "Within 50 years of independence, Bangladesh has quadrupled its rice production and significantly increased vegetable and fruit yields. This success is due to improved agricultural education, research, and extension services, with credit to the government and, notably, the hardworking farmers,’ said Md. Tajul Islam Patwari. Dia Sanou, Deputy Country Representative, FAO Bangladesh, and Rudaba Khondker, Country Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), were also present at the event. IFAD’s programme in Bangladesh is one of its largest. Currently, IFAD has invested USD 519 million in Bangladesh, distributed across six ongoing projects implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Local Government Engineering Department, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, and the Bangladesh Water Development Board. Bangladesh has also shown its strong commitment to IFAD’s mandate, contributing USD 2 million to IFAD’s resources as a member of its Governing Council.

Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Wednesday said failing to meet the 1.5-degree Celsius target will result in severe consequences. G20 nations account for 81 percent of global emissions. The real thing developed countries can do is stop emissions. "Unless we decarbonise, whatever we try to do in terms of adaptation and mitigation measures, that is not going to be enough." Saber was speaking as a panellist in the plenary session titled "Ambition for 1.5 Degree Celsius" at the International Expert Dialogue on Mountain, People, and Climate held at the Chandragiri Hill Resort in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. "If 100 percent of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are implemented, we would still face a 2.6-degree Celsius temperature increase. Now, what we can do is limit future damage," he said. The environment minister urged global leaders to prioritise effective climate policies and to support vulnerable nations in their fight against climate change. Later, Saber met representatives of Nepal, Bhutan, and international organisations on the sidelines of the International Experts Dialogue.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said on Wednesday that the elimination of corruption, strict enforcement of the law, and ensuring speedy justice for the implementation of the law are the three key components of building a livable and safer city.  If these three elements are secured in a society, then the other components to build a livable and safer city will be added automatically, he said while speaking at a programme organised by Urban Development Journalist Forum Bangladesh (UDJFB) at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city on Wednesday. The DSCC mayor further said that the huge flow of people towards Dhaka should be stopped. Otherwise, whatever plan is taken for this city, it will not be fruitful.  The UDJFB organised the programme under the banner of "Discussion Meeting and Best Urban Reporting Award 2024" on the occasion of "Safe Urban Day." Former President of Jatiya Press Club and also Editor of the Daily Jugantor Saiful Alam attended the programme as a special guest. Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, presented a keynote paper at the programme, while UDJFB President Matin Abdullah presided over it.  Prof Kamruzzaman Majumder, Founder and Director, Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Sujaul Islam Khan, Urbanisation and Environment Affairs Secretary, Institute of Architects Bangladesh, among others, attended the programme. In the programme, six reporters were awarded the "Best Urban Reporting Award 2024" in five categories. The reporters are: Rashad Ahmad of New Age; Md Al Fatah Mamun of Dailty Bonik Barta; Amitosh Paul and Latiful Isalm of Daily Samakal; Rajnin Fazana of Sarabangla; and Md Nazmul Sayed of Independent TV.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Wednesday urged the representatives of the Buddhist community to work for the welfare of the country and its people, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. “Show people the way to light. Work for the welfare of the country and people. Don't just worry about being good for yourself or your family, think about being good for everyone," the President said. The president was speaking at a reception ceremony at the credentials Hall of the Bangabhaban commemorating "Holy Buddha Purnima 2024" this afternoon. Mentioning that thousands of years of Buddhist tradition are intertwined with the soil and people of Bangladesh, the President extended friendly greetings and congratulations to all the Buddhists of the world. He asked Buddhist leaders to spread the noble teachings and ideals of Buddha to everyone to build a happy, prosperous and peaceful Bangladesh as dreamed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He said human rights are being violated in many parts of the world now and vices like greed, jealousy, and revenge are increasing the exploitation and deprivation of society. Country-by-country wars have thrown the world economy out of balance. "It is also having a negative impact on the socio-economic sector of various countries of the world including Bangladesh," said Shahabuddin. In this difficult time, the president also urged everyone to stand by each other. Both the president and his wife Rebeka Sultana celebrated the Buddha Purnima, the largest religious festival of the Buddhist community at Bangabhaban and exchanged greetings with Buddhist leaders. Buddhist religious leaders also presented flower bouquets to the president at Bangabhaban. Buddhists all over the country including Dhaka celebrate this day with due religious solemnity as it marks the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. More than eight hundred guests attended the reception at Bangabhaban. Minister of Religion Faridul Haque Khan, state minister  for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Kujendra Lal Tripura, leaders of the Buddhist community and concerned secretaries of Bangabhaban were also present present on the occasion.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday urged all to play a role in protecting the environment by using green energy like solar, wind and hydro-power, which don’t emit carbon. He made the call while inaugurating the 24th National Renewable Energy Conference at Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University (DU) in the city. The DU’s Institute of Energy and GreenTech Foundation Bangladesh jointly organised the two-day conference. Anwarul Azim's murder shocking, mastermind arrested: Hasan Mahmud Dr Mahmud, also an environmentalist, said though Bangladesh is not a high carbon emitting country, but it is one of the worst victims of climate change caused by high carbon emission of the industrialised countries. The minister said there is no obligation for Bangladesh to reduce carbon emissions. “But our country is moving towards achieving the target of 40 percent green energy consumption of the total energy by 2041 in line with the plan of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, one of the pioneers of environment conservation in the world in fighting climate change,” he said. Dr Mahmud, a part-time teacher at the Oceanography Department of Dhaka University, said there is no alternative to keeping the environment green and alive to protect this planet. That’s why it requires a conscious role from all, he added. MP Anwarul Azim brutally killed in a flat in India: Home Minister DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal presided over the inaugural session of the conference, while Principal Coordinator for SDGs Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office Md Akhter Hossain, Executive Director of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) Md Alamgir Morshed and President of Bangladesh Solar Renewable Energy Association Engineer Md Nurul Akter and Chairperson of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) Munira Sultana also spoke on the occasion. Associate Professor at the Institute of Energy Dr Nasif Shams delivered the welcome speech, while Advisor of GreenTech Foundation Khondkar Morshed Millat and its Executive Director Lutfar Rahman made the keynote speech and the vote of thanks respectively.

Backlog of cases can be reduced with proper legal advice, Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan said on Wednesday. "And lawyers can play an important role in decluttering cases," he said. The Chief Justice was speaking while inaugurating a restroom called 'Naya Kunj' for people who come to seek legal assistance at Lalmonirhat Court this morning. Nowadays, people sue over trivial incidents. It is better to settle these issues socially, but it is not happening, he said.