United News of Bangladesh

Two leaders of the Awami League have been arrested in connection with the murder of Mahadi Hasan Pantha, a victim of the crackdown on the anti-discrimination student movement. Ahad Ali (55), Joint General Secretary of the Freedom Fighters’ League, Dhaka Metropolitan South, and Md. Iqbal Hossain (57), a local leader of the Kadamtali Thana Awami League, were picked up in late night raids Muhammad Talebur Rahman, PPM, Deputy Police Commissioner confirmed it at a press briefing. The arrests were made around 3am on Saturday, November 9, 2024, following an operation by Kadamtali Thana Police in the Kadamtali area of Dhaka. According to Kadamtali Thana sources, Mahadi Hasan Pantha, the victim, had been participating in a peaceful demonstration in the Kadamtali area on July 19, 2024, at around 4:00 PM. The demonstration, organized by students and citizens opposing discrimination, was taking place in front of the Rayebag Shop in the area. During the protest, members of various Awami League-associated organizations indiscriminately opened fire on the demonstrators. Mahadi Hasan Pantha was shot in the face and died at the scene. A murder case was filed at Kadamtali Thana on November 8, 2024, following a complaint from the victim's father, Md. Jahangir Hossain. The arrested individuals, Ahad Ali and Iqbal Hossain, are identified as suspects based on the ongoing investigation. Sources from the police station indicated that, with the assistance of CCTV footage from the area and intelligence technology, an operation was carried out on Saturday night at 3:00 AM, leading to the arrest of Ahad Ali and Iqbal Hossain. The arrested individuals have been presented before court for further legal proceedings.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized smuggled goods valued at over Tk 2 crore along the Feni border on Friday. Lt Col. Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, commander of the BGB Feni battalion, confirmed the matter. A team from 4-BGB under Debapur, Champaknagar, and Khejuria BOP of Fulgazi Upazila conducted an anti-smuggling operation in the border areas, resulting in the seizure of 12,000 yards of China fabric, five Indian cattle, 43 bottles of phensedyl, 70 kg of Bangladeshi garlic, one pickup, one medium-sized truck, and one large covered van. DMP launches special check post operation for enhanced security The total estimated value of the seized goods is Tk 2,17,08,200. The confiscated items will be handed over to the customs, added the BGB official. He further noted that BGB's intelligence operations are ongoing to ensure border security and prevent smuggling. Traffic violators fined over Tk 63 lakh in a day: DMP As part of these efforts, the goods smuggled goods were seized during the recent raids.

A 17-year-old girl has reportedly been raped by three people at Mahamaya Ecopark in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram. Police arrested the prime accused in this connection on Friday after the victim filed a case naming three people, said Abdul Quader, officer-in-charge of Mirsrai Police Station. The arrestee is Riaz Uddin, 28, son of Md Yusuf, from Rahmatabad village of the upazila. The other accused are Farhad, 27, son of Shahidul Islam, from Mirsarai, and Md Robin, 25, from Noakhali. According to police, the incident took place on Thursday afternoon at Mahamaya Ecopark, where the victim and her friend, from Feni, were visiting. They had ventured into a remote area near Mahamaya Lake, unaware that they were being followed. The three young men allegedly have been taking photos of the girl and her friend from a distance. At one point, they restrained her friend and raped her, said the police. Upon receiving the information, police quickly responded to the scene, rescued the victim, and took them to the police station for their safety and further investigation. The suspects' motorcycle was seized on Thursday afternoon, shortly after the incident, said the OC. "Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects," he added.

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested former member of parliament from Jhenaidah-2 constituency and district Awami League leader Tahjib Alam Siddiqui from Savar in Dhaka on Thursday night. A team of Rab-4 arrested him from the Nabinagar area in Savar. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station, Abdullah Al Mamun, confirmed the matter. The arrestee was produced at the Senior Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court in Jhenaidah. Police requested a 10-day remand for three cases, of which the court granted a 3-day remand. The three cases are a murder case filed on August 27 involving the killing of Jamaat worker Abdus Salam 11 years ago and two arson cases filed on August 4 in connection with attacks on the district BNP office and the home of District BNP President Advocate MA Majid. Tahjib was elected MP as an independent candidate in 2014 and as an Awami League-nominated candidate in 2018. In 2024, he contested as an Awami League-nominated candidate but was defeated by independent candidate Naser Shahriar Zahedi Mahul. He is the son of the late Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui, former central president of the Chhatra League. He is the owner of Dhaka Doreen Power Limited.

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested one Md Arman, alias Boma Arman, from Geneva Camp in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Thursday evening. Shihab Karim, senior assistant superintendent of police (media) of RAB-2, confirmed the matter on Friday. Arman was arrested in connection with a case involving the death of a man named Raj in a bomb explosion on November 1. The arrestee was handed over to Mohammadpur Police Station for further legal proceedings. On November 1, two drug-peddling groups clashed over control of Geneva Camp, engaging in chase and counter-chase. During the altercation, Boma Arman reportedly threw a crude bomb at his rivals, injuring 10 to 12 bystanders, including Raj. Raj was taken to Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. On November 6, the victim’s cousin filed a murder case at Mohammadpur Police Station, naming several individuals, including Arman.

Unidentified men attacked a local journalist on his way home in Rupsa upazila of Khulna, leaving him injured and hospitalised, his family said on Friday. Shahidul Islam, staff reporter of online-based Khulna Gazette and district correspondent of News21 Bangla TV, is undegoing treatment at a private hospital. His family said he was attacked by a group of 30-35 men, some of them equipped with locally made sharp weapons The injured journalist said some people were making a furnace to make coal by burning wood which is harmful to the environment at a place near Goalbari Poramanik Bari in the upazila. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer somehow knew about the matter while some suspected that he informed the UNO, the victim said. At one stage of the attack, he took shelter at a house nearby and informed the police, Shahidul said. Rupsa Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Md Monirul Islam said they heard about the matter and a police team was sent to the spot. Actions will be taken upon investigation, the OC said

A total of 78 unauthorised battery-run autorickshaws and 315 batteries were seized during a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) drive at Mirpur on Thursday afternoon. The operation, led by DNCC Executive Magistrate Md Mahbub Hasan, started around noon and continued into the evening, focusing on unauthorised autorickshaws operating along the busy road in front of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. DMP launches special check post operation for enhanced security The seized vehicles and batteries were subsequently sold at an open auction, generating a total of Tk 10,05,000. Mahbub highlighted concerns over the increasing presence of illegal autorickshaws on Dhaka's main roads. "The movement of these unauthorised vehicles has surged, leading to severe traffic congestion and an increase in road accidents,” he noted. This campaign is expected to continue in a bid to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety, the official added. Traffic violators fined over Tk 63 lakh in a day: DMP The operation was supported by multiple agencies, including the Bangladesh Army, police, and Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO). Representatives from the anti-discrimination student movement were also present during the drive.

A case has been filed against 25 people in connection with the killing of Jubo League leader Saidur Rahman Babu in Sadar upazila of Natore district. Saiful Islam Tara, brother of Saidur, filed the case with Sadar police station on Thursday, said Mahabur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station. According to the case statement, some Jubo Dal leaders and activists including its vice president Kabir Kangal swooped on the house of Saidur on October 30 and beat him up mercilessly, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to Sadar hospital and then shifted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday evening.    

An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, is facing accusations of making inappropriate advances toward a housewife in exchange for providing justice in a case involving her property. The woman, whose husband works abroad, filed a formal complaint against ASI Abdul Mubin, attached to the Baharchhara investigation center under Teknaf police station, on Wednesday night. According to her complaint, unknown assailants vandalized her house and damaged the fences surrounding her property on October 16. In response to her emergency call to the national helpline 999, a police team from the investigation center visited her home. The woman alleges that during the investigation, ASI Mubin demanded and took Tk 12,000 in cash from her. On October 18, she claims, he went further, suggesting an illicit relationship as a means of securing justice in her case. Since then, the ASI has allegedly continued to harass her through calls and texts from his personal mobile numbers. In response to the allegations, ASI Mubin denied any communication with the woman. Teknaf Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Gias Uddin confirmed the receipt of the complaint, saying that appropriate action will be taken if the accusations are substantiated. Additional Superintendent of Police (Admin) Shakil Ahmed also commented, emphasizing that the matter is being taken seriously and that the victim has been assured of a fair investigation and justice.

A Dhaka court on Thursday placed former industries minister and senior Awami League leader Amir Hossain Amu on a six-day remand in a case over the killing of businessman Abdul Wadud in Dhaka’s New Market area. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shaheen Reza passed the order after hearing a petition for a 10-day remand, said the court’s public prosecutor Omar Faruk. Though the defendant’s lawyers submitted a petition for bail, the court rejected it. Earlier, the investigation officer of the case and also inspector of the Detective Branch, Jahangir Arif, produced the accused before the court. The veteran Awami League politician was arrested from Dhanmondi area in Dhaka on Wednesday. He has been accused in several cases. Amu was elected Member of the Parliament from Jhalakati-2 constituency three times.