United News of Bangladesh

Police arrested 17 people in the last 24 hours until Friday morning as part of Operation Devil Hunt. The arrestees are Md Abdur Rouf, Md Shafiar Rahman, Md Saddam Hossain Jibon, Md Shahidul Islam, Ashish Kumar Sarkar, Md Ziaur Rahman, Md Rafiqul Islam, President Md Ariful Islam, Md Mofizul Haque, Md Shahadat Hossain, Md Shafiqur Rahman, Shri Sheikh Raihan Pallab, Md Golam Wadud, Md A Rahim alias Mehedi Hasan Nayan, Md Nur E-Elahi Tuhin, Md Samiul Islam alias Sagar Mia, and Md Zakiul Islam. They were arrested from various places in the district during a 24-hour operation from Thursday morning to Friday morning, said Kurigram Police Superintendent Md Mahfuzur Rahman. He also mentioned that Kurigram District Police is conducting special operations as part of Operation Devil Hunt, a nationwide initiative to arrest individuals who create instability, plan, and assist in the recovery of illegal weapons and ammunition. Later, the police presented them before the Kurigram Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, where the judge ordered all of them to be sent to jail.

A case has been filed against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Zakir Hossain and his brother Amir Hossain for allegedly extorting money using the name of Feni Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Marma Singha Tripura. The case was lodged on Wednesday night by OC Marma Singha Tripura himself. Zakir Hossain, 40, son of Zahir Ahmed from Gojaria village in Daganbhuiyan upazila, was recently expelled from Feni Alia Madrasa. According to the case statement, he demanded extortion money from the madrasa’s principal, Mahmudul Hasan, falsely claiming it was needed to remove Hasan’s name from a charge sheet. ACC files 4 cases against ex-finance minister Kamal, family A phone call recording of the transaction later surfaced on social media, revealing that Zakir took Tk 2 lakh, while his brother Amir later collected an additional Tk 1 lakh. The case statement also accuses the duo of misusing the OC’s name to commit the fraud. On February 9, a 2-minute 27-second audio clip of Zakir demanding extortion went viral on social media. Following the incident, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Feni district unit expelled Zakir Hossain from the party. In a press release signed by the district’s Publicity and Media Secretary ANM Abdur Rahim, Jamaat said that Zakir was expelled under Article 62, Clause 2 of its constitution for violating party discipline and engaging in unethical activities. DMP bans fireworks, explosives during Shab-e-Barat Zakir, a Rukon [key member] of Jamaat and former assistant secretary of the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation’s Feni Municipality unit—an organisation affiliated with Jamaat—has been residing with his family in the Pathan Bari area of Feni town for a long time.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed four cases against former finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and his family on charges of acquiring illegal assets worth TK 167.56 crore and unusual transactions worth TK 850 crore. The agency's Director General Akhter Hossain disclosed the matter in front at a press briefing at the ACC head office in the capital on Thursday. Irregular transactions found in Nagad e-wallets: ACC A case was filed against AHM Mustafa Kamal on charge of abusing his power to acquire illegal assets worth TK 27.5 crore. Besides, suspicious transactions of TK 446.42 crore was found in 32 accounts operated in his own name and the name of his organisation in various banks. Another case was filed against Mustafa Kamal and his wife Kashmiri Kamal for abusing their power to acquire assets worth TK 44.11 crore inconsistent with known income sources. She was also accused for  suspicious transactions worth Tk 26.64 crore. Apex court defers hearing of caretaker government review petitions for 2 weeks Besides, a case was filed against  Mustafa Kamal and his daughter Kashfi Kamal for accumulating illegal assets worth TK 31.78 crore and suspicious transactions worth TK 177.48 crore from 38 personal and business accounts. The ex-minister’s daughter Nafisa Kamal was sued for accruing assets worth TK 62.14 crore beyond known sources of income and making suspicious transactions worth TK 199.2340.547 crore from 17 personal and business accounts.  

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a set of traffic directives ahead of the ‘Akheri Munajat’ of Bishwa Ijtema’s second phase scheduled for February 16. According to a press release from the DMP headquarters, from 4 am on February 16, all vehicles except those carrying Uttara residents, air passengers, airport operational vehicles, airline crew, fire service, law enforcement, and ambulances must avoid the Airport Road (Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway). Instead, they should use alternative routes via Mohakhali-Bijoy Sarani-Mirpur-Gabtoli. Additionally, inter-district buses, trucks, and heavy vehicles will be restricted from using Abdullahpur and Dhour Bridge intersections and should instead travel via Mohakhali-Bijoy Sarani-Gabtoli. First phase of Biswa Ijtema to begin Jan 31 For vehicles coming from the northern districts via Nabinagar, Baipail, and Ashulia, the DMP advises them to avoid Kamarpara/Abdullahpur crossings and instead travel via Savar-Gabtoli or Dhour Bridge-Mirpur Beribadh, it said. Vehicles arriving in Dhaka via Airport Road must either make a U-turn near Radisson Blu hotel or use the Kuril Flyover via Pragati Sarani. Similarly, those using the 300 Feet Road should avoid Kuril Flyover Loop-2 (airport-bound) and instead use Pragati Sarani and Loop-4 (Kakoli-Mohakhali bound). The Dhaka Elevated Expressway's Kaula/airport-bound exit should also be avoided on February 16. Pedestrians heading to the Ijtema ground are advised to use the pontoon bridge over the Turag River or the Kamarpara Bridge to reach the venue, added the release. To facilitate air travellers on the day of Akheri Munajat, the DMP’s Traffic Uttara Division will provide free shuttle services from Padma U-loop to the airport. For smooth parking management, drivers and helpers of vehicles carrying devotees must remain inside their vehicles at designated parking areas. Tensions escalate at Biswa Ijtema ground after clashes; 2 dead  Both passengers and drivers must exchange phone numbers for immediate communication if needed. Additionally, all such vehicles must visibly display the driver's name and contact number. Due to the damage to the Abdullahpur Bailey Bridge, all vehicles must use the Azampur Flyover instead. To prevent accidents, the DMP has urged the public not to cross highways on foot and use footbridges instead. Moreover, parking on both sides of the road from Khilkhet to Abdullahpur and Dhour Bridge will be strictly prohibited. The DMP’s traffic division seeks the cooperation of all citizens in maintaining traffic order and avoiding congestion during the grand gathering of Bishwa Ijtema, said the release.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 16 people conducting a “Block Raid” for their involvement in various crimes.  The operation began on Wednesday at 5:30pm and continued until 2am on Thursday, according to Assistant Commissioner (media) of DMP Jahangir Kabir. The arrestees are Jumman 24, Md. Arif 19, Md Abu Bakkar 20, Robin 22, Md. Alamgir Hossain 49, Md. Akter Hossain,34, Md. Al Amin 22, Md. Tuhin 24, Lavlu 30, Md. Ismail 34, Md Sharif 20, Shri Utpal Chandra Das 30, Sakir 20, Ismail 28, Sohel 32 and Sajal 22. DMP bans fireworks, explosives during Shab-e-Barat The arrested people included identified drug dealers, snatchers, extortionists, criminals, and  thieves. They have been sent to court for legal proceedings.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has banned carrying and using all sorts of firecrackers and other explosives in the capital during Shab-e-Barat, one of the most sacred nights in the Islamic calendar to be observed tomorrow night. The 12-hour restriction will come into effect from 6pm Friday and remain in force until  6am the next day, DMP Commissioner Md Sazzat Ali said in a media release on Thursday. The restrictions were imposed in accordance with the Section 28 of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance-1976. Shab-e-Barat or Nisf Sha'ban will be observed across the country on the night of February 14. It is observed on the 15th night of Sha'ban, an important Arabic month in preparation for Ramadan. Muslims observe the night offering extra  prayers, reciting the Holy Quran, and taking part in other religious rituals.

