United News of Bangladesh

Police arrested Chhatra League leader Istiaq Ahmed Hridoy, the alleged instigator of industrial instability through sabotage and conspiracy in the garment sector. Netrokona District Police arrested him on Monday, according to police headquarters. In a video, he was seen instigating the unrest in the export-oriented garment sector by inciting garment workers to engage in looting and take to the streets. Although he pretends to be a common man, he is actually a Chhatra League leader and a student of the Law department at Northern University, police sources in Netrakona said.  

The newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal has stated that defendants, including Sheikh Hasina, will be allowed to appoint foreign lawyers to argue their cases when they go on trial. He assured that the prosecution team would not raise objections on this point. In the interest of fairness and justice, the prosecution team will do whatever is necessary. He made these remarks on Monday (September 9) while responding to questions from journalists at the Prosecutor's Office of the International Crimes Tribunal. Tajul Islam mentioned, "The prosecution team has inspected several hospitals and is collecting information. Data has also been requested from hospital administrators. Additional hospital inspections will be conducted today." He further informed that letters are being sent to deputy commissioners of districts, media outlets, hospitals, and various institutions requesting videos and photos for the sake of the investigation. "The initiative aims to conduct the investigation with transparency so that there are no doubts about the judicial process. The victims are eagerly awaiting justice for the genocide, and the witnesses are also keen. Efforts are ongoing to begin the trial process while evidence remains fresh," said Tajul Islam. He also emphasized that the government has no political agenda in this trial. The goal is solely to bring justice for the atrocities committed against the students and the public, with no political ambitions involved.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested listed drug peddler Shahjahan Mia, nephew of former lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi from Dhaka’s Bashundhara residential area on Sunday night. Imran Khan, assistant superintendent of police (media wing) of the RAB Headquarters, confirmed the matter. Arrestee Shahjahan, former chairman of Teknaf Sadar union parishad, was accused of attacking protesters with weapons openly during the recent student-led movement in Teknaf. Moreover, he is accused of several cases including violence and drug dealing. It may be mentioned, Abdur Rahman Bodi, Awami League-backed former lawmaker and much criticised for his alleged involvement in Yaba peddling from Myanmar, was arrested by the RAB in Chattogram city on August 20.

Advocate Tazul Islam, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, has announced plans to bring back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the main accused in a genocide case, through a prisoner exchange agreement to face trial. He made the statement during a briefing at the International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday (September 8) after assuming his new role. Prosecutors Gazi M.H. Tamim and B.M. Sultan Mahmud were also present at the briefing. Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam emphasized that preserving evidence of the genocide before it deteriorates is the first priority, which will be crucial for presenting during the trial. He also stressed the importance of alerting the relevant authorities to prevent the accused from fleeing abroad. He called upon students, the public, and affected individuals to ensure that all forms of evidence reach the investigation agency or prosecution. Tazul Islam further assured that the trial would be conducted in such a way that the families of martyrs, victims, plaintiffs, and even the defendants would feel that justice has been served. He stated, "There will be no oppression against anyone, nor will anyone be spared." Regarding the arrest of the accused, he noted that the severity of the crimes would necessitate the arrest of the suspects during the investigation phase. "We will certainly seek the arrest of the criminals," he said. "Our primary effort will be to ensure that potential offenders do not escape the court's jurisdiction. We will work to prevent that." On the issue of amending laws, Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam remarked, "We have just assumed responsibility. We will sit with the government to discuss and decide on these matters." Earlier, on Saturday (September 7), the Ministry of Law issued a notification appointing Advocate Tazul Islam, a Supreme Court lawyer, as Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal for conducting cases stemming from the July Movement that brought down the last autocratic government.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday decided to launch an investigation against former agriculture minister and Moulvibazar-4 MP Abdus Shahid, accusing him of abusing power, engaging in various irregularities, and amassing wealth through corruption. ACC spokesperson Aktrul Islam confirmed the decision to UNB, stating that Shahid is alleged to have illegally occupied land belonging to the Forest Department to develop tea gardens, install street lights, and set up deep tube wells at government expense—actions that violate the law. Preliminary findings by the ACC revealed assets worth over Tk 100 crore in the names of Shahid's wife and children, including multiple houses and flats in various locations. Additionally, the ACC has decided to investigate reports of significant illegal assets held both domestically and abroad, including a house purchased in Canada, under the name of Shahid's wife. In a related move, the ACC has also initiated an investigation into Habibur Rahman, a former Member of Parliament for the Bogra-5 constituency. According to the commission's statement, Rahman is suspected of accumulating a substantial amount of wealth through abuse of power, corruption, and unethical activities, with assets allegedly held in his own name as well as those of his wife and family members. Furthermore, the ACC has received complaints against Maqsood, who served as the personal assistant to former agriculture minister Abdur Razzak. The commission alleges that Maqsood exploited his position to dominate the Ministry of Agriculture, securing contracts for his own company, raising bills for incomplete work, misappropriating project funds, and engaging in various corrupt practices.

