United News of Bangladesh

At least 50 people, including students, were injured in sporadic clashes among the students of three colleges involving Kabi Nazrul College, Suhrawardy College and Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in Dhaka’s Demra area on Monday. Meanwhile, Kabi Nazrul College was declared closed for an indefinite period following the mayhem, according to an announcement made in a noticeboard of the college. Earlier in the day, a clash erupted at Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in Demra as the students of Kabi Nazrul College and Suhrawardy College carried out vandalism at the college over Sunday’s clash. Students started gathering near Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in the morning and carried out vandalism around 12 noon. They also looted valuables from the college. Around 1 pm, the students of Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College appeared there and a chase and counter chase took place among them. Later, they attacked each other, leaving 50 people injured. The whole area turned into a battlefield following the clash. The injured were taken to different hospitals. Among them, 30 were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, said in-charge of the hospital police camp, Mohammad Faruk. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Besides, six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Jatrabari-Demra area on Monday following clash. According to a media release of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), additional police have been deployed from Sutrapur to Demra area from 7 am following Sunday’s clash. Police tried to control the situation peacefully, fearing it might take a different turn. Despite this, the agitating students engaged in chase and counter chase, attack and looting, it said. At least 25 students were injured in the series of clashes in the area, said the release. Meanwhile, rumours are being spread on social media claiming that two individuals died in the incident, which is completely false. DMP has urged everyone to refrain from such misinformation, it said. On Sunday, students from 35 colleges near National Medical College Hospital vandalised Dhaka National Medical College and Hospital at Bakshibazar in Old Dhaka centering a student’s death in ‘wrong treatment’ at the hospital. 6 BGB platoons deployed in Jatrabari-Demra after student clashes  On November 16, Abhijit Halder, an HSC student of Demra’s Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College, was admitted to the medicine department of the hospital with dengue. He died on November 18. After that students vandalised the hospital alleging negligence in treatment at the hospital on Sunday. They alleged that students from Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy Colleges supported by National Medical College attacked them. Later, students from 35 colleges clashed with the students of Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy Colleges and vandlised property of the two colleges on Sunday, leaving at least 20 people injured. The 35 colleges included Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Molla College, Dhaka College, Dhaka Ideal College, City College, Giyasuddin College, Government Tolaram College, Imperial College, Borhanuddin College, Science College, Dhaniya College, Lalbagh Government College, Udayan College, Adamjee, Notre Dame, Rajarbagh College, Nur Mohammad, Munshi Abdur Rouf College, Siddheswari College, Green Line Polytechnic, Dhaka Polytechnic, Mahbubur Rahman Institute of Science and Technology, and others from the capital. However, Kabi Nazrul College's unit general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Kawser Hossain denied any involvement in the incident. "We are students, and we support students. We did not attack anyone," he said. Regarding the vandalism, Suhrawardy College Islamic Studies department teacher Tariqul Islam said, "I sent them back first, but they returned with a group. They stole many computers and destroyed them, even took rifles from the NCC. They vandalised all 17 departments and even damaged four motorcycles owned by a teacher." Suhrawardy College Vice-Principal Dr Farida Yasmin said, "We were assured by the principal that nothing would happen, but the attack occurred. The entire college was attacked, and even my room was ransacked."

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has urged drivers to avoid using unnecessary loud horns to reduce noise pollution and its harmful effects. According to Section 45 of the Road Transport Act-2018, motor vehicle drivers must refrain from using loud horns unnecessarily. Pedestrians, passengers, other drivers, city dwellers, and especially the sick are being seriously affected due to the excessive use of loud horns by motorcyclists in the Dhaka metropolis. New DMP Commissioner Sajjat Ali assumes office Additionally, the DMP noted that many motorcyclists in Dhaka are riding recklessly, carrying multiple passengers—including women and children—without helmets, which has led to numerous road accidents. To reduce the risk of accidents and loss of life, motorcyclists are urged to comply with Section 49 (1) Part 1 (cha) of the Road Transport Act-2018. This includes carrying no more than two people, including the driver, and ensuring that passengers wear helmets. The DMP has stated that legal action will be taken against any motor vehicle driver failing to follow these regulations. The DMP also sought the cooperation of all concerned to ensure road safety.

Former Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Mashiur Rahman, who was arrested from Dhaka, has been suspended under Sarkari Chakori Ain 2018, He will be attached to the Sylhet Range DIG office during this period. A notice was issued in this regard by the Security Division of the Home Ministry. New DMP Commissioner Sajjat Ali assumes office Earlier, on September 20, detectives arrested Mashiur from the Airport area of the capital in connection with a case filed with New Market Police Station.

