United News of Bangladesh

A man was killed and over 50  people were injured during an “attack  by miscreants” at Samity Para near the Bangladesh Air Force base in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. The deceased was identified as Shihab Kabir Nahid, 30, son of former Primary Teachers' Training Institute (PTI) superintendent Nasir Uddin, 30, said Ahsan Habib Polash, deputy inspector general of the Chattogram Range of the police.   According to the Inter Services Public Relations, some miscreants launched a ‘surprise’ attack on the Air Force Base on Monday. The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary steps in this regard, the ISPR release added. Miscreants attack Air Force base in  Cox’s Bazar: ISPR Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said a man with bullet injuries was admitted to Sadar Hospital who was declared dead by doctors. Besides, five others are undergoing treatment at the same hospital. “A thorough investigation is underway, and discussions will be held with both parties to determine the cause of the incident," he added. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital superintendent Dr Mong Ting also confirmed the death. Locals alleged that tensions escalated following a dispute over land acquisition for the expansion of Cox’s Bazar airport. Akhter Kamal, a resident of Samity Para area, said a meeting was scheduled between BAF members and representatives of local people at the deputy commissioner’s office to discuss the relocation of affected residents. Around noon, when some locals, including one Md Jahid, were going to attend the meeting, BAF personnel stopped them at a checkpoint near Diabetic Point in the town. An argument ensued between Jahid and the Air Force members, he said. More people gathered there and protested the incident, triggering the clash, he said. Shahjahan, another resident, claimed that during the clash Air Force personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd, leaving several injured. Shihab was later rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Shihab’s father, Nasir Uddin, demanded justice for his son’s killing, calling for an impartial investigation into the incident.

Amid the growing incidents of mugging across the country, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Monday said that three specialised units of police will take to the fields to curb the mugging in Dhaka soon. He said this while speaking at a workshop on enforcement of laws at primary training centre in Rajshahi. The IGP said, "Snatching has increased at night. Robberies have also increased during the day. We have decided to take special measures from Saturday morning to prevent hijacking. Dhaka Metropolitan Police, RAB and Anti-Terrorism Unit will conduct a joint operation. Hopefully, it will be implemented from today. We'll see if it improves that way. If not, we'll have to move on to another plan.” Police arrest 3 suspected mugging gang members in Dhaka's Uttarkhan Alam said they launched the ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ a few days back and it remains continued against those anti-social activists, commit terrorism and those arrested during the operation are kingpin terrorists, smugglers. Sensing political motive behind the unrest in the county, the IGP said a section does not want stability in the country.

Some miscreants from Samity Para, adjacent to the Air Force Base in Cox's Bazar, launched a surprise attack on the Air Force Base, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday. Defiant home adviser vows to ensure rule of law at any cost The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary steps in this regard, the ISPR release added. Further details of the incident are still awaited.

The Appellate Division on Monday stayed the anticipatory bail granted by the High Court to Suparna Sur Chowdhury, wife of former Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Sitangshu Kumar (SK) Sur Chowdhury, and their daughter Nandita Sur Chowdhury in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for failing to submit an asset statement within the stipulated time. The four-member bench led by Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam passed the order following a petition to stay the bail granted to them. Govt withdraws BPM, PPM awards of 103 police officials Barristers AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Mizanur Rahman represented the petitioner in court, while Advocate Asif Hossain appeared for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Earlier, on February 9, the High Court granted anticipatory bail to them in this case. The order was passed by a High Court bench consisting of Justice Muhammad Mahbub-ul Islam and Justice Md. Hamidur Rahman. Following this, the ACC appealed to the Appellate Division to stay the decision. Gazipur Digital University students stage protests disrupting train services The ACC had filed a case against SK Sur Chowdhury, Suparna Sur Chowdhury, and Nandita Sur Chowdhury on December 22 last year for failing to submit their wealth statement within the required timeframe.

SM Mehedi Hasan, joint commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP-Traffic South) was suspended on Monday for his unauthorised absence at workplace since August 6 last. The Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification, signed by the division’s Senior Secretary Nasimul Goni, in this regard. According to the notification, police official Mehedi has been absent at his workplace since August 6 in 2024 without informing the relevant authorities verbally or in writing. Two OCs suspended over beating BNP leaders in Lalmonirhat As a result, he was suspended from government service under Rule 2 (f) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. He will receive allowance in accordance with the rules, reads the notification.

The government has withdrawn the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President Police Medal (PPM) conferred on 103 police officials for the undue role they played in the 2018 national election. The police officials have been ordered to refund all the money they received against the medals. A gazette notification, signed by Tausif Ahmed, Senior Secretary to the Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, was issued on Monday. Three cops withdrawn after suspected drug peddler escaped from custody According to the notification, the BPM or Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM-Service) or President Police Medal (PPM-Service) of Bangladesh Police Medal-2018 given in favour of the following 103 officers directly involved in the controversial 10th parliamentary election held on December 30, 2018 has been withdrawn. 

