United News of Bangladesh

A Mymensingh court on Sunday convicted three siblings and sentenced them to life imprisonment for killing a man in 2008. Judge Farzana Ahmed of the Mymensingh Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-4 handed down the punishment. The convicts are Shahbaz Mia, 58, Md Rafiqul Islam, 53, and Hanifa, 50 of Gafargaon upazila. The court also fined them Tk 30,000 each, in default, to suffer six months more in prison. According to the prosecution, on August 10, 2008, several children were playing football in a jujube orchard beside the house of Nurul Haque in Shilasi village of Gafargaon upazila. At one stage, the football struck the tin fence of Nurul Haque’s house, prompting him to become angry. He then stopped the children from playing and drove them away from the area. Angered by the incident, Shahbaz and his family members, equipped with sharp weapons, stormed into Nurul’s house and attacked him, leaving him critically injured. Later, he was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared him dead. Kajol Mia, son of Nurul, filed a case with Gafargaon Police Station. Police later submitted a chargesheet against six people. After examining the records and witnesses, the court acquitted the three other accused as the allegations against them could not be proved.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Sunday called for an immediate declaration of a national emergency over the measles outbreak in Bangladesh, urging the government and opposition to set aside blame-games and work together to contain the crisis. “The situation of children across the country due to measles is extremely precarious. The government and opposition must work hand in hand to address this,” Asif told a press conference at the party's temporary office in Banglamotor in the afternoon. Demanding a probe into the sudden surge of measles cases, Asif said it was essential to investigate whose negligence or irregularities allowed the outbreak to spiral out of control. At the same press conference, the party unveiled a preliminary list of 100 candidates for upazila and municipality-level local government elections. Pressing the government to publish a clear roadmap and timeline for the polls, Asif said: “The government says local elections will be held soon, but we have received no framework on when or how. A concrete roadmap must be announced without delay.” He warned that allowing incumbent city corporation administrators, most of whom he identified as BNP-aligned to contest mayoral elections while still in office would compromise electoral integrity from the outset. He also accused several administrators of neglecting their duties, citing cities plastered with political posters left entirely unaddressed. Asif raised concerns over a renewed deterioration of law and order, saying mob culture had yet to be reined in. On border tensions, he alleged a fresh spike in killings of Bangladeshi nationals by India's Border Security Force (BSF), urging the government to summon the Indian High Commissioner and demand an explanation. He also condemned what he described as rising communal violence against Muslims in West Bengal following the BJP's assumption of power there, adding that the new chief minister had threatened Bangladesh with “push-ins.” Asif called on Dhaka to respond firmly and build stronger diplomatic capacity to counter such threats from across the border.  

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will begin its Eid-ul-Azha truck sales programme across the country on Monday, offering essential commodities at subsidised prices to low-income families. Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir will inaugurate the 10-day programme at a ceremony on the west side of the PSC Building at Agargaon. The truck sales will run from May 11 to 21, excluding Fridays, with 720 trucks deployed daily nationwide, 50 in Dhaka (including Dhaka district), 20 in Chattogram (including Chattogram district), 15 each in six other divisional cities and their respective districts and 10 in the remaining 56 districts. Each truck will serve up to 400 customers daily, with TCB selling edible oil at Tk 130 per litre (maximum 2 litres per customer), sugar at Tk 70 per kg (maximum 1 kg), and lentils at Tk 90 per kg (maximum 2 kg). Over the 10-day period, the programme is expected to benefit around 28.80 lakh consumers, with total sales projected at approximately 13,939 metric tonnes of goods. Customers may purchase from any truck of their choice. TCB noted that around 72 lakh cardholding families will be able to buy around 34,848 metric tonnes of subsidised essentials during the Eid-ul-Azha period in May. The quantities and prices of oil, sugar, and lentils available to cardholders will remain unchanged.  

Police have arrested two TikTokers in connection with the harassment of two Russian nationals at Green Valley Park in Lalpur upazila of Natore district on Saturday night. The arrestees were Aminul Islam and Russell Islam. Tipped off, a team of police conducted separate drives in Arani and Tanore areas of Rajshahi district and arrested them, said Officer-in-Charge of Lalpur Police Station Shafiqul Islam. After checking video footage and using technology, police will arrest the remaining suspects involved in the incident, said the OC. The two Russian citizens who work at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant came to visit Green Valley Park on Friday when several people identifying themselves as TikTok content creators surrounded the foreigners and harassed them, the OC said. The incident sparked widespread criticism on social media after videos of the harassment circulated online. Following the incident, park manager Wazedur Rahman filed a case with Lalpur Police Station.  

  Five members of a family who were found murdered in Gazipur’s Kapasia upazila have been laid to rest in Gopalganj. After the namaz-e-janaza at Paikandi village in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, the bodies were buried side by side at the family graveyard on Sunday. A pall of gloom descended on the area as grieving relatives and locals broke down in tears during the burial. Family members and local residents demanded the immediate arrest of the prime accused, Furkan Mia, and his exemplary punishment. Earlier in the morning, an emotional scene unfolded when the bodies arrived at the village around 6am. Hundreds of people from nearby areas gathered to pay their last respects. The deceased were Sharmin Begum, 32, her brother Rasul Mia, 22 and Sharmin’s three daughters -Mim, 14, Habiba, 10, and Faria, 2. The main accused, Sharmin’s husband Furkan Mia, remains absconding. Police said  the bloodstained bodies of the five people were recovered on Saturday morning from a house in Rautkandi village of Kapasia upazila. Investigators suspect the killings took place late Friday night. The incident came to light after Furkan called relatives early Saturday and informed them about the murders. Sharmin’s maternal uncle Arj Sheikh said they rushed to Gazipur after receiving the news.“The scene was too horrific to describe. We want the highest punishment for Furkan,” he said. Relatives suspect that sleeping pills were mixed with food before the victims were killed. Sharmin’s father Shahadat Molla filed a murder case with Kapasia Police Station accusing Furkan Mia as the prime suspect along with four to five unidentified persons.  

Professor Saifuddin Ahmad has resigned from the post of Proctor of Dhaka University. Prof Saifuddin told UNB that he said he has already submitted his resignation letter to the Vice-Chancellor. He said the university is now in a stable condition and considerable work has been completed during his 20-month tenure. He also expressed his intention to return to academic life and spend more time with students. “I have missed my students a lot. I want to return to them and resume regular classes,” he added.  

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Sunday launched its first-ever pre-monsoon Aedes mosquito larvae survey under its own management to prevent mosquito-borne diseases dengue and chikungunya in the capital. DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam formally inaugurated the survey programme at Buriganga Hall of Nagar Bhaban on Sunday morning. Under the 12-day survey, a total of 2,250 houses 30 from each of DSCC’s 75 wards have been selected through a randomised scientific sampling process. A total of 36 field workers from DSCC and the Communicable Disease Control branch of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) are taking part in the survey. To ensure accuracy in data collection, the survey teams are using the digital platform KoboToolbox. The survey findings will be analysed through Breteau Index (BI), House Index (HI), Container Index (CI) and Pupa Index (PI), which are expected to help identify future dengue hotspots in the city. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Abdus Salam said dengue has become a major threat to public life and that DSCC has undertaken the scientific initiative to protect city residents from the growing risk. “If the breeding sources can be identified properly, outbreaks can be prevented before they spread widely,” he said. Issuing a stern warning to field workers, the DSCC administrator said negligence in carrying out the survey would not be tolerated. “This is a matter of life and death for people. Submitting fabricated reports without visiting the assigned areas would amount to playing with human lives,” he said. After the inauguration, the DSCC Administrator visited the Central Veterinary Hospital at Fulbaria intersection to inspect the survey activities on the ground. During the inspection, mosquito larvae, stagnant water and waste were found inside the hospital premises, prompting him to express dissatisfaction with the hospital authorities. He directed the authorities concerned to take immediate action against those responsible and ordered spraying of mosquito control chemicals to destroy the larvae. DSCC said that alongside the survey, regular mosquito control drives will continue and immediate action will be taken wherever larvae or high-risk environments are detected.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the government has taken a series of initiatives aimed at ensuring welfare of the police personnel, including honorary promotions upon retirement and possible overtime allowances, as part of efforts to turn police into a modern and people-oriented force. While addressing the “Welfare Parade” organised as part of Police Week-2026 at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in the Rajarbagh Police Lines, he also said the government will fulfil all logical demands of police members in line with the country’s financial capacity. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was present as the chief guest while Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Monzur Morshed Chowdhury and Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, among others, addressed the programme. Highlighting retirement-related benefits, Salahuddin said many police constables complete 40 years of service without receiving further promotion. PM asks police to remain neutral, turn stations into reliable support centres To address the issue, the government plans to introduce honorary promotions at retirement based on special policies and satisfactory service records, he said. Under the proposal, eligible constables may receive an honorary promotion to the rank of assistant sub-inspector (ASI), ASIs to sub-inspector (SI) and SIs to the rank of inspector upon retirement, the minister said. Besides, the government is considering introducing special overtime allowances for police personnel who work extended hours under a special policy framework, he said. The proposed benefit may apply to officers from the rank of inspector down to constable and is expected to help improve morale and service quality, Salahuddin added. Meanwhile, the government is also taking plans to modernise central and divisional police hospitals to improve physical and mental healthcare services for police members, considering their long working hours and heavy workload, he said, adding that the additional modern hospital facilities may also be constructed after necessary assessments. On accommodation and infrastructure, the minister said the government remains committed to resolving accommodation shortages and improving office facilities for different police units, adding that land acquisition and funding for such projects are among government priorities. Referring to current law and order, he said visible progress has been made over the past two months. “Special drives are underway against identified terrorists, extortionists and drug traffickers,” he said. Salahuddin also stressed the importance of advanced training for police personnel to combat evolving crimes linked to technological developments, including cybercrime, online gambling and money laundering. Meanwhile, a committee has already been formed to put forward suggestions to update laws to tackle gambling, cybercrime and financial crimes more effectively, he said. Besides, the existing laws will be amended and updated to curb mob culture, the minister said, instructing police personnel to carry out their duties in line with public expectations.  

