United News of Bangladesh

Chief of the Navy Admiral M Nazmul Hasan on Wednesday called upon all concerned, including the Bangladesh Navy, other law enforcement agencies, and local administration, to ensure that citizens can exercise their voting rights in a festive atmosphere, free of fear. The Navy Chief made the appeal while visiting Kutubdia and Sandwip as part of his nationwide tour ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum, ISPR said in a media statement. He instructed authorities to closely monitor voting centers, maintain law and order, and take maximum precautionary measures to safeguard voters. Read More: Bangladesh Navy fully prepared to ensure free, fair and peaceful election During his visit, Admiral Hasan exchanged views with civil administration officials, law enforcement personnel, and election-related stakeholders. According to ISPR, the Bangladesh Navy is deployed in 25 upazilas across 16 parliamentary constituencies under the ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ operation to ensure the 13th Jatiya Sangsad polls and referendum are conducted freely, fairly, impartially, and peacefully. Naval ships are stationed in Bhola, Hatia, Sandwip, Cox's Bazar, and St. Martin’s, supported by a sufficient number of boats to strengthen security in coastal and island areas. Technology-based surveillance has been enhanced to prevent mischief, violence, or disruption by vested interests, the ISPR added. The Navy Chief said regular ship and foot patrols are underway, while Quick Response Force (QRF) and SWADS teams are always ready to respond to any situation. “The Bangladesh Navy is committed to ensuring a peaceful, free, fair, and acceptable election,” the statement said. Read More: Navy arrests wanted terrorist, seizes firearms in Teknaf

ARTICLE 19 has expressed concern over the interim government's ‘abrupt release’ of draft ordinances to establish a National Media Commission and a Broadcasting Commission, allowing only three days for public feedback. This last-minute initiative, taken at the end of the interim government’s tenure, lacks transparency and due process and risks undermining freedom of expression in Bangladesh, it says in a statement. ARTICLE 19, an international human rights organisation headquartered in London, called on the government of Bangladesh to stop the enactment of the draft ordinances and defer all decisions to the next elected government. With Bangladesh set to form a new elected government after the 12 February national election, ARTICLE 19 urged the interim government to immediately halt the enactment process and leave such far-reaching decisions to the incoming administration with a fresh democratic mandate. ARTICLE 19 promotes the freedom of expression movement, locally and globally, to ensure all people realise the power of their voices. It sought a transparent, inclusive consultation process with journalists, editors, civil society and legal experts. ARTICLE 19 called on the government of Bangladesh to guarantee that any future media regulator is fully independent and free from executive control. It demanded to recognise freelance journalists under relevant laws and ensure equal protections, align all reforms with international human rights standards, including Article 19 of the ICCPR and ensure the safety and free movement of all journalists during the election period. ARTICLE 19 said it stands with Bangladesh’s media community and urges the government to uphold transparency, independence, and human rights in all media-related reforms. The draft National Media Commission Ordinance aims to establish a National Media Commission that, in all respects - its structure and status, responsibilities of commissioners, as well as its administrative and financial framework - would be kept under direct government control, heavily influenced by bureaucratic authority, said the organisation. Such a design leaves the body exposed to political interference and falls far short of international human rights standards, including Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which requires media regulators to be independent, impartial, and free from executive control, it said. “Beyond issues of structural independence, the ordinance contains additional shortcomings,” it said. Notably, it excludes freelance journalists from the definition of ‘journalist’, thereby depriving a substantial segment of the media community of access to legal protections, accreditation, and safety measures, said ARTICLE 19, mentioning that such exclusion risks further undermining an already fragile media landscape. The proposed Broadcasting Commission Ordinance mirrors these shortcomings, centralising state control rather than safeguarding pluralism or public-interest journalism. Govt approves proposal to provide education in Rohingya camps through UNICEF ARTICLE 19 is particularly concerned that these rushed ordinances come nearly a year after the Bangladesh Media Reform Commission, which included recommendations for a National Media Commission, submitted its report on 22 March 2025. The interim government took no meaningful action on these recommendations, and members of the Reform Commission have publicly expressed frustration, it said. ARTICLE 19 said the government’s sudden urgency after months of inaction raises serious questions about motive and legitimacy.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) on Wednesday urged election officials and law enforcement personnel to perform their duties with honesty, integrity and sincerity, reminding them of the tragic consequences of fascism. He made the remarks at a meeting on law and order organised by the Khulna Divisional Administration at the conference room of the Khulna Divisional Commissioner’s office to ensure the smooth conduct of the national election and referendum–2026. Over the past 16 years, the adviser said, fascism had taken root through cloudy and biased election processes, in which state machinery was misused. He said people’s voting rights were taken away through a dictatorial system, leading to the establishment of autocracy and fascist structures. Referring to the 2024 mass uprising led by students to end fascism, he said many of those involved in the process were part of the government machinery and are now facing legal consequences, including dismissal, exile, imprisonment and prosecution. Expressing hope that all concerned would learn from the past, he called on officials to discharge their responsibilities properly in the upcoming national elections scheduled for February 12. Addressing election officials and members of law enforcement agencies, the adviser said the expectations of the people and political parties regarding the election are very high. Jahangir Alam stressed that ensuring a credible election rests largely on their shoulders. He warned that even a minor mistake or irregularity could damage the image of the election and the country, and said strict action would be taken against returning officers, assistant returning officers, presiding officers and others concerned if any irregularities or ballot box snatching occur. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said a Central Law and Order Coordination Cell has already been formed at the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the overall election situation. Representatives of law enforcement agencies will be stationed there to ensure quick information sharing and rapid response to any emerging situation. He also said the Election Security App–2026, developed by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), would play an effective role in maintaining law and order. The app will connect law enforcement agencies, election officials and the ministry’s central control room to receive and resolve complaints swiftly. The adviser instructed authorities to issue entry passes quickly to election observers and ensure journalists are provided identity cards and full cooperation. He said the law and order situation on polling day must be improved so that voters can cast their votes in a joyful and festive atmosphere. BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman and Bangladesh Police Additional IGP (Crime and Ops) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam spoke as special guests at the meeting, chaired by Home Ministry Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani.

