United News of Bangladesh

SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) has opened its new SAC Book Corner at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, marking a fresh step in regional academic collaboration. The inauguration took place on Friday and was led by Prof. D K N G Pushpakumara, Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA) at the University of Peradeniya. He commended the initiative, noting that it would enrich academic engagement and broaden opportunities for students and researchers across South Asia. The ceremony was attended by Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD and SDF), SAARC Secretariat in Nepal, whose presence highlighted the growing commitment of the SAARC network to foster stronger regional ties in agriculture and development. Dr. Md Harunur Rashid, Director, SAARC Agriculture Centre, attended the inauguration and highlighted SAC’s continued efforts to deepen regional academic collaboration. He noted that shared knowledge platforms such as this corner play a vital role in supporting evidence-based policymaking across the region. He added that SAC remains committed to fostering stronger links between researchers, universities and national institutions to advance sustainable agricultural development. Dr. W A R T Wickramaarachchi, Director General of Agriculture, Sri Lanka and SAC Governing Board member, joined the ceremony. He noted that such initiatives help strengthen cooperation between national research bodies and leading universities across South Asia. Senior officials from SAC and academics from the University of Peradeniya were also present, including Dr. Md. Younus Ali, Senior Program Specialist (Livestock), SAC. They emphasized the importance of shared scientific resources and accessible knowledge platforms to support researchers and policymakers engaged in advancing sustainable agricultural development. The SAC Book Corner will act as a dedicated hub for SAC publications and research outputs. It aims to support students, faculty members and visiting scholars by providing authoritative resources on agricultural innovation, climate resilience, food security and agricultural development in South Asia.

The Election Commission has asked the government not to transfer any officials or members of the law enforcement agencies engaged in the duties for the 13th national election and the referendum without prior consultation with the commission. The Commission, in a recent demi-official (DO) letter signed by its senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed, asked the Cabinet Division secretary to follow this instruction from the announcement of the polls schedule until 15 days after the voting, in line with the law. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on February 12 next. Two divisional commissioners, 64 deputy commissioners, and three regional election officers have been appointed as returning officers for the election. Upazila Nirbahi Officers and some EC officials will act as assistant returning officers. In the letter, the EC said that to conduct election-related activities smoothly, officials and employees from all ministries, divisions, government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, and in some cases from private offices and educational institutions, will need to be recruited as polling officials. Besides, magistrates and law enforcement members will be deployed to maintain law and order. To ensure the proper execution of the election and referendum duties, the EC stressed that officials assigned to election work must perform their responsibilities impartially and in accordance with the law and regulations, said the letter citing Article 126 of the Constitution and Sections 5 and 44(nga) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO). So, the EC requested the government to instruct all ministries, divisions, and government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations not to transfer or grant leave to any officer or employee involved in election duties—or assign them to any other task that may hamper their election responsibilities—without prior consultation with the commission after the schedule’s announcement.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said that no force on earth can obstruct or prevent the upcoming national election, reiterating that the government wants to make it participatory, festive and competitive. Speaking to journalists after visiting Sureshwar Darbar Sharif in Naria upazila of Shariatpur, he said the ‘fallen autocratic quarters’ may try but they will not succeed in derailing the electoral process. He said the people of Bangladesh have not had a proper election during the past 15 and a half years under the ‘ousted Hasina government.’ Citizens are now eagerly waiting for a good election. “The main objective of the government and the Election Commission is to offer the nation a free, fair, peaceful and credible election. With the announcement of the election schedule, the country is moving firmly in that direction,” he said. Posters and campaign materials everywhere clearly show public readiness for a festival-like election, he said. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Imrul Hasan, Naria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdul Kaiyum, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Lucky Das, and spiritual leaders of Sureshwar Darbar Sharif — Pir Shah Nure Parvez Al-Noori and Syed Touhidul Hssain Shahin Noori Al-Sureshwari — accompanied him during the visit.

Two-year-old Sajid, who died after falling into an abandoned deep tubewell in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi, was buried at a family graveyard on Friday morning. Maulana Mizanur Rahman led the janaza held at Koelhat village, after which the child was laid to rest.   From early morning, villagers in large numbers gathered at the funeral ground No-1 in the community and broke into tears at the sudden death of the child. On Wednesday afternoon, Sajid slipped and fell into a hole covered with straw while walking with his mother in front of their house. The hole turned out to be the mouth of an abandoned deep tubewell. After a rescue operation that lasted 32 hours, he was pulled out on Thursday night. Physicians at Tanore Upazila Health Complex declared him dead upon arrival. Speaking at the janaza, Sajid’s father, Rakibul Islam, urged everyone to pray for his son. He told reporters that his son died due to ‘others’ negligence’ and demanded justice from the authorities. Locals said a man had attempted to install a deep tubewell at the site last year but abandoned the work after digging up to 120 feet without finding water. The open pit was left exposed and later widened by rain, leading to the tragic accident due to the lack of any warning or cover, they alleged.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday expressed deep concern over the serious bullet injuries sustained by Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Manch and potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, after an attack by miscreants in the capital’s Bijoy Nagar area. He said such violence in an election environment is completely unacceptable and described the incident as a sad and worrying development for the country’s peaceful political landscape. Prof Yunus strictly instructed law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation, identify all those involved in the attack, and bring them to justice. He called for immediate action to collect evidence from the scene, record witness statements, review CCTV footage, and uncover any organised plan behind the attack, if one exists. The Chief Adviser also ordered the authorities concerned to ensure the highest level of medical care for the injured Osman Hadi. He issued directives to the Ministry of Health to closely monitor all medical procedures related to Hadi’s treatment, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. “No form of violence intended to disrupt the elections will be tolerated. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the people and the free movement of candidates. Whoever is guilty will be brought to justice,” Prof Yunus said. He called on all political parties, activists, and citizens to maintain peace and restraint so that the upcoming elections can be held in a peaceful, participatory, and safe environment.    

Independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Manch, was critically injured in a shooting on Purana Paltan Culvert Road on Friday afternoon while travelling by rickshaw after Jumma prayers. Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants around 2:30 pm while campaigning in the Bijoynagar area. “Two motorcycles approached while he was travelling, and one of the riders opened fire before fleeing the scene,” he said, adding that Hadi was immediately taken to DMCH in critical condition. Doctors at the emergency department provided initial treatment and administered CPR, describing his condition as “very alarming,” said Dr Mostaq Ahmed, residential surgeon at the emergency unit. “Hadi has a bullet lodged in his head, and another bullet struck near his ear,” he added. Before being shifted to the operation theatre, a CT scan was conducted. Hospital sources reported that surgeons began operating on him around 4:30 pm to remove a bullet from his jaw area and treat other injuries. His blood pressure later showed slight improvement, they said. Earlier, Hadi’s verified Facebook page posted an appeal for B-negative blood after doctors recommended an urgent transfusion. Misbah, who brought him to the hospital, said Hadi had just finished Jumma prayers and was passing through the Motijheel-Bijoynagar culvert road area by rickshaw when the attackers fired at him, striking him below the left ear. Meanwhile, crowds gathered at the DMCH emergency area following news of the shooting, prompting authorities to deploy army personnel to maintain order. Army members were seen standing guard at the emergency entrance as hundreds of people rushed to the spot. Police have yet to identify or arrest the shooter.

Police on Thursday detained a man for tying a young man to a tree and beating him with a hammer on suspicion of theft. The detainee, Qurban Ali, is a motor mechanic from Biswanathpur in Dinajpur’s Sadar upazila. He works at a garage in the Kaliakoir area and had been living in a rented house owned by Alamgir Master. Khandaker Nasir Uddin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kaliakoir Police Station, said the identity of the injured youth could not yet be confirmed. However, Qurban has been taken into custody over the incident. A video of the assault went viral on social media on Thursday morning, sparking widespread outrage.  Police later identified Qurban from the footage and detained him in the evening, the OC added.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Thursday emphasized the need to ensure the continuity and effective functioning of the Supreme Court secretariat, describing it as a crucial step for maintaining judicial efficiency and the smooth operation of the judiciary. Speaking after formally unveiling the Supreme Court secretariat at the Supreme Court Administrative Building-4 this afternoon, the Chief Justice said, “Today, we are standing at a truly historic institutional moment. Everyone you see here has, in one way or another, contributed and partnered with this interim government, and collectively we have achieved this milestone.” “Our journey does not end here. The most important step ahead is to ensure the continuity and effective functioning of this secretariat. The coming months and years will show how successfully we can achieve this,” the Chief Justice said. He added that the Supreme Court’s constitutional authority to conduct judicial functions and oversee the justice system has now been consolidated within the institution. “While the success of this initiative will be credited to us, we must also acknowledge our responsibility for any shortcomings,” he noted. Calling on all stakeholders, including future elected governments, to uphold the rule of law and strengthen democracy, Syed Refaat Ahmed also addressed the media, saying, “I always say that you are the Fourth State (fourth pillar). I am personally very grateful to you for the cooperation you have given us in the last 16 months. We could not have done this without you, and I hope you will continue to be by our side in the journey ahead.” Chief Justice to deliver farewell address on Dec 14 Highlighting ongoing efforts, the Chief Justice said two committees – the Planning and Development Committee and the Post Creation Committee – have already been formed, and daily activities related to the secretariat are now underway. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Supreme Court Bar Council President Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-Chairman Senior Advocate Zainul Abedin, Ambassadors of various countries to Bangladesh, Senior Secretary of the Supreme Court Secretariat, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Law, officials of the Supreme Court Secretariat and Supreme Court administration were also present at the event.    

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Thursday jointly hosted a farewell reception for outgoing Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain at the Local Government Division’s conference room at the Secretariat. The event was arranged to express appreciation for his leadership, efficiency and contributions to strengthening service delivery, ensuring dynamism and improving project implementation across both ministries. Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Md Mahbub-ul-Alam presided over the programme. Local Government Division Secretary Md Rezaul Maksud Zahedi, senior officials of both ministries, heads of affiliated departments and organisations, and other concerned officials were present. Speaking at the programme, the Local Government Division Secretary said the gathering was “not a farewell, but an expression of gratitude.” He mentioned that the guidance and supervision of Adviser Asif Mahmud had helped make the local government system more effective and people-friendly, bringing greater transparency and momentum to the ministries’ activities. He added that project implementation, service expansion and overall local-level development advanced significantly under the adviser’s leadership. The Youth and Sports Secretary described Asif Mahmud—also known for his role in the Mass Uprising of ’24—as “an exemplary personality,” noting his charismatic leadership and strong memory. He expressed hope that the adviser would serve in an even more prominent role in the future, and wished him success, good health and prosperity. In his remarks, Adviser Asif Mahmud thanked officials and employees of both ministries for their dedication, sincerity and cooperation, saying it had enabled him to carry out his responsibilities effectively. “The efforts we have made together to enhance institutional capacity and contribute to the country’s overall development will continue—that is my expectation,” he said. He told officials that your one decision can determine the fate of countless people. He also urged them to continue working with honesty and commitment. He also wished everyone good health and well-being.

The government has reassigned the responsibilities of three ministries following the resignations of Advisers Md Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Thursday evening detailing the changes. Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has been given charge of the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry, in addition to his existing portfolio. Asif Nazrul has been appointed Adviser of the Youth and Sports Ministry, previously managed by Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain. Meanwhile, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwan Hasan will now oversee the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, earlier handled by Nahid Islam and Md Mahfuj Alam. The resignations of Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain were submitted to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday at the State Guest House Jamuna.