United News of Bangladesh

Eleven people have been detained in Kamalnagar upazila of Lakhimpur for their alleged bid to take some impoverished people to Dhaka with promises of interest-free loans ranging from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 1 crore for attending a rally. Police and army personnel detained them from Koraitola Bazar of Kamalnagar upazila after locals intercepted three buses and four microbuses carrying over 300 people including women and teenagers when they were going to join the rally organised by a group named Ahingsha Andolon Bangladesh. Upon receiving information  from locals, the army and police detained them and seized the vehicles on Sunday night, said Kamalnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tahidul Islam said on Monday morning. The passengers of the buses and microbuses said the organisers had collected Tk 1,000 from each person promising interest-free loans if they attended the rally reportedly scheduled for Shahbagh or Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. Morshed Alam, a resident of Koralitola bazar area, said the group had been mobilising locals under the guise of providing loans since early August. Farhana Akter and Jesmin Begum, two women from Uttar Char Lawrence village, said they had been assured Tk 1 lakh loans in exchange for attending the rally and paying a nominal fee of Tk 10. They were supposed to get the loan the day after the rally. Nasima and Rowshan Begum, residents of Torabganj village, said they paid Tk 1,000 each as transport fees. They added that many others had similarly contributed money. OC Tahidul Islam said  they detained 11 people and seized the vehicles but the main perpetrators could not be traced yet. “The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) did not approve any such rally. The so-called rally has been canceled," the OC added.

The government has filed a petition seeking stay on the High Court order banning the movement of battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka. The petition was submitted to the Appellate Division's relevant section on Monday, according to sources from the Attorney General's Office. A hearing on the petition is likely to take place at the Chamber Judge's Court of the Appellate Division later in the day. On Sunday, Deputy Attorney General Nur Muhammad Azmi told the media that preparations were underway to file the petition against the High Court's directive. “We may submit the petition to the Chamber Judge’s Court today or tomorrow,” he said. DMP issues directive to curb loud horn use in Dhaka metropolis He said permitting battery-powered rickshaws is a policy decision of the government and the High Court should not intervene in such matters. On November 20, the High Court ordered the relevant government authorities to take necessary steps within three days to halt the operation of battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka, citing safety concerns and the need to reduce road accidents. The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why their failure to stop these vehicles should not be deemed illegal. The directive came in response to a writ petition filed by the Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners' Unity Alliance.

At least 50 people, including students, were injured in sporadic clashes among the students of three colleges involving Kabi Nazrul College, Suhrawardy College and Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in Dhaka’s Demra area on Monday. Meanwhile, Kabi Nazrul College was declared closed for an indefinite period following the mayhem, according to an announcement made in a noticeboard of the college. Earlier in the day, a clash erupted at Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in Demra as the students of Kabi Nazrul College and Suhrawardy College carried out vandalism at the college over Sunday’s clash. Students started gathering near Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in the morning and carried out vandalism around 12 noon. They also looted valuables from the college. Around 1 pm, the students of Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College appeared there and a chase and counter chase took place among them. Later, they attacked each other, leaving 50 people injured. The whole area turned into a battlefield following the clash. The injured were taken to different hospitals. Among them, 30 were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, said in-charge of the hospital police camp, Mohammad Faruk. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Besides, six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Jatrabari-Demra area on Monday following clash. According to a media release of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), additional police have been deployed from Sutrapur to Demra area from 7 am following Sunday’s clash. Police tried to control the situation peacefully, fearing it might take a different turn. Despite this, the agitating students engaged in chase and counter chase, attack and looting, it said. At least 25 students were injured in the series of clashes in the area, said the release. Meanwhile, rumours are being spread on social media claiming that two individuals died in the incident, which is completely false. DMP has urged everyone to refrain from such misinformation, it said. On Sunday, students from 35 colleges near National Medical College Hospital vandalised Dhaka National Medical College and Hospital at Bakshibazar in Old Dhaka centering a student’s death in ‘wrong treatment’ at the hospital. 6 BGB platoons deployed in Jatrabari-Demra after student clashes  On November 16, Abhijit Halder, an HSC student of Demra’s Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College, was admitted to the medicine department of the hospital with dengue. He died on November 18. After that students vandalised the hospital alleging negligence in treatment at the hospital on Sunday. They alleged that students from Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy Colleges supported by National Medical College attacked them. Later, students from 35 colleges clashed with the students of Kabi Nazrul and Suhrawardy Colleges and vandlised property of the two colleges on Sunday, leaving at least 20 people injured. The 35 colleges included Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Molla College, Dhaka College, Dhaka Ideal College, City College, Giyasuddin College, Government Tolaram College, Imperial College, Borhanuddin College, Science College, Dhaniya College, Lalbagh Government College, Udayan College, Adamjee, Notre Dame, Rajarbagh College, Nur Mohammad, Munshi Abdur Rouf College, Siddheswari College, Green Line Polytechnic, Dhaka Polytechnic, Mahbubur Rahman Institute of Science and Technology, and others from the capital. However, Kabi Nazrul College's unit general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Kawser Hossain denied any involvement in the incident. "We are students, and we support students. We did not attack anyone," he said. Regarding the vandalism, Suhrawardy College Islamic Studies department teacher Tariqul Islam said, "I sent them back first, but they returned with a group. They stole many computers and destroyed them, even took rifles from the NCC. They vandalised all 17 departments and even damaged four motorcycles owned by a teacher." Suhrawardy College Vice-Principal Dr Farida Yasmin said, "We were assured by the principal that nothing would happen, but the attack occurred. The entire college was attacked, and even my room was ransacked."