A revenue official was found dead at Naogaon 250-bed General Hospital early Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Zunayed Saki, 37, an assistant revenue officer of Dhaka and hailed from Pirojpur district. Bappi, a trolleyman said two people arrived at the hospital in a pickup van carrying the body around 5 am and fled the scene after leaving the body onto a trolley in front of the emergency department of the hospital. Read More: 5 farmers killed in Naogaon road crash “As they were leaving, several people shouted at them from behind, but they ignored it and ran away,” Bappi said. Staff of the hospital later took the body to the emergency department where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Quoting family members, Zunayed Saki had travelled by train from Dhaka and got down at Santahar Railway Junction to visit his wife in Mahadevpur upazila of Naogaon. Rashed Ahmed, Naogaon Customs Assistant Revenue Commissioner said Zunayed, son of Manjurul Haque, was serving as an assistant revenue officer at Dhaka Customs, while his wife is a college teacher in Naogaon. Read More: Mother, daughter killed in Naogaon road crash Rehenuma Munmun, duty doctor of the hospital, said the victim was brought dead. Several injury marks were found on his hands and legs. Niamul Haque, Officer-in-charge of Naogaon Sadar Model Police, said the victim’s wife came to the police station to lodge a complaint. “We are trying to identify those who left the body in front of the hospital,” said OC. Legal action will be taken after investigation, he said.

