United News of Bangladesh

In a crackdown on illegal fishing during the hilsa breeding season, a mobile court detained 26 fishermen in the Padma-Meghna sanctuary area of Chandpur over the past 24 hours for violating a government ban. The operation was led by Chandpur Sadar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Shakhawat Jamil Saikat and involved collaboration among the river police, coast guard, and fisheries department. This detention is part of the "Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign-2024," aimed at protecting the species during its peak breeding period. Mobile court sentences 4 for catching Hilsha in defiance of ban Authorities also seized 50 kilogrammes of hilsa, 10,000 metres of illegal fishing nets known as "current nets," and a fishing boat. Of those detained, 17 fishermen were sentenced to one month in prison without labor. The remaining nine, who were minors, were released issuing a warning and signing written bonds. "Our efforts are aimed at safeguarding hilsa breeding and ensuring compliance with the law," said UNO Shakhawat. The seized hilsa fish were distributed to local orphanages, and the illegal nets were burned at the Chandpur Coast Guard Station to prevent further use. 165 fishermen jailed for defying hilsha ban The government has imposed a 22-day fishing ban from October 13 to October 22 along a 70-kilometer stretch of the Padma-Meghna rivers in Chandpur to ensure the safe spawning of hilsa. During this period, catching, selling, storing, and transporting hilsa or any other fish is strictly prohibited. Violators may face fines of up to Tk 5,000, a maximum of two years in prison, or both.

The traffic division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed 1,254 cases and collected Tk 51 lakh in fines during operations against traffic rule violators on Wednesday. Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), shared the information in a media release on Thursday. 7 held while trying to enter India through Dinajpur border Additionally, 78 vehicles were impounded, and 45 others were towed during the drives conducted in different parts of the capital. The drive will continue to maintain discipline, he said.

Members of Border Guard (BGB) detained seven individuals including a human trafficker on Thursday, as they attempted to cross illegally into India through the border in Biral upazila of Dinajpur. The detainees are human trafficker Mosharrof, 30, son of Abdul Aziz of Bhandara village; Palash Chandra Sen, 33, son of Rabindranath Sen of Burirhat village in Birganj, his wife Priyanka Rani, 25, and their 7-year-old son Dhrubo Chandra Sen; Shampa Rani, 22, wife of Joydeb Mohant of Gobindpur village in Birganj, her 6-year-old daughter Joba Rani and 3-year-old daughter Ritu Rani. Bangladesh Navy detains two foreign fishing trawlers for illegal intrusion Quoting Lt Col Md Ahsan Ul Islam, commanding officer of the 42 BGB Battalion in Dinajpur, Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) at BGB headquarters, said the detainees gathered at Shankpoponi area of Ramchandrapur village under Bhandara union of the upazila near the main pillar number 330 around 5am on Thursday, intending to cross into India. Acting on a tip-off, a BGB team from Kishoriganj BOP conducted a raid and apprehended the individuals. The detainees were subsequently handed over to Biral police station after a case was filed against them, according to PRO Shariful Islam. HC justice, lawyers get into argument over bribe charge

The council of advisers to the interim government has in principle approved the draft of the ‘Overseas Employment and Migrants (amendment) Ordinance-2024’, which aims to check several irregularities in the migration process, reduce migrants' grievances and curb crime. At a meeting of the Advisory Council, the Cabinet Division gave the final nod to the draft tabled by the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry. The 'Overseas Employment and Migrants (Amendment) Act-2023' was enacted to further amend the 'Overseas Employment and Migrants Act-2013' with a view to safe, orderly and regular migration of migrant workers. Following the 2023 amendment to the 2013 Act's Section 35, currently there is a provision to impose punishment only if the recruiting agency sets up a branch office or appoints a sub-agent or representative or if a person presents himself as any of those without the approval of the local government. The ambit of sentencing by mobile courts has been narrowed due to other offenses under this Act. The latest amendment would see a Section 35 A, or Ka (first letter of the Bengali alphabet), added to the Act, stating: "If any person violates any of the provisions of this Act not specifically mentioned in this Act, he or she will be punished with imprisonment not exceeding six months or with a fine not exceeding Tk 50, 000 or with both." This would expand the scope of crimes that could be punished under it. It is also felt to be necessary to add the above Section-35 Ka to the Overseas Employment and Migrants Act-2013 in the public interest of monitoring complaints related to immigration, strengthening enforcement activities and considering the urgency.

The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) arrested Trinamool BNP chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury on Thursday. A team of DB police arrested him this afternoon, said Deputy Commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Talebur Rahman. The police official did not disclose details regarding the arrest.

