United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday urged people across the country to remain alert, warning that efforts are underway to obstruct the upcoming election, make it controversial and manipulate the results through election engineering, particularly during vote counting. “A political party has become desperate to make the election controversial and obstruct it. You must stay extremely alert and vigilant,” he said while addressing a massive election rally at Jashore Upashahar Degree College ground in the afternoon. The BNP chief also alleged that a particular political party is trying to sabotage the electoral process and deliberately create confusion to open the door for manipulation. “We are hearing that counting of votes may take unusually long. Those who want to delay the process must be closely watched,” he said, adding that people know how much time vote counting normally takes. Calling the February-12 election a contest between patriotic and anti-national forces, Tarique warned that attempts are being made to snatch people’s voting rights that were achieved through a long struggle over the last 16 years. Tarique urges women to respond to Jamaat Ameer’s derogatory remarks through ballot He earlier addressed an election rally in Khulna and later joined the Jashore programme, where he introduced BNP candidates from seven districts of the Jashore and Kushtia regions and called upon voters to cast their ballots for the party’s candidates and its alliance partners. In an oblique reference to a recent controversial remark allegedly made by the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer about working women, he strongly criticised what he described as vulgar and offensive language against women. The BNP chairman said Jamaat is now trying to escape responsibility by claiming that the leader’s social media account was hacked. “When people protested, they said the account was hacked. But officials and experts have clearly said it was not hacked. This is a lie,” he said, adding that those who lie openly to the people can never work for the welfare of the country. Addressing the crowd, Tarique also alleged that Jamaat is collecting NID information and mobile payment numbers by resorting to falsehoods to manipulate elections. “This reflects their character… you must remain cautious about it… If anyone tries to manipulate the vote count in the name of delay, it must be resisted firmly.” He said history has shown that Jamaat has no respect for women, referring to their role during the 1971 Liberation War. “Because of their actions, countless mothers and sisters lost their honour. People must unite to resist their conspiracies.” Speaking about regional development, Tarique highlighted Jashore’s flower cultivation industry and said BNP wants to modernise it and export flowers abroad, just as garments are exported. He also announced plans to revive closed sugar mills, re-excavate canals, including the Ulshi canal in Sharsha, and boost agricultural production through better irrigation. Tarique said BNP believes real development is not possible without the equal participation of men and women. “BNP has always worked for women’s empowerment,” he said, recalling initiatives taken during previous BNP governments, including free education for girls up to secondary level. He also announced several welfare plans, including family cards for housewives, agricultural cards for farmers, interest waivers on small farm loans up to Tk10,000, and the establishment of vocational training institutes and IT parks to tackle unemployment. Zubaida inaugurates free heart camp at Korail slum Tarique said BNP wants to build a Bangladesh where people of all religions can live in peace and dignity, and ended his speech by leading the crowd in the slogan: ‘Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh, Sobar Agey Bangladesh’. Jashore district BNP President Advocate Syed Saberul Haque Sabu chaired the rally, while General Secretary Delwar Hossain Khokon conducted it. Among others, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Mehedi Ahmed, Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Professor Nargis Begum, and Khulna divisional organising secretary and Jashore-3 candidate Anindya Islam Amit spoke at the event. After the rally, Tarique exchanged greetings with the parents of July uprising martyrs and those injured in the movement.

Police have taken the highest security measures surrounding BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s rally in Jashore, with a three-tier security system in place, officials said on Sunday. “A three-tiered security system has been arranged at the rally venue, and more than 500 police members will remain on duty round the clock,” said Jashore Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam at a press briefing held at the Jashore Upashahar College Ground, the rally venue, on Sunday afternoon. He said that among them, 100 police personnel will be equipped with body-worn cameras. Vote for BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ against autocracy: Tarique Rahman The police superintendent said a two-tier special security arrangement has been taken from the helipad, where Tarique Rahman will land by helicopter, to the rally venue. A two-tier security ring will also be set up around the stage, he added, noting that along with uniformed police, members of the Detective Branch (DB) and District Special Branch (DSB) will remain on round-the-clock surveillance. Special vigilance will be maintained as there are large trees around the venue to ensure that no miscreants can take position there, he said. SP Rafiqul Islam said discussions have been held with district BNP leaders and activists, who have assured full cooperation with the police. Regarding traffic management, he said five designated parking areas have been fixed in different parts of the city. No vehicles other than VIP vehicles will be allowed to enter the rally venue, and an adequate number of traffic police will be deployed. He said body cameras are being used for the first time by police in view of the upcoming 13th national elections, so that the activities of any miscreant can be recorded even if they manage to flee after committing a crime. More than 100 police personnel deployed at the rally will use body-worn cameras, he added. The police superintendent also said the 13th national elections will be held on February 12, and police are working relentlessly to ensure a fair, peaceful and orderly election. BNP Chairman will leave Dhaka for Khulna by helicopter at 11:00am on Monday, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Tarique Rahman urges ‘Yes’ vote in referendum He said the BNP chief is scheduled to join an election rally at 12:00 noon at the Prabhati School ground adjacent to Haji Mohsin College in Khulna. Tarique will then leave Khulna for Jashore by helicopter at 1:00pm, Sayrul said. He said the BNP chairman will address another election rally at 1:40pm in Jashore. Tarique is expected to leave Jashore for Dhaka by helicopter at 2:40pm.

A couple was stabbed allegedly by their son after they refused to give him money for drugs Satmail Haibatpur village in the town early Monday. The victims were identified as Ashir Uddin, 70, and his wife Rokeya, 60. Victims said their younger son Saddam demanded money for drugs around 3 am and when they refused, he first beat his father with a stick and then attacked both of them with a machete, leaving them injured. Hearing screams, neighbours rescued the injured couple and admitted them to Jashore General Hospital. Bichitra Mallik, in-charge of the hospital’s emergency department, said both victims sustained multiple injuries on the head and other parts of the body in addition to cuts on their hands from sharp weapons. Breaking new ground: Jashore prisoners to cast votes via postal ballots Locals have demanded immediate arrest and strict punishment of Saddam. Moniruzzaman, SI of Jashore Kotwali Police Station, said legal action will be taken if a complaint is filed and efforts are underway to arrest the fugitive son.

At least 12 people were injured when a bus carrying a wedding party lost control and fell into a roadside ditch in Chaugachha upazila of Jashore early Saturday. The accident occurred around 6:30am at Tengarpur Mor area of the upazila. According to locals and eyewitnesses, the bus was returning to Abhaynagar after attending a wedding ceremony at Bathangachhi village under Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah district. At the Tengarpur intersection, the bus driver tried to give way to an unidentified motorcycle coming from the opposite direction, but lost control of the vehicle and plunged into a deep roadside ditch. As a result, 12 passengers were injured. The injured were identified as Apon Biswas, Nimai Roy, 80, Bikash, 38, Nayan, 26, Sadhan Kumar, 50, Gour Biswas, 45, Chandra, 22, Shraboni, 18, Parul Hajra, 48, and Priti, 17, all residents of Shankarpasha village in Abhaynagar, and part of the wedding party. Two others who got injured were identified as Sudipto Sarkar, 17, of Hamidpur village under Jashore Sadar upazila and Hriday Adhikari, 18, of Koyari village in Magura Sadar. Election: 129 inmates to cast postal vote from Jashore central jail After the accