United News of Bangladesh

Eleven more members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) have fled to Bangladesh amid clashes between the Myanmar military and the armed rebel group Arakan Army. With this, the number of BGP members who took shelter in Bangladesh stood at 106. Shariful Islam, public relations officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), said 106 BGP members have so far entered Bangladesh through Tumbru border in Naikhangchhari upazila of Bandarban district with arms and ammunition due to the ongoing clashes inside Myanmar. The BGB members disarmed them and took them to a safe shelter, he said. Earlier on Monday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said 14 Myanmar Border Guard members were detained after they entered Bangladesh territory to take shelter and they will be sent back following diplomatic process. Shariful Islam said members of Myanmar's Border Guard Force (BGP) started taking shelter in Bangladesh from Sunday morning. The number of BGP members who fled till Sunday evening was 39, the number stood at 58 by 8 pm and another 38 arrived by 8 pm, he added. Besides, arrangements were made for the treatment of 15 injured BGP members on Sunday, he said. Conflict in Myanmar: 5 govt primary schools declared shut in Bandarban The Arakan Army is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, which seeks autonomy from Myanmar’s central government. It is a member of the armed ethnic group alliance that recently gained strategic territory in Myanmar’s northeast. Along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army — operating together under the name of the Three Brotherhood Alliance — it launched a coordinated offensive on October 27, 2023 in northern Shan state along the border with China. PM for patience regarding war-like situation in Myanmar: Law Minister That offensive has posed the greatest battlefield challenge to Myanmar’s military rulers since the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The alliance says it has seized more than 250 military outposts, five official border crossings and a major city near the Chinese border, along with several important towns, according to an AP report. Rakhine is where a brutal army counterinsurgency operation in 2017 drove about 740,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority to seek safety across the border in Bangladesh. Rakhine is also known by its older name of Arakan.  

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Monday said he does not want to fix any time to complete the Sagar-Runi murder case. “As a lawyer I know that it cannot be (fixing the time of investigation),” he said in Parliament. The Law Minister, in absence of the Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, said this while answering a question from Jatiya Party MP elected from Thakurgaon-3 Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. He said that It is not possible to fix the time of completion of the investigation into the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. Sagar-Runi murder case: Probe report submission deferred for 103rd time Terming the much talked about case, a complicated one, the law minister also said that the investigation agency will resolve the case through properly investigating into the murder case. As the Home Minister was not present in the House, Anisul Huq gave reply to the questions of lawmakers related to the home ministry during today’s question-answer session. In his supplementary question, Hafiz Uddin said, an era has passed since the Sagar-Runi murder was murdered. The investigation has not yet completed. There is nothing that police can't do. How many years will it take to complete the investigate of this case? RAB investigating the Sagar-Runi murder case with utmost importance: RAB director The JP MP also said the then home minister Sahara Khatun had said that actions will be taken within 48 hours of the murder. “I would like to know if the charge sheet of this murder case will be completed by this year,” he said. In response, the law minister said, “One thing we must note that it is not appropriate to end the investigation until those who are investigating can uncover the mystery of the murder.” The law minister also said investigation can be completed in quick manner if the investigation does not need to go too deep and the perpetrators can be caught easily. “The Sagar-Runi murder case is a bit difficult to investigate. All I can say is that the investigating agency will investigate the case properly and will resolve it. Those who are guilty must be caught.” The investigators have already taken 107 time extensions to submit the probe report in the case that shook the nation to its core. Sagar, who was the news editor at Maasranga Television, and his wife Runi, senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were killed in the early hours of February 11, 2012, in their rented flat in the capital's West Razabazar.  

