United News of Bangladesh

The interim government on Monday said the claim that the incidents of crime are sharply rising in Bangladesh this year is not fully supported by available data. "In fact, the data reveals stabilisation in major crime categories over the past 10 months," said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, quoting the Police Headquarters' statistics. He said recent media reports indicate a sharp rise in crimes this year, fuelling fear and insecurity among citizens. Based on the official crime statistics from September 2024 to June 2025, the claim that crime is sharply rising this year is not completely supported by the data, Azad said. These are not the hallmarks of a crime wave; in fact, some of the most serious crimes are either declining or stable, he said. Combing operation across Bangladesh from today: Home Adviser The Deputy Press Secretary said only a few crime categories have increased. "Citizens should remain vigilant but also trust that law enforcement is maintaining control, as reflected by relatively stable crime trends," Azad said. He provided two tables showing the crime statistics of the last five years and the last ten months. All statistics are provided by the police headquarters.

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested five members of mugging group ‘Pani Rubel Gang’ from Mohammadpur area in the capital. The arrestees are Md. Layeas (25), Md. Shahin alias Auto Shahin (20), Md. Shuvo (19), Md. Abdul Alim (28), and Md. Milon Hossain (28). Tipped off, a special team of CTTC’s Special Action Group arrested them after conducting a drive on Sunday night in Jahuri Moholla and Babar Road areas. The gang members used sharp weapons, including machetes during snatching valuables from pedestrians. Old Dhaka murder: 2 more arrested from Netrokona During primary interrogation, the detainees admitted their involvement in regular muggings in the area, DC media of DMP Talebur Rahman . Legal procedures against the arrestees are underway, he said.

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit arrested a fugitive convict sentenced to one year of imprisonment and fined Tk 28.72 lakh in the capital's Gabtoli area on Sunday. Mostak Ahmed, 52, was apprehended from the Gabtoli bus stand area, said Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Talebur Rahman. Acting on a tip-off, a team of CTTC conducted an operation and arrested Mostak Ahmed. He had been on the run for a long time and had been sentenced in a case filed against him. Following his arrest, he was handed over to Darus Salam Police Station as per legal procedures, added the official. Further legal action against the arrestee is underway.

A Dhaka court on Sunday placed two accused in a case filed in connection with scrap trader Sohag killing near Mitford Hospital, on a four-day remand. Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefatullah passed the order when inspector Nasir Uddin of Kotwali Police Station, also the investigating officer of the case, produced Alamgir and Monir before the court with a seven-day remand prayer for each. Earlier on July 10, the court granted five-day remand to two more accused in the case—Mahmudul Hasan Mahin and Titon Gazi. Justice for all: Bold drive to ensure access for the marginalised in Bangladesh On July 9, Lal Chand alias Shohag, 39, a scrap trader and son of Yusuf Ali Hawladar, was hacked and beaten to death in broad daylight at the Mitford hospital gate. Manjuara Begum, elder sister of Shohagh, filed a case against 19 identified people and 15-20 unidentified people, with Kotwali Police Station on the following day.

In light of the prevailing law and order situation in the country, the government will launch a nationwide coordinated combing operation from today (Sunday), said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday. He came up with the announcement following a high-level meeting on the law and order at the Secretariat. Talking to reporters after the meeting, the adviser said, “To ensure public safety, law enforcement agencies will intensify their surveillance across the country. No criminal or troublemaker will be spared. However, we urge all citizens not to take the law into their own hands. Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the state.” Referring to the recent murder in Dhaka’s Mitford area, Jahangir said a swift investigation had been launched. “So far, seven people have been arrested, six of whom were identified from video footage. No perpetrator will be spared regardless of their identity or affiliation. Strict legal action will be taken against all those involved,”  he told the journalists. DB crackdown against AL's 'flash processions' nabs 56 leaders, activists Warning of strict action against the culprits, the adviser asserted that the government would make no compromise when it comes to public safety. He informed that measures have been taken to bring the arrested individuals to justice. On election security, the adviser said, “We are working closely with the Election Commission and hope to complete all related administrative and security responsibilities by December. We are committed to fulfilling our part efficiently and on time.” Army detains 2,457 in two-month nationwide crackdown The adviser assured the public that the government’s primary focus is to uphold peace, ensure justice, and maintain stability across the country through lawful means.

The government has once again extended the magistracy power of commissioned officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force by another 60 days with effect from July 14 (Monday). The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification to this effect on Sunday. According to the notification, commissioned officers holding the rank of captain and above in the Bangladesh Armed Forces have been granted special executive magistrate powers across the country. Armed forces' magistracy powers extended by 60 days Military officers serving on deputation in the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have also been vested with the same authority. The interim government initially granted the magistracy power to commissioned army officers on September 17 last year for 60 days to improve law and order. It was subsequently extended on January 12, March 13 and May 13 this year.

