United News of Bangladesh

Former Water Resources Minister and ex-MP of Thakurgaon-1 constituency  Ramesh Chandra Sen passed away at Dinajpur Medical College and Hospital on Saturday. He was 85. Ramesh fell sick at Dinajpur district jail on Saturday and was taken to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital  where doctors declared him dead around 9 am, said Jailer of Dinajpur Jail Farhad Sarkar. Ramesh Sen was arrested from his home in Ruhia Senpara village in Thakurgaon’s Sadar Upazila on August 16, 2024. Jailer Farhad said Ramesh was transferred from Thakurgaon Jail to Dinajpur District Jail on August 17 of the year. The body will be handed over after completing the post-mortem, he added. Ramesh  Chandra was elected MP from Thakurgaon-1 constituency in the 7th and the 9th national parliamentary elections in 1996 and 2008.  

Gold prices in Bangladesh surged once again on Saturday, with the price of 22-carat gold crossing the Tk 260,000 mark per bhori, according to the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS). In a notification issued in the morning, BAJUS announced an increase of Tk 7,640 per bhori, setting the price of 22-carat gold at Tk 262,090 per bhori. The revised rates came into effect immediately. BAJUS said the decision was taken considering the overall market situation, particularly the rise in the price of tejabi gold (pure gold) in the local market. Under the new price structure, 21-carat gold is being sold at Tk 250,193 per bhori, 18-carat gold at Tk 214,443, while traditional method gold has been fixed at Tk 175,485 per bhori. Gold price drops by Tk7,640 per bhori in Bangladesh The jewellers’ body had last adjusted gold prices on Friday, when it reduced the price by Tk 7,640 per bhori, setting the 22-carat gold price at Tk 254,450. So far in 2026, BAJUS has revised gold prices 26 times, increasing rates on 17 occasions and reducing them nine times. Despite the hike in gold prices, silver prices remained unchanged in the domestic market. Currently, 22-carat silver is selling at Tk 6,357 per bhori, 21-carat silver at Tk 6,065, 18-carat silver at Tk 5,190, and traditional method silver at Tk 3,907 per bhori. This year, silver prices have been adjusted 17 times, with prices increased on 10 occasions and reduced seven times.  

The Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) has strongly condemned and protested incidents of attacks and threats against journalists while performing their professional duties. In a statement issued on Friday afternoon, DUJA said that several journalists, including Jugantor correspondent Abu Saleh Musa, were attacked and injured by members of the law enforcement agencies while they were covering a protest in front of Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser. The demonstration was being held to demand justice for the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. DUJA alleged that certain members of the law enforcement agencies acted in an unconstitutional and deliberate manner, physically assaulting journalists, obstructing them from carrying out their professional responsibilities, and vandalizing their equipment. The association described the attack and obstruction of journalistic duties as a blatant and direct threat to press freedom. DUJA strongly denounced the targeted and disgraceful assault and demanded that the responsible members of the law enforcement agencies be brought to justice immediately.  

Thirteen people were injured in a clash between the supporters of a BNP and an independent candidate during electioneering at Kachua Bazar in Lalpur upazila of Natore district on Friday night. Police said the supporters of Taiful Islam Tipu, an independent candidate of Natore-1 constituency, brought out a procession. At one stage, an altercation ensued between the supporters of Tipu and BNP candidate Farzana Sharmin while the procession was passing the election camp of BNP around 8 pm, triggering a clash that left 13 people injured. The supporters of Tipu allegedly vandalised the election camp of BNP candidate Farzana. On information, police rushed to the spot and arrested a supporter of Tipu identified as Khalilur Rahman, said Iftekhayer Alam, additional superintendent of Natore Police.  

A 75-year-old man was beaten to death allegedly by his neighbor over a trifling matter at Matipotti slum in Khulna city on Friday night. The deceased was identified as Babul Molla, 75, a resident of the slum. Jamal Uddin, in-charge of Boro Bazar police camp, said Babul had an altercation with his neighbor Nasu over spraying water at the slum on Friday afternoon. As a sequel to the enmity, Nasu along with three others beat Babul up mercilessly around 10 pm, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to a local hospital where the doctors declared him dead.    