Bangladesh will welcome Indonesian investors to invest in the country’s power and energy sector. State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid conveyed this message to Indonesian Ambassador Heru Hartantu Subolo when he called on him at his ministry on Monday. A committee will be formed at the ministry level for expanding energy business with Nepal: Nasrul Hamid According to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, various issues related to mutual interest were discussed during their meeting. Welcoming the Indonesia envoy, the state minister said, the brotherly country is a tested friend of Bangladesh. Govt working on as how to use hydrogen, ammonia for power generation: Nasrul Hamid “Our relationship is long. There are many areas of cooperation in the power and energy sector. Both nations can benefit more by exchanging experiences or resources", he told the Indonesian envoy. With the massive development in Bangladesh, huge investment opportunities have been created in the power and energy sector, he added. 9 more wells to be drilled in Bhola to expedite local gas production: Nasrul Hamid He said that Indonesian public and private institutions would be welcomed to invest in Bangladesh. He discussed the current situation and potential of the power and energy sector. The Indonesian Ambassador expressed his country’s interest in investing in the renewable energy sector in Bangladesh. He said that initially Indonesia, the South-East Asian Nation, wants to build a 100 MW solar power plant and later the capacity could be increased gradually.

Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui who has been appointed as the new director general of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) joined office on Monday. He took the charge from the outgoing DG Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan in the afternoon. Before taking charge as the DG of BGB, Ashrafuzzaman served as the director of Military Training and chairman of Army Sports Control Board. BGB pushes back 4 Rohingyas trying to enter through Teknaf He also got commissioned in the Artillery Crops of Bangladesh Army in 1992. Major General Ashrafuzzaman completed different professional training courses at home and abroad. Remain alert to deal with any situation on Bangladesh-Myanmar border: BGB DG

Amid the ongoing unrest along Bangladesh-Myanmar border, the academic activities of five government primary schools in Naikhangchhari upazila of Bandarban district has been suspended. The government has taken the decision considering the safety of the teachers and students of those schools in Ghumdum union. 2 killed in 'shelling' in Bandarban's Ghumdhum The Primary and Mass Education Ministry issued a notice, signed by its deputy secretary Akterunnahar, in this regard on Monday. Ban on tourism in Bandarban extended till Nov 8 The schools are—Baishpari Government Primary School, Bhajbunia Government Primary School, Tambru Government Primary School, Paschimkul Tambru Government Primary School and Dakkhin Ghumdum Government Primary School. The schools will remain shut until further notice. The District Primary Education Officer will take necessary steps about reopening of the five schools following consultation with the high official concerned of Bandarban district.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the authorities concerned to maintain law and order and keep the prices of commodities under check. “If there is any extortion, all concerned have to take very strong action,” she told a meeting of the secretaries at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday morning. PM for patience regarding war-like situation in Myanmar: Law Minister Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain told reporters at the Secretariat after the meeting. “She has asked to keep an eye on maintaining law and order and controlling market prices. In the case of surveillance, she has talked about a specific area where on many occasions the issue of extortion comes over the price of goods. In this case, she has asked all concerned to take strong measures so it does not happen anywhere,” said Mahbub. Biden’s letter to PM Hasina: ‘What will BNP say now?’ asks Quader "She asked us to look at one thing regarding law and order. With regard to the incidents of mugging, youth gangs or other such crimes, she asked to form committees at the local level and pay attention,” added the cabinet secretary. PM to fix flaws in new syllabus soon: The prime minister asked the authorities concerned to take prompt steps to fix errors and flaws if any in new syllabus introduced in the country’s schools through proper review. “If there is any mistake, if there is any factual error or any flaw, then steps should be taken quickly. There should be no delay,” she was quoted as saying by the cabinet secretary. Expedite implementation of projects: PM to secretaries The prime minister asked the secretaries to work to complete the implementation of the ongoing development projects as soon as possible and make sure the projects would be implemented for the welfare of the people. “She has asked to pay attention so that the people are benefited from the projects. She said her main goal is to improve the fate of the people…. So, the projects should be picked considering these things,” said Mahbub. Committed to supporting Bangladesh's economic goals, Biden writes to PM Hasina Turning to inflation, investment, revenue collection, the top bureaucrat said the prime minister directed the authorities to work so that inflation should be below the GDP growth. Noting that a large number of people who are supposed to pay income tax are still out of the tax net, she has given strict instructions to bring them under the income tax net. The PM asked them to keep eyes so that the foreign investors don’t face unnecessary harassment here and remove complications if there are any. “She won’t take it lightly if the investment is hindered for any reason,” said the cabinet secretary. The prime minister also asked the top bureaucrats to explore new markets for Bangladeshi goods. She asked the secretaries to exercise austerity in spending government’s funds and explore new export markets for Bangladeshi goods including pharmaceuticals items, cloths, foods, agricultural goods and jute products. She asked to provide agricultural, leather and jute products with the similar facilities, which are now applicable for garment items. Unlike the garments, the raw materials of agricultural, leather and jute products are available in Bangladesh, she said. "It’ll have to search for new export markets, especially some markets. We should search markets in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, East Asia and Africa especially for pharmaceuticals, apparels, food, agricultural goods, jute products. In this case, if needed, assistance should be given,” Hasina was quoted as saying. The prime minister asked all to exercise austerity in the use of electricity and energy and ensure that irrigation is not hampered during this season. She asked for initiatives to fulfill the vacant posts and ensure timely promotion in the government services. The premier asked to improve the food preservation system and enhance the food storage capacity.

