United News of Bangladesh

Indian media outlets and the ousted Awami League are spreading disinformation about Bangladesh, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Monday. “We have seen newspapers, including a prominent one, publishing false information, despite it being among the most widely read Bengali dailies in India. India is deliberately spreading misinformation and disinformation,” he said while speaking at a policy conclave titled ‘Misinformation: Challenges to Governance and Democracy’ at the central auditorium of Dhaka International University. Telling again, no uncertainty over election: Press Secretary The event was organised by the Dhaka International University Journalists’ Association (DIUCA). Shafiqul Alam said disinformation was originating from both local and external sources. “For the first time in 18 months, we have observed Indian media circulating alarming false narratives about Bangladesh. No government in our 54-year history has faced such a situation. They spread lies every day, fuel hatred, and even major Indian dailies and television channels are involved. This poses a serious threat to our government and democracy,” he said. The Press Secretary said that while the government is working towards smooth democratic transitions and fair elections, a narrative is being created abroad suggesting that minorities would not be safe even if democracy is restored in Bangladesh. Daily Protidin Editor Maruf Kamal Khan stressed the media’s responsibility in countering disinformation. “We often talk about the ‘media’, but for a long time we failed to speak for the common people. Instead, we promoted one side and tried to eliminate the other, which itself contributed to misinformation. Even after the end of the fascist system, we have not fully freed ourselves from that mindset. The media must become the true voice of the people,” he said. DIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Zahidul Islam said the AI era has significantly amplified disinformation, leaving the state confused and vulnerable. Chairman of DIU’s Media Studies Department, Dr Sheikh Mohammad Shafiul Islam, described misinformation as a structural crisis reinforced by social media algorithms, political polarisation and weak media literacy. Complete level playing field exists in Bangladesh election process: Press Secretary He called for a combined approach involving strong media policies, education reforms and the development of critical thinking to address the challenge. Mahfuzur Rahman, Editor of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), and Fasih Uddin Mahtab, former President of the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BASF), among others, spoke at the event. The programme wrapped up with the M I Patwari Best Reporting Awards being presented to the top four journalists of 2025.

The government will not take any decision that goes against the national interest in managing the country’s ports, Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain said on Monday. “The ministry supports whatever is good and beneficial for the port and the country,” he said while speaking to journalists during a discussion at the Ministry of Shipping in the afternoon. Referring to the ongoing situation at Chittagong Port, the adviser said those involved in creating the situation are being investigated. “Due to the current situation, port activities have been disrupted, and the Chittagong Port Authority is working to resolve the issue,” he said. Calling on all concerned to keep the port operational in the greater national interest, he said the people of the country are suffering because of the disruptions. Hadi’s killers will be tracked down even if they flee abroad: Shipping Adviser He reiterated that the current government would not implement any decision that goes against the country’s interests and described the situation as undesirable. Sakhawat also alleged that some traders are hoarding goods in lighter vessels ahead of Ramadan in an attempt to raise prices. He said mobile courts are being conducted daily by all relevant agencies, including the Department of Shipping, to curb such illegal activities. “Strict legal action will continue to be taken against those responsible based on evidence,” he added.

Drug addiction is a long-term disease that can be effectively treated through proper medical care, therapy and intensive nursing, said Iqbal Masud, a member of the National Anti-Drug Committee under the Home Affairs Ministry and Director of the Health & WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. He made the remarks while speaking at a family meeting organised by the Ahsania Mission Female Drug Treatment & Rehabilitation Center on Monday at the Health Sector conference room of Dhaka Ahsania Mission in the capital’s Shyamoli area. Iqbal Masud said drug addiction is one of the major social problems worldwide, but recovery is possible through evidence-based treatment following proper guidelines and for a specific duration. Read More: ACC approves case against Essential Drugs ex-MD, 5 others He also stressed the importance of regular post-treatment care to ensure the long-term well-being of patients. Speaking as a guest, Dr Anika Basarat, a psychiatrist at the National Institute of Mental Health, said scolding or anger cannot help bring someone back from drug addiction.  She urged family members to remain patient and tolerant towards those struggling with addiction. She said love, care and compassion are crucial in helping individuals return to a drug-free life, adding that people with drug addiction should not be treated as criminals but with empathy and proper medical care to support recovery. Read More: 82 lakh users of recreational drugs in Bangladesh: Survey The meeting was moderated by counsellor Sumaiya Tithi of the Ahsania Mission Female Drug Treatment & Rehabilitation Center. Senior Psychologist of the Health Sector Rakhi Ganguly, Center Manager Laila Yasmin and Case Manager Rozina Khatun also spoke at the event.

