United News of Bangladesh

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday ordered the authorities concerned to submit probe reports by April 20 in two cases over the mass killing during the July uprising against Sheikh Hasina and 45 others.   A three-member bench, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after the prosecution submitted a petition seeking more time to complete the investigation, said court’s chief prosecutor Md Tajul Islam.   Earlier on 17 December last year, the court issued a warrant for the arrest of former premier Hasina, former minister Obaidul Quader and 44 others in the cases. The court also ordered the investigation agency to complete the probe and submit a report within two months, which ended today (Tuesday). The other accused include former ministers Anisul Huq, Faruk Khan, Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaque, Shahjahan Khan, Amir Hossain Amu and Qamrul Islam. DB arrests ex-health secretary Jahangir Alam Advocate Tajul Islam hoped that they would be able to submit the probe report within the deadline. Following the fall of Awami League, at least 60 cases or complaints of enforced disappearances, killings, genocide and crimes against humanity were lodged at the International Crimes Tribunal, accusing Sheikh Hasina, leaders of the Awami League and 14 party alliance and senior officials of different law enforcement agencies. The allegations brought against the accused include murder and attempt to murder, disappearance, and other crimes.

Some 1,400 weapons and 250,000 rounds of ammunition looted in the aftermath of the July Uprising still remain missing, CA’s Special Assistant Abdul Hafiz said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters following the final session of the three-day Deputy Commissioners’ (DCs) Conference, Hafiz said the joint forces’ drive across the country would continue and the focus will be given to recover the missing arms and ammunition. When asked about directives given to the DCs, Hafiz said, “In a few districts, some weapons and ammunition have been destroyed. Questions were raised about how quickly these could be officially disposed of. Moving forward, the authorities must address multiple challenges. As I have mentioned, around 1,400 weapons, looted after 5 August, have yet to be recovered. Similarly, 250,000 rounds of various types of ammunition remain missing, which could potentially fall into the hands of terrorists and be used for nefarious purposes.” Providing further details, Hafiz said early 6,000 weapons were looted, with three-quarters of them successfully retrieved. “Of the 600,000 rounds of ammunition taken, only 250,000 remain missing. This means a significant number has been recovered. The ongoing operations will ensure that the rest are recovered in due course,” he added. Joint Forces arrest 12 men with arms in Dhaka's Geneva Camp Expressing concerns about emerging threats, Hafiz said, “I have pointed out that autocratic elements and their allies are regrouping and announcing programmes. They could drive the country towards instability, and we must remain vigilant. With Ramadan approaching, the authorities will face threefold challenges: ensuring market stability to keep commodity prices affordable, managing potential electricity shortages, and maintaining law and order.” Hafiz said citizens have some fundamental expectations. “People want to move around safely, sleep peacefully at night, and have access to essential goods at reasonable prices. Moreover, they should receive government services without unnecessary hassles. I have conveyed that the officials on the ground represent the government to the people.” Huge arms, ammunition recovered KNF den in Bandarban: ISPR About civil-military cooperation, Hafiz mentioned that discussions were held on enhancing coordination between the civil administration and the armed forces.

Deputy Commissioners (DCs) on Tuesday recommended deployment of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in a greater number in the country’s frontier areas to bolster national security in addition to enhanced security measures for waterways. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said this while briefing reporters at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The briefing followed the third-day session of the Deputy Commissioners' Conference, which included discussions under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture. DCs propose military training for Bangladeshi youths “In our session, the primary focus was on improving law and order and advancing the agricultural sector. The Deputy Commissioners suggested increasing the deployment of BGB personnel along border areas, strengthening waterway security through a higher presence of river police, and augmenting manpower in Gazipur Metropolitan and Industrial Police units. We are reviewing these matters with great importance and have assured necessary consideration,” said Jahangir Alam. He said that the overall law-and-order situation remains satisfactory but has room for improvement. “Law enforcement operations are progressively enhancing security. To ensure continued progress, ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ is being conducted across the country,” he added. Highlighting corruption as the nation’s most pressing issue, Jahangir Alam said, “If corruption is not eradicated at its roots, the country’s desired progress will remain unachievable. It is essential to curb corruption at all levels. Accordingly, instructions have been given to the Deputy Commissioners.” DCs asked to bring doctors, traders in upazilas under tax net: Finance Adviser Chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, the session was addressed, among others, by Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. Among other attendees were Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam BPM, and heads of various departments and agencies under both ministries.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed 1,907 cases on Monday in a drive to prevent traffic rules violation in different areas of the capital. Besides, the authorities impounded 196 vehicles and towed 41 others as part of the drive, said AC media of DMP Jahangir Kabir. 

A case was filed against 15 people including a professor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) and a former registrar over allegations of torturing and attempting to murder a student. Former Kuet student Lutfor Rahman filed the petition on Sunday at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court. Metropolitan Magistrate Rokibul Islam accepted the petition and directed the Officer-in-Charge of Khan Jahan Ali Police Station to file a regular case and report back to the court. Among the accused are Professor D. Mohammad Alamgir Hossain of Civil Engineering Department, Professor Dr. Sobhan Mia of Mechanical Engineering Department, former registrar GM Shahidul Islam, former KUET Chhatra League president Safayat Hossain Nayan, general secretary Ali Imtiaz Sohan, and several other Chhatra League activists. The then Officer-in-Charge of Daulatpur Police Station, Anwar Hossain, was also named in the case. Ex-commander of ‘Muktijoddha Sangsad’, brother held in Bhola According to the complaint, the accused suspected that Rahman, who lived in Lalon Shah Hall, had involvement with Jamaat-e-Islami. On 1 April 2017, he was called out of his room, taken to the hall’s guest room, and brutally beaten. Police allegedly did not take action against the attackers but instead arrested Rahman and filed a case against him under the Special Powers Act. Rahman was taken to a hospital from jail with severe injuries and later suffered complete kidney failure and now he depends on dialysis to survive.

Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested former health secretary Jahangir Alam. There were several cases filed against Jahangir. He will be produced before the court in connection with one of these cases, said DB Joint Commissioner (North) Mohammad Rabiul Hossain Bhuiyan on Tuesday. Jahangir had been the secretary of the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the July-August mass uprising. After the fall of the Awami League government, Jahangir was moved from the Health Services Division to the Planning Commission on August 20, where he was assigned to the Agriculture, Water Resources, and Rural Institutions Division. 2 arrested for attacking couple with machete at Uttara Later, amid allegations, the government placed him on compulsory retirement. Jahangir Alam assumed the role of secretary of the Health Services Division on October 9, 2023. Prior to that, he had served as secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare until October 8, 2023.

Two individuals have been arrested after attacking a couple with a machete in Dhaka’s Uttara Sector 7 on Monday night. The incident, which took place on a footpath sparked widespread outrage after it went viral on social media. 529 arrested in 'Operation Devil Hunt' across the country: Police The arrestees were identified as Mobarak, 24, and Robi, 21, said, Uttara East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hafizur Rahman. The arrestees were involved in a violent confrontation with the couple when their motorcycle reportedly collided with a private car carrying the accused. Following the collision, a heated argument escalated, and the driver, along with an unknown accomplice, pulled out a machete and began attacking the couple, the OC said. Ex-minister Farhad Hossain's wife arrested As the attackers tried to flee the scene, local residents intervened, apprehended them, and handed them over to the police after giving them a beating. The attacker who wielded the machete managed to escape but is now identified by authorities as a member of a gang. The victims were receiving treatment at a local hospital. One of the victims filed a case regarding the matter.

A total of 529 individuals were arrested around the country as part of the ongoing 'Operation Devil Hunt' in 24 hours till 8am on Monday morning, according to sources at the police headquarters. In addition, 974 others were arrested in connection with various warrants and ongoing cases during the same period in countrywide drives conducted by local police. Army-led joint forces started a countrywide special operation under the code name ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ from February 9 night. In their latest update till Monday morning, the Joint Forces also recovered a range of weapons and materials, including one pistol, one country made shooter-gun, four knives,and one toy pistol in the preceding 24 hours. Launched on February 9 night, 'Operation Devil Hunt' is ostensibly aimed at curbing unrest and ensuring public safety across the country. However, the operation appears to have a specific focus on supporters and activists of the Awami League, which led the last government before it was brought down in a people's uprising in the summer of 2024. The party's student wing, the Chhatra League, is already banned with former members figuring heavily among the arrests. The operation followed an attack on students and civilians in Gazipur on February 7 night, an area known to be a stronghold of the Awami League. On February9, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that the nationwide crackdown would continue until the "devils" are eradicated. “The operation will target those who are desperate to destabilise the country,” he warned.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said the ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ will go on as long as devils (criminals) exist in the country. He made the remark while addressing the 133rd annual sports competition of Ichhapur Government Model High School in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj. Urging students to stand against corruption, he said though the expansion of education was made the quality of education has not improved. Home Adviser calls for heightened vigilance in ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ He advised the students to pay due respect to their teachers. Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) Ataul Goni Osmani, additional superintendent of police Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, and Upazila Nirbhai Officer Shahina Aktar, among others, attended the event as special guests. Chaired by the school’s headmaster Md Jamal Hossain Mia, International Farakka Barrage Prevention Committee Chairman Syed Tipu Sultan, and upazila unit of BNP president Abdul Kuddus Dhiron were, among others, present at the programme.

A Meherpur court on Monday placed Syeda Monalisa Islam, wife of former Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain, on a three-day remand in a case over attacking protesters during the July-August uprising. Meherpur Senior Judicial Magistrate Begum Sharmin Nahar passed the order after police produced her before the  court seeking a 7-day remand. Earlier on Sunday night, members of law enforcement agencies conducted a drive at a residence in Dhaka's Eskaton and arrested her. Ex-minister Gazi remanded for 3 days Later she was brought to Meherpur and taken to the court. On September 14, police arrested former minister Farhad from Dhaka's Eskaton area. A number of cases were filed against Farhad in Dhaka and Meherpur district after the fall of the AL-led government on August 5.