United News of Bangladesh

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Sunday said the idea of holding the oath-taking ceremony of the new cabinet members at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad was initially expressed by BNP. “My understanding is that this parliament is somewhat different. We attained this parliament through the sacrifices of students and the masses in July, through a mass uprising marked by immense sacrifice, hardship, pain and loss of lives. That is why this parliament is a little different from all others,” he told reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Besides, many historic events, including the July Declaration and the July Charter, have taken place in the parliament complex, said the adviser. “The South Plaza of this parliament is particularly memorable to us for various reasons. The funeral prayer of our late leader Begum Khaleda Zia was held at a nearby place as was the funeral of our beloved martyr Osman Hadi,” he added. Asif Nazrul said South Plaza had also emerged as a venue for documenting various aspects of the July mass uprising. “Considering all these factors, they perhaps expressed this intention, and we arranged it accordingly.” The adviser said a farewell meeting was held earlier in the day but no major decisions were taken. “We reflected on our work, shared experiences, and informed everyone about the oath programme. It was more like a final meeting together.” “The cabinet oath-taking ceremony will be held at the South Plaza at 4pm. As far as I know, the President is scheduled to administer the oath,” Nazrul said. Asked about invitees, he said those customarily invited under convention would be invited and the Cabinet Division is handling the matter. On whether the Indian Prime Minister would attend, he said he had no such information. “What I have heard so far is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the foreign ministers of SAARC countries. I have no information about any Prime Minister attending,” he said. When asked about speculations that he might be included in the next cabinet the Law Adviser said, “There is no question at all.”  

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday fixed March 4 for delivering the judgment in a case filed over the shooting of Amir Hossain who was hanging from a rooftop ledge in Rampura during the July-August movement in 2024. The three-member bench of ICT-1 led by its chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar passed the order. The accused are former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Additional Deputy Commissioner (Khilgaon zone), Rashedul Islam, former officer-in-charge of Rampura Police Station Mashour Rahman, former assistant sub-inspector Chanchal Chandra Sarkar and former sub-inspector Tariqul Islam Bhuiya. The only accused arrested in the case, former ASI of Rampura Police Outpost Chanchal Chandra Sarker, was produced before the court today. On August 10, 2025, ICT issued arrest warrants against four people, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman in the case. On 19 July 2024, Amir Hossain was returning home after offering Friday prayers when he was caught in crossfire near his residence in Rampura. According to Amir, police began firing in the area as clashes with protesters escalated. In an attempt to escape, he ran into a nearby under-construction building and took shelter on the fourth floor. Amir alleged that police officers chased protesters into the building and reached the floor where he was hiding. There, they pointed firearms at him and repeatedly ordered him to jump off the building. To intimidate him, one officer reportedly fired several rounds. Out of fear, Amir clung to a steel rod protruding from the side of the structure. At one point, a police officer positioned on the third floor allegedly fired six rounds at Amir, striking him in both legs. After the police left the scene, Amir managed to jump down to the third floor, despite his injuries. He lay there bleeding for approximately three hours before a student and two doctors found him and rushed him to a local hospital. He was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Amir survived the incident, though he sustained serious injuries. Meanwhile, two other people were reportedly shot dead near the same location in Rampura on the same day.  

National Emergency Service 999 received a total of 8,380 phone calls related to the national election as it implemented a special operational plan to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. Under the special plan, 999 provided election-related emergency services through round-the-clock coordination with the Law and Order Coordination Cell formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs,  said Mahiul Islam, Additional DIG of the Bangladesh Police and Chief of the National Emergency Service 999. The special operation remained active 24 hours a day from January 22, 2026 to February 14, 2026. Of the total calls, 3,713 were related to election complaints  including alleged violations of the electoral code of conduct, clashes between rival groups, campaigning during the prohibited period, irregularities at polling centres and other law and order issues. All complaints were given the highest priority and immediately communicated to the concerned police stations, district and metropolitan police units, as well as Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers. Legal action was taken in line with existing rules. The remaining 4,667 calls were inquiries seeking information on various election-related matters.  

