United News of Bangladesh

Over one hundred cattle were swept away by a tidal surge in a canal near Bhati Balaki village in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj district on Friday afternoon, estimating financial losses of over Tk 1.25 crore. So far, 36 carcasses of cattle have been recovered. The incident occurred around 4pm following a tidal surge in the canal between the village and adjacent grazing fields. Locals said that the cattle reared for livelihood by farming families used to cross the canal to graze on the nearby char land. On Friday, when the cattle were returning in the afternoon they were caught in the strong current and swept away. Shyamal Khan, a witnesses said, “Most residents here depend on agriculture and animal. All of us raise cattle. The animals were swept away while crossing the canal. So far, bodies of 36 dead cattle have been found, but around 65 are still missing. Farmers are devastated.” Mohasin, a farmer who lost four cattle, said, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. I am ruined. My only source of income is gone—I’ve been left destitute.” Abu Taleb Sujan Khan, another affected farmer, said, “Like every day, the cattle crossed the canal for grazing in the morning. But while returning, the tidal surge swept nearly 100 cattle away. Many farmers are still desperately searching for their animals.” Hossendi Union Parishad Chairman Monirul Haque Mithu, said “I have instructed local union members to investigate the matter.” Gazaria Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Foysal Arafat Bin Siddique said, “We stand beside the affected farmers. We will support them as much as possible from our position.” Gazaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Ashraful Alam said, “So far, 36 dead cattle have been recovered. Efforts are ongoing to assess the total damage. The farmers have suffered significant losses and we will provide assistance to the extent possible from the administration.”  

An SSC examinee died after being electrocuted in Paschim Loharmahal village of Khalachhara union in Zakiganj upazila of Sylhet on Friday, police said. The victim, Wahid Ahmed, 17, was the son of Ataur Rahman Muhuri of Paschim Loharmahal village. Hotel worker found dead in Sirajganj Family members said that Wahid accidentally came into contact with an electric wire at his home on Friday evening. Later, he was rescued and rushed to the Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Wahid had appeared for the SSC examination this year from Eidgah Bazar High School. Two die from electrocution in Chandpur Zahirul Islam Munna, officer-in-charge (OC) of Zakiganj Police Station, said that permission was granted to bury the body without an autopsy following a request from the family.

Police recovered the body of a 40-year-old man from the Hatikumrul Golchattor area in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj on Friday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Arafat Hossain, a hotel worker and resident of Faridpur district. Locals spotted the body behind the Highway Rest House of the Roads and Highways Department and alerted police, said Mokhlesur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Salanga Police Station. “Police recovered the body with severe injuries to the head and face, which appeared to have been crushed with bricks or stones,” the OC said, adding that it was sent to Shaheed M Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Two die from electrocution in Chandpur Police suspect Arafat was beaten to death by unidentified miscreants, though the motive remains unclear. “The exact cause of death will be confirmed after receiving the autopsy report,” the OC added. Arafat’s wife, Shapla Khatun, has filed a murder case with Salanga Police Station in connection with this, he said.

At least 10 people were reportedly injured in a clash between two rival factions of the BNP over the formation of a union committee in Meherpur's Sadar upazila on Friday noon. “The situation is currently calm, and additional police forces have been deployed to prevent further unrest,” said Meherpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mejbah Uddin. Supporters of Kamrul Hasan, member-secretary of the district BNP convening committee, claimed that six of their men were injured in the clash. The group led by former upazila BNP general secretary Saiful Islam said three of their activists were also hurt. The injured were taken to Meherpur 250-Bed General Hospital, and two of them were later referred to Kushtia Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Local residents said the incident began when Kamrul  was on his way to attend the bi-annual conference of the Amjhupi Union BNP. As his motorcade passed through Amjhupi Bazar on the way to Gandharajpur from Meherpur town around 11am, supporters of Saiful Islam reportedly tried to block the vehicles, sparking tensions between the groups. In Kushtia, Jamaat's opposition to 150-year-old fair triggers clashes with BNP; 11 injured Witnesses said members of the army and police rushed to the spot from the nearby army camp after being informed of the unrest. Law enforcers initially attempted to defuse the situation by suggesting the motorcade take an alternative route. However, as the motorcade proceeded towards Gandharajpur via Amjhupi, both groups engaged in a violent clash. Eventually, a joint team of army personnel and law enforcement officers managed to bring the situation under control. “No written complaint has been filed yet, and no one has been detained in connection with the incident,” said OC Mejbah.

Two men died after being electrocuted in Chandpur town’s Puran Bazar area on Friday morning. The deceased were identified as Md Montu Dhali, 70, son of late Abdul Dhali, and Md Anwar Hossain Khan, 55, son of Amin Khan – both residents of the West Jafarabad village. Quoting locals, Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station Officer-In-Charge (OC) Md Bahar Mia said that the house became electrified due to an earthing issue. Anwar was electrocuted when he touched the tin wall of the house while trying to step outside and screamed for help. Montu Dhali was electrocuted when tried to rescue him. 3 killed by lightning strikes in Chapainawabganj Locals said both victims were rushed to Chandpur General Hospital, where the on-duty Residential Medical Officer (RMO), Dr Asibul Ahsan, declared them dead upon arrival. “No complaints were filed by the victims' families. Two separate unnatural death cases have been registered at the police station,” he said. The bodies were handed over to the families, added the OC.

