United News of Bangladesh

In a shocking incident that has gripped the outskirts of Dhaka city, police arrested two individuals late Sunday night in Keraniganj, linked to the brutal murder of a housewife named Rozina in the Kamrangirchar area. The suspects, identified as Mala Saha (25) and her husband, Sanjit Saha alias Akash (31), were caught in a dramatic operation that also led to the recovery of a critical piece of evidence: a shard from the mirror used in the gruesome act.  Rozina, tragically caught in a love triangle, was the second wife of Sanjit Saha. 10-year old boy killed after abduction in Keraniganj; prime accused arrested Deputy Commissioner Mahbub Uz Zaman of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Lalbagh Division revealed the details during a press briefing at the DMP's media center on Monday. The incident came to light last Friday night when Rozina's lifeless body was discovered in a flat on the first floor of Haji Md. Badruddin's building, adjacent to the Baragram Wapda Mosque, by a team from the Kamrangirchar police station. The subsequent investigation was propelled by a murder case lodged by Rozina's father, Rahim.  The narrative that unfolded was one of betrayal and jealousy. Rozina, who had recently given birth to a daughter named Souravi, discovered that her husband, Akash — who had converted from Hinduism to Islam a year and a half prior — was previously married. This revelation led to frequent and heated disputes between the couple. 5-yr-old boy burned to death in Savar  Mala Saha, the first wife, upon learning of her husband's secret second marriage, confronted Rozina last Friday. In a fit of rage fueled by jealousy and anger towards her husband for his neglect and betrayal, Mala attacked Rozina, inflicting a fatal wound with a shard of glass before fleeing the scene. During her escape, she discarded the murder weapon in the Buriganga River. The case took a turn when Mala, during preliminary interrogation, confessed to the murder, citing her husband's indifference and her own financial struggles as the motive behind her actions. 

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in a drive have arrested the prime accused in a case over the killing of a 10-year-old Madrasha student after abduction in South Keraniganj. Makbul Hossain, 37, a mason by profession, was arrested from Dhaka’s Shyampur area. Director (Legal and Media wing) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) headquarters Commander Khandaker Al Moin disclosed the matter on Monday at a press briefing. College student killed in Magura road crash When briefing, Moin said the elite force conducted a drive in Dhaka’s Shyampur area and arrested Makbul on Sunday. Makbul went to the house of Tawhid Islam, 10, son of a Bangladeshi expatriate, in South Keraniganj as a mason, he said. He also inquired about Tawhid’s movement during his stay at the house and make a plot to kidnap the boy six months ago, said the Rab director. On February 10, Makbul kidnapped Tawhid and kept him hostage after tying up his hands, legs and mouth. At one stage, when Tawhid started crying, Makbul got angered and strangled the boy to death with a scarf on that day. Bus driver killed in road crash during his break on Dhaka-Chattogram highway Later, he kept the body in a septic tank near Tawhid’s house and left the place. Makbul had demanded ransom of Tk 3 lakh over phone. Following Makbul’s demand, Tawhid’s mother and relatives went to a flyover in Rajendrapur and left a bag of money but Tawhid was not freed. Getting no whereabouts of Tawhid, Tawhid’s mother filed a case and informed the matter to Rab. Rab also recovered Tk 2.90 lakh from Makbul’s possession.

Voting in the election to Naogaon-2 constituency (Patnitala and Dhamoirhat upazilas), which was postponed following the death of independent candidate Aminul Haque, began amid strict security measures on Monday (February 12, 2024) morning. The balloting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. The Election Commission suspended the election due to the death of the independent candidate on December 29, eight-day ahead the 12th national election held on January 7 this year. Visiting several polling stations, the UNB correspondent found a huge presence of voters. Read more: BNP's program is nothing but restarting an old car: Foreign Minister Abdullah Al Mamun, presiding officer of Puiya Government Primary School centre, said that they have taken all preparations to hold the polls in a fair and peaceful environment. With the cooperation of the members of the law enforcement agencies, they will be able to hold the polls in a fair and peaceful environment, he hoped. Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Golam Mowla said all security measures have been taken so that election can be held in free, fair and neutral manner. There are 16 police and Ansar members in important centers each and 15 members in other centers each, he said, adding that on an average there is one police mobile team for every four centers along with a striking team and reserve team. Read more: 15 BNP men died in police custody 'for lack of care or torture': Rizvi Executive Magistrates and Judicial Magistrates are performing duty along with patrolling by members of the Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh, he said. A total of four candidates including one from the ruling Awami League and one from Jatiya Party are contesting the polls.