Three militants of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) have been killed in a gunfight with the Bangladesh Army on Sunday in the dense forests of Ruma upazila in Bandarban district. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army initiated the operation based on a tip-off about the location of a clandestine hideout used by the KNF. The firefight broke out when Army personnel raided the hideout deep in the jungle. The identities of the three deceased militants have not been confirmed yet. During the operation, a cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the site, the ISPR release mentioned. Read: Huge arms, ammunition recovered KNF den in Bandarban: ISPR The military operation is still ongoing as the Army continues its efforts to neutralise the insurgent group in the region. The KNF, a separatist organisation operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, has been involved in various violent activities, including attacks on security forces and civilians, as part of their quest for an autonomous state for the Kuki-Chin ethnic group.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Saturday instructed field-level officers to properly investigate cases filed after August 5 to ensure no innocent person is harassed. The IGP further stated that even if a case is filed against an innocent person, steps should be taken to withdraw it through the proper legal process. The police chief issued these directives to senior police officers while presiding over a meeting on the country’s overall law and order and security at the Police Headquarters on Saturday. DIG (Operations) Md Rezaul Karim chaired the meeting. The IGP instructed metropolitan police commissioners, Range DIGs, and district SPs to hold regular exchange meetings with their forces to boost morale. He added that no police officer should be unnecessarily victimised. He urged field-level officers to strengthen public relations, emphasising that police must engage with the community, listen to their concerns, and take legal action where necessary. The IGP acknowledged that in the current climate, public expectations are high. He stressed that in case of any unwarranted situations, patience will be crucial, and the police must handle such situations with composure. Energy sector contracts will be free from political influence: Adviser The meeting also directed field-level police officers to intensify efforts to recover looted weapons. Commissioners of all metropolitan police, Range DIGs, and superintendents of police at the district level attended the meeting virtually. Senior officials of the police headquarters were also present at the time.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have recovered goods worth over Tk 1.18 crore during operations along the India border in Fulgazi and Chhagalnaiya upazilas of Feni. According to a media release signed by Lt Col Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, director of BGB Battalion 4 in Feni, the operations were carried out early Friday in Rajeshpur, Chhagalnaiya, Champaknagar, and Madhugram areas near the border. The recovered items include Indian lehengas, saris, Kashmiri shawls, three-piece clothing sets, 20 kilogrammers of cannabis, and other goods. The estimated market value of the seized items is approximately Tk 1.18 crore, the release stated. The confiscated goods have been handed over to Customs and the Department of Narcotics Control for further action, the release added.

An employee of Steadfast Courier Service has been arrested for stealing over Tk 20 lakh from the company’s office in Dhaka’s Motijheel. Md Shawkat Ali, 35, was arrested from the Uttar Dalgram Barantor village of Lalmonirhat early Thursday. Police recovered Tk 19,71,500 from his possession during the raid. Case filed over JU student's death caused by e-rickshaw on campus According to police, Shawkat Ali, an employee of the courier service, is believed to have stolen Tk 20,50,895 from the company’s office on November 18. The theft came to light the following day when the company’s in-charge filed a complaint at Motijheel Police Station. Through CCTV footage and intelligence analysis, police swiftly identified Shawkat as the prime suspect. A subsequent raid led to his arrest and the recovery of most of the stolen funds, which were found buried at his sister’s house in the Kaliganj Police Station area. Ex-SCC mayor Anwaruzzaman among 365 AL men sued in explosives cases During primary interrogation, Shawkat admitted to the theft. Legal proceedings are currently underway against him, police said.

A case has been filed in connection with the death of Afsana Karim Rachi, a first-year student of the Marketing Department at Jahangirnagar University (JU), who was hit by a wayward battery-run or electric rickshaw (e-rickshaw) while walking on campus last Monday. The case was filed following a complaint lodged by the university's security officer, Mohammad Abu Syed, at Ashulia Police Station on Thursday. JU students stage blockade over Afsana's death In addition, the university authorities have formed an investigation committee, with Masum Shahriar, a professor in the Pharmacy Department, serving as the convener. Other members of the committee include Professor Dr. Abu Sayeed Md. Mostafizur Rahman (Computer Science and Engineering Department), Professor Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak (Zoology Department), Professor Dr. Mohammad Humayun Kabir (Mathematics Department), Associate Professor Amina Islam (Journalism and Media Studies Department), Associate Professor Dr. Md. Ariful Haque (Marketing Department), and Deputy Registrar (General Administration) Md. Mahtab-uz-Zahid. The committee has been instructed to submit a report within seven working days. A black badge-wearing programme was also held on Thursday. All auto rickshaws and unregistered motorcycles have been banned from the university campus for an indefinite period. JU student dies in rickshaw accident, protests erupt for justice Meanwhile, classmates of Afsana gathered in front of the Business Faculty on Thursday morning to present 11 demands in response to her death. Notable demands include: legal action against the culprit within 24 hours, financial compensation for the family, modernization of the medical center within 7 days, construction of sidewalks and installation of CCTV cameras along the roadside, introduction of a shuttle bus service on campus, and the inclusion of all students under health insurance. In addition, milad and Doa Mahfil were held at the central mosque of the university after Friday Juma prayers. University Proctor Professor Rashidul Alam said, "An unexpected incident has occurred at our university. We are focused on identifying the culprit and ensuring they receive the maximum punishment. The administration has already filed a complaint with the police. The students' demands are very reasonable. We have already banned autorickshaws on campus and are working to implement the remaining demands." Afsana, a student of the Marketing Department, died on Tuesday after being hit by a battery-operated rickshaw near the Arts Building on campus.

Newly appointed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali took the charge on Thursday, replacing Md Mainul Hasan. Upon his arrival at the DMP headquarters, the outgoing commissioner accorded reception to Sajjat Ali who was also given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out police contingent.     Sajjat Ali started his career as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) on January 21, 1986. He served as additional superintendent of police in Jhenaidah and also worked at Police Headquarters and Special Branch. He performed duty as deputy commissioner at DMP and superintendent of police in Narail, Bagerhat and Lakshmipur districts respectively. Sajjat has the experience of working as Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner and deputy inspector general (DIG) at Highway Police, Dhaka, Chattogram ranges and police headquarters after obtaining promotions. He was sent on forced retirement in 2016 when he was performing duty as additional IGP at the police headquarters. He was one of the members of the Police Reforms Commission formed by the interim government.   Sajjat participated in the United Nations peacekeeping mission and received various professional training at home and abroad. Baharul Alam assumes role as new IGP After the assumption of duty and handover process, the newly appointed DMP commissioner and senior officials formally bade farewell to outgoing commissioner Md Mainul Hasan.

The Council of Advisers on Wednesday gave the final approval to the draft of the International Crimes (Tribunals) (amendment) Ordinance 2024, bringing significant amendments to address concerns from both local and international communities regarding trials under the law. But the provision for punishing an organisation (such as a political party) has been removed from the draft law. The approval came during a meeting of the Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. “We felt the need to amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 due to substantial criticism of the trials held under the law during the regime of the fascist government,” said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul at a press briefing. The briefing was held at the Foreign Services Academy to announce the outcomes of the meeting. Nazrul said that local and international human rights organisations had raised several concerns about the flaws in the law during the trials conducted under the Awami League (AL) regime. “Since we want to conduct fair trials and ensure due process, we have initiated these amendments,” he added. The government, he said, consulted a wide range of stakeholders, including law experts, human rights activists, journalists, prominent local and international lawyers, and human rights organisations, as well as the UN Human Rights Forum. “The draft law is based on the opinions of all these parties,” Nazrul said. The law adviser noted that while the existing law included provisions for punishing organisations, this provision had been removed in the new draft. Under the draft ordinance, tribunals will be able to recommend that the proper authorities punish an organisation, rather than carrying out the punishment directly. “If any political party were punished under this law, it would open unnecessary avenues for questioning the legitimacy of the trials. We aim for the trials to be conducted in a fair and proper manner, which is why this provision was scrapped,” he said. Nazrul emphasised that political parties could still be punished under other existing laws, such as the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Political Party Ordinance of 1978, should there be popular demand or a necessity to ban a party for criminal activities. Highlighting key changes, the adviser said that the definitions of ‘crime against humanity’ and ‘genocide’ in the proposed ordinance are aligned with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. He also pointed out that the draft ordinance provides equal rights to the defence during prosecution. Additionally, there is a system in place to protect victims and witnesses, and victims will be entitled to compensation. According to Nazrul, the draft ordinance includes a provision allowing forces from three types of institutions – discipline forces, intelligence agencies, and auxiliary forces – to be involved. “These forces have been clearly defined in the draft, following our constitution and traditional human rights law,” he said. The proposed ordinance also allows for the appointment of foreign lawyers, should either the prosecution or defence wish to engage them. Another significant provision in the draft law allows observers, both local and international, to monitor the trial process. Human rights organisations, both domestic and global, will be able to observe the proceedings. Responding to a question about the death penalty, the law adviser said the provision for death penalty in the laws for hundreds of years in the country. “There is nothing new. Bangladesh is not a signatory to the international convention on abolition of the death penalty. So, it (the demand for abolishing the death penalty) is also not compatible with the legal culture of Bangladesh,” he said. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Adviser Mahfuj Alam and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were present at the briefing.