United News of Bangladesh

A local leader of Awami League’s youth wing Jubo League on Tuesday was arrested in connection with the murder of Md. Emdadul Haque, who was killed during an Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. A team of Badda police station of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested himf rom Uttar Badda Moinabagh area around 9pm, said Jahangir Kabir, assisant commissioner (AC-media) of the DMP.  The arrestee is Md. Rakibul Islam, also known as Shisir, a local Jubo leader of the Badda area. Read: Former MP Manik arrested over attack on anti-discrimination student movement The case was filed at Badda police station on September 9 bringing allegation that Emdadul was shot dead outside the AMZ Hospital during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on July 20. Fellows of the then ruling Awami League opened fire and hurled explosives indiscriminately at the protesters, leaving Emdadul killed on the spot. Following the investigation, which included analysis of intelligence information and nearby CCTV footage, Rakibul Islam was identified and arrested. Read more: 4 AL leaders arrested in Dhaka over killing of student during mass uprising Legal proceedings against the arrested individual are currently underway at the Badda police station.

An Awami League activist was hammered to death allegedly by unidentified miscreants in Jashore Sadar upazila on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Saiful Islam Sagar, 35, son of Delwar Hossain of Balidanga village under the same upazila and he was involved with local politics of the Awami League. Kotwali Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Abdur Razzak said Sagar walked out of jail around 10 to 12 days ago in an arms case. Read: Jubo League leader beaten dead in N’ganj’s Sonargaon Miscreants attacked him with hammers on a bridge adjacent to Balia Bhekutia Bazar on Monday evening, he said. Critically injured Sagar succumbed to his injuries on way to Dhaka from Jashore General Hospital, the OC said, adding that they were trying to identify the accused involved with the murder. Sagar was accused in five cases including killing, arms, robbery and drugs, the OC informed. Read more: Man beaten dead over cutting tree in Chandpur  

Adviser to Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Supradip Chakma on Tuesday urged the community not to take the law into their own hands in Khagrachhari. He assured that the travel ban for tourists will be lifted soon upon discussion with the Home Affairs Adviser. During a peace rally held at the Dighinala upazila Parishad Community Center of the Khagrachhari, the adviser addressed local officials, including Deputy Commissioner Md. Shahiduzzaman and Superintendent of Police Md. Arefin Jewel. Read: Investigation committee formed over Khagrachhari violence; 2 cases filed He emphasized the need for prompt action following the violent incidents on September 19, expressing frustration over the lack of arrests. Supradip pledged to bring those involved in the violence to justice and urged the community to refrain from vigilantism. He visited the violence-hit Dighinala. Read more: Khagrachhari tense following teacher’s lynching; indefinite Section 144 underway

A man was stabbed to death allegedly by his rivals over a land dispute in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha on Tuesday evening. The deceased was Bablu Mia, a resident of Kariyata village under Dhossainpur union of the upazila. Locals said there had long been a dispute between victim Bablu and neighbour Matiar over the ownership of a piece of land in the village. Centring the land, Matiar allegedly stabbed Bablu with the knife, leaving him dead on the spot and five more injured. Read: Union-level AL leader stabbed dead in Narsingdi Palashbari police station’s Officer-in-Charge Zulfikar Ali Bhutto confirmed the matter saying that they recovered the body.

A murder case was filed against Abul Hasanat Abdullah, president of Barishal district unit of Awami League and a cousin of Sheikh Hasina, along with 13 others with a Barishal court on Tuesday. The other accused included former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Barishal Police Humayun Kabir, Additional DIG Akram Hossain, Superintendent of Police Jahangir Mallik, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Ehsanullah, among others. Moreover, 30 to 40 unnamed individuals were implicated in the case. Read: Hasina, 3 former CECs among 18 sued for holding fraudulent elections Ashikur Rahman Asif, son of the alleged victim Kabir Hossain Roni from Nagar Kathi village in Agailjhara upazila, filed the case with the court of Barishal Judicial Magistrate Mokhlesur Rahman. Taking the allegation into cognizance, the court ordered the Officer-in-Charge of the concerned police station to take it as First Information Report (FIR). According to the case statement, Kabir Hossain Roni was arrested in Dhaka and killed in crossfire on February 21, 2015. Read more: Shamim Osman, Ivy among 401 sued in N’ganj Demanding justice, Asif said his father was involved in BNP politics, and that was his crime. Abul Hasanat Abdullah and the law enforcement agencies killed him in crossfire at that time.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Mohibur Rahman Manik, a former Member of Parliament for Sunamganj-5, from the Bashundhara residential area of the capital on Tuesday. His arrest is linked to attacks on students and the public during the anti-discrimination student movement in the Sunamganj Sadar area. ASP Imran Khan of RAB headquarters’ media wing confirmed the arrest. Read: DB arrests ex-MP Abdullah Al Jakob from Dhaka's Gulshan A case was registered against Mohibur, aka 'Boma' or 'Bomb' Manik apparently, at the Sunamganj Sadar Police Station following the events of the anti-discrimination protests. The case number is 05/258, filed on August 4, 2024, the eve of the previous regime's fall. The arrested Ex-MP is currently being processed for transfer to the Detective Branch (DB) office in Dhaka for further investigation. Read more: Ex-MP Sultan Mohammad Mansur held at Dhaka airport