A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) on Sunday seeking its directives to form a judicial commission to probe the murder of scrap trader Lal Chand alias Md Sohag in front of Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka recently. Supreme Court lawyer Dr Md Yunus Ali Akanda filed the writ petition with the HC section concerned. Speaking reporters after filing the petition, he said directives were sought to arrest the accused those involved in the murder directly. Hearing on the writ petition is expected to be held tomorrow (Monday) at the bench of Justice Kazi Zinnat Hoque and Justice Aynun Nahar Siddiqua, he said. On July 9, a group of people killed the 39-year-old vendor indiscriminately by stabbing and hitting with a knife and a stone in front of the hospital in broad daylight. Appointment of administrator to Nagad legal: High Court A video showing the brutality went viral on social media, triggering severe outcry in the country. University students, activists of political parties staged demonstrations demanding the arrest of the killers immediately. Victim’s elder sister Manjuara Begum filed a murder case naming 19 people and 15 to 20 unidentified ones with Kotwali Police Station and police filed another case under the Arms Act. Meanwhile, BNP has expelled five leaders of Jubo, Swechasebak and Chhatra Dal from the party for their alleged involvement in the murder.

A 53-year-old man was stabbed to death by unidentified miscreants in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj on Thursday night. The deceased was identified as Saheb Ali, hailing from Paschim Ghoramara village of Basail union in the upazila. Quoting locals, police said the miscreants attacked him with sharp weapons while he was returning home after offering Esha prayers at a local mosque around 9pm. Hearing screams, locals rushed to the scene and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he died at around midnight. SSC examinee stabbed by muggers dies at DMCH His son Zainal alleged that his father was murdered over a land-related business dispute and had recently received death threats. Officer-in-charge of Sirajdikhan Police Station Habibur Rahman suspected that the land dispute might lead to the killing and legal action is underway.

Inspector Md. Ismail Hossain has been withdrawn from his post as officer-in-charge (OC) of Sonargaon Police Station in Narayanganj within three days of his appointment, following a violation of a directive issued by the Police Headquarters. According to an official order signed by Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Rezaul Karim Mallik on Thursday, the 54-year-old officer has been attached to the Range DIG office. Inspector Ismail Hossain was appointed as OC of Sonargaon Police Station on July 7 and assumed charge the same day. However, a directive issued on June 17 by the Police Headquarters, through letters to all Range DIGs and Metropolitan Police Commissioners, stated that no police inspector aged over 52 should be appointed as an OC of a police station. Police sub-inspector withdrawn over bribery allegation in Feni Despite the instruction, Narayanganj Superintendent of Police Protyush Kumar issued the offuce order on July 7, assigning Ismail Hossain as OC of Sonargaon Police Station. On July 8, UNB reported that the appointment was in violation of the Police Headquarters’ directive. The withdrawal order was subsequently issued by the Dhaka Range DIG office today.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui on Thursday said that instances of pushback or push-in by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) continue regularly, involving not only Bangladeshis but sometimes Indian nationals as well -- actions that constitute violations of human rights. "We have been strongly protesting to the BSF regarding the push-ins from the Indian side," the BGB chief said after attending the passing-out parade of the 103rd recruit batch at the Border Guard Training Centre and College (BGTCC) at Baitul Izzat in Satkania, Chattogram. He said that the issue is not limited to Bangladeshis alone. "In some cases, Indian citizens and even some Rohingyas are being sent over the border, which we consider a serious violation of human rights. We have officially lodged strong protests, and these incidents have also been reported in both national and international media," he said. Maj Gen Siddiqui stressed that Bangladesh always encourages due process for the repatriation of illegal entrants. "If any Bangladeshi enters India illegally, we ensure their return through proper discussions and formal handovers," he said. However, he pointed out that despite official handovers in some areas, BSF continues to push people back informally in others. “While such pushbacks may pause for a day or two, the overall process has not stopped,” the BGB DG added. Not an inch of land will be left unprotected: BGB DG on fresh recruits He said the issue has been raised multiple times through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Letters have been sent to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and also to the Bangladesh Embassy in India. I am personally in communication with the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka,” he said adding that they (BGB) are doing our best to resist this. But in most cases, the Bangladeshis being pushed in had gone to India long ago, he added. Responding to a question, the BGB chief acknowledged a manpower shortage. "We currently have around 57,000 personnel tasked with guarding a 4,427-kilometre border,” he said. To address the manpower crisis, the government has assured BGB of 5,000 new recruits, and the recruitment process is expected to begin soon, he mentioned. When asked about preparations for the upcoming national election, the  DG said, “After ensuring border security, the remaining force will be deployed to provide the necessary support for a free and fair election.” He added that BGB could be deployed as a striking force to help maintain security and ensure smooth voting in polling centres located within eight kilometres of the border.