Two suspected cattle lifters were lynched in a mob attack in Tazumuddin upazila of Island district of Bhola early Thursday, said police. The deceased were identified as Md Nayon, 30, son of Nurul Haqe of Baliakandi village under the Tajumuddin upazila, and Amir Hossain, 27, hailing from Borhanuddin upazila of the district. Police and locals said the youths entered a cowshed at local Bhuiyan Bari allegedly to steal cattle in Chardi village of the upazila late at night. Sensing the presence of the youths, the owner of the cattle shouted for help, they said Hearing this, neighbours rushed to the spot and caught the youths, and started beating them up, they said. The mob attack left the pair killed on the spot, according to them. Officer-in-Charge of Tazumuddin police station Abdullah Al-Mamun said being informed that they recovered the bodies from the house at 4am and sent those to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Legal processes were underway in this connection, he added.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said that it has detected irregular transactions amounting to over Tk 600 crore through e-wallets operated by digital financial service provider Nagad. A team from the commission conducted a raid at Nagad's office on Wednesday in response to allegations of money laundering through its platform, ACC spokesperson and Deputy Director (PR) Aktarul Islam told UNB. According to the complaint, Nagad allegedly created an excessive amount of e-money and laundered funds through multiple foreign companies. "During the raid, an initial review of statements and records revealed the validity of the complaint. Our findings indicate that Nagad carried out irregular transactions exceeding Tk 600 crore through e-wallets," said Aktarul Islam. Besides, a discrepancy was found between Nagad’s trust account and its main account, raising further concerns. The ACC team has collected all relevant documents for a detailed verification of the allegations. A comprehensive report will be submitted to the commission following a thorough review of the collected records, the spokesperson added.

A total of 591 more were arrested across the country in 24 hours as part of the "Operation Devil Hunt." This brings the total number of arrests in the first four days of the operation to 2,849 as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Police Headquarters. In addition, 1,095 people were arrested during this period in connection with various cases. On the fourth day of the operation, the joint forces also seized arms and ammunition, including a foreign-made pistol, a Chinese rifle, two LGs, four shutter guns, one magazine, three rounds of ammunition, 17 cartridges, 20 cocktails, six knives, seven sharp weapons, one hammer, and two iron rods. Home Adviser calls for heightened vigilance in ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ The government launched the nationwide operation on Saturday night, aiming to curb unrest and ensure public safety. The operation was devised following Friday night's attack on students and civilians in Gazipur, a traditional stronghold of the Awami League.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali has instructed police officers to prioritise the investigation of cases linked to the Anti-Discrimination Movement. Speaking at DMP's monthly crime-review meeting for January 2025 held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh on Wednesday, he stressed the need for swift case resolutions and urged officers to intensify efforts in executing warrants and recovering illegal drugs. The DMP chief also highlighted the ongoing ‘Operation Devil Hunt,’ aimed at bringing criminals to justice. This special drive targets offenders involved in abductions, robberies, extortion and other major crimes, including those responsible for killings during last year’s July-August student protests. He underscored the importance of arresting snatchers and extortionists, calling on all DMP stations and outposts to enhance their vigilance and operational effectiveness. Tackling Dhaka’s Traffic Woes Commissioner Sazzat Ali also turned his focus to Dhaka’s severe traffic congestion, calling it one of the capital’s most pressing issues. Ex-CMP commissioner Saiful arrested in Dhaka He pointed out that road blockades—often caused by protests from government and private organisations—exacerbate the problem and must be curtailed. He instructed the traffic department to implement stricter measures to control overspeeding and ensure smoother vehicular movement across the city. Crime Statistics During the meeting, Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Md. Faruk Hossain presented an analysis of January 2025’s crime statistics. The report covered various incidents, including robberies, dacoities, thefts, murders, unnatural deaths, road accidents, violence against women and children, rape, drug seizures and weapons recovery. Senior police officials, including Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Sarwar, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam, as well as Joint Police Commissioners, Deputy Police Commissioners, and Officers-in-Charge of various police stations, were present. The Commissioner urged all officers to perform their duties with dedication, ensuring a safer and more disciplined Dhaka.