Activists of Inqilab Moncha demanding justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi left Shahbagh intersection on Friday following a series of clashes with police. By 10:30pm the protesters had dispersed from Shahbagh after earlier taking position there and confronting police, who used tear gas shells and sound grenades to break up the crowd. The back-and-forth chase between protesters and police continued until around 9pm. Earlier, in a Facebook post, Inqilab Moncha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber said, “Awami league is trying to divert the situation by blending with common people. We request everyone to move to safe places.” In a video message, Jaber also urged people to vote “Yes” in the upcoming election and called on the government to send a letter to the United Nations by February 8 to ensure a thorough investigation into Hadi’s killing, covering not only the direct attackers but also those who planned, assisted, or provided shelter for the perpetrators. Earlier on Thursday afternoon, a procession led by Inqilab Moncha moved from the Raju Memorial Sculpture of Dhaka University towards Shahbagh, blocking the road to protest Hadi’s killing. Police, Inqilab Moncha supporters engage in renewed chase at Shahbagh Around 7:30pm, protesters chased a group of police from Shahbagh towards Hotel InterContinental, prompting a counter-chase in which police used tear gas, sound grenades, and water cannons. Witnesses reported hearing the sounds of about 20 grenades. Earlier in the afternoon, a procession led by Inqilab Moncha, demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, marched towards the Jamuna area demanding justice for Hadi’s killing. The organisation alleged that police obstructed the march and carried out an attack using tear gas, sound grenades and water cannons. During the clashes, several Inqilab Moncha leaders and activists, including Abdullah Al Jaber, were injured. The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. The organisation also claimed that DUCSU leader Jhuma and JUCSU leader Shanta Akter were among those injured. However, according to doctors on duty at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a total of 76 people, including Abdullah Al Jaber, received medical treatment following the incident. The doctors confirmed that none of the injured sustained gunshot wounds.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued appointment orders for 1,490 candidates of the 44th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, seven months after the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) recommendation. The appointment orders were issued on Thursday by the ministry’s New Appointment Wing and made public on Friday. Among the appointees, 244 have been placed in the administration cadre, 48 in the police cadre, 9 in the foreign affairs cadre, and 29 in the audit and accounts cadre, along with other cadres. Appointees have been instructed to join their respective cadre offices under the controlling ministries by February 9. If no further instructions are received, candidates must report to their assigned ministries on that date. Failure to join will be considered a refusal to accept the appointment, and the order will be canceled. The ministry also reserves the right to amend or cancel appointments if any adverse or contradictory information emerges about a candidate after joining.

Police on Friday fired tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse activists of Inqilab Moncha during their blockade programme at Shahbagh intersection, following allegations of police action against protesters demanding justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. At Around 5:15pm, leaders, activists and supporters of Inqilab Moncha brought out a procession from the Raju Memorial Sculpture of Dhaka University and took position at Shahbagh Mor. After reaching the intersection, they blocked the road and began protesting. At about 7:30pm, protesters chased a group of police personnel from Shahbagh towards Hotel InterContinental. Police later launched a counter-chase and used tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse the protesters. Witnesses said sounds of around 20 sound grenades were heard during the incident. Interim Govt backs up police account of action on Inqilab Moncho march Earlier in the afternoon, a procession led by Inqilab Moncha, demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, marched towards the Jamuna area demanding justice for Hadi’s killing. The organisation alleged that police obstructed the march and carried out an attack using tear gas, sound grenades and water cannons.

Leaders and activists of Inqilab Moncho on Friday evening blocked Shahbagh to protest police action against their movement earlier in the afternoon. They gathered at Shahbagh’s Hadi Chattar around 6pm and chanted various slogans. As a result, traffic movement in the area came to a halt, creating tailbacks on the roads. Only the road in front of the National Museum remained open to traffic. Around 6pm, 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-8 Nasiruddin Patwary and Mohiuddin Rony, an independent candidate for Dhaka-18, joined the protest. Nearly forty leaders and activists of Inqilab Moncho were injured in the clash with police near Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Friday as they were marching towards Jamuna, the Chief Adviser’s residence. Abdullah Al Jaber, Member Secretary of Inqilab Moncho, and Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar were among the injured, said Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH hospital police outpost. Nearly 40 injured as security forces crackdown on Inqilab Moncho march towards Jamuna The other injured included Jhuma, Monir, Faisal, Joy, Julkar, Mosharraf, Niloy, Anik, Omar, Rahat, Rasel, Ahad, Mahin, Azad, Shamim, Sohel, Shawon, Shamim, Sabbir, Zisan, Mojid, Yusuf, Rifat and Emon. In addition, the identities of seven more people remain unknown as more injured individuals are still arriving at the hospital.

Nearly forty leaders and activists of Inqilab Moncho were injured in a clash with police near Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Friday as they were marching towards Jamuna, the Chief Adviser’s residence. Abdullah Al Jaber, Member Secretary of Inqilab Moncho, and Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar were among the injured, said Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH hospital police outpost. The other injured included Jhuma, Monir, Faisal, Joy, Julkar, Mosharraf, Niloy, Anik, Omar, Rahat, Rasel, Ahad, Mahin, Azad, Shamim, Sohel, Shawon, Shamim, Sabbir, Zisan, Mojid, Yusuf, Rifat and Emon. In addition, the identities of seven more people remain unknown as more injured individuals are still arriving at the hospital. They are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Inspector Faruk added. In a video post shared on the Inqilab Moncho platform, police were seen dragging female activists of Inqilab Moncho. Earlier on Thursday, Inqilab Moncho staged a sit-in outside the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, demanding an impartial investigation under United Nations supervision into the killing of its spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The protest began around 5pm with Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, Fatima Tasnim Zuma, Hadi’s wife and a small number of activists participating in the programme. Addressing the gathering, Abdullah Al Jaber said they had deliberately limited the number of protesters considering possible security concerns. “We could have brought many more people if we wanted. We are waiting here with the wife of martyr Osman Hadi until we receive a clear assurance from the Chief Adviser. Without a full guarantee of justice, we will not withdraw from this sit-in,” he said. Zuma said Inqilab Moncho, along with Hadi’s wife, had taken position in front of Jamuna to press for the UN-monitored probe. Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of the platform and  a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. Since the incident, Inqilab Moncho has been holding protests and demanding justice.