 The Domestic Workers Rights Network has called for a thorough investigation and legal intervention into "the murder of an indigenous teenage domestic worker" at the residence of The Daily Star's Executive Editor, Syed Ashfaqul Haque. In a press release, the organization expressed  concern over the death of 15-year-old Preeti Urang and urged the government and administration to unveil the true circumstances of the incident. They emphasize the need for appropriate action to prosecute those responsible to prevent such occurrences in future. Read more: DSCC Mayor serves legal notice on The Daily Star seeking Tk 100 crore over satire article "In recent years, there has been a concerning rise in torture, killings, and violations of human rights against domestic workers. These workers are entitled to just treatment and respect as human beings. The absence of enforcement for the 'Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy, 2015' and their exclusion from labor laws contribute to a pattern of abuse, with perpetrators emboldened by a lack of consequences. Imposing exemplary punishment for such incidents could deter future acts of violence against domestic workers," it said. Earlier on Feb 6, police recovered the body of a teenage domestic help from in front of a multi-storey building at Shahjahan Road in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur.A case was filed following a complaint lodged by Preeti’s father Lokesh Urang the next day. Ashfaqul Haque and his wife Tania Khondoker were denied bail and sent to jail, where investigators interrogated them on February 8-9 at the jailgate.   Read more: 15-year-old domestic help's body recovered from in front of building where she worked; 2 in custody

Tea workers on Sunday demanded a fair investigation and justice in the death of Priti Urang, a tea worker’s daughter of Mirtinga tea garden in Kamalganj district, who fell to her death from the Mohammadpur flat of the executive editor of the Daily Star. Puran Urang presided over the protest rally arraged jointly by the Urang Language and Culture Protection Committee and the Tea Workers' 10-point Settlement Struggle Committee. Jaharlal Dutta, district secretary of Bangladesh Communist Party, Basad district member and Central General Secretary of Tea Workers Federation Dipankar Ghosh, SM Shubo, Sitaram Bin, Biswajit Nandi, Preeti Urang's father Lokesh Urang and her mother Nomita Urang, spoke.  Priti's parents told the gathering that Priti went to work at the Daily Star executive editor Ashfaqul Haque's house through Moulvibazar district representative of the newspaper, Mintu Deshwara.  From the beginning, they lost touch with her. In two years, they could not meet her even once. “On the day of Priti's death, Mintu Deshwara asked us to come to Srimangal," said Lokesh, the father. "When Srimangal came, he said Priti was seriously ill and was taken to Dhaka. After going there, we were directly taken to the police station and heard the news of the girl's death. I came home with the dead body of the girl from the police station.” "We don't even know whether our case has been registered at the police station. We just want justice for our daughter's murder," he said. Speakers said that instead of sending the child Priti to school, tea garden journalist Mintu Deshwara, who works for the Daily Star, sent her to work at the residence of Syed Ashfaqul Haque, executive editor of the same newspaper.  At the end of the protest rally, the memorandum was given to the Kamalganj upazila executive functionaries.    

Chattogram South Zone, North Zone and Agrabad Corporate Branch of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC organized employee conference at Navy Convention Center Chattogram on Saturday. Mohammed Monirul Moula, Managing Director and CEO of the Bank addressed the conference as chief guest while Md Akiz Uddin and Miftah Uddin, Deputy Managing Directors and Md. Maksudur Rahman, Senior Executive Vice President addressed the conference as special guest, said a press release issued on Sunday. Explore new markets for Bangladesh's export items: PM Hasina tells BGMEA Meah Md. Barkat Ullah, Head of Chattogram South Zone presided over the function while Mohammad Nurul Hossain, Head of Chattogram North Zone addressed the welcome speech. Abdul Naser, Head of Agrabad Corporate Branch thanked the audience. Conflicts of interest abound in formation of JS standing committees Executives from Head Office, Branch Incumbents, Sub-Branch Incharges and employees from all branches under two zones and Agrabad Corporate Branch of the Bank attended the conference.