Mahbubul Alam, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and former president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI),  has taken over charge as the Chairperson of the Trustee Board of the Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) for the year 2024-25. Read: Mahbubul Alam takes charge as FBCCI president  He succeeded Nihad Kabir, a senior advocate and a former president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). She was the Chairperson of BUILD in 2022-23. The outgoing Trustee Board (2022-23), led by Nihad Kabir, handed over the responsibilities to the new board at the 33rd Trustee Board Meeting held at the BUILD Conference Room in Motijheel, Dhaka. Read: Mahbubul Alam of Chattogram Chamber new FBCCI president

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Monday pushed back four Rohingyas while they were trying to enter Bangladesh through Teknaf border in Cox’s Bazar district. Commanding officer of BGB Teknaf Battalion Lieutenant colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed said four members of a Rohingya family were trying to enter Bangladesh through Whaikhong Ulubunia point of Teknaf in the afternoon. Read: BGB personnel shot in BSF firing dies in India  Sensing their intention, the BGB members obstructed them and sent them back, he said. Mohammad Fahim, a resident of the Whaikhong area, said a tense situation has been prevailing along the border with Myanmar amid clashes between Myanmar Army and a rebel group for several days. Some Rohingyas were staying along the Bangladesh border due to the tense situation in Myanmar and BGB members prevented them from entering Bangladesh, he said. Read: 8 including BGB men injured as pick up van collides with bus in Gaibandha  Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Additional Secretary), said no new Myanmar national will be allowed to enter the country.  

Three students of a madrasha died and 15 others sustained injuries in a road accident when they were returning to Myemensingh from Tongi’s Biswa Ijtema venue by a truck on Sunday night.   The deceased were Nayeem, 13, Sanaullah Sajal, 19, and Fazlul Huq,  students of Jamia Islamia Darus Sunnah Qawmi Madrasa of Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district. Read: Two Ijtema attendees die in Tongi road accident Of them, Nayeem hailed from the district’s Gafargaon upazila while the rest from Bhaluka upazila. Bhaluka Model Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (investigation) Jahangir Alam said a total of 30 students of the madrasha went to the Ijtema venue in Tongi to join Akheri Munajat. After the munajat, when the students were returning home by the truck it overturned at Dalibari intersection around 11:30 pm, leaving Nayeem dead on the spot and 17 others injured, he said. Read: 4 more devotees die at Ijtema venue  The injured were first taken to Bhaluka upazila health complex and later shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) when their condition deteriorated, he said. Sanaullah succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the MMCH, he said, adding that Fazlul also died on way to Dhaka from the hospital early Monday. 

A fire that broke out in a shoe factory on Abul Khairat Road in Old Dhaka this morning was brought under control after around half an hour. Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell, said the blaze began in the shoe factory on the ground floor of a one-storey building on Abul Khairat Road in Mahuttulil area around 9:20 am. Being informed, five firefighting units from several stations rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control around 9:52 am, he said. No fatalities have so far been reported in this connection, the fire service officer said, adding that the origin of the fire could not be known immediately.