Biplob Kumar Sarker, former Joint Commissioner of Police (Admin and Intelligence-South) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), has been suspended for being absent from work without permission or prior notice, either verbally or in writing. The Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued a notification to this end on Monday. Defiant home adviser vows to ensure rule of law at any cost The notification, signed by Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani on the President's orders, mentioned that Sarker has been absent from his duties since August 6, 2024, without informing the appropriate authorities. As a result, Sarker has been temporarily suspended from government service under Rule 2 (f) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. Top court sets Feb 25 for hearing ATM Azhar’s review petition He will be assigned to the office of the Barishal Range DIG and will receive food allowance in accordance with the rules, read the notification.  

Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd.) has insisted the law and order situation is improving, and vowed to keep improving it by taking everyone along. He said this at an emergency 3am press briefing at his residence on Monday (Feb. 24), called following a day of harrowing incidents in the capital in particular, including the armed robbery of a gold jeweller in Banasree. The adviser maintained his general view that the spike in crime could be traced to the desperation of the Awami League to give the interim government a difficult time, and return to power at the earliest possible time. Businessman shot and robbed of gold jewellery in Banasree “Awami League and its allies are trying to destabilize the country. They have plenty of money that was laundered abroad. Through Operation Devil Hunt, we will continue to hunt them down and give them sleepless nights," he promised. He also said he was more than aware of the Banasree incident, and was keeping a keen eye on developments in the case there. He specifically mentioned any shortcomings on the part of law enforcement agencies would be looked into and dealt with fairly. He also promised, on at least two occasions, an improvement in the law and order situation by Monday itself. In a meeting with top security officials at his residence, instructions were issued to step up patrolling and to take any measures necessary to crack down on crime, he said. DU students stage midnight protest; issue ultimatum for home adviser’s resignation In response to a journalist’s query on women and girls not feeling safe, Lt. Gen. Jahangir sought to reassure them that they have ‘nothing to fear’. “We are always vigilant so that our mothers and sisters do not face any problems. I leave it to you to decide whether the law and order situation has improved from the way I found it when I came here,” he said. When his attention was drawn to calls for him to resign, the adviser said they were nothing new, but instead of resigning, he would ensure the rule of law in the country. “That is what they really want,” he said. He also said there was no possibility of the law and order situation deteriorating further, rather it will keep improving day by day. JU holds protest rally against rape, kidnapping, terrorism Before leaving the 10-minute briefing, Lt. Gen. Jahangir (retd) was keen to remind everyone of the situation post-August 5th, in which he took this key responsibility. He asked everyone to keep that in mind, and comparing it to where things stand today, before passing judgement on his performance over 6 months.

A total of 585 people were arrested across the country as part of the ongoing "Operation Devil Hunt" in 24 hours till Sunday afternoon, according to the police headquarters. Besides, 908 others were arrested in connection with various warrants and ongoing cases during the same period in countrywide drives conducted by local police. During this period, the joint forces also recovered a range of weapons and materials, including one foreign-made pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition. Launched on the night of February 9, "Operation Devil Hunt" is aimed at curbing unrest and ensuring public safety across the country. The operation followed an attack on students and civilians in Gazipur on the night of February 7, an area known to be a stronghold of the Awami League.

The Appellate Division on Sunday set February 25 for hearing a review petition submitted by death-row convict and Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam in cases over “crimes against humanity” during the 1971 Liberation War. A three-member bench, headed by Senior Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, set the date after International Crimes Tribunal's Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam and Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman mentioned the review petition before it for holding hearing on the petition, said defence lawyer Advocate Md Shishir Monir. Earlier, on January 23, the Appellate Division fixed February 20 for the review hearing. On that date, a five-member full bench headed by the Chief Justice was scheduled to hear the petition. But the hearing of the petition was not held on that day as the working hours of the court ended through hearing and disposal of the previous cases. Again the petition was placed before the court and prayed for the time. Following his arrest, ATM Azhar faced nine charges of “crimes against humanity”. Jamaat Ameer vows to surrender if ATM Azharul remains jailed According to the chargesheet, he was “responsible” for killing 1,256 people, abducting 17, and raping 13 women during the Liberation War in the Rangpur region. Besides, he was said to have tortured civilians, set fire to hundreds of houses, and committed other atrocities. The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced him to death on December 30, 2014, in five out of the nine charges. On January 28, 2015, the death-row convict submitted a petition to the Appellate Division, claiming his innocence. Later, on July 19, 2020, Azharul Islam filed the review petition with the relevant branch of the Appellate Division. Following an appeal hearing, the Appellate Division, under a bench led by then-Chief Justice Syed Mahmud, upheld the death penalty in a verdict delivered on October 23, 2019. Release Azharul Islam: Jamaat Ameer The full text of the Appellate Division’s verdict was released on March 15, 2020, after which ATM Azhar submitted the review petition.