United News of Bangladesh

Four members of a family suffered burn injuries in a fire apparently from gas leak in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj district on Saturday (December 06, 2025). The injured were identified as jarina Begu, 65, Alauddin, 35, Sathia Akter, 14 and Saima, 4. Read more: 6 of a family suffer burn injuries in Dhaka blast from ‘gas leak’ Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, resident Surgeon at the hospital, said the fire broke out at the house of Jarina early Saturday morning presumedly from accumulated gas due to gas line leakage at Kanchpur Patatata village, leaving four members of the family injured. Among the injured, Jarina received 20 percent burn injuries, Sathia Akter with 12 percent, Alauddin with 40 percent and Saima with 30 percent injuries. They were taken to National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Read more: Three burnt in blast from ‘gas leakage’  in Feni

At least 35 shops were burnt as fire broke out at a market in Narayanganj district town early Saturday. The fire erupted from one of the shops at Sameer Kor Market in Natun Paltapara of the district around 5am. On information, five firefighting units from several stations rushed to the spot and managed to bring the flame under control after one hour of efforts, Abdullah Al Arifin, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service, said. No casualties were reported. The semi-pucca market suffered severe damage but the cause of the fire could not be known yet , the fire service official added.

A prisoner who was arrested during a joint forces’ operation in Keshabpur upazila of Jashore district on Thursday died at Jashore Central Jail hospital on Friday.The deceased was identified as Ujjal Biswas, 39, son of Najir Biswas of Altapole in Keshabpur upazila.Abid Ahmed, Jailer of Jashore Central Jail, said when Ujjal was sent to Jashore Central Jail around 9 pm on Friday he fell unwell as he had been subjected to mob assault.Later, he was shifted to Jail hospital and around 10:30 pm Ujjal’s condition deteriorated further. He was pronounced dead while undergoing treatment at Jashore General Hospital around 10:45 pm.The body bore several injury marks, he said.During a joint forces operation, law enforcers arrested four people including Ujjal along with arms, sharp weapons and drugs on Thursday night from Keshabpur upazila, said police.Three separate cases were filed in this connection.He was sent to court on Friday.

Highlighting the role of law enforcers in holding a fair election, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said on Saturday (December 06, 2025) the upcoming parliamentary polls will be a major test for law enforcement agencies. “Although there were initial challenges, the police have now organised themselves effectively. Ahead of the election, law enforcement must remain vigilant. Those defeated in the polls may attempt to create disorder. Our aim is to ensure a smooth election and hand over responsibilities to the newly elected government,” he said. The adviser was speaking at a meeting with Rangpur district officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. On agricultural exports, the adviser said potato exports are under consideration but challenging due to limited global demand. Read more: Conspiratorial forces plot 1/11-like situation to disrupt election: Rashed Khan Turning to manpower export, Touhid Hossain stressed the importance of sending skilled workers abroad as wages remain low if they are not skilled manpower. People must be trained to work abroad efficiently and numerous nursing positions are vacant overseas and sending trained nurses can ensure better income and benefit the country, he said. Regarding livestock, Hossain highlighted the potential of local cattle in Rangpur, noting that their meat is highly sought after, including in Dhaka, and urged livestock initiatives to capitalise on this market. Chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md Enamul Ahsan, Superintendent of Police Md Marufat Hossain, Civil Surgeon Dr Shaheen Sultana, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Tofayel Ahmed, and District Livestock Officer Dr Abu Zaid, were, among others, present at the event. The adviser is now in Rangpur on his four-day visit. Read more: BNP places 3 fresh proposals before EC, raises no objection to election schedule

Feni is observing its Liberation Day on Saturday as freedom fighters defeated the Pakistani occupation force and their local collaborators on this day in 1971. The valiant sons of the district hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh on that day following nine months of a bloody struggle. The people of Feni celebrated the victory as the brutalities of the Pakistani army and their collaborators, including the Razakar, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams forces ended on that day with the fleeing of the Pakistani force and their collaborators . The historic day symbolises the triumph of a people’s fight for sovereignty, won at the cost of countless lives. Every year, the day is commemorated with various programmes in the district. This year, events began at 10am at the Liberation War Memorial on College Road, where wreaths were laid. A rally followed, culminating in a discussion at the Deputy Commissioner’s auditorium. On December 6 in 1971, armed freedom fighters, led by Captain Zafar Imam of Sector 2’s Sub-Sector, entered Feni city through its eastern side. Later, the first flag of independent Bangladesh in Feni was raised at Rajazir Dighi near Dak Banglow. The freedom fighters gathered there, chanting slogans of “Joy Bangla.” Veteran freedom fighter Zainal Abedin VP recalled, “At the start of December, we used guerrilla tactics of ‘hit-and-run’ to advance near Panchgachia. On the night of December 5, the Pakistani army retreated through  Shubhpur and Baraiyarhat towards Chattogram.” Deputy Commissioner of Feni Monira Haque said they commemorate the day with enthusiasm and gratitude, remembering the extraordinary courage of Feni’s heroes.

The nation is observing Fall of Autocracy Day on Saturday marking the fall of autocratic ruler HM Ershad in 1990. On December 6, 1990, military dictator Ershad stepped down in the face of a mass upsurge and handed power over to a caretaker government ending his nine years of autocratic rule which began through grabbing power  in 1982. Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milan and Noor Hossain were among those who lost their lives in the anti-Ershad movement. Different political parties and socio-cultural organisations  have taken various programmes to observe the day. Ershad took control in 1982, when, serving as army chief of staff, he ousted President Abdus Sattar in a bloodless coup. He installed himself as president the following year. After being ousted, Ershad was jailed on corruption charges but won elections from behind bars in 1991 and 1996. He was released from jail in 1997.

