United News of Bangladesh

The Gopalganj administration has extended the ongoing curfew until further order with a three-hour pause from 11 am to 2pm, to maintain law and order in the district following Wednesday’s violent clashes that left four people dead and over 50 injured. The curfew will be in effect from 6 pm on Thursday until 11 am on Friday and then again from 2 pm onwards until further notice, according to a statement from the Home Ministry. Although the curfew will be relaxed for three hours, the administration did not specify the reason, though it is believed to be in consideration of Jumma prayers. Earlier, on Wednesday, the administration slapped the 22-hour curfew beginning at 8pm considering the deteriorating law and order situation in the district. On Wednesday, at least four people were killed and over 50 others injured in clashes between police and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies over a rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in the district. 25 arrested over Gopalganj violence, crackdown to continue: Home Adviser Protesting the attack, leaders and activists of the NPC put blockade on highways and important roads across the country. Later, party convener Nahid Islam in a Facebook post urged the fellows to withdraw the blockade and announced a countrywide protest rally for Thursday. Meanwhile, the government has formed a three-member body to investigate the violence occurred in Gopalganj.  Govt forms probe body over Gopalganj violence On Thursday, Home Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said law enforcers have so far arrested 25 people over the violence centring an NCP rally, vowing to continue drives until all accused are held.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Thursday said law enforcers have so far arrested 25 people over Wednesday’s violence centring an NCP rally in Gopalganj, vowing to continue drives until all accused are held. He came up with the warning and figure while talking to reporters at the Secretariat in the afternoon. Adviser Jahangir said 10 police personnel were injured in the clashes, with two already brought to Central Police Hospital in Rajarbagh and three more on the way to the hospital from Gopalganj. He said the law and order situation is now under control as the 22-hour curfew beginning at 8pm on Wednesday has been in place in the district following the vandalism at the NCP’s rally, arson attacks and cocktail blasts. Regarding NCP’s allegations about the role of law enforcement agencies, the adviser said the law enforcers have been given instruction in this regard and they are trying their best. Responding to a query on what measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, he said all necessary precautionary measures will be taken to stop the recurrence of such incidents and the drives will continue as long as all accused are arrested. Those responsible for Gopalganj violence won’t be spared: Home Adviser He thanked the television channels for broadcasting the clashes live. Earlier, he visited the Central Police Hospital in Dhaka to enquire about the condition of the injured police personnel. On Wednesday, at least four people were killed and several others injured in clashes between police and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies over a rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Gopalganj. Protesting the attack, leaders and activists of the NPC put blockade on highways and important roads across the country. Later, the party convenor Nahid Islam in a Facebook post urged the party fellows to withdraw the blockade and announced a countrywide protest rally on Thursday. Govt forms probe body over Gopalganj violence Meanwhile, the government has formed a three member body to investigate the violence occurred in Gopalganj.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has confiscated around Tk 400 crore worth of immovable assets belonging to former textiles and jute minister and former lawmaker from Narayanganj-1 (Rupganj), Golam Dastagir Gazi, in connection with allegations of illegal wealth accumulation through organised crime. According to CID sources, Golam Dastagir is accused of forcibly occupying land, taking commissions, forgery, fraud, hundi transactions, and involvement in under-invoicing and over-invoicing practices. These activities allegedly enabled him to acquire a vast amount of wealth. The confiscated assets include 69 land deeds in the Khaodun area under Rupganj Police Station in Narayanganj district, covering a total of 4,879.92 decimals of land. While the deed value of the property stands at Tk 16,52,84,000 (over Tk 16.5 crore), the current market value — including land, the premises of Gazi Tyres, and associated infrastructure — is estimated to be nearly Tk 400 crore. CID’s Financial Crime Unit found that the properties were acquired between 2015 and 2018. Acting on a petition filed by the investigating officer, the Senior Special Judge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court issued the order for confiscation of property on July 8, says a press release from CID media wing on Wednesday. Investigations into money laundering are ongoing against Gazi, his business entities, and several members of an alleged criminal network linked to him. CID is also probing allegations of money laundering and illegal fund transfers abroad, with actions being taken under the Money Laundering Prevention Act. Authorities have already sent letters to various agencies to collect document-based evidence and further information in this regard.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered several firearms, including a foreign revolver, from a robbers’ hideout during an operation in the remote hilly forest of Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar district. However, the frontier force could not detain any criminal. According to a media release sent from the BGB-64 Battalion in the district on Wednesday, a BGB team launched the operation on Monday evening after being tipped-off about the presence of the robbers in the den in Rangikhali area under Hnila union. Not an inch of land will be left unprotected: BGB DG on fresh recruits Sensing the presence of BGB, the robbers managed to flee the scene, reads it. Later, the BGB personnel recovered one foreign revolver with 21 bullets, one long-barrel single-shot gun with three cartridges and five empty shells, one LG (locally made gun), one one-shooter pistol, 14 rifle rounds, one long machete and two machetes. A process was underway to hand over the arms and ammos to Teknaf Model Police Station, according to the release. Efforts were underway to arrest the accused.

The local administration slapped Section-144 in Gopalganj Sadar amid clashes between law enforcers and Awami League and Chhatra League activists (BCL) over NCP’s scheduled programme on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner of the district Muhammad Kamruzzaman enforced Section-144 but did not set any timeframe for it. Alongside the police, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and army personnel, four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in the Sadar headquarters to avoid further untoward incidents, said Md Shariful Islam, public relations officer of the BGB Headquarters. UNB’s district correspondent reports that supporters of the AL, BCL and other associate bodies, equipped with sticks and brickbats took positions at different streets and lanes, prompting Rab, army and BGB teams to intensify their patrol in the city. A tense situation was prevailing in the city as chase and counter-chase continued between the law enforcers and the AL supporters. AL, banned BCL activists attack UNO convoy in Gopalganj; cops among injured Earlier in the morning, a number of people, including police personnel, were injured in an attack carried out by activists of AL and banned BCL to foil NCP’s programme in the district. “As part of NCP’s July march, there is a scheduled march and a meeting in the municipal park of Gopalganj today. To disrupt their programme, Awami League and Chhatra League activists initially attacked the police and later attacked and vandalized my car convoy,” said Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer M Rakibul Hasan. Amid the escalating tension, around 2pm, NCP's convenor Nahid Islam, southern region organizer Hasnat Abdullah, northern region organizer Sarjis Alam, leader Dr. Tasnim Jara, along with central leaders, arrived at the rally site in the municipal park area of the city. The local party leaders and activists welcomed them with the slogan 'Inquilab Zindabad'. Army personnel injured in worker attack at Gopalganj toll bridge Around 3pm, after the July march the activists of the banned BCL attacked the vehicle convoy of the NCP while returning to Madaripur. Earlier around 1:35pm, the banned Chhatra League men attacked the stage of the rally in the municipal park area.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Wednesday asked the authorities concerned to publish notices in newspapers ordering eight fugitive accused to appear before the court on July 28 in a case over burning bodies of six protesters at Ashulia on August 5. A three-member bench of the ICT-2 led by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam passed the order. Earlier, police produced another eight accused before the court. They are- former additional superintendent of Dhaka District Police Abdullahil Kafi, former additional superintendent of Dhaka District Police Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Ashulia police station AFM Sayed, DB inspector Arafat Hossain, sub-inspector Malek, constables Mukul Chokdar and Kamrul Hasan. The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on July 2 issued warrants for the arrest of eight people including former MP Saiful Islam in the case. AL, banned BCL activists attack UNO convoy in Gopalganj; cops among injured The prosecution submitted the 173-page chargesheet against 16 people in the case. On August 5 last year, six protesters were shot dead during the mass uprising and their bodies were burned on a van. A video of the horrific scene was widely shared on social media, shaking the nation. It helped the victims' families identify two of the victims. The video shows several bodies lying on the back of a van while police officers are seen loading another body onto the vehicle. The bodies were covered with dirty clothes and banners found on the streets before being set on fire. A case was filed with ICT on September 11, last year. Investigators found that one of the victims was still alive when the fire was set, resulting in their death.

Scrap trader Lal Chand alias Md Sohag was killed in Old Dhaka over business rivalry, not for any political motive, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said on Wednesday. “The person who was seen throwing a stone at Sohag was initially unrecognised, but a special police team later confirmed his identity and arrested him from Patuakhali on Tuesday night,” he said at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre. Nine people have so far been arrested in connection with the murder, he added. “Following the incident, in-charge of Chawkbazar police outpost Sarwar detained two suspects—Mahbub and Mohin—from the scene. Based on witness accounts and CCTV footage, seven more suspects were later arrested, bringing the total number of detainees to nine,” the DMP Commissioner said. Writ petition filed seeking judicial commission to probe Sohag murder The latest arrestee, Rezwan Uddin Abhi, is son of Manoranjan Basu and Beauty Deb Milla and he is a converted Muslim, he said. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects, the DMP commissioner added. He assured that all involved in the murder will be brought to justice and given exemplary punishment to prevent such incidents in the future. When asked about any political affiliations of the suspects, he said, “Anyone can have a political identity. A citizen may be affiliated with any political party, but this incident is not politically motivated.” Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam said Sohag had previously operated a business under the political cover of Haji Selim’s nephew, former commissioner Pillu, during the Awami League regime. “For 17 years, Sohag had been involved in dealing with stolen aluminum wires from the Palli Bidyut network and selling those to factories producing aluminum utensils,” he said. Another arrested in Mitford Sohag murder case Nazrul added that another group from the same area got involved in the same business, resulting in a serious business rivalry that ultimately led to Sohag’s murder. “There was no attempt to disrupt the election or embarrass the government through this killing. It was purely due to personal and commercial disputes,” he said.

Detectives have arrested the prime suspect in the sensational murder of scrap vendor Lalchand alias Md Sohag, who was beaten to death with a concrete boulder in front of Sir Salimullah Medical College (Mitford) Hospital in Old Dhaka recently. A team from the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested the suspect from Itbaria area of Patuakhali on Tuesday night, additional superintendent of Patuakhali police Sajedul Islam said on Wednesday morning. Though the law enforcers have not disclosed the name of the arrestee, a reliable source from the DB said the man was identified through information gleaned from previously arrested suspects and digital technology. “He was tracked down to a house in Itbaria and taken into custody,” said the source seeking anonymity. The source also said that the suspect was detected after scrutinising the CCTV footage that he was hurling a stone at Sohag’s body. Another arrested in Mitford Sohag murder case To avoid alerting other suspects who are absconding, authorities have withheld the arrestee’s identity. With this arrest, the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the murder has risen to nine. Earlier, on July 14, the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested another suspect Md Nannu Kazi, 33, from Bandar area in Narayanganj. Sohag was killed on July 9 in broad daylight outside the Gate-3 of Mitford Hospital. People saw the attackers repeatedly striking him with a concrete boulder, exposing a grim picture of brutality. A massive outcry erupted across the country after a video showing the act of cruelty went viral on social media. University students, political parties and other social organisations protested the incident demanding immediate arrest of the accused and bringing them to justice. Writ petition filed seeking judicial commission to probe Sohag murder Meanwhile, BNP has expelled five leaders of Jubo, Swechhasebak and Chhatra Dal for their alleged involvement in the killing. Sohag’s sister filed a murder case the following day while police filed another case under the Arms Act.

In a heartbreaking incident, a nine-year-old girl, a wanderer from Muktagacha upazila in Mymensingh, is now hospitalised in Dhaka, as her young life irrevocably marred after being raped by an unidentified man in Banani area on Monday night. Around 8 pm, behind a hospital, the accused, with chilling force, pressed her face and committed this heinous crime. She was found in a critical condition by locals, who, with heavy hearts, alerted the police. Muradnagar rape video leak: 4 accused put on remand Sub-inspector Md Rafique of Banani Police Station quickly took her to the Emergency Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where she is now undergoing treatment for her physical and emotional wounds. Rafique said the police are working to identify the perpetrator to bring him to justice.

The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why directives should not be given to declare Abu Sayed, Mir Mugdho, Wasim and other martyrs of July uprising as national heroes. The HC bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Sayed Jahed Mansur issued the rule responding to a writ petition. The HC also issued another rule asking the government to explain as to why directives should not be given to prepare a reliable list of the martyrs of the movement and issued a gazette notification. It also issued another rule asking the government to explain as to why Professor Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, will not be declared the National Reformer of new Bangladesh. Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary and officials concerned have been made respondents to the rule which is returnable in four weeks. Appointment of administrator to Nagad legal: High Court Advocate Mohammad Ali Jinnah stood for the petitioner while assistant attorney general Ikramul Kabir represented the state. Earlier in February, a writ petition was filed seeking the declaration of Prof Yunus as the National Reformer and urging the government to publish the official list of those killed in the 2024 uprising and recognise them as national martyrs. Imdadul Haque, a member of the Dhaka Union of Journalists, filed the writ petition.