Bangladesh’s state-owned commercial banks have the capacity to expand lending but continue to lag in timely loan recovery, said central bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur on Monday, underscoring a key structural weakness in the country’s banking system. Speaking at Sonali Bank’s Annual Conference 2026 in Dhaka, Dr Mansur said weak borrower selection remains a major factor behind rising defaults, adding that improving credit appraisal is essential to keeping loans from turning non-performing. Years of tight regulatory controls have made state banks excessively cautious, constraining credit growth and limiting their contribution to the broader economy, the Governor said. Banks to remain closed for 4 days While such caution was once necessary, he pointed out, an excessively restrictive lending model, similar to that seen before 2000, is incompatible with the needs of a modern economy. “If a bank mobilises deposits but fails to play an effective role in the macroeconomy, its success remains limited,” Mansur said, urging Sonali Bank to move beyond its conservative approach and expand lending more assertively. He pointed to a wide gap between Bangladesh’s banking sector and global peers, particularly in consumer and housing finance, where state-owned banks have so far played only a marginal role despite strong market potential. Dr Mansur called on Sonali Bank to transform itself into a ‘full-fledged commercial bank’ operating strictly on commercial principles, a shift he said is necessary to ensure long-term profitability. On the bank’s financial position, the Governor highlighted several positive developments. Profits earned last year will be used to cover capital and provisioning shortfalls, he said, expressing confidence that Sonali Bank could eventually resume dividend payments. The bank’s non-performing loan ratio has already fallen below 18%, according to Mansur, who said the figure could decline further if the bank increases high-quality lending. Bangladesh Bank to ease rules, give banks more freedom: Governor He also said the government plans to give Sonali Bank greater operational autonomy, allowing it to function on commercial considerations, and a policy direction, he hopes, future governments will maintain. Dr Mansur urged Sonali Bank to step up efforts to attract remittances, strengthen support for exporters and identify capable small and medium-sized enterprise borrowers at the grassroots level, saying these areas will be critical to both the bank’s performance and the country’s economic growth.

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port on Monday announced a 24-hour work abstention on Tuesday, escalating a standoff with authorities over plans to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to global port operator DP World. The announcement was made by Md Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parisad, as port operations remained partially paralysed for a third straight day due to repeated eight-hour work stoppages. Cargo handling at Chattogram Port, which accounts for more than 90% of Bangladesh’s seaborne trade, has been severely disrupted, with loading and unloading of goods from ships coming to a halt. Read More: Strike at Chattogram port enters 2nd day over NCT lease Traders warned that continued interruptions could trigger mounting financial losses and ripple through national supply chains. Port users said the rolling strikes over the past three days have significantly hampered operations and urged the authorities to resolve the dispute immediately to prevent longer-term damage to trade flows. Tensions intensified further after at least 16 employees, including Humayun Kabir, were transferred to Pangaon and Kamalapur Inland Container Depots (ICDs) following the protests, according to workers. Labour groups allege that despite NCT being a self-sufficient and profitable terminal built with the port’s own funds, the government is moving to hand over its operations to a foreign firm. Protesters have demanded that the decision be withdrawn. Read More: Third shipment of US wheat arrives at Ctg port The movement has drawn wider labour support, with the Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) expressing solidarity. Leaders and activists of SKOP staged a black-flag procession in the Agrabad area of the port city and demanded the removal of the port chairman and other senior officials concerned. The Chattogram Port Authority has taken a hard line, issuing a notice warning of disciplinary action against anyone involved in strikes, protests or demonstrations linked to the NCT leasing issue. Workers, however, began demonstrations on Saturday and continued the work stoppage despite the warning. With the planned 24-hour abstention set to begin Tuesday, concerns are growing among the port users that prolonged disruption at the country’s busiest port could pose a serious risk to Bangladesh’s trade and logistics networks. Read More: Ctg port operations stumble amid strike against NCT lease plan