Despite repeated assurances from Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to minimise the use of lethal force and bring border killings down to zero, fatalities along the Bangladesh-India frontier continue to spark concern. Even as Dhaka and New Delhi step up engagement to reset bilateral ties, incidents along the border suggest a persistent gap between commitments and realities on the ground. BSF officials have on multiple occasions pledged restraint during Director General-level meetings and other border conferences with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Joint Records of Discussion (JRDs) from these meetings regularly emphasise the use of non-lethal measures including rubber bullets. BGB on high alert along Kurigram border over fears of illegal infiltration, push-ins However, rights groups say most victims are still killed by gunfire, pointing to the continued use of lethal weapons. Allegations of excessive force  including shootings, physical abuse and aggressive pursuit  remain frequent, particularly in cases linked to suspected cattle smuggling, unauthorised crossings and informal cross-border trade. Deaths remain steady despite commitments Data from rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) shows that at least 91 Bangladeshis were killed and 87 others injured in alleged BSF firing between January 1, 2023 and May 9, 2026. Year-wise data indicates a steady pattern: 26 killed and 32 injured in 2023; 30 killed and 29 injured in 2024; and 31 killed and 18 injured in 2025. So far this year, four people have been killed and eight injured. The figures suggest that the use of lethal force has not significantly declined despite repeated pledges. Over the past decade, border killings have remained a recurring concern, with Bangladesh recording one of the highest numbers of such deaths globally. Fresh incidents heighten alarm The latest incident occurred early on May 9 along the Pathariadar border in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria, where two Bangladeshis — Morsalin, an HSC second-year student, and Nabi Hossain, 40 — were shot dead by BSF personnel. Family members said the bodies were taken to a hospital in Agartala. Witnesses claimed BSF opened fire on a group of 20 to 25 people near the border, killing Morsalin on the spot. Locals also alleged that several others were injured and later taken to Cumilla for treatment. Family members confirmed Nabi’s death. Earlier incidents reflect a similar pattern. On July 2, 2025, Ibrahim Khalil Babu, 29, was killed in firing at the Sultanpur border in Chuadanga. On December 5 the same year, the body of Sabuj Islam, 29, who was shot dead along the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat, was handed over to BGB following a flag meeting. Violence amid renewed engagement Analysts note that incidents of border violence often coincide with periods of diplomatic engagement, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing mechanisms. Since the formation of a government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, contacts between Dhaka and New Delhi have increased, signalling a possible shift toward more constructive cooperation. The renewed engagement, following strained ties during the interim administration, reflects a shared intent to recalibrate relations, with a focus on dialogue, economic cooperation and regional connectivity. Yet continued reports of shootings along the border are fuelling public concern. Calls for accountability Experts say assurances alone are not enough and stress the need for stronger monitoring and accountability. They recommend enhanced real-time communication between BGB and BSF, more joint patrols and strict adherence to international human rights standards. Transparent investigations into each incident and punitive action in proven cases are also essential, they say.  

River ports in some regions have been asked to hoist cautionary signal no 1 as a temporary west or northwesterly gusty or squally wind is likely to occur in many parts of the country, according to the special bulletin Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). “In association with rain or thunder showers temporary west or northwesterly gusty or squally wind speed 45-60 kph is likely to occur over the regions of Pabna, Bogura, Tangail, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Faridpur, Madaripur, Jashore, Kushtia, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar & Sylhet wherein river ports shall hoist cautionary signal No 1,” said a special bulletin of Met office. The warning for Inland River ports to remain valid till 1 am on May 11, according to a bulletin.