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance on Sunday demanded that the Election Commission (EC) recount votes in 32 constituencies, alleging manipulation during the counting and result publication of the national election. "Particularly 32 constituencies have been identified. We have been defeated here by a small margin of votes. This is the statement of our candidates....we have submitted the list of such constituencies to the commission and asked them to recount the votes there," said Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad. He said this while briefing reporters after a meeting between the delegation and the EC in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban. Four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present in the meeting. Manikganj Election: 13 candidates lose deposits as BNP sweeps 3 seats Azad said there are allegations that the agents of their candidates were forcibly removed from many polling stations during the counting of votes and even those who were present in the counting room faced threats and intimidation when they tried to complain about any irregularities. “The congenial environment required for a fair vote counting has been severely disrupted. So, if there is an error in the vote counting process, it will directly affect the election results—this is natural. At the same time, various types of irregularities -- rubbing, cutting, overwriting and no signatures of our candidate’s original agent in the result sheets in many places,” he said. Responding to a question, the Jamaat leader said despite the gazette publication of newly elected MPs, legal avenues remain open for them. “There are three legal stages—Election Commission, election tribunal and the High Court. We will follow the legal process,” he said. Azad also questioned the timing of gazette publication, saying it was issued at 11:00 pm on February 13, just a day after the election. “Candidates from remote areas had no opportunity to submit complaints. We urged the Commission to investigate the allegations. Though legal doors are open, our rights have been undermined,” he said. Threatening to wage tougher programmes, he said if violence does not stop, the alliance would arrange a protest rally from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram at 3:30 pm on February 16. The Jamaat leader expressed concern over post-election violence, citing incidents similar to the Hatiya (Noakhali) violence. “There are questions whether incidents like those in 2018 are recurring. In my own constituency, three women were injured. We have submitted reports from 54 districts,” he said. He said the alliance decided to take to the streets if violence does not stop, while playing a constructive opposition role in parliament. Noting that their alliance MPs would take oath, Azad said the alliance has taken a positive decision regarding oath-taking. “We will take the oath, go to parliament and play a constructive role. At the same time, the streets will remain open for us,” he said.    

Bangladesh’s premier literary event, Ekushey Book Fair, is set to open later this month amid mounting opposition from a large section of mainstream publishers who warn that holding the fair during Ramadan could inflict heavy financial losses on the industry. Bangla Academy has confirmed that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will begin on February 20, even as more than 300 publishers have threatened to boycott the event if the schedule is not reconsidered. Dr Md Selim Reza, member secretary of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 Organising Committee, told UNB that preparations are already well underway. “The lottery for allocation of stalls and pavilions was completed on Tuesday night. Allocation has already been finalised. Now publishers can start organising their allotted spaces,” he said. To facilitate confirmation of stall and pavilion allotments, Bangla Academy earlier extended the payment deadline from February 9 to February 11. According to organisers, a total of 662 stalls have been allotted this year, 133 more than in 2025. Of these, 24 new publishing houses have been allocated stalls. The number of pavilions stands at 23, including 11 for established publishing houses and 12 for new ones. Boycott Threat However, the decision to hold the 23-day fair from February 20 — during the fasting month of Ramadan — has triggered strong objections from publishers. In a press release signed by Mazharul Islam of Anyaprokash, a group of publishers said at least 321 publishing houses had demanded that the fair be held after Ramadan and would stay away if the schedule remained unchanged. Several publishers said they had raised concerns well in advance but received no positive response from the authorities. They argue that Ramadan typically brings shorter working hours and reduced consumer spending during daytime, which could significantly affect book sales. Many fear that participating under such conditions would result in substantial losses. Appeal to Tarique Rahman In a further escalation, the publishers’ platform Prokashok Oikk (Publishers’ Unity) has sent an open letter to Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh, seeking intervention. In the letter, the platform said nearly 90% of publishers believe that taking part in the fair during Ramadan would amount to ‘commercial suicide’. It claimed that more than 300 mainstream publishers have already expressed their inability to participate. The publishers said the industry has been under severe strain for the past one and a half years due to political and economic instability. Rising paper prices and increased production costs have intensified financial pressure, they said. They also noted that printing presses had remained largely preoccupied with election-related work over the past two months, effectively halting the publication of new titles. Against this backdrop, the publishers questioned why Bangla Academy remains firm on holding the fair despite repeated appeals for reconsideration. Call for Postponement The publishers stressed that they are not opposed to the book fair itself. Instead, they said they want a ‘successful and inclusive’ event that upholds the spirit and tradition of Amar Ekushey. Considering Ramadan and the post-election situation, they proposed holding the fair after Eid. In their letter, they placed two key demands before the new government led by Tarique Rahman: first, postponement of the fair scheduled to begin on 20 February; and second, organising the event in a festive and full-fledged manner after Eid. They expressed hope that a positive decision would protect the publishing industry from major losses and help preserve the legacy of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair — a cultural fixture that commemorates the Language Movement and remains one of the country’s most anticipated literary gatherings. For now, however, the fair appears set to go ahead as planned, setting the stage for a confrontation between organisers determined to maintain tradition and publishers wary of the economic realities they face.