A section of publishers on Monday urged authorities to reschedule the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 by February 5 until after Eid-ul-Fitr, warning that staging the country’s largest literary event during Ramadan could deal a severe blow to Bangladesh’s already struggling creative publishing industry. The demand came from a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club, where University Press Limited Managing Director Mahrukh Mohiuddin read out a written statement on behalf of creative publishers. Ramadan is expected to begin in Bangladesh either on February 17 or 18. Addressing journalists, Mahrukh said the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is not merely a marketplace for books but an inseparable part of Bangladesh’s cultural identity. “However, today the struggle is no longer about emotion; it is about survival,” she said. The request was made on behalf of 262 publishers, including Mesbah Uddin Ahmed of Ahmed Publishing House; A K Nasir Ahmed of Kakoli; Mazharul Islam of Anyaprokash; Monirul Haq of Anannya; Syed Zakir Hossain of Adorn; Md Mobarak Hossain, manuscript coordinator at Prothoma Prokashon; Md Zahir Dipti of Eti Prokashon and a member of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair Committee-2026; Mahabub Rahman of Adarsha and a committee member; and Iqbal Hossain Sanu of Laboni. Citing global data, Mahrukh said Bangladesh ranked 97th among 102 countries in the Global Reading Index published by international survey organisation CEO World. “Around 95 percent of books published in the country have a first print run of 300 copies or less, and nearly 70 percent of those copies remain unsold,” she added. She said publishers continue to publish books despite a 60 percent decline in sales over the past one and a half years, calling it an act of “sacrifice” rather than a viable business decision. “The state has a moral responsibility to nurture creative practices. In developed countries, governments protect writers and publishers by purchasing books for libraries, but in Bangladesh publishers take all the risks on their own,” she said. Explaining the reasons behind the demand to postpone the fair, Mahrukh identified three major challenges. First, she said the economic reality of Ramadan and the upcoming Eid would divert household spending towards food and clothing, while university closures would keep students—the main buyers—away from Dhaka, turning the fair into a “readerless market.” Second, Mahrukh pointed to logistical challenges amid the national election atmosphere, including shortages of printing, binding and stall construction workers, along with soaring construction material costs. Third, she highlighted the humanitarian and religious concerns of stall workers, most of whom are students. “Expecting fasting students to work long hours during Ramadan, or preventing them from going home before Eid, is both inhumane and dismissive of their religious rights,” she said. Mahrukh said 262 creative publishers have already submitted a signed letter to the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association (BAPUS), demanding that the fair be rescheduled. “BAPUS and general publishers are now united on this issue,” she added. She said publishers had earlier submitted a memorandum to the cultural adviser but received no solution. Following the press conference, they submitted a fresh memorandum to Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus. Referring to Prof Yunus as an internationally published author, Mahrukh expressed hope that he would understand the publishers’ plight. “He knows how states in Norway, France or the UK support publishers by purchasing books. We believe he will recognise our sacrifice and take a rational decision,” she said. The publishers placed a four-point demand before the government: rescheduling the book fair until after Eid-ul-Fitr by February 5; waiving stall rents and ensuring full government-funded infrastructure; introducing a special ‘book allowance’ to encourage student purchases; and reforming the government book procurement policy to ensure the purchase of at least 300 copies of each standard-quality book. Mahrukh warned that if the demands are not met, it would be ‘practically impossible’ for 262 publishers, along with many others, to participate in the upcoming fair after January 31. “We want the fair, but not at the cost of financial ruin,” she said.

The government will deploy additional security forces along with drones, CCTV cameras and dog squads, at sensitive polling centres to ensure a peaceful national election, Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Monday. Body-worn cameras and round-the-clock monitoring would be used at vulnerable centres to prevent any form of misconduct during voting, he told reporters after the Barishal Division Law and Order Coordination Meeting. Barishal divisional administration organised the meeting at the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy auditorium. Home Ministry forms law and order coordination cell ahead of polls Jahangir Alam said the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre’s Election Security App 2026 would also be operational during the polls. “We successfully used this app during last year’s Durga Puja. Anyone attempting to create disorder will not succeed,” he said. He instructed the authorities to take firm action against miscreants or terrorists attempting to disrupt or influence the election process. He asked the authorities concerned to conduct coordinated operations in remote and riverine areas,  special drives against criminals, extortionists, drug traffickers and other offenders. Addressing election officials and law enforcement personnel, he he said the public and political parties have high expectations from the upcoming election and it is the responsibility of authorities to meet them. He asked officials to remain vigilant to prevent even minor lapses that could damage public confidence or the country’s image. “There will be no compromise on law and order. Any attempt to disrupt public safety must be dealt with strictly. Maximum professionalism is required before, during and after voting,” he said. He warned that no negligence, gap or deviation in election security management would be tolerated.  