The government has appointed 1,051 executive magistrates across the country to maintain law and order situation during the upcoming national election. The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification on Tuesday in this regard. The appointed executive magistrates will conduct mobile courts in their respective areas from February 8 to 14, it said. According to the notification, the magistrates will work in coordination with law enforcement agencies, mobile and striking forces, particularly Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Coast Guard, to ensure law and order and prevent crimes during national election and the referendum. Several instructions regarding training, joining and duty deployment of the magistrates were also issued. As per the directives, executive magistrates appointed in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Dhaka divisions will attend a mandatory training session on February 5 (first batch) at 10am, while those appointed in Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions will join the second batch training on the same day at 2:30pm. The training will be conducted via the Zoom platform and the meeting ID and passcode will be sent to the concerned officials via mobile phone and email. The appointed executive magistrates have also been instructed to report to the respective district magistrate or returning officer on February 7. The district magistrate or returning officer must submit a joining report to the Ministry of Public Administration by 8pm on the same day. Besides, the district magistrates will determine the jurisdiction and assign responsibilities to the empowered executive magistrates within their respective districts, said the notification. The magistrates must regularly inform the district magistrate about mobile court operations.  

Operations at Chattogram Port, the country’s busiest trade hub, have come to a standstill as a strike by port workers and employees drags on, triggering significant delays in imports and exports, as talks are underway between labour representatives and port authorities to resolve the crisis. The strike continued for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday protesting the plans to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to global port operator DP World. As a result, import-export trade has come to a standstill, inflicting losses worth several hundred crore taka on shipping lines. Read More: Chattogram Port workers plan 24-hour walkout as NCT leasing dispute deepens The workers of Chattogram Port have been observing work stoppages for eight hours a day over the past three days from Saturday to Monday while they observed a 24-hr strike from Tuesday morning. Amid the worsening situation, port-related business leaders have sat in an emergency meeting with labour leaders in a bid to resolve the crisis around 2 pm on Wednesday at a hotel in Agrabad area of the Chattogram port city and it continued until the filing of this report. Labour leaders said port workers and employees went on an eight-hour strike protesting the agreement with a foreign company to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) from Saturday. As their demands were not met, they announced a 24-hour strike from Wednesday. The protesters also alleged that although the NCT is a self-sustaining and profitable terminal built with the port’s own funds, steps are being taken to hand it over to a foreign company. They also claimed that the decision could threaten national sovereignty and lead to job losses for many workers. The labour leaders also demanded to withdraw the decision to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to global port operator DP World. Meanwhile, the port authorities said the process of signing a contract with a foreign company to operate the NCT is underway to make Chattogram Port more dynamic and modern. The matter has not yet been finalised. Moreover, a writ petition was filed against the contract which had already been dismissed by the High Court. Read More: Strike at Chattogram port enters 2nd day over NCT lease Severe Impact on Trade Nearly 92% of the country’s import-export cargo is transported through Chattogram Port. Due to the work stoppage, port operations have almost come to a halt. More than 10,000 export-laden containers have piled up, while queues of vessels waiting at jetties and outer anchorage continue to grow. Omar Faruk, director (admin) of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) said the ongoing movement is having only a limited impact on import-export trade. He urged the protesters not to disrupt cargo handling and delivery operations. Already 16 workers involved in leading the movement were transferred to Dhaka as a disciplinary measure, he said. Business leaders said Chattogram Port is the heart of the country’s economy and the severe agitation must be stopped to keep it operational. Any delay, they warned, would force the entire economy to pay a heavy price. Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Rakibul Alam Chowdhury said unrest has prevailed at Chattogram Port for the last four days centring on an appeal hearing at the High Court that declared the operation of NCT by Dubai-based DP World lawful. Read More: Strike at Chattogram port enters 2nd day over NCT lease Processions, rallies, blockades and mass transfers have heightened tensions in the port area, severely hampering import-export operations at jetties, yards and terminals, he said. Besides, the ready-made garment sector has suffered the most due to the strike, he added. Head of operations of MSC Shipping, Azmir Hossain Chowdhury  said delays in unloading and loading cargo due to the strike have forced shipping lines to pay demurrage of at least $15,000 per vessel per day on average. If the situation continues, losses could multiply, he warned. Additional costs for fuel, crew management and port usage are also rising, while the port’s international reputation is being harmed, he said. Meanwhile, Ruhul Amin Sikder Biplob, General Secretary of Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), said import and export activities largely depend on 21 private inland container depots (ICDs) or off-docks around Chattogram Port. On average, more than 3,500 import containers and around 3,000 export containers—about 6,500 containers in total—are transported daily between the port and these off-docks.

The government has cancelled the appointment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) Md Shafiqur   Rahman following his arrest in a case over the abuse of a domestic worker. Dr Humaira Sultana, Additional Secretary (Biman and Civil Aviation) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has been assigned to perform the duties of the airline’s MD until a new MD is appointed, according to an office order issued by the ministry on Tuesday. The order said Shafiqur Rahman’s contractual appointment was revoked as he is currently in jail on criminal charges. It added that in the interest of ensuring efficient and effective management of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Dr Humaira has been given charge as the new Managing Director and CEO until further notice. Shafiqur, his wife and two others were arrested by Uttara West Police early Monday from their residence in Sector 9 of Uttara in connection with alleged torture of an 11-year-old domestic worker. A Dhaka court on Monday sent them to jail in the case .

An earthquake was felt again in Dhaka and other parts of the country on Tuesday night. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck at around 9:34pm( Bangladesh time). The epicentre was located near the Sittwe region of Myanmar. Earlier in the day, another mild earthquake was felt around 4:30am, measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the epicentre of the early-morning tremor was in Satkhira district. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage following either of the tremors.

The government has approved a proposal to procure education services through UNICEF to improve pre-primary and primary education for forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingyas) living in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban districts, as well as Bhasan Char in Noakhali. The approved proposal involves an expenditure of Tk 203.87 crore, which will be implemented with funding from the government (GoB) and a World Bank grant. The approval was given at a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase held at the Secretariat on Tuesday. Env Adviser Rizwana, Unicef stress youth role in climate action The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education placed the proposal before the committee. The service procurement will be carried out under the SD-4 package of the project titled “ISO Component-One: Pre-Primary and Primary Education Improvement Project in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban Districts and Bhasan Char of Noakhali.” According to meeting sources, the initiative under Component-1 of the project aims to engage forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in productive activities and help them acquire skills in their mother tongue through structured education services. To this end, UNICEF was invited under a single-source procurement method to submit a proposal for implementing the education programme. Following the submission, the proposal was jointly reviewed, evaluated and negotiated by the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) and the World Bank’s education team. After completion of the negotiation process, a proposal was placed seeking approval to award the package to UNICEF at a cost of USD 18.45 million, equivalent to Tk 203.87 crore, based on the Development Project Proforma (DPP) exchange rate of Tk 110.502 per US dollar. The committee subsequently approved the proposal. The project was earlier approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on May 28, 2024. Its implementation period has been fixed from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027. Under the agreement, the World Bank will directly disburse the entire USD 18.45 million (Tk 203.87 crore) to UNICEF in US dollars. UNICEF welcomes Bangladesh’s decision  to establish separate children’s courts  Sources noted that while the approved DPP initially stipulated implementation through open tendering, the decision to engage UNICEF was taken in line with the conditions of the World Bank’s grant and loan agreements. Under the package, a total of 256,490 Rohingya students will receive education support in the Myanmar language. To deliver the programme, 4,106 volunteer teachers will be recruited during the first 12 months, followed by an additional 3,700 volunteers over the subsequent six months. The recruited teachers will receive honorariums at rates determined under the project framework.

Muslims across the country are observing the holy night of Shab-e-Barat with prayers, zikr and tasbeeh throughout the night, while graveyards have been decorated with lights as devotees seek forgiveness for the departed souls.In villages and many urban areas, families traditionally prepare homemade rice bread, halua, beef curry and biryani, which are shared with relatives, neighbours and the poor on the occasion.