On the occasion of International Lesbian Day 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expressed its solidarity with lesbian women and the broader LGBTQ+ community, both in Bangladesh and worldwide. In a statement, JMBF emphasized that this day serves as a reminder to reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the struggles that persist, and renew commitment to justice, equality, and safety for all lesbian individuals. In Bangladesh, the statement highlighted, lesbian women continue to face a combination of cultural stigma, legal challenges, and widespread violence. Despite global advancements in LGBTQ+ rights, the situation for lesbian women in Bangladesh remains deeply concerning. According to JMBF, five incidents of violence involving nine lesbian individuals were documented in 2023, underscoring the dangers they still face. The previous year, 2022, saw eight incidents of violence against 18 lesbian women, with acts ranging from physical assault to social and economic exclusion. These incidents often go unreported due to fear of reprisal, social isolation, and a lack of trust in the legal system, which regularly fails to protect LGBTQ+ individuals. Robert Simon, a prominent French LGBTQI+ rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, said, “The growing violence against lesbian women in Bangladesh reflects the urgent need for legal reform and societal change. Criminalizing same-sex relationships fuels hatred and empowers those who seek to harm vulnerable communities. We must act, globally and locally, to ensure that every person can live free from fear, no matter who they love.” Read: Rights group JMBF demands release of Asaduzzaman Noor, Shahriar Kabir, journalists The legal framework in Bangladesh, specifically Section 377 of the Penal Code, still criminalizes same-sex relationships, fostering an environment of discrimination and fear. JMBF reiterated that violence and discrimination against lesbian women are not just attacks on individuals but on human dignity and fundamental rights. On this International Lesbian Day, JMBF called upon the government of Bangladesh, civil society, and international human rights organizations to take immediate action. Their recommendations include: • Repealing discriminatory laws like Section 377 that criminalize same-sex relationships. • Implementing policies to protect LGBTQ+ individuals and ensure justice for victims of violence. • Raising awareness through education to dismantle harmful stereotypes and social stigma surrounding lesbian women. • Strengthening support systems, including legal aid, mental health services, and safe spaces for lesbian women and the LGBTQ+ community at large. Shahanur Islam, Founder & President of JMBF, stated, “The legal and social landscape in Bangladesh leaves lesbian women particularly vulnerable to violence and persecution. Without reform and protection, these women will continue to face harassment, isolation, and fear. We at JMBF will not stop advocating for their rights until we see tangible change, and we call on all allies to stand with us in this fight.” Read more: Global community must hold Bangladesh accountable, protect rights of its citizens: JMBF JMBF reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights and safety of lesbian individuals in Bangladesh. The organization vowed to continue amplifying their voices and fighting for a future where all lesbian women can live with dignity, free from fear, and fully recognized as equal citizens. “Together, let us strive for a world where love, in all its forms, is celebrated, and justice prevails for every person, regardless of their identity,” the statement concluded.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained five people including a suspected human trafficker while trying to trespass into India through border in Dinajpur’s Birol upazila  and nearby Thakurghaon’s Pirganj upazila respectively on Tuesday. The detainees were suspected human trafficker Goutam Sarkar, 42, Jibon Roy, 14, Chayon Kumar, 19, Rony Chandra, 16, and Arjan Chandra Roy, 16. Read: Five arrested while trying to sneak into India through Panchagarh border: BGB A BGB media release said a team detained Goutam, Jibon and Chayon they while trying to intrude into India through Karuliapara border under Dharmapur union of the Birol upazila around 10am. Besides, BGB personnel detained Rony and Arjan while they were trying to flee the country through Bbabanipur border in Pirjganj upazila at noon, it reads. The detainees were handed over to the concerned police stations to take legal action, the release added. Read more: BGB detains two locals trying to flee through Dinajpur border

A Dhaka court on Tuesday  placed former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun on a 43-day remand in connection with eight cases filed over the killings during July-August mass uprising. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shahin Reza passed the order after a hearing when he was produced before the court. The court placed Mamun on 38-day remand in seven cases over the deaths of seven people in Jatrabari and on five-day remand in a case involving the death of 27-year-old Tahir Zaman Priyo filed at New Market Police Station. The prosecution argued for the remand, while the defense requested bail and the cancellation of the remand order. Read: Inu, Menon, Palak, ex-IGP Mamun sent to jail after remand Mamun’s lawyer said that he had previously been on an 18-day remand in four other cases and claimed that the new remand was politically motivated. "These cases are part of a revenge  against him," the lawyer said. On the same day, the court also approved showing Mamunarrested in several cases filed at Adabor, Kadamtali, and Jatrabari police stations. Read more: Saber Hossain placed on 5-day remand

The US Embassy in Dhaka, in partnership with the American Film Showcase (AFS), hosted a screening of the documentary ‘15 Minutes of Shame’ at the American Center to observe Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This event brought together a diverse audience, including IT students, civil society members, media, and academics, as part of the Embassy's efforts to promote digital safety and responsible online practices. Besides the American Center, the screening also took place in four American corners in Barishal, Sylhet, Chattogram and Rajshahi virtually. Approximately 200 viewers watched the documentary together across these five venues. Bren Flanigan, Deputy Director of Public Engagement at the US Embassy Dhaka, inaugurated the event, emphasizing the real-world consequences of online harassment and public shaming. He highlighted the growing challenges of digital privacy and security, stressing the need for increased awareness and responsible behavior online. Read: Cyber Security law continues Digital Security Act’s oppression, say victims ‘15 Minutes of Shame’, directed by Monica Lewinsky and Max Joseph, delves into the personal toll of public shaming and cyber-harassment, featuring real-life accounts of individuals impacted by online misconduct.