Lalmonirhat district is observing Freedom Day on Saturday as the district  was freed from Pakistani occupation on this day in 1971. On this day 54 years ago, Pakistan army troops fled Lalmonirhat amid  a coordinated three-pronged assault by Mukti Bahini fighters. Residents recall that Pakistani forces first entered Lalmonirhat by road on March 3, 1971 and after the occupation, the army, aided by Bihari collaborators as well as members of Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams forces, carried out widespread killings, arson attacks and looting across the district. The numerous mass graves scattered across Lalmonirhat still bear testimony to those atrocities. Freedom fighter Nizam Uddin said Pakistani troops arrived in Lalmonirhat by helicopter, prompting local police and freedom fighters, led by the then Officer-in-Charge Mir Mosharraf Hossain to mount resistance that left several Pakistani soldiers and non-Bengali collaborators dead. In retaliation, the occupation forces launched indiscriminate attacks on Bengalis including killings, arson and violence targeting women and children. He said the joint advance of the Mukti Bahini and allied forces forced the Pakistan Army to retreat. At dawn on December 6, the troops, along with Razakars and Al-Badr members, fled via two special trains from Lalmonirhat railway station towards Rangpur and Syedpur. As they crossed the Teesta River retreating soldiers bombed the Teesta rail bridge, leaving it damaged. Nizam Uddin said news of the district’s liberation sparked celebrations across Lalmonirhat. “Thousands of people rushed toward the town, bringing out victory processions. The Mission Mor area turned into a sea of people. The following day, December 7, the city witnessed colourful victory celebrations.” One of the most brutal massacres in the final phase of the war took place on December 5 in the Lalmonirhat railway office and residential area, he said. With support from Razakar collaborators, occupation forces killed 373 pro-liberation railway officials, employees, intellectuals and civilians. Three mass graves in the area still stand as evidence of the killings. For their bravery in the Liberation War, Lalmonirhat’s son martyr Captain Tamiz Uddin was awarded the title Bir Bikrom and Captain (retd.) Azizul Haque received the title Bir Protik. Mezbah Uddin Ahmed, commander of the Lalmonirhat District Muktijoddha Sangsad, said several mass graves including those in the railway area have been identified but many still remain unmarked. Talking to UNB several freedom fighters said the country has achieved independence at a great cost and it is their hope that future generations will safeguard that freedom and continue to advance Bangladesh.  

A ninth grader was found dead in her house at Shanir Akhra in the capital on Saturday.The deceased was identified as Samia Akter Dia, 15, a student of Dania Bornomala High School and daughter of Anwar Hossain of Palashpur area.Nazmul, brother of Samia, said after evening, she went to the bathroom and locked the door. When she did not respond for a long time, family members broke the door and found her hanging with a scarf wrapped around her neck. She was quickly rescued and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival. Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and Kadamtali Police Station has been informed of the incident.  

A drop in temperature has gripped Chuadanga, disrupting daily life and adding to the hardship of low-income workers. The Chuadanga Weather Observatory Centre recorded the season’s lowest temperature at 9am on Saturday, when the mercury fell to 11.8°C. The observatory forecast that a mild to moderate cold wave may sweep the district in the coming days. Md Zaminur Rahman, acting officer-in-charge of the Chuadanga Weather Observatory Centre, said temperatures are likely to dip further and a cold wave may sweep the district. Despite the biting cold, daily wage earners continue their work, braving fog and chilly winds. Shahin Ali, a carpenter who arrived in Chuadanga town for work, said, “I left for work after 6am. The fog and cold wind are making my body shiver. But I have no choice. If I skip even a day of work, my family can’t survive.” Rickshaw-puller Jalal Uddin said, “I drive at night and rest during the day. The cold has increased a lot in the past few days. Early in the morning, my hands and feet were freezing. If this continues, it will be very difficult to work at night.” Meanwhile, cold-related illnesses are on the rise at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital as the temperature continues to fall. Dr Bidyut Kumar Biswas, superintendent of the hospital, said cases of diarrhoea and child patients with cold-related complications have increased. “We are seeing more pneumonia, breathing problems, fever, cold and diarrhoea cases. Comparatively, the pressure of elderly patients is lower,” he said. He added that around 200–300 patients, including children and the elderly, are seeking treatment at the outdoor department every day for cold-related ailments.  

Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan on Saturday (December 06, 2025) said the country’s sugar industry cannot return to profitability through subsidies alone and  stressed the need for strong local and foreign investment to revive the sector. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting Natore Sugar Mill and Uttara Ganabhaban. Adilur said the government is working to attract investments and positive developments are expected in the sugar sector either during the tenure of the incumbent government or the next one. Read more: Closed sugar mills will be reopened: Adviser Adilur The adviser said sugar imports remain suspended now as the government will decide on importing sugar only after the stocks preserved are sold. Locally produced sugar is currently being marketed through the TCB, he said. The adviser said that discussions are underway to hold a meeting of the Council of Advisers at Uttara Ganabhaban as per tradition. Natore Deputy Commissioner Asma Shaheen, Superintendent of Police Muhammad Abdul Wahab and other officials were present. Read more: Natore Sugar Mill workers to go on strike from Sunday