United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Railway has advised passengers to purchase train tickets only through its designated mobile application “Rail Sheba” in order to avoid harassment and fraud. The authority has recently observed that certain fraudulent individuals are assuring ticket sales through various social media platforms despite having no capacity to deliver tickets, Bangladesh Railway said in a statement on Monday. These fraudsters collect money from passengers via bKash, Nagad, or other mobile banking systems and then disconnect communication, often by switching off or deactivating previously used SIM cards. According to Bangladesh Railway regulations, a registered ID holder can purchase a maximum of four tickets per journey. In such cases, the names of accompanying passengers must also be provided during the ticket purchase. Currently, 100 percent of train tickets are being sold online, exclusively through the official “Rail Sheba” app. No other person, institution, or platform is authorized to sell train tickets. Passengers buying tickets from unauthorized sources will undoubtedly fall victim to fraud. As per the rules, the individual whose ID is used for ticket purchase must travel with the ticket, carrying the registered mobile phone and a valid photo ID. Travel by anyone other than the registered passenger and listed companions is considered a punishable offense under the law. The railway authority has urged passengers to immediately inform law enforcement agencies or concerned railway officials if any fraudulent group promises to procure tickets on their behalf or attempts to sell tickets purchased under someone else’s ID. Bangladesh Railway Security Force (RNB) and Government Railway Police (GRP) will provide assistance in such cases. Additionally, complaints can be lodged by calling the Bangladesh Railway hotline number 131, where complainants’ identities will be kept strictly confidential.

The government has announced a nationwide 22-day ban, effective from October 4 to 25 this year, on catching, transporting, marketing, and storing hilsa, aiming to protect brood fish during the peak spawning season. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter announced the decision at a press conference on Monday at the ministry, while unveiling the ‘Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025’ and discussing the availability, harvest, prices and export situation of hilsa. “The decision has been taken based on scientific assessments of the breeding season to ensure safe spawning of hilsa,” she said. The key spawning period runs from October 4 to 25 (19 Ashwin to 9 Kartik 1432), covering the four days before the full moon and three days after the new moon, the adviser added. Adviser Farida said the campaign will be enforced by fisheries officials along with the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, river police and other law enforcement agencies. To support affected fishermen, the government will distribute Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) rice among 620,140 fishing households across 165 upazilas in 37 districts. Each family will receive 25 kg of rice, requiring a total of 15,503.50 metric tonnes for the programme. “Fishing trawlers intruding from outside the marine boundaries will be strictly controlled, and river dredging will remain suspended during the ban. Catching hilsa will remain completely prohibited across seas, coastal areas and river estuaries for 22 days,” she added. According to research by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), the 2024 ban enabled 52.5% of brood hilsa to spawn safely, adding an estimated 44.25 billion juvenile hilsa (jatka) to the population. These juveniles will mature into full-grown hilsa in the coming years. However, hilsa harvests have declined nearly 10% over the past five years, with continuous reductions reported from 2020–21 to 2024–25. Hilsa export to India begins; 1,200mt approved for Durga Puja Although a nationwide jatka fishing ban ended in mid-June this year, the expected surge in market supply did not materialize, the adviser noted. Department of Fisheries data show hilsa harvests in July and August were down by 33.20% and 47.31% respectively compared to 2024. Total output during the two months stood at 35,993.50 metric tonnes—22,941.78 tonnes or 38.93% less than the same period last year.

A Dhaka court on Monday ordered the freezing of 114 bank accounts held in the name of Taufika Karim, former personal secretary to jailed ex-Law Minister Anisul Huq. Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz of the Dhaka Metropolitan Court issued the order, following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The accounts currently hold approximately Tk 86.98 crore, while illegal transactions totaling Tk 653.36 crore have reportedly been conducted through these accounts. The ACC’s application, filed by CID Deputy Police Inspector (Retd.) Md Moniruzzaman, alleges that Taufika  abused her position to accumulate wealth through illegal activities such as bail trading, recruitment trading, and lobbying for transfers. The funds were allegedly used to purchase flats, cars, and land abroad. The court emphasised the necessity of freezing the accounts to prevent further transfer of illicit funds.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a case against 14 people including Noor Ali, owner of Unique Eastern (Pvt) Ltd, over allegations of organised fraud involving Tk 40.71 crore in manpower exports to Malaysia. The case was filed with Gulshan Police Station under the Money Laundering Prevention Act on Sunday, said Jashim Uddin Khan, special superintendent of CID (media). During investigation, CID found that the accused through Unique Eastern (Pvt) Ltd realised additional charges from workers seeking employment in Malaysia beyond the government-fixed migration fees. From 2022 to 2024, the syndicate sent a total of 3,787 workers to Malaysia. While the official fee was set at Tk 78,990 per worker the Noor Ali and his associates allegedly charged Tk 1.5 lakh from each. CID officials said the accused collected extra money under the guise of expenses for passports, Covid-19 tests, medical check-ups and clothing fees.

Detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested two former MPs and 11 leaders and activists of Awami League from different areas in Dhaka on Sunday night. Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of the DMP, issued a message on Monday morning over the arrest. The arrested former MPs are Faizur Rahman Badal, who was elected from Brahmanbaria-5 constituency and Tamanna Nusrat Bubli, who became MP from the reserved women seat. All of them were arrested in a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Details about the arrestees will be shared later, he said.

The Army on Sunday night issued an official statement in response to the recent violence in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari, which occurred on September 27 and 28. According to the statement, tensions began escalating following the murder of motorcyclist Mamun on September 19, 2024. In the aftermath, the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) and its affiliated organisations allegedly attempted to incite communal unrest in Dighinala and Rangamati, leading to clashes with security forces. These clashes resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several locals. To mark the one-year anniversary of that incident, the UPDF and its affiliates organised protest rallies across various locations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, reportedly in an effort to prevent a recurrence of similar violence, said  Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). On the night of September 23, 2025, following the reported rape of a schoolgirl in Singinala area of Khagrachhari, a UPDF (Main) suspect, Shayan Shil, was arrested on September 24 with assistance from the army and later remanded. 3 killed in Khagrachhari attacks, tensions escalate in hills Despite this arrest, PCP leader Ukhanu Marma—an affiliate of the UPDF—called for a protest and human chain in Khagrachhari on September 24 under the banner of ‘Jumma Chhatra Janata’. This was followed by a half-day strike in the district on September 25. Simultaneously, various inflammatory and provocative statements targeting Bengali communities were spread online by domestic and expatriate bloggers, as well as certain individuals from the hill regions. On September 26, under the leadership of UPDF activist Ukhanu Marma and influenced by provocative online content, tensions surged across Khagrachhari. During a blockade, some protesters allegedly threw stones and bricks at patrolling army personnel, injuring three soldiers. Despite the provocation, the army said it responded with restraint, patience, and humanity, refraining from the use of force. On September 27, the UPDF and affiliated groups again allegedly attempted to spark unrest through sabotage—including shooting at civilians (including Bengalis), vandalism, attacks on ambulances, and road blockades. The unrest reportedly deteriorated the law and order situation in the entire Khagrachhari municipality area, taking on the appearance of a communal riot. In response, the district administration imposed Section 144 in Khagrachhari and Guimara. To restore order, the Army, BGB, and other law enforcement agencies worked through the night with restraint and coordination, ultimately preventing what the Army described as an "inevitable communal riot." However, on September 28, UPDF activists reportedly violated Section 144 in the Ramsu Bazar area of Guimara upazila. From early morning, they allegedly incited the public to block roads, completely shutting down the Guimara–Khagrachhari route. Home Ministry condoles Khagrachhari killings, vows justice At around 10:30 am, UPDF workers and local Bengali residents clashed in the area. When army personnel intervened, they were attacked with indigenous weapons, bricks, slingshots, and batons, injuring 10 personnel, including three officers. Simultaneously, BGB vehicles were vandalised in the Ramgarh area, and BGB members were injured. Around 11:30 am, members of the UPDF (Main) reportedly opened fire—firing 100 to 150 rounds from automatic weapons from a hilltop west of Ramsu Bazar—targeting army personnel, hill people, and Bengalis involved in the clash. Several civilians were injured by gunfire. In response, an army patrol team pursued the armed attackers, while other UPDF operatives reportedly set fire to homes in the Ramsu Bazar area and continued clashing with Bengali locals. Additional troops were deployed to Ramsu Bazar and Guimara, bringing the situation under control by around 4:30 pm. The Army claimed that in recent days, UPDF and its affiliated organisations have been systematically forcing women and schoolchildren to participate in their subversive activities in an effort to destabilise the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They also alleged that UPDF has been attempting to bring in external militants equipped with indigenous weapons to incite communal violence. On the same day (September 28), a large cache of indigenous weapons was seized from a passenger bus at a checkpoint operated by the Kaptai Battalion of the BGB—further evidence, the Army said, of UPDF’s alleged efforts to escalate unrest. The Army views the incidents between September 19 and 28 as part of a larger, orchestrated conspiracy. Relevant evidence is currently with law enforcement agencies. It called on all political leaders from different ethnic groups in the Hill Tracts, as well as the general public, to act with restraint. It urged all law enforcement agencies, including the Army, to work together to restore peace and stability in the region. Despite propaganda, misinformation, and provocation, the Army reaffirmed its firm commitment to protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh and ensuring the safety of all communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

