United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested two more suspects in connection with the robbery and sexual assault case involving Rajshahi-bound bus. The latest arrests were made on Monday night (February 24) from Netrokona and Ashulia. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Tangail Superintendent of Police, disclosed this information at a press conference on Tuesday (February 25) afternoon. The arrested individuals are Md. Alamgir from West Polashbari, Ashulia in Dhaka and his brother Md. Rajib Hossain. They are both active members of an inter-district criminal gang involved in robberies. Four arrested over Gazipur extortion drive From the robbers, two locally made weapons, cash amounting to Tk 4,210, two silver rings, ten mobile phones of different models, two pairs of thick and three pairs of thin imitation bangles looted from female passengers, three bags, passengers' national ID cards, and ATM cards were recovered. Earlier on February 21, DB police arrested three robbers involved in the robbery and sexual assault from the Savar area. Two of them gave confessional statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Another remains in remand till February 26 (Wednesday) for further questioning. The original incident dates to February 17, when a gang of criminals boarded a bus bound for the north, and then wreaked havoc for three hours on a Rajshahi-bound passenger bus in the Mirzapur area, during which two female passengers were sexually harassed.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday issued an order to prevent former Narayanganj-4 Member of Parliament (MP) Shamim Osman, along with his wife Salma Osman, son Imtinan Osman, and daughter Labiba Johar, from leaving the country. But as with almost every travel ban issued against senior AL politicians in the post-August 5 era, it is bound to be mocked by citizens as an eyewash, since Osman alongside most of his family is known to have fled the country already. So it comes after the proverbial horse has already bolted. Travel ban imposed on Hasina's last press secretary Nayeemul Islam Khan, family members The order was passed by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib, following an application filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to the ACC's application, Shamim Osman is under investigation for his alleged involvement in embezzling funds from various government development projects. The charges include operating syndicated tender trading, extorting money in multiple sectors, accepting commissions from transport and jute traders, trading party positions and nominations, and engaging in land grabbing. Furthermore, he is accused of laundering money abroad, acquiring properties in Canada and the United States, operating businesses in Dubai, and accumulating assets worth hundreds of crores of taka in his and his family members' names. Last week, a similar order was issued against ex-finance minister AHM Mostofa Kamal, better known as Lotus Kamal, alongside his family members.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday imposed a travel ban on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s press secretary Nayeemul Islam Khan, along with four family members. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Jakir Hossain Galib passed the order after hearing a petition filed by deputy-director of Anti-Corruption Commission Afroza Haque Khan. Illegal wealth: ACC to start probe against journalist Naimul Islam Khan, family According to the petition, an allegation has been brought against Nayeemul for accumulating wealth beyond known sources. Nayeemul’s wife Nasima Khan Monti and three daughters—Labina Nayeem Khan, Zulika Nayeem Khan and Adiva Nayeem Khan had 163 bank accounts and from the bank accounts they withdrew Tk 379 crore out of Tk 386 crore. The ACC also formed a two-member committee to investigate the allegations brought against Nayeemul and his family.

Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Alim Mahmud, along with 82 police officers, has been made Officer on Special Duty (OSD). The decision was announced through three separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday without specifying any reason for this reshuffle. Information Adviser Nahid Islam finally quits Among those made OSD are one Additional IGP, 13 Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), 49 Additional DIGs, and 19 Superintendents of Police. A source in the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the officers in question had played roles in the controversial 2018 national elections.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Tuesday said his only desire is to return to the cantonment after ensuring the country’s stability. “I have no other ambition, my only desire is that I want to return to the cantonment after making the country and the nation stable,” he said at an event at Raowa Club in the capital, marking the National Army Martyrs Day. About the election, he said, "I believe we are moving towards polls. As many times as I talked to Dr Yunus he completely agreed that there should be a free, fair and inclusive election, and the election should be held within December or close to that which I earlier mentioned as within 18 months.” Emphasising the need for unity, he said, "At the end of the day, we must prioritise the country and the nation instead of engaging in conflicts. If you resort to mudslinging among yourselves, the independence and sovereignty of the country and the nation will be at stake. I am issuing a warning—you cannot say later that I did not caution you. “ "We are going through a chaotic situation, and criminals are taking advantage of it," he said. “There are some reasons behind the deterioration in the law-and-order situation. One is: If we are busy fighting; it’s a suitable situation for criminals. They know it well if they do the crimes this time they will be able to easily escape. If we remain united then it will be possible to face these in a united way,” he said. Action to be taken against negligence by law enforcers, warns Home Adviser The army chief said that along with some controversial actions in the past, law enforcement and intelligence agencies such as the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and National Security Intelligence (NSI) have also contributed positively. "The reason the country remained stable for so many years is that members of the armed forces and civilians collectively kept these institutions effective. That is why we have had a stable environment for so long," he said. General Waker-Uz-Zaman said those involved in crimes must be held accountable. "Otherwise, such incidents will recur. However, we must ensure that our actions do not undermine these institutions," he cautioned. "Today, many police officers are hesitant to perform their duties because cases have been filed against them, and some are in jail. RAB, BGB, DGFI, and NSI are in a state of panic due to ongoing investigations into allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings," he said. "Investigations must take place, and those responsible must be brought to justice, but this should be done in a way that does not weaken these agencies. If you think peace can be restored in the country by undermining these institutions, that will not happen," he added. Stressing that maintaining law and order is not solely the responsibility of the army, the army chief said, "There are 200,000 police personnel, along with BGB, RAB and Ansar-VDP. The army has only 30,000 troops. How can I fill this void with just 30,000 soldiers? Troops are deployed in rotation—one group goes to the cantonment while another takes their place. We are working tirelessly, but if reversing actions continue, peace and order will never be restored. This is something you must keep in mind," he said.

Any negligence by members of the law enforcement agencies while performing their duties will lead to legal action, warned Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The adviser came up with the warning while briefing journalists in the morning after laying wreaths at Banani Military Graveyard marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of army officers in the BDR massacre and the observance of 'National Martyred Army Day.' A nationwide special operation began on Monday evening to improve the law-and-order situation, he said, adding, "If any member of our forces is found to be negligent, they will be brought under the law. No one will be spared, whether they belong to the police, BGB, RAB, Ansar, or the prison department. Those who fail to fulfill their duties properly will be held accountable." Special police operation to tackle growing mugging incidents Jahangir Alam also highlighted that the families of the martyrs from the BDR massacre had two primary demands: justice for the victims and the declaration of a National Martyred Army Day. "The government has already declared 25 February as 'National Martyred Army Day,' and this year marks its first official observance," he said. He added that a National Independent Full-Fledged Investigation Commission had been formed to uncover the domestic and foreign conspiracies behind the BDR mutiny and to identify the perpetrators. “The commission is expected to submit its investigation report within 90 days. Based on the findings of the commission, those found guilty will be brought to justice," he added. Police arrest 3 suspected mugging gang members in Dhaka's Uttarkhan Earlier, tributes were paid at the graves of the army officers martyred in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre. Wreaths were placed by the President and Chief Adviser’s representatives, the Home Affairs Adviser, the chiefs of the three armed forces, the senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the relatives of the martyrs.

A 65-year-old man was killed in an attack allegedly by his nephew over cutting bananas from a plant on a disputed land in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali. The deceased Belayet Hossain was a resident of Dhankhali union of the upazila. Police and locals said there had long been a dispute between the victim and accused Raja Mia over the land. Raja took away bananas from the plant on disputed land on Monday, leading to an argument between them. At one stage, the accused hit Belayet with a stick on the head and other parts of the body, leaving him critically injured, they said. Initially he was taken to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital and later he succumbed to his injuries on way to Dhaka on Monday night, according to them. Officer-in-Charge of Kalapara police station Juwel Islam said efforts were underway to arrest the accused.

The High Court has ordered the removal of all illegal brick kilns across the country in strict compliance with legal provisions and directed that a report be submitted to it by March 17. The order was issued on Monday by the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury after eight officials appeared before the court and submitted written explanations. Additionally, the Director General of the Department of Environment, along with the Divisional Commissioners of Sylhet, Rajshahi, Barishal, Rangpur, and Mymensingh, have been summoned to explain their failure to take effective action against illegal brick kilns and the use of wood as fuel. They have been instructed to appear in person on March 17 to provide their explanations. Senior lawyer Manzill Murshid represented the petitioner in the court hearing, while lawyer Fahima Nasrin Munni appeared for the Brick Kiln Owners' Association. Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state. Two illegal brick kilns fined Tk 8.5 lakh in Feni During the hearing, the High Court stated, “We must protect the country’s environment. Our normal lives are increasingly being disrupted. If environmental pollution continues at this rate, none of us will survive.” Earlier on Monday morning, the Divisional Commissioners of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, as well as the Deputy Commissioners of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram, and the Upazila Nirbahi Officers of Savar and Dhamrai, appeared before the court in response to a summons regarding the failure to take effective measures against illegal brick kilns. They submitted their written explanations before the court. Those who have provided written explanations have been exempted from personal appearances, but they have been directed to submit a complete report by March 17.

A total of 589 people were arrested across the country as part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt in 24 hours till Monday afternoon, according to the police headquarters. Besides, 954 others were arrested in connection with various warrants and ongoing cases during the same period in countrywide drives conducted by local police. 585 arrested in Operation Devil Hunt across country During this period, the joint forces also recovered arms and weapons  including one foreign-made pistol, one locally-made pistol, 3 magazines, 12 rounds of ammunition and 250 gm of cannabis. Launched on the night of February 9, Operation Devil Hunt  is aimed at curbing unrest and ensuring public safety across the country.

A man was killed and over 50  people were injured during an “attack  by miscreants” at Samity Para near the Bangladesh Air Force base in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. The deceased was identified as Shihab Kabir Nahid, 30, son of former Primary Teachers' Training Institute (PTI) superintendent Nasir Uddin, 30, said Ahsan Habib Polash, deputy inspector general of the Chattogram Range of the police.   According to the Inter Services Public Relations, some miscreants launched a ‘surprise’ attack on the Air Force Base on Monday. The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary steps in this regard, the ISPR release added. Miscreants attack Air Force base in  Cox’s Bazar: ISPR Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said a man with bullet injuries was admitted to Sadar Hospital who was declared dead by doctors. Besides, five others are undergoing treatment at the same hospital. “A thorough investigation is underway, and discussions will be held with both parties to determine the cause of the incident," he added. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital superintendent Dr Mong Ting also confirmed the death. Locals alleged that tensions escalated following a dispute over land acquisition for the expansion of Cox’s Bazar airport. Akhter Kamal, a resident of Samity Para area, said a meeting was scheduled between BAF members and representatives of local people at the deputy commissioner’s office to discuss the relocation of affected residents. Around noon, when some locals, including one Md Jahid, were going to attend the meeting, BAF personnel stopped them at a checkpoint near Diabetic Point in the town. An argument ensued between Jahid and the Air Force members, he said. More people gathered there and protested the incident, triggering the clash, he said. Shahjahan, another resident, claimed that during the clash Air Force personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd, leaving several injured. Shihab was later rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Shihab’s father, Nasir Uddin, demanded justice for his son’s killing, calling for an impartial investigation into the incident.