United News of Bangladesh

The government is going to impose a 22-day ban on Hilsa fishing from October 13. Hilsa catching, selling and transportation will remain prohibited during the period to ensure the safe spawning of the national fish of Bangladesh during its peak breeding period. The ban will remain in place till November 3. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said the decision to ban catching, selling, hoarding and transporting Hilsa was taken from a meeting on Sunday. The objective of the restrictions on fishing is to protect the mother Hilsa which lay eggs during the period, she said. Hilsa makes the highest contribution to the country’s fish output as a single fish species.

Police arrested a life term convict, who escaped from Kashimpur Central Jail during attacks on August 5, from behind the Kuratali BRTC Bus Counter area under Khilkhet police station on Saturday night. The arrestee is Majnu, who was handed over to Cantonment Police Station in a case over the rape of a Dhaka University (DU) student on January 5, 2020, said a media release, signed by Jahangir Kabir, assistant commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). A team from Khilkhet police station arrested him late at night near the railway tracks behind the Kuratali BRTC bus counter. Majnu escaped from Kashimpur Jail during a prison attack following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. Later, a case was filed in this connection. On January 5, 2020, the DU student was raped after getting off a bus in Kurmitola. On the next day, her father filed a complaint with the Cantonment Police. As the incident sparked huge criticism Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Majnu, 30, after sending his photo to the victim, who was able to identify him. Following the investigation, on March 16 of the same year, the police submitted charges in court against Majnu alone. After completing legal procedures, a Dhaka court sentenced him to life term in jail.

A legal notice has been served to the authorities concerned seeking actions within three days to stop the export of 3, 000 tonnes of Hilsa to India. Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan sent the notice to the commerce secretary, NBR chairman, Fisheries and Livestock secretary and chief controller of the export and import office on Sunday. The notice said if the authorities fail to take action within the stipulated time, a writ petition will be filed with the High Court in this regard. Protesting the decision to export the Hilsa on the occasion of the Durga puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, the notice said the Hilsa is a fish which is found in several countries including Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. But this fish becomes more delicious when it comes to the Padma River in Bangladesh from the sea. As neighbouring India has a vast maritime area and a plenty of Hilsa is produced in their territory, so there is no need to export Hilsa to the country, the notice reads, adding that India only imports those found in the Padma River. Indian agents in Bangladesh and fish exporters stock the Hilsa of the river round the year and export to India upon approval by the government, depriving the country's people, it says.

A 14-year-old madrasa student has died from severe injuries he suffered during clashes between two factions of BNP in Chandpur’s Hajiganj on Friday. He died at a Dhaka hospital while undergoing treatment on Saturday night, police and his family confirmed on Sunday. The deceased Saimun was son of one Md Yunus of Charbakila village under Sadar upazila of the district. But he used to live with his family in Hajiganj municipality and was a student of a Hifz madrasa. Hajiganj police station’s Officer-in-Charge Mohiuddin Faruk confirmed the death. The victim’s father said Saimun went to the Hajganj Bazar and got caught in clashes between the two groups of BNP, leaving around 50 people including him injured. He was first rushed to a local hospital and later shifted to Comilla Medical College Hospital and subsequently to a Dhaka hospital for better treatment, his father said. Saimun breathed his last around 8pm, he informed. The clashes occurred between the factions led by engineer Mominul Haque, former president of Chandpur BNP and a member of BNP’s central executive committee, in Hajiganj upazila. A case was filed with the Hajiganj police station accusing 400 people in this regard on Saturday. Meanwhile, the joint forces have arrested two youths-Mohammad Rifat, 19, and Md Imran Hossain, 23, in this connection.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan has sought the cooperation from the transport sector to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka's metropolitan areas. The DMP Commissioner addressed bus owners at a meeting aimed at improving public transport management and order, held at DMP headquarters on Saturday morning. In his remarks, he reflected on his appointment following the August 5 student uprising, noting the ensuing mismanagement in public transport. “In a short time, we restored order and are committed to maintaining it,” he said. He urged bus owners to prioritize traffic safety by avoiding practices such as operating unfit vehicles, stopping in the middle of the road to pick up or drop off passengers, and random parking. He emphasized the need for drivers and bus staff to be more vigilant and accountable.