A five-year-old boy was burned to death in a fire which broke out at a house at Ashulia in Savar, on the outskirts of the capital on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Sakib, son of Nizamuddin of Pandhoa area in Savar. Palli Bidyut Samity officials injured as angry customers attack them in Savar Station Manager of Jirabo fire station Sayem said,a fire broke out at a house at noon and spread to the three other tin-shed rooms in the area. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze around 1 pm. 111 BNP leaders, activists sued in Savar Nur Alam Mia, sub-inspector of Ashulia Police Station, said the firefighters recovered the charred body of the child who was kept locked at his house as his parents went out for work leaving their child alone. Primarily it is suspected that the fire might have originated from an electric short circuit, he said. 2 dead as pick up van hits tree in Savar

Muslims in Bangladesh will observe the holy Shab-e-Barat on the night of February 25 as the Shaban moon has been sighted. As the moon was sighted on Sunday, the month of Shaban will begin from February 12. AL business syndicates out to make money hiking commodity prices: BNP The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office in the evening. Additional Secretary of Ministry of Religious Affairs Md Awal Hawladar presided over the meeting. The announcement was made after analysing data collected from the district admistrations, Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and Space Research and Remote Sensing Institute. Explore new markets for Bangladesh's export items: PM Hasina tells BGMEA Shab-e-Barat is observed on the 15th night of the Arabic month of Shaban. Muslims offer special prayers, recite the Holy Quran, and take part in other religious rituals.

Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed returned home on Sunday after a 3-day official visit to Qatar. During the 3-day official visit, the Army Chief enjoyed the semi-final and final games of the '18th AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™' held in Qatar and observed various events of the 'World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024'. Shab-e-Barat on February 25 Besides, the army chief also participated in bilateral meetings with representatives from different countries and discussed various issues of mutual cooperation, says an Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate media release. Anita Ghazi Rahman joins Brac Bank as independent director The Chief of Army Staff went to Qatar on February 7 at the invitation of Qatar Olympic Committee and President of Local Organizing Committee Joan Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Brac Bank PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Anita Ghazi Rahman as an Independent Director to its Board of Directors, effective January 30, 2024. Ms. Rahman brings to the board a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that promises to steer Brac Bank towards new heights in its journey of growth and excellence.  According to Brac Bank, Anita Ghazi Rahman is a distinguished young law professional with over 19 years of post-qualification experience in the legal domain. She is a qualified barrister and advocate of both the High Court Division and the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, specializing in company law, general corporate law, and dispute resolution. ECP announces the complete results of Pakistan's General Election 2024 Throughout her career, Ms. Rahman has actively contributed to the legal and corporate sectors by serving on the boards of several non-profits and professional associations. She is a prominent figure in the Bangladeshi startup ecosystem, offering her expertise as a mentor in various national and international incubator and accelerator programs and serving on the Investment Committee in Startup Bangladesh under the ICT Ministry of the Bangladesh Government. Previously, Ms. Rahman has lent her expertise as an Independent Director at the Chittagong Stock Exchange and holds a board position at bKash Limited, Bangladesh's leading mobile financial service company. New curriculum to contribute to job creation as per domestic, global demand: Edu Minister She is the Founder & Managing Partner of The Legal Circle, a law firm, and the Founder Editor of Think Legal Bangladesh, an innovative web-based legal resource platform. Ms. Rahman's academic credentials are equally impressive, with an LLB (Hons.) degree from the University College London, UK, and her being called to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln’s Inn, London. Known for her commitment to pro bono work, Ms. Rahman dedicates a significant portion of her time to initiatives to create a positive impact in Bangladesh. Her passion for social work is evident from her engagements with the Sajida Foundation and Jaago Foundation. On welcoming Anita Ghazi Rahman to the Board, Meheriar M. Hasan, Chairperson of Brac Bank, said, “As Brac Bank navigates through a critical phase in its growth trajectory, it is imperative to have innovative and dynamic leadership”.