Joint forces in a drive arrested three people and recovered 95 crude bombs from Poragachha Bepari Kandi village of Naria upazila in Shariatpur district early Monday. The arrestees were identified as Nasir Uddin Bachhu Peda, 55, son of Goni Peda, Mehedi Hasan Peda, 30, son of Khalil Peda, and Rony Peda, 25. Tipped off, a team of joint forces conducted a drive at the house of Bachhu Peda and a mosque adjacent to his house around 1:55 am and recovered the crude bombs kept in 12 buckets from the house and the mosque, said Md Bahar Mia, officer-in-charge of Naria Police Station. They also recovered some sharp weapons from their possession, police said. Later, the joint forces arrested three people including Bachhu in this connection  

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Monday said a total of 663 cases, including 453 of murder, have been filed against ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 mass uprising. The findings were revealed in a research report unveiled at TIB’s Dhanmondi office, outlining the progress, challenges and limitations of cases filed in connection with the uprising. As of November 19, 2025, a total of 1,785 cases have been filed nationwide over crimes against humanity linked to the July uprising, according to the report. Sheikh Hasina has been named as an accused in 663 of those cases. Of the total cases, 736 are of murders, with Hasina listed as an accused in 453. ICT issues arrest warrants against Hasina, 5 others TIB said charge sheets have been submitted in only 106 cases, including 31 murder cases, reflecting slow progress in investigations. So far, 128 former ministers and members of parliament from the Awami League government have been arrested in connection with the cases. The report revealed that 761 cases have been filed against the police over the same incidents, naming 1,168 serving and former police personnel as accused. Among them, 61 have been arrested. At the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), 450 complaints have been lodged so far, of which 45 have been taken into cognisance. These cases involve 209 accused, with 84 arrests made. Currently, 12 cases are under trial at the ICT, involving 105 accused persons. TIB said many of the accused have fled the country, with allegations that members of the military, law enforcement agencies and local political leaders directly or indirectly facilitated their escape. TIB expressed serious concern over what it described as indiscriminate filing of cases following the uprising. The report estimated that around 150,000 people across the country have been made accused in these cases. The watchdog cited widespread allegations of case trading, retaliatory filings, political harassment and extortion through threats of inclusion or exclusion from cases. In many instances, law enforcement agencies reportedly accepted cases without proper investigation due to pressure, the report said. TIB also raised concerns over the competence and political affiliations of judges and prosecutors appointed to the ICT. While acknowledging that trials have begun and some progress has been made, the organisation warned that weak case foundations, lack of incident-specific charges, investigative complexity and the absence of a clear factual narrative are undermining the judicial process. The report further pointed to the absence of effective accountability for police actions beyond limited departmental measures, along with continued practices of unlawful arrests, excessive remand, denial of bail, prolonged pre-trial detention, and political influence in legal proceedings. TIB also noted cases where journalists and professionals were named as accused in murder cases, raising serious questions about misuse of the justice system. Although the live broadcast of verdicts was cited as a positive step, TIB cautioned that failure to fully adhere to due process and legal standards could jeopardise fair justice and risk allowing actual perpetrators to escape accountability.  

The High Court on Monday granted bail to 40 people including prime accused BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque in connection with a case filed over the killing of Jamaat leader Rezaul Karim in Jhenaigati Upazila of Sherpur. The HC bench of Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah and Justice Faysal Hasan Arif passed the order when all the accused appeared before the court and sought anticipatory bail for them. Barrister Ruhul Kuddus stood for the accused. Rezaul Karim, secretary of Sribordi upazila unit Jamaat-e-Islami, was killed during a clash between the leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami over sitting on the front row during a manifesto distribution program in Jhenaigati under Sherpur-3 constituency (Sreebardi and Jhenaigati) on January 29. Marzia, wife of Jamaat leader filed a case against 234 identified and 500 unidentified people with Jhenaigati Police Station on Friday (January 30).