A former leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League Rajshahi University unit was brutally lynched in Rajshahi city on Saturday night on charge of attacking protesters on August 5 during the mass upsurge. Deceased Abdullah Al Masud was the former assistant secretary and member of the RU and Central committees respectively. He was a resident of Budhpara area of the city, said police. Masud was attacked in Binodpur Bazar near the university on Saturday night. He was severely injured and later handed over to the police station. After being taken to the hospital, he died around 12:30 am that night. SM Masud Parvez, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Boalia Model Police Station, said that Masud was attacked in connection with allegations of an assault on students and the public on August 5. He was initially taken to Matihar Police Station by a group of students. However, as there was no case registered at Matihar Police Station related to the August 5 incident, Masud was subsequently arrested under a violence case at Boalia Police Station. The OC mentioned that Masud was severely injured in the mob attack and, given his condition, was transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RAMEC) with the help of the Army. But he died there. Legal actions will be taken if his family wants. While Masud was in custody at Boalia Police Station, he claimed, "I had come to Binodpur to buy medicine. I was targeted because I used to be in the Chhatra League." Salahuddin Ammar, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at RU, was present at Boalia Police Station when Masud was brought in. Ammar had previously brought two youths to the station on charge of raping and killing a female student on August 5. Ammar noticed Masud being brought in but did not recognize who had brought him. Upon hearing of Masud's death, Ammar said, "We were busy with the duo we brought in. In the midst of that, we saw someone being brought in injured, but we couldn't identify who had brought him. The police should have handled this situation better." It was learned that after being unemployed for a long period, Masud wrote a letter seeking employment to then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the end of 2022. Following this, on December 6, 2022, Director-7 Mir Taufey Siddika of the Prime Minister’s Office requested the then Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University to appoint Masud to the position of Section Officer. Following this, Masud was appointed as a store officer at the university’s medical centre on December 20, 2022. He joined the position on December 22.

The Industries Ministry has ordered the closure of yard activities of SN Corporation's in Chattogram's Sitakunda following an explosion that left 12 workers injured on Saturday. Besides, the ministry formed an inquiry committee to investigate the incident, said a press release of the ministry. Among the injured, 7 workers are being taken to Dhaka for better treatment following the ministry's order, read the release. Earlier, twelve workers suffered burn injuries in an explosion in the pump room of SN Corporation’s shipyard. The explosion occurred around 12:00 pm. The injured have been identified as Ahmed Ullah, Mohammad Al-Amin, Mohammad Barkat, Habil Ahmed, Mohammad Niamul Haque, Anwar Hossain, Abul Kashem, Mohammad Jahangir, Mohammad Khairul, Mohammad Sagor, Mohammad Rafiq, and Mohammad Saiful.

A total of twenty-five people were arrested with arms and ammunition during the nationwide joint forces’ drive till Saturday (September 7).  During this time, law enforcers have also recovered 53 various types of firearms from their possession since September 4. The government has conducted a joint operation across the country from September 4 for recovering the firearms and ammunition not deposited in the police station under suspended license and arms looted in recent times from police stations, police lines, police outposts and other places. Earlier on August 25, the Home Ministry suspended firearms licenses given to civilians over the past 15 years issued during the tenure of the Awami League government. Later on September 1 last week, the public security divisions of the Home Ministry issued a circular and ordered a joint operation consisting of members of the armed forces, BGB, Coast Guard, Police, RAB, Ansar to recover illegal firearms, looted firearms and the firearms. Sources at the police headquarters said during the countrywide joint operation, 53 different types of firearms were recovered till 6:00 am on September 7. The recovered firearms included four revolvers, 18 pistols, two Rifles, 11 shotguns, one pipe gun, six shooter guns, three LGs, three guns, one AK-47, one gas gun, one Chinese rifle, one air gun and three smooth bore, or SBBLs.   

A Dhaka court on Friday placed former shipping minister Shajahan Khan on seven-day remand in a case filed over the killing of Abdul Motalib, 14, in the capital's Dhanmandi area during the anti-discrimination student movement. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Ahmed granted the remand after the investigation officer of the case, also sub-inspector of Dhanmondi Model Police Station Md. Khokon Mia produced him before the court and pleaded to place him on 10-day remand in the case. According to the case statement, Motalib joined the procession of the anti-discrimination student movement in the capital's Dhanmandi area on August 4. Many unarmed students were injured and killed on the spot when police opened fire on the procession. Abdul Motalib was also shot in the chest and neck and died on the spot. Later, a case was filed following the complaint of victim’s father Abdul Matin at Dhanmondi Police Station against 176, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Shajahan Khan. Detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested Shajahan Khan, also Awami League presidium member, from Dhaka’s Dhanmondi early Friday.    

A case was filed against nine people on charge of beating Nabokam Polli University College principal with a hammer and forcibly taking his signature on a resignation letter on Thursday in Faridpur’s Saltha upazila. Victim Principal Md Obaidul Rahman lodged the case with Saltha police station on Thursday night, the police station’s Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Fayezur Rahman confirmed.   Some of the accused were identified as Kaium Mollah, Kamrul Gazi, Lalon, Monir and Mia, with Kaium the prime accused. The plaintiff on Friday morning said some outside miscreants by Kaium, Kamrul and their cohorts beat him with a hammer to force him to resign. “I did not sign the resignation letter at my will. So I filed a case against them for legal action. I hope I will get justice,” he said. Responding to a question, he said, "It is not the fault of the students. Students were used by these leaders. I don't want to harass students.” Faridpur’s Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Nagarkanda-circle) Asaduzzaman Shakil said that he went to the college after the incident and searched for everything. A drive will be conducted to arrest those who attacked the principal. On Thursday morning, some students of the college accompanied by outsiders beat the principal with a hammer and forcibly took his signature on a resignation.   A video clip, showing the principal being compelled to sign the resignation letter under duress, went viral on social media.