United News of Bangladesh

The Digital Security Act (DSA) case filed against writer and online activist Pinaki Bhattacharya for allegedly tarnishing the image of the country through conspiracy has been shifted to the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal. The case was transferred to the cyber tribunal on Thursday, said Nizam Uddin, sub-inspector of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (crime and information).On March 7, Mohammad Rahat Hossain, sub-inspector of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit submitted a chargesheet against Pinaki Bhattacharya and former joint secretary of Chhatra Dal Mofizur Rahman Ashique in the case.A petition was also filed to issue an arrest warrant against Pinaki.Besides, another petition was filed for exempting another accused Mushfiqul Fazl Ansari, deputy press secretary of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, from the case.M Abdullahil Maruf, sub-inspector of CTTC of DMP, filed a case against them at Ramna Police Station on October 15, 2022. Pinaki Bhattacharya, 6 others sued under CSAAmong them, Mofizur secured bail from the court.According to the case statement, CTTC noticed a Facebook post by Pinaki on October 14, 2022 through which "misinformation about police was spread on social media." On October 15, 2022, police arrested Mofizur from his Pallabi residence over the Facebook post and seized his phones. Police said, through his fake Facebook account, Mofizur contacted different people, including Pinaki and Mushfiqul. "Distorted information and a picture of a police raid in Dhaka's Mirpur were sent to Pinaki, Fazal, and others living abroad." CTTC files DSA case against Pinaki Bhattacharya for ‘tarnishing image of the state’ Pinaki, who often posts on social media and appears on YouTube, criticizing the government and the ruling party, has been staying abroad for several years.

As many as 1.30 crore sacrificial animals will be ensured for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Abdul Rahman said on Sunday. “Last year, we had a supply of 1.25 crore sacrificial animals and of these, 19 lakh remain unsold. But this year, the government is going to keep a supply of 1.30 crore sacrificial animals,” he said, while speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat. All preparations have been taken ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and there is no crisis of sacrificial animals, he added. Saudi Arabia sends 400 tons of sacrificial meat for Bangladesh Noting that the cattle market should remain stable, the minister said, “We have talked to the farmers so that the price of sacrificial animals is within the purchasing capacity of the people.” Besides, he also assured the cattle farmers that there is no reason to import cattle from neighbouring countries and the government has no plan over it. All arrangements and preparation was taken so that the market can’t be unstable, he said. Transportation of sacrificial animals from C’nawabganj to Dhaka launched Replying to a question about stopping extortion, the minister said “The middlemen or a syndicate remain active during the Eid-ul-Azha, making it difficult for us to tackle the situation. We will arrange an inter-ministerial meeting before Eid to address it in a right way to stop extortion by the middlemen and extortionists everywhere, on roads during transporting.”  

Classes at all primary, secondary schools and colleges resumed on Sunday after Eid-ul-Fitr holidays and subsequent extension due to heat wave sweeping the country since the first week of April. The educational institutions reopened today although there is no remarkable change in the heat wave condition, worrying the guardians, especially those of primary level students. Summer Tips for School-going Children Meanwhile, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a warning that the ongoing heat wave may persist for 72 hours starting Sunday morning. "Due to increasing moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase," said the Met. With the latest one, the Met office issued the heat alert for the fourth time in the current month. Schools and colleges were scheduled to reopen on April 21 after the end of Eid holidays but the closure was extended till April 27 due to sweltering heat across the country caused by heat waves. Guidelines issued for primary schools reopening tomorrow amid heatwave UNB Khulna Correspondent reports, the guardians expressed worry how their children would stay in classrooms for six hours amid scorching heat as the classes of secondary schools start at 10 am and continue till 4 pm. Md Mashiur Rahman, a guardian said, “How will my child will stay in her class for a long time amid the sweltering heat? It would have been better if the government had extended the ongoing holidays.” Hira Khatun, who was waiting near Govt. Laboratory High School, to pick her daughter, said “My child is a sixth grader and her class starts at 10 am and continue till 4 pm. The school authorities should take classes in the morning shift.” Secondary schools, colleges to reopen April 28 amid heat wave Shahidul Islam Joarddar, headmaster of Muhsin Government Secondary School in Daulatpur, said the presence of students is 20-25 percent due to the heat wave. Meanwhile, Sheikh Farhad Hossain, headmaster of Sighalia upazila Senhati Government High School, said he is satisfied with the 30 percent presence of students and they are running academic activities in two shifts. Meanwhile, the government on Saturday announced the reopening of primary schools’ academic activities from Sunday. School hours will be limited to the cooler morning hours, from 8:00 am to 11:30 am. For schools operating in two shifts, the first shift will run from 8:00 am to 9:30 am and the second from 9:45 am to 11:30 am. Despite these changes, pre-primary level classes will remain closed until further notice, and daily school assemblies will remain suspended to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat.

Since its inauguration, the Padma Bridge has significantly boosted government revenue, collecting a staggering Tk 1500 crore in tolls from the myriad of vehicles that have traversed this architectural marvel. Amirul Islam Chowdhury, additional director of the Padma Bridge Site office, reported, “As of Saturday at 11:59 pm, a total of Tk 1,502,62,15,900 in tolls has been collected, with 1,12,91,095 vehicles having crossed the bridge since its opening.” The bridge first opened to traffic on June 25, 2023. Detailed traffic analysis shows that approximately 56,01,232 vehicles used the Mawa entry point, while 56,89,863 vehicles crossed at the Jajira point. A notable record was set on April 9 of this year when the bridge saw its highest single-day toll collection, amassing Tk 4.90 crore from 45,204 vehicles. Padma Bridge: Record Tk 4.90 crore toll collected in 24 hrs The bridge was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on June 25, 2023 and was opened to traffic the following morning, marking a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development and economic enhancement. Padma Bridge Rail Link project: Test run of train on Bhanga-Rupdia route begins

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a warning that the ongoing heat wave may persist for 72 hours starting Sunday morning. "Due to increasing moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase," said the Met office. This announcement follows earlier alerts issued on April 19, 22 and 25.  

A 48-hour transport strike initiated by the Brihattor Chattogram Ganaparibahan Malik Sramik Oikkyo Parishad began this morning (April 28, 2024), significantly disrupting daily life in the port city amidst a severe heatwave. The strike, which affects buses, minibuses, human haulers, autorickshaws, and other three-wheelers, has led to considerable difficulties for commuters across the city. Impact on Commuters From early in the morning, commuters, including office workers, students, and senior citizens, were seen waiting for long periods at several points in the port city due to the scarcity of mass transportation. The streets showed a markedly decreased traffic flow, with most vehicles off the roads in response to the strike call. Transport workers confirmed that no long-distance buses departed from Chattogram today. Md Musa, the member secretary of the transport body, stated that movement of buses and three-wheeler vehicles has been suspended since 6 am. Buses from other parts of the country are also prohibited from entering Chattogram during the strike period. MV Abdullah leaving UAE for Bangladesh today Background of the Strike The strike was called following an incident where students of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) reportedly set buses on fire in protest after two of their peers were killed in a road accident. The students, Shanto Saha and Tawfiq Hasan, both from the Civil Engineering department, died when a bus hit their motorbike on the Chattogram-Kaptai road on April 22. In retaliation, some CUET students vandalized three buses and set another on fire. The protests escalated over the following days, leading to the university's closure and the postponement of academic activities. Demands and Protests The transport workers' strike is a protest against the damage inflicted on their vehicles and calls for compensation for the burnt buses, along with the arrest of the accused students. The strike encompasses Chattogram city, district, Cox’s Bazar, and three hilly districts. It aims to press home a four-point demand, emphasizing the need for justice and reparations from the damages incurred during the student protests. Emergency Services Exempt Despite the widespread disruption, the strike organizers say that emergency vehicles, including ambulances, will not be affected by the strike. The transport strike is scheduled to conclude at 6 am on Tuesday. Water crisis adds to woes of Khulna residents amid extreme heat University Response and Continued Tensions The CUET administration attempted to quell the unrest by meeting with the protesting students, who assured they would halt their demonstrations and return to academic activities. However, following an emergency syndicate committee meeting on April 26, CUET authorities decided to keep the campus closed until May 9.

The Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MV Abdullah, recently liberated from Somali pirates, is scheduled to depart Al-Hamriya Port in the United Arab Emirates for Bangladesh today (April 28, 2024) at noon, officials confirmed. The vessel, which had been hijacked for 33 days, successfully unloaded 55,000 metric tonnes of coal at Al-Hamriya Port yesterday. The owner, KSRM Group, announced that the vessel and its crew of 23 sailors are expected to arrive at Chattogram Port by mid-May. Mizanul Islam, a spokesperson for the Chattogram-based KSRM Group, reported that the loading operations were completed yesterday, and the vessel is now ready to embark on its journey back to Bangladesh. MV Abdullah reaches Dubai’s Al Hamriya Port MV Abdullah initially anchored at the UAE port on the evening of April 22, following its release from pirate captivity. Distinguished guests including Mohammad Abu Jafar, the Bangladesh Ambassador, and officials from SR Shipping, the vessel's operating company, were present to welcome the crew upon their arrival. The ship first arrived at the outer anchorage of the port on April 21, following its ordeal which began on March 12 when it was seized by Somali pirates about 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast en route from Mozambique to Dubai. The pirates took control of the vessel and its crew, holding them until a ransom of Tk 55 crore facilitated their release on the night of April 13. Family counting days for safe return of MV Abdullah's chief engineer Following the release, MV Abdullah headed to Al-Hamriya Port under the escort of an EU NAVFOR warship, navigating through approximately 480 nautical miles of high-risk areas along the Somali coast and the Red Sea before reaching the safety of the United Arab Emirates. This voyage marks a significant step towards recovery after the harrowing pirate attack, with the crew looking forward to a safe return to their homeland. Previous experience used to rescue MV Abdullah, crew: KSRM

Police recovered the body of a man from the footpath of Mugda Madinabagh area of the capital on Saturday. The identity of the deceased, aged around 35, could not be ascertained immediately, said police. Sub-Inspector (SI) of Mugda Police Station Md Ferddaus Alam said they recovered the body from the footpath of the Madinabagh area of Mugda around 6pm. Young woman killed in city road crash Later, the body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy. Police initially believed that the man might have died from heat stroke. However, the exact cause of death will be known after getting the post-mortem report. Son arrested for killing mother in Chandpur “We are trying to identify the deceased through fingerprints,” he added.

A 20-year-old woman was killed after an unidentified vehicle hit her in front of the press club under Shahbag police station in the capital on Saturday. The deceased Most Meghna was the wife of Md Nayem. She was a resident of Gouripur upazila of Mymensingh district. Son arrested for killing mother in Chandpur Nayem said the accident occurred at 5pm when the unidentified vehicle hit her leaving her seriously injured. Later, she was rescued and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead at 5:30pm. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of DMCH Police outpost Md. Masud Mia said the body has been kept in the hospital morgue. Woman, 2 children electrocuted in Barishal The matter has been informed to the concerned police station, he added.  

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested three BNP men who were allegedly involved in setting fire to a bus of Achim Paribahan in Demra of Dhaka city in October last year, leaving its helper dead and another injured. The arrestees are former Vice-President of Dhaka Metropolitan South Chhatra Dal Md Nurul Islam Monir alias Monir Munshi, 37, member secretary of Narayanganj City Jubo Dal Md Shahed Ahmed, 38, and Monir Munshi’s personal driver and BNP activist Mahabubur Rahman Sohag, 33. Private cars and motorcycles used during the arson were seized by the Anti-Illegal Arms and Canine Team of the CTTC's Special Action Group, said CTTC Chief Asaduzzaman during a briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road in Dhaka city on Saturday. He said on October 28, 2023, BNP leaders and activists carried out a hellish rampage in Paltan area of the capital to thwart the 12th national parliamentary elections. Following this, in the early hours of October 29, a bus of Achim Paribahan, parked at Deilla bus stand under Demra Police Station, was set afire, leaving one helper Naim, 22, dead on the spot and another helper Robiul, 25, seriously injured. The victims were asleep on the bus during the arson, added the CTTC chief. A case regarding the arson was filed with Demra Police Station the following day. Later, the Anti-Illegal Arms and Canine Team of CTTC's Special Action Group started investigating the case to identify those involved in the incident, he added.