Police have detained eight people in connection with the looting of Tk 1.72 crore from a depot office of Abul Khair Tobacco Company in Bandarban. Moreover, Tk 52.57 lakh of the looted amount has been recovered from the detainees. Superintendent of Bandarban police Mohammad Shahidullah Kawsar disclosed this at a press briefing at his office on Friday morning.  Woman killed, 23 hurt as jeep falls into hill stream in Bandarban On May 9, a group of 15 to 20 muggers looted the amount from the officials of the depot at the gunpoint in Lama upazila, he said. Later, the authorities filed a case in this connection, the police official said, adding that they initially detained two suspects. Based on their information, the police detained six more accused, he said. Taking the detainees, police conducted drives in four locations of the Lama and nearby Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar and recovered Tk 52.57 lakh, said the SP. During the preliminary interrogation, the detainees admitted that they were members of an inter-district robbery gang and their mastermind Abdul Karim had been freed from jail on bail around seven days before the mugging. During the drive, various weapons, including three local guns and six rounds of bullets, were seized, he said.  Bangladeshi man’s leg severed in landmine blast near border in Bandarban Legal action will be taken against the detainees accordingly, he added.  

A three kilometre road stretching from Jinadpur Bazar to Dashmouza Bazar in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district has caused suffering of locals for potholes and erosion, particularly during the rainy season. A recent visit to the area revealed the extent of the damage.  Couple held while fleeing after killing husband's elder brother’ in Ctg Locals say the road’s condition has been deteriorating for years due to a lack of maintenance and during rainfall the situation becomes perilous, resulting in frequent road accidents. Urging the authorities to take immediate steps to renovate it, local union parishad member Khorshed Alam termed terrible the condition of the road that connects Jinadpur and Satmora unions. School children, elderly residents, and commuters are the worst sufferers, he said. Abul Bashar, head teacher of Jinadpur Government Primary School, said, “Accidents are happening regularly. It is critical that the authorities address this issue without further delay.” Echoing the teacher, local resident Nurul Islam said the dilapidated road is causing constant accidents involving both passengers and vehicles.  Kuet teachers demand resignation of interim VC Nabinagar Upazila Assistant Engineer Md. Kaiyum said, “The road is included in a project that will widen it. The work is expected to begin by the end of June.”  

Low-lying areas of Sirajganj district have been flooded due to the rise in water level of the Jamuna River caused by heavy rainfall activities and onrush of water from upstream hill, triggering erosion in several points along the river area. The water level at the Sirajganj point of the Jamuna River has risen by 42cm in the past 24 hours, according to the local office of the Water Development Board. Nazmul Hossain, sub-divisional engineer (Headquarters) of the Water Development Board, said torrential rainfall and onrush of water from upstream have caused the river's level to swell significantly in recent days. As a result, low-lying areas along the river basin in Shahjadpur, Chowhali, Belkuchi, Kazipur, and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas have been inundated. The situation is gradually worsening as more areas, particularly in the char (river island) regions of Shahjadpur and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas, are being flooded. Crucial Sylhet road and bridge collapse into Kushiyara amid relentless erosion Besides, erosion takes a serious turn in different parts of the district including Bhatpiar area of Sirajganj Sadar, where homes and croplands are being devoured by the river. Authorities say the Water Development Board is taking necessary steps to control the erosion. Although the water level at the Sirajganj point of the Jamuna rose by 42cm but there is currently no threat of a major flood. However, if the water continues to rise, more low-lying areas could be submerged in the coming days.  

Police arrested a man and his wife while they were attempting to flee with the body of husband's elder brother after allegedly killing him, from the Chandgaon residential area of Chattagram on Wednesday. The arrestees were identified as Md Zahed, son of Jalal Ahmed and his wife Tasnim Binte Aslam Ohi of Raozan upazila of the district. Aftab Uddin, officer-in-charge of Chandgaon Police Station, said Md Shahed and his younger brother Zahed used to live in Dubai with their families. They own two apartments in the Chandgaon Residential area. One has been rented out, while the two brothers had been living in the other with their wives for the past two years. Last year, Shahed got divorced. The two siblings had engaged in a heated argument on Wednesday night and at one stage, Zahed hit Shahed with a sharp weapon, leaving him dead on the spot. After receiving a call through national emergency number 999, police arrested Zahed and his wife from the apartment, said police.  

Train movement on Santahar-Parbatipur rail route resumed early Thursday after seven hours of suspension due to derailment of an oil-carrying wagon in Joypurhat on Wednesday night. The Parbatipur–bound wagon veered off the tracks around 9:45pm in  Puranapail area of Joypurhat Sadar upazila, said Habibur Rahman, Traffic Inspector of  Bangladesh Railway’s Transport and Commercial Department. Following the derailment, train operations on the route were suspended, affecting movement of several trains including the Dhaka-bound intercity Nilsagar Express, Khulna-bound Simanta Express and local trains headed to Parbatipur. Prolonged rainfall causes severe waterlogging in Kurigram Passengers of these trains were left stranded at various stations.  A rescue crane was brought in from Parbatipur to remove the wagon. The services on the route resumed around 5am on Thursday.