Six fishermen were allegedly kidnapped by forest robbers from Shelar Char in the eastern side of Sundarbans early Saturday. The abducted fishermen were identified as Khairul, 35, Faruk, 28, Samsul Islam, 25, Safrul, 32, Maruf, 28, and Milon, 30. All of them hailed from Koyra, Rampal and Morelganj upazilas of Bagerhat and Khulna districts. Milton Roy, officer-in-charge of the Dubla Forest Patrol Outpost under the East Sundarbans, said members of the notorious robber gang ‘Karim Sharif Bahini’ stormed the area around 12:30am and kidnapped the six fishermen at gunpoint. Besides, a fishing trawler was taken away by the robbers from the Loitrakhali area of Dubla on Thursday night, he added. Panic has gripped the fishermen staying at Shelar Char, a fishing village near the patrol outpost, following the incident. Md Shariful Islam, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and Range Officer of the Sharankhola Range, said instructions have been given to intensify patrols by forest guards at the Shelar Char Forest Patrol Outpost to ensure the safety of the fishermen.  

A local leader of the Bangladesh Awami League died at Rangpur Medical College and Hospital on Sunday while in jail custody. The deceased, Shamikul Islam Lipon, was president of the Gaibandha district unit of the Awami League. Lipon, who had been in custody for an extended period in connection with a case filed with Sadar Police Station, fell ill early Sunday, according to prison officials. He was first taken to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Anwar Hossain, Jail Super of Gaibandha District Jail, said Lipon had previously received medical treatment while in custody. Police arrested him from the Moghbazar area of Dhaka on December 8, 2024. He had remained in jail since then. Lipon began his political career in 1996 as president of Palashbari Upazila Jubo League. He later served as organising secretary of Palashbari Upazila Awami League, became its general secretary in 2016, and had been serving as president since 2018.  

Leaders of a platform representing hotel and restaurant workers have called for nationwide protest rallies on February 15 to press for implementation of the government-declared minimum wage and enforcement of labour laws in the sector. The demonstrations will be held across the country on Sunday, with the central programme scheduled for 4:30pm in front of the National Press Club. The protests have been announced to demand enforcement of the gazetted minimum wage for hotel and restaurant workers, issuance of appointment letters and identity cards, implementation of an eight-hour workday, execution of all signed agreements and effective application of labour laws. In a press statement, organisers said workers in the sector have long been compelled to work without appointment letters or identity cards. Although the law stipulates an eight-hour workday, employees are often made to work 12 to 14 hours in practice. They also alleged that many employers are openly violating the law by failing to implement the government-declared minimum wage. The statement further claimed that workers are being deprived of due wages, leave and overtime payments. It also expressed concern over alleged irregularities ahead of Ramadan, including layoffs, delayed payments and failure to provide festival bonuses equivalent to one month’s wage. Leaders of the platform, including convener Akteruzzaman Khan and joint conveners Anwar Hossain and Tofazzal Hossain, urged hotel and restaurant workers across the country to join the rallies in large numbers in their respective areas to make the programme a success.  

The government on Saturday assigned Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah the additional responsibility of Cabinet Secretary. The Public Administration Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Saturday night. The order will come into effect immediately, the notification said. In another notification, the government cancelled the remaining tenure of the contract of Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, who was previously in charge of the post.

A supporter of an independent candidate died on Saturday after being injured in a post-election clash with BNP supporters in Kachua upazila of Bagerhat. The victim was identified as Osman Sardar, 29, son of Shahjahan Sardar of Par Nawapara village in Bagerhat Sadar upazila. He died around 11:30 am while undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital. Earlier on Friday evening, supporters of BNP and an independent rebel candidate locked into a violent clash in Chitabari village under Dhopakhali Union following the election result, leaving Osman Sardar and nine others from both sides injured. The victim’s elder brother, Enamul Kabir Sardar, alleged that BNP supporters hit Osman on the head with a sharp weapon. He was first taken to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital and later shifted to Khulna as his condition worsened. Masum Khan, Officer-in-Charge of Bagerhat Model Police Station, said police have been sent to the area. He added that an investigation is underway to identify those involved and find the cause of the clash. In the parliamentary election for the Bagerhat-2 seat, the BNP candidate was Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain. The BNP rebel candidate was former MP and ex-district BNP president MAH Selim. Both were defeated by Jamaat-backed candidate Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad, who won the seat by a large margin.