The traffic division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed 303 cases and imposed fines totaling Tk 12.14 lakh during recent operations against traffic rule violators on Friday. Jahangir Kabir, DMP additional deputy commissioner (media) told this in a media release on Saturday. Additionally, 32 vehicles were impounded, and 15 others were towed. The DMP's drivers will continue to enforce traffic regulations in the Dhaka metropolitan area, he added.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury assured residents of the Chittagong Hill Tracts on Saturday that the government would go tough against anyone disrupting law and order in the three hill districts in future. "The government will form a high-level investigation committee for the recent unrest in these areas. Law and order cannot be allowed to worsen under any circumstances," he announced, on a visit to the region, that was shaken by tensions between the local Jumma people and Bengali settlers spilling over into violence. The adviser was talking to reporters after a meeting with the representatives of various political parties and dignitaries of Rangamati district to control the situation arising in the past two days at the terminal hall of Rangamati district cantonment. CHT Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma and Local Government, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser AF Hassan Arif were also present. The home adviser also sought everyone's cooperation to improve law and order. If anyone breaks law and order, they will be brought to book. “Make the people understand so that peace and order is maintained in the hills,” he urged. Meanwhile, a 72-hour transport strike has been called by hill students in three districts, leading to a complete blockade of roads and waterways. All forms of public transport in Rangamati are currently halted, causing a standstill in the city. In response to the situation, police and army patrols have increased their presence throughout the area.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has said true independence of judges in Bangladesh hinges on the abolition of the long-standing dual governance system within the judiciary.  The joint authority of the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Law must be dismantled to facilitate a separate secretariat under the Bangladesh Supreme Court, he told judges of subordinate courts at the Supreme Court premises on Saturday. The Chief Justice outlined that until this dual governance structure is eliminated, judges would not be able to exercise their duties independently. He described the establishment of a separate secretariat as the “first necessary step” to ensure the judiciary’s autonomy and integrity. He noted that a transparent and accountable judiciary is essential for restoring public trust, which has been eroded due to years of interference. Justice Ahmed highlighted several systemic issues plaguing the judiciary, including a lack of clear policies for the appointment and promotion of judges, severe shortages of judges relative to caseloads, and infrastructural inadequacies.  He called for immediate government action to implement reforms aimed at strengthening the judiciary and restoring faith among the populace. Moreover, he mentioned the necessity of implementing the full ruling in the Masdar Hossain case, which emphasises the independence of subordinate court judges. He pointed out that the judiciary's independence is not only a constitutional requirement but a cornerstone for upholding the rule of law in Bangladesh. The Chief Justice expressed commitment to fostering a strong, modern, and efficient judiciary that serves as a bastion of integrity and justice.  Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, and around 2,000 judges from across the country, attended the event.

Police arrested three people in a case filed over the murder of two siblings in the capital's Wari on August 15. The arrestees are Akbar Hossain, 60, his son Md Asif Sultan Sifat, 27, and Sifat's friend Md Azaharul Islam Khan Rian, 28. A team of police conducted a drive in Savar Model Tahan area on Friday and arrested them, DMP Deputy Commissioner (Wari Division) Mohammad Saleh Uddin said in a press conference at DMP Media Center on Mintu Road in the capital on Saturday afternoon. He said that victim Md Alamin Bhuiyan signed an agreement to purchase a flat from 'Classic Real Estate Company' on Hatkhola Road years back. The land owner advocate Akbar also signed an agreement with Ripon, the owner of the real estate company, in 2014. "After 10 years, since no building was constructed at that place, Land Owner Advocate Akbar along with others completed the 2nd floor of the building with their own funds." Later, victim Al Amin Bhuiyan along with his younger brother Nurul Amin Bhuiyan went to see the flat around 11am on August 14. At that time Akbar, Rian and other fugitives under the leadership of Sifat attacked them with local weapons, leaving them seriously injured. They were rescued and taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where doctors on duty declared both of them dead. Later, a case was filed following a complaint lodged by victims’ elder brother Ruhul Amin Bhuiyan. The police official said that the two brothers were killed due to a dispute over a flat. The arrestees were sent to court, added the police officer.

Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has said they want to establish true justice and want to get out of the culture of filing blanket cases. "We want to establish true justice. We want to get out of the culture of filing blanket cases, using the judiciary to harass people, destroying people's livelihoods, and creating continuous grievances, anger, and discord among people." "People come to the judges asking for justice. They (judges) feel embarrassed. Why do you feel embarrassed? The people seeking justice have come to you after finding no justice elsewhere. How can you feel embarrassed?” he asked, addressing the judges of the High Court Division on Saturday. "You felt embarrassed to accept the appeal of the current Chief Advisor Dr Yunus. Why did you feel that way? Isn't it your duty? Isn't it your constitutional duty? You can listen (hold the hearing) and reject it. That's not a problem. Your reputation has been tarnished by some judges,” added Asif. “Don't say these things anymore. People are not fools," he also said, "The fascist government started the culture of false and blanket cases. We want to get out of that. Many have been subjected to blanket cases."