At least three people were killed and several others injured in an armed attack by miscreants in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari district on Sunday. The identities of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately. In an official statement issued Sunday evening, the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed deep sorrow over the killings and sympathy for those injured, including an army major, 13 army personnel, the officer-in-charge of Guimara Police Station, three other policemen, and several others. The ministry assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice following a proper investigation, vowing that “no offender will be spared.” It also urged all concerned to remain calm and patient until legal measures are taken. Meanwhile, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma called on both hill communities and Bengali residents to unite in facing the evolving situation. He made the appeal at a special law and order meeting held Sunday at the Khagrachhari District Administration’s conference room. The meeting discussed measures to restore peace and stability in the region. The adviser stressed the need for strict administrative action to maintain law and order in the hills and prevent further loss of life or property. He also urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant so that such incidents do not recur. Amid rising public anxiety, heavy deployments of army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police have been deployed across the district to maintain order and prevent further unrest. Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors unless necessary. Section 144 has been enforced in Khagrachhari Municipality, Sadar Upazila and Guimara Upazila, prohibiting public gatherings. At the same time, an indefinite road blockade—now in its second day—continues under the banner of Jumma students and local residents. Protesters are demanding the immediate arrest of all perpetrators involved in the rape case, compensation for the victim’s family, and justice for those allegedly assaulted during related demonstrations. As a result, all vehicular movement remains suspended in the district. The unrest stems from the reported rape of a schoolgirl on September 23 in the Singinala area of Khagrachhari Sadar. Her father filed a case at Sadar Police Station against three unidentified individuals. The next morning, police, with army support, arrested a suspect, Shayan Shil, acting on a tip-off.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Sunday said that the DMP has taken foolproof security measures to ensure a festive atmosphere during the Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the country’s Hindu community. He made the remarks while addressing a press briefing at the Dhakeshwari National Temple on Sunday afternoon. The DMP Commissioner said that this year Durga Puja will be held at 254 mandaps across the capital. Considering the importance, size, and gatherings of devotees, the mandaps have been categorised into four classes, with round-the-clock police deployment. In addition, CCTV monitoring has been arranged in and around the mandaps, while archways have been set up at the entry points of key mandaps, he said. He said that SWAT, the Explosive Recovery and Bomb Disposal Team, Dog Squad, and Crime Scene Unit will remain on standby to tackle any emergency. A separate security plan has been taken for the immersion procession on Vijaya Dashami, which will begin from Dhakeshwari National Temple and end at Wiseghat. Additional police forces will be deployed to ensure its smooth observance. Responding to a question, the commissioner said there is no security threat centering this year’s festival. “If any miscreant tries to disrupt the prevailing environment, they will be collectively resisted,” he added, noting that cyber monitoring has also been strengthened to prevent the spread of misinformation or disinformation. He expressed hope that this year’s Sharadiya Durga Puja will be celebrated in a more festive and joyous manner than in the past. Later, the DMP commissioner visited the Dhakeshwari National Temple and exchanged greetings with leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad, the Metropolitan Sarbojonin Puja Committee, and the temple management committee. Among others, Additional Commissioner (Administration) of the DMP Md Sarwar, Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S N Md Nazrul Islam, Additional Police Commissioner (CTTC) Md Masud Karim, Additional Police Commissioner (DB) Md Shafiqul Islam, and along with other senior officials of DMP, were present.

The Home Ministry has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of three hilly people in an armed attack by miscreants in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari district on Sunday. In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the ministry also conveyed sympathy over the injuries sustained by an army major, 13 army personnel, the officer-in-charge of Guimara Police Station, three other policemen and several others in the incident. The ministry assured that those responsible will be brought to justice following a proper investigation. “No offender will be spared,” it said. It urged all concerned to remain calm and patient until necessary legal measures are taken.

A case has been filed against four owners of a chemical warehouse in Tongi, Gazipur in connection with the death of four people including three fire service personnel in a fire in the warehouse. Abdul Mannan, Deputy Assistant Director of the Dhaka Zone Fire Service, field the case on Sunday at Tongi East Police Station seven days after the fire incident. The four owners are Ismail Hossain, Solaiman, Tajul Islam, and Rakib. All of them went into hiding. Besides, 15–20 unidentified persons were accused in the case, said Tongi East Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Wahiduzzaman. Three Tongi Fire Service personnel – Fire Ware House Inspector Khandakar Jannatul Naeem, Firefighters Shamim Ahmed and Nurul Huda succumbed to their burn injures. A worker of a nearby shop Babu Hawlader ,24, also died from burn injuries. Senior Station Officer of Tongi Service Md. Shahin Alam said that even seven days after the fire the damaged chemical warehouse is still emitting highly toxic gases that are hazardous to human health. Since Tuesday people have been advised to exercise caution within a 100-meter radius of the site until further instructions are issued. On September 22 the a fire broke out at a tin-shed chemical warehouse in Tongi’s Sahara Market. As firefighters battled the blaze, a sudden explosion rocked the building, injuring multiple members of the fire service.