The International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, as part of the ongoing trial proceedings related to the July-August genocide during the recent mass upsurge. Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud confirmed that two petitions were submitted to the tribunal earlier today, one seeking Sheikh Hasina's arrest and another calling for the arrest of 45 additional individuals. "We have refrained from disclosing the names of the other accused to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure the success of arrests," explained Chief Prosecutor Advocate Tajul Islam during a briefing. The court has ordered all accused to be produced before it on November 18, setting the stage for the next phase of the legal process. Prosecutors emphasized the urgency of the arrests, citing the influence and power of the accused, which could hinder the investigation and silence the victims. He also highlighted the brutality of the former government during the unrest, alleging that it had evolved into a "monster," responsible for atrocities against students and civilians.

A Dhaka court on Thursday imposed a travel ban on former Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed and his wife Dilshad Nahar Kakoli. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Ash Shams Joglul Hossain passed the order following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). ACC's Deputy Director, Zakaria, submitted the petition requesting the travel ban with prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir representing the commission during the hearing. General Aziz is under investigation for allegations of abusing his power, engaging in irregularities, and amassing illegal wealth in his name and in the names of his family members. He is also accused of laundering money through various banks and informal channels to different countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Dubai. Read: EC cancels 4 NIDs of ex-army chief Aziz Ahmed's two brothers On September 5, the ACC launched probe into the former army chief as it  found initial evidence regarding his involvement in wealth accumulation at home and abroad by abusing his power. There are accusations against him that he purchased houses and flats in various places, including the capital through corruption, unethical practices, and various irregularities through the misuse of power.

Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan, former Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister, has been sent to jail following the completion of his two-day remand in a case related to the murder of a BNP activist. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ali Haidar issued the order on Thursday, rejecting Khan’s bail plea after hearing both sides of the case. Investigating officer (SI) Nazmul Hachan of Paltan Police Station produced Khan before the court after his two-day remand. Former minister Faruk Khan arrested from Dhaka Cantonment Khan’s lawyer Morshed Hossain Shaheen submitted a bail application, but this was opposed by the public prosecutor, Omar Faruk Faruki. After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence, the court ordered that Khan be sent to jail. Earlier, on October 15, Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court granted a two-day remand for Khan. He was produced in court that day with a 10-day remand request from the police. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki argued in favour of the remand, while defence lawyers sought its cancellation and applied for bail. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanaullah subsequently granted a two-day remand after hearing from both sides. Ex-minister Anisul put on 2-day remand Khan was arrested in the early hours of 14 October from the CMH area in Dhaka. This case dates back to 10 December 2022, when the BNP announced a one-point demand programme. On December 7, Detective Branch (DB) police officers Harun Or Rashid, Mehedi Hasan and Biplob Kumar conducted an operation at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, leading to widespread vandalism. During the incident, law enforcement clashed with thousands of BNP activists, leaving a party member, Mokbul Hossain, injured with bullets. On September 30, a man named Mahfuzur Rahman filed a case accusing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 255 others in connection with the incident. Faruk Khan was one of the accused named in the case.

The Bangladesh Navy has apprehended two foreign fishing trawlers and 31 individuals for illegally entering the country’s waters. The vessels were seized on Tuesday afternoon by the warship BNS Shahid Akhtar Uddin during a routine patrol in the Bay of Bengal, near Kuakata, as reported by the ISPR on Wednesday. Bangladesh Navy deploys 67 personnel to UNMISS in South Sudan All detainees are foreign nationals and have been transferred to the Kalapara Police Station, where legal proceedings are underway. However, the Navy has not disclosed details about the detainees. Samoa warns of 'highly probable' fuel spill as New Zealand navy ship sinks To deter foreign incursions and illegal activities in Bangladesh's waters, the Navy is conducting extensive surveillance operations with 13 ships, including the Shahid Akhtar Uddin, in the sea, alongside 10 ships in river areas and maritime patrol aircraft. This operation aims to safeguard the country’s fisheries resources and territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal, ISPR added.  

A court in Sirajganj on Wednesday placed ex-MP of Sirajganj-2 Jannat Ara Henry and her husband Md Labu Talukdar, former chairman of Sirajganj Zila Parishad, on a five-day fresh remand in a case over the death of local Jubo Dal leader Sohannur Rahman Ranju during the recent movement. Sirajganj Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-2 judge Md Russel Mahmud passed the order after police produced them before the court under tight security. Former Postal Dept DG Shudhanshu arrested Plaintiff's lawyer Advocate Rafiq Sarkar confirmed the matter. On October 2, the same court  placed them on a 7-day remand in connection with a murder case. HC justice, lawyers get into argument over bribe charge Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members arrested them from Sonapur area of Moulvibazar town on September 30.