United News of Bangladesh

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday ordered the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to protect shrines, which have come under attack across the country recently. The HC bench of Justice Md Kamrul Hossain and Justice Kazi Jina Hoque also issued a rule asking why the inaction of the government with regard to protecting the shrines wouldn’t be declared illegal. Secretaries to Home, Public Administration and Cultural Affairs Ministries and the administrator of the Waqf board have been made respondents to the rule. But the court didn't set any deadline for replying. Lawyer Toufiq Sajwar Partho stood for the writ petitioner in the court during the hearing. Supreme Court lawyer Shah Alam Alvi, also a devotee of the Maizbhandari order, submitted the petition on September 10 saying that some 69 shrines have been vandalized across the country so far. On September 15, the Ministry of Religious Affairs directed the Deputy Commissioners (DC) to take measures to protect the shrines as miscreants were attacking the shrines to deteriorate the law and order in the changed situation of the country, which was alarming and unexpected. The DCs were also asked to inform the ministry immediately if there was any fear of attack on the shrines.

A member of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) was detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today after he allegedly crossed into the Bangladesh territory illegally at the Pirganj border in Thakurgaon on Tuesday. Lt Col Ahsanul Islam, commander of BGB's 42nd Battalion, confirmed the development, saying that BSF personnel Upol Kumar Das was apprehended near the Chandherhat camp around 11 am. According to the BGB, the BSF personnel crossed the zero line of the international boundary near pillar number 334/sub-pillar 6, entering Bangladesh without authorisation. Although the BSF member was in uniform at the time of his detention, he was unarmed, the BGB official noted. Authorities are currently preparing to return the detained BSF member to the Indian authorities through a flag meeting, BGB added.

Three people were arrested and Tk 1.16 crore seized, along with a substantial amount of foreign currency, from the residence of former Dhaka-18 lawmaker Mohammad Habib Hasan's son's in-laws in the capital's Uttara. Tipped-off that firearms and bulletproof jackets were being stored at a house on Road 23 in Uttara's Sector 7, police and army conducted a joint raid and arrested them, said Assistant Commissioner (AC-media) of the DMP Jahangir Kabir. The arrestees are Shahjada Khan Sajjad, Md Touzidul Islam, and Md Saiful Islam. Thousands of dollars worth of multiple foreign currencies were recovered in the raid, and three navy blue bulletproof jackets with "POLICE" written on both sides. During the drive, the law enforcers also seized two SUVs -- a Land Cruiser ZX Hard Jeep Toyota M crop 2021 and a Harrier Hard Jeep Toyota M crop 2014.

Efforts are on to arrest more culprits who were involved in the killing of 35-year-old Tofazzal Hossain inside Dhaka University's Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall, said Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Media and Publication for the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday. During a press conference at the DMP's media center on Monday, he stated that the police investigation is ongoing. He said  if more people  are found to be involved, legal action will be taken against them. He also mentioned that Dhaka University shared some findings with the police. "We are in contact with them and are actively pursuing the arrest of those involved," he added. The police have so far arrested six students in connection with the murder. Regarding police officers who have not yet joined their stations he said, "We must adhere to specific laws and regulations. There are rules in this job, and according to those rules, if someone is absent without permission, departmental action will be taken as per employment guidelines." He noted that 22 police stations in Dhaka have been partially or completely destroyed, with a total of 216 structures damaged. "We are working to normalize the situation by renovating these facilities as quickly as possible," he said.

A Sunamganj court on Monday sent former planning minister MA Mannan to jail after rejecting a bail petition in a case over the attacks on students and people during the recent student-led movement in the district. Sunamganj Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Nirjan Mitra passed the order after hearing the prayer for bail, said the plaintiff’s lawyer Mashuk Alam. Law enforcement agencies arrested the former minister from his residence in Shantiganj area under Jagannathpur upazila on September 19. He was accused in the case filed by one Hafiz Ali, brother of a victim who was injured in clashes with the law enforcers and Awami League supporters in the district on August 4. Meanwhile, the district witnessed a mixed reaction over the arrest of the former minister. A group of people staged demonstration for the release of Mannan while another group opposed it demanding punishment of the former minister and accused him of amassing illegal wealth. On Sunday, some students under the banner of general students took position in front of Shantiganj upazila parishad along Sunamganj-Sylhet road, demanding release of Mannan. In Pagla Bazar of the upazil, another group of students formed a human chain demanding an exemplary punishment of the former minister.

The traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed 870 cases and imposed fine of around Tk 36 lakh after conducting drives against traffic rule violators on Sunday. Jahangir Kabir, assistant commissioner (media) of DMP, said this in a media release on Monday. Of the fined money, the traffic realised Tk 8 lakh and 62, 550 in cash.  Sixty-four vehicles were dumped and 60 others were towed during the drives conducted in parts of the capital.

Normalcy is returning to the hill district  Khagrachhari, with no reports of new violence till Monday morning--the last day of the 72-hour blockade called by Jumma students protesting recent incidents. Though long route traffic remained suspended, the presence of inter-district vehicles was noticeable. Commuters, however, alleged that motorbikes and autorickshaw drivers are charging extra fares taking the advantage of the blockade. Sadar police station’s Officer-in-Charge Abdul Baten Mridha said patrolling by the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh and police is going on to maintain law and order. The presence of students at the educational institutions is thin compared to other days due to the blockade. Rangamati's Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shirin Akter said over 1,000 tourists stranded in Sajek have not been brought back yet as movement of vehicles from the spot remained suspended due to security reasons. The blockade was called on Friday by protesting Jumma students and activists based in Dhaka in response to recent violent incidents in Khagrachhari and Rangamati. The United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) supported the protest.

Seven police officials, including an Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP), have been sent on forced retirement on Sunday. The Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued separate notifications signed by its senior secretary Mohammad Abdul Momen to this end on Sunday The seven police officers are: Additional IGP of Railway Police Devdas Bhattacharya, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (promoted to the post of Supernumerary Additional IGP) AKM Hafiz Akhter of Industrial Police, DIG of Dhaka Police Telecom Bashir Ahmad, Superintendent of Police (SP) of RRF (attached to Police Headquarters) Md. Mizanur Rahman, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of APBn Rafiqul Islam, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of DMP Shamim ur Rashid Talukder and DMP's AC Dadan Fakir. According to the notifications, retirement from public service has been granted in the public interest, in accordance with Section 45 of the Public Service Act, 2018 (Act No. 57 of 2018). Retirement benefits will be provided as per the rules. This order, issued in the public interest, will take effect immediately, read the notices.

Former State Minister for Water Resources Ministry Col (retd) Zahid Faruk was arrested on Sunday evening. A team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested him from the capital's Baridhara area, said ASP Imran Khan of RAB Headquarters (media wing). The RAB offical, however, did not disclose details regarding the arrest.  

The government is going to impose a 22-day ban on Hilsa fishing from October 13. Hilsa catching, selling and transportation will remain prohibited during the period to ensure the safe spawning of the national fish of Bangladesh during its peak breeding period. The ban will remain in place till November 3. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said the decision to ban catching, selling, hoarding and transporting Hilsa was taken from a meeting on Sunday. The objective of the restrictions on fishing is to protect the mother Hilsa which lay eggs during the period, she said. Hilsa makes the highest contribution to the country’s fish output as a single fish species.