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has urged drivers to avoid using unnecessary loud horns to reduce noise pollution and its harmful effects. According to Section 45 of the Road Transport Act-2018, motor vehicle drivers must refrain from using loud horns unnecessarily. Pedestrians, passengers, other drivers, city dwellers, and especially the sick are being seriously affected due to the excessive use of loud horns by motorcyclists in the Dhaka metropolis. New DMP Commissioner Sajjat Ali assumes office Additionally, the DMP noted that many motorcyclists in Dhaka are riding recklessly, carrying multiple passengers—including women and children—without helmets, which has led to numerous road accidents. To reduce the risk of accidents and loss of life, motorcyclists are urged to comply with Section 49 (1) Part 1 (cha) of the Road Transport Act-2018. This includes carrying no more than two people, including the driver, and ensuring that passengers wear helmets. The DMP has stated that legal action will be taken against any motor vehicle driver failing to follow these regulations. The DMP also sought the cooperation of all concerned to ensure road safety.

Former Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Mashiur Rahman, who was arrested from Dhaka, has been suspended under Sarkari Chakori Ain 2018, He will be attached to the Sylhet Range DIG office during this period. A notice was issued in this regard by the Security Division of the Home Ministry. New DMP Commissioner Sajjat Ali assumes office Earlier, on September 20, detectives arrested Mashiur from the Airport area of the capital in connection with a case filed with New Market Police Station.

Three militants of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) have been killed in a gunfight with the Bangladesh Army on Sunday in the dense forests of Ruma upazila in Bandarban district. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army initiated the operation based on a tip-off about the location of a clandestine hideout used by the KNF. The firefight broke out when Army personnel raided the hideout deep in the jungle. The identities of the three deceased militants have not been confirmed yet. During the operation, a cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the site, the ISPR release mentioned. Read: Huge arms, ammunition recovered KNF den in Bandarban: ISPR The military operation is still ongoing as the Army continues its efforts to neutralise the insurgent group in the region. The KNF, a separatist organisation operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, has been involved in various violent activities, including attacks on security forces and civilians, as part of their quest for an autonomous state for the Kuki-Chin ethnic group.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Saturday instructed field-level officers to properly investigate cases filed after August 5 to ensure no innocent person is harassed. The IGP further stated that even if a case is filed against an innocent person, steps should be taken to withdraw it through the proper legal process. The police chief issued these directives to senior police officers while presiding over a meeting on the country’s overall law and order and security at the Police Headquarters on Saturday. DIG (Operations) Md Rezaul Karim chaired the meeting. The IGP instructed metropolitan police commissioners, Range DIGs, and district SPs to hold regular exchange meetings with their forces to boost morale. He added that no police officer should be unnecessarily victimised. He urged field-level officers to strengthen public relations, emphasising that police must engage with the community, listen to their concerns, and take legal action where necessary. The IGP acknowledged that in the current climate, public expectations are high. He stressed that in case of any unwarranted situations, patience will be crucial, and the police must handle such situations with composure. Energy sector contracts will be free from political influence: Adviser The meeting also directed field-level police officers to intensify efforts to recover looted weapons. Commissioners of all metropolitan police, Range DIGs, and superintendents of police at the district level attended the meeting virtually. Senior officials of the police headquarters were also present at the time.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have recovered goods worth over Tk 1.18 crore during operations along the India border in Fulgazi and Chhagalnaiya upazilas of Feni. According to a media release signed by Lt Col Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, director of BGB Battalion 4 in Feni, the operations were carried out early Friday in Rajeshpur, Chhagalnaiya, Champaknagar, and Madhugram areas near the border. The recovered items include Indian lehengas, saris, Kashmiri shawls, three-piece clothing sets, 20 kilogrammers of cannabis, and other goods. The estimated market value of the seized items is approximately Tk 1.18 crore, the release stated. The confiscated goods have been handed over to Customs and the Department of Narcotics Control for further action, the release added.

An employee of Steadfast Courier Service has been arrested for stealing over Tk 20 lakh from the company’s office in Dhaka’s Motijheel. Md Shawkat Ali, 35, was arrested from the Uttar Dalgram Barantor village of Lalmonirhat early Thursday. Police recovered Tk 19,71,500 from his possession during the raid. Case filed over JU student's death caused by e-rickshaw on campus According to police, Shawkat Ali, an employee of the courier service, is believed to have stolen Tk 20,50,895 from the company’s office on November 18. The theft came to light the following day when the company’s in-charge filed a complaint at Motijheel Police Station. Through CCTV footage and intelligence analysis, police swiftly identified Shawkat as the prime suspect. A subsequent raid led to his arrest and the recovery of most of the stolen funds, which were found buried at his sister’s house in the Kaliganj Police Station area. Ex-SCC mayor Anwaruzzaman among 365 AL men sued in explosives cases During primary interrogation, Shawkat admitted to the theft. Legal proceedings are currently underway against him, police said.

A case has been filed in connection with the death of Afsana Karim Rachi, a first-year student of the Marketing Department at Jahangirnagar University (JU), who was hit by a wayward battery-run or electric rickshaw (e-rickshaw) while walking on campus last Monday. The case was filed following a complaint lodged by the university's security officer, Mohammad Abu Syed, at Ashulia Police Station on Thursday. JU students stage blockade over Afsana's death In addition, the university authorities have formed an investigation committee, with Masum Shahriar, a professor in the Pharmacy Department, serving as the convener. Other members of the committee include Professor Dr. Abu Sayeed Md. Mostafizur Rahman (Computer Science and Engineering Department), Professor Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak (Zoology Department), Professor Dr. Mohammad Humayun Kabir (Mathematics Department), Associate Professor Amina Islam (Journalism and Media Studies Department), Associate Professor Dr. Md. Ariful Haque (Marketing Department), and Deputy Registrar (General Administration) Md. Mahtab-uz-Zahid. The committee has been instructed to submit a report within seven working days. A black badge-wearing programme was also held on Thursday. All auto rickshaws and unregistered motorcycles have been banned from the university campus for an indefinite period. JU student dies in rickshaw accident, protests erupt for justice Meanwhile, classmates of Afsana gathered in front of the Business Faculty on Thursday morning to present 11 demands in response to her death. Notable demands include: legal action against the culprit within 24 hours, financial compensation for the family, modernization of the medical center within 7 days, construction of sidewalks and installation of CCTV cameras along the roadside, introduction of a shuttle bus service on campus, and the inclusion of all students under health insurance. In addition, milad and Doa Mahfil were held at the central mosque of the university after Friday Juma prayers. University Proctor Professor Rashidul Alam said, "An unexpected incident has occurred at our university. We are focused on identifying the culprit and ensuring they receive the maximum punishment. The administration has already filed a complaint with the police. The students' demands are very reasonable. We have already banned autorickshaws on campus and are working to implement the remaining demands." Afsana, a student of the Marketing Department, died on Tuesday after being hit by a battery-operated rickshaw near the Arts Building on campus.