United News of Bangladesh

A total of eight police officials, including five officers-in-charge (OCs) of several police stations in Brahmanbaria district have been transferred together, citing public interest. The transfer orders were issued in an official notification signed by Brahmanbaria Superintendent of Police (SP) Ehteshamul Haque on Sunday night, instructing the officials to join their new posts immediately. According to the order, OCs of Bancharampur, Sarail, Ashuganj, Nasirnagar, and Nabinagar police stations were transferred. Bancharampur OC Morshedul Alam was appointed as OC of Sarail police station, while Nasirnagar OC Md Khairul Alam was posted as OC of Ashuganj. Meanwhile, Sarail OC Md Rafiqul Hasan and Ashuganj OC Mohammad Billal Hossain were transferred to Brahmanbaria Sadar Court as inspectors while Nabinagar OC Abdur Razzak was appointed as an inspector in the District Special Branch (DSB). Rokeya University teacher Mahamud gets bail; OC transferred Moreover, inspector Muhammad Azharul Islam, who was previously posted at the Police Lines, was appointed as OC of Nasirnagar police station. Nasirnagar police station’s Inspector (Investigation) Md Hasan Jamil Khan was made OC of Bancharampur, and Akhaura police station’s Inspector (Investigation) Md Shahinur Islam was appointed as OC of Nabinagar police station. The sudden transfer faced widespread criticism in the district but police sources said that several OCs faced various complaints, while some officers were reassigned based on commendable performance. When asked, SP Ehteshamul Haque told reporters that the reshuffle was carried out based on public interest and the professional competence of the officers.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said the negative image of the police could be erased if they become more people-friendly personnel. He made the remarks while exchanging views with officials of the Tangail district administration and heads of various departments at a meeting held in the Deputy Commissioner's conference room in the afternoon. About Sunday night’s mob attack, the adviser said, “Those responsible for creating such a situation centring former CEC KM Nurul Huda will be brought to justice. If any member of the police is found to be involved, action will be taken against them as well.” He also said instructions have already been given to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and legal action will be taken against those involved. “Since August 5, actions have been taken to make the police more people-friendly. The police no longer behave the way they used to. If the public is happy with the police, I am also happy. I am making every effort to ensure the people are satisfied,” the adviser said. BNP disowns mob attack on ex-CEC Huda, demands action: Salahuddin Jahangir also mentioned that though the next national election is still some time away, police preparations are underway. “The overall law and order situation in the country is much better than before.” Dhaka Range DIG Rezaul Karim Mallick Reza, Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque and Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman were, among others, present at the meeting.

Bangladesh reported three more deaths and 19 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours till Monday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). With the latest figures, the death toll has risen to 29,518 and total number of confirmed cases in the country has reached 20, 51,997. Covid-19: Five more deaths, 36 new cases reported in 24hrs A total of 406 samples were tested during the latest reporting period of 24 hours, resulting in a daily positivity rate of 4.68 per cent. The overall positivity rate stands at 13.05 per cent till now, while the fatality rate based on detected cases remains at 1.44 per cent.

Police recovered the skeleton of an unidentified person in Lohagora, Narail. The skeleton was recovered from a sesame field in the Kola area of ​​Dighalia union of the upazila on Monday afternoon. Police and local said that a person saw the bones and skull of an unidentified person scattered in a field on Monday afternoon while cutting sesame seeds.  Later, locals inform the Lohagora police, a team went to the spot and recovered the skeleton. However, it is not known whether the skeleton is of male or female. Road collapse in Narail severely disrupts transport; locals in distress Lohagora police station officer-in-charge (OC) Shariful Islam said, "Upon receiving the news, a human skeleton has been recovered from the spot. It is initially thought to be a woman”. “We are sending messages to all police stations. Efforts are underway to identify it and further legal action is under process,” he added.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to New Delhi M Riaz Hamidullah met Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee at her office on Monday and discussed issues of mutual interest. “It’s a courtesy meeting,” a senior official at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata told UNB, without elaborating further. The West Bengal Chief Minister expressed her strong hope of strengthening the traditional relations between the people of West Bengal and the people of Bangladesh. The Chief Minister requested the High Commissioner to convey her greetings to Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and the people of Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. This was the first courtesy call by the newly appointed High Commissioner of Bangladesh to any Indian Chief Minister. During the meeting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned that the traditional linguistic, cultural and the ties between the people of West Bengal and Bangladesh based on common values, go beyond economic and commercial ties. She expressed her determination to continue her engagement with Bangladesh in the future. Bangladesh and India went through tensions in their bilateral relations in phases on various issues since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5 last. Mamata’s meeting with the Bangladesh High Commissioner in nearly nine years came amid Dhaka’s concerns over push-ins. Before his meeting with Mamata, High Commissioner Riaz visited Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and held a meeting with all at the Deputy High Commission. On May 29, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India submitted his credentials to the Indian President. Extending a warm welcome to newly appointed Bangladesh High Commissioner, President of India Droupadi Murmu said they envision a “democratic, stable, prosperous and inclusive” Bangladesh. She emphasised that the foundation of bilateral ties between the two nations lies in the shared sacrifices made during the Liberation War of 1971.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) on Monday announced a proposed budget of Tk 2,145.42 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year, alongside a revised budget of Tk 1,221.96 crore for the ongoing 2024-25 fiscal. Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain presented the budgets at an event held at the Theatre Institute auditorium in the city on Monday afternoon. Speaking at the event, the mayor said he inherited a Tk 600 crore debt when taking office. “This is my first budget as mayor but the fifth budget of the sixth CCC board.” He said, “Despite our limited resources, I want to assure the city residents that I will continue my relentless efforts for the welfare and comfort of people, with their cooperation and support.” According to the mayor, when he assumed office on November 3, 2024, CCC’s outstanding debt stood at Tk 596 crore. Through gradual repayments, total liabilities have now reduced to Tk 400 crore. Proposed budget 'traditional', lacking major reform approaches: Seminar He also highlighted that for the first time the CCC successfully collected Tk 140 crore in municipal tax from the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA). In addition, the CCC has cleared Tk 65.76 crore from development assistance funds and nearly Tk 60 crore received from the World Bank as Covid-19 aid. Other payments include Tk 34.46 crore in income tax, Tk 38.16 crore in VAT, Tk 19.18 crore in gratuity funds, and Tk 27.86 crore towards employee provident funds. The mayor also mentioned that monthly allowances of Tk 50,000 each are being distributed to 400 people on a regular basis. “Automation of the budget and accounting system has begun with JICA’s support,” Shahadat added. “We expect to bring the entire accounts department under automation within the next fiscal year, which will significantly increase revenue collection and make CCC financially self-reliant.” Council of Advisers says ‘yes’ to budget, ‘no’ to black money Currently, there are 214,673 holdings and 126,834 trade licenses under CCC’s jurisdiction. Tax and license management systems have been digitized, while eight review boards are conducting public hearings, the mayor informed.

Police arrested two people in connection with a robbery and gang-rape in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila. The arrestees were identified as Md Sohel and Nur Karim. They were detained during raids at different locations in the Sadar area on Saturday night, police said. According to the case statement, a six-member robbery gang stormed into the house of Amir Hossain in Char Mansa village under Teowariganj union in the early hours of Friday with locally made weapons. The robbers tied up Amir Hossain looted cash and gold ornaments, and at one stage, gang-raped his wife. As two of the attackers were locals, the victims could recognise them. Inclement weather halts water transport on Bhola-Lakshmipur route Later, Amir filed a case with Sadar Police Station naming two men and four unnamed others. Jhalak Mohonto, investigation officer of the police station, said, “We launched drives soon after the case was filed and arrested two accused. They were produced before the court.” The rape survivor was sent to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital for medical examination, the officer said, adding that efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Monday inaugurated a day-long workshop on the Commonwealth Charter in Dhaka. Around 100 participants took part in the event, says a press release. The adviser called for upholding the Charter which stands for shared values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. He praised the Charter’s contribution in guiding over 2.5 billion people in 56 countries in inclusive development. EC to announce election roadmap in due time: Adviser Asif The adviser urged young participants to embrace the Charter’s values and play an active role in building a democratic and just Bangladesh. Secretary of Youth and Sports Ministry Md Mahbub-ul-Alam and Commonwealth Assistant Secretary General Prof. Luis Francis were also present at the event.

The Election Commission has collected information about Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, for her inclusion in the voter list. EC officials said her information was gleaned during the recent door-to-door data collection in Dhaka. “Zubaida Rahman’s information has been gathered under the ongoing voter list updating programme,” EC senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the media on Monday. He said a name is included in the final voter list on completion of the entire updating process following the data collection and registration. As per electoral laws, a person must be a registered voter to contest in any election. In the case of the parliamentary election, a voter can contest elections from any constituency in the country. The photograph-based voter registration process began in 2008, when Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman were in London as they left Bangladesh for London on September 11, 2008 and they have been living there since then. Zubaida Rahman departs for London But on May 06 last, Zubaida returned to Bangladesh accompanying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia after the latter’s medical treatment in London. She left for London again on June 5 last. EC officials collected Zubaida’s personal information in Dhaka before Eid-ul-Azha. According to the law, the draft voter list must be published by January 2 next year, with the final list due by March 2. However, if the next general election is held in February, the Election Commission is considering amending the law to finalise the list earlier. Zubaida, a physician by profession, was born on May 18, 1972, in Dakshin Surma Upazila of Sylhet District. After passing her higher secondary examinations with distinction, she went on to study at Dhaka Medical College. She married Tarique Rahman on February 3, 1994. Zubaida passed the MBBS examination with distinction and began her career as a government doctor through the BCS in 1995, securing first place in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS-Health) examination.

Two more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Monday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 34 this year. During the period, 392 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, raising the total infected-case to 2, 411 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). According to the DGHS, new cases were reported as follows: 126 Barishal Division (Out of CC), 80 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 25 in Khulna Division (Out of CC), one each in Rangpur and Mymensingh Divisions (Out of CC), 41 in Rajshahi Division (Out of CC), 31 Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 22 in Dhaka North City Corporation and 64 in Dhaka South City Corporation.  Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. Dengue: 1 dead, 352 new cases reported in 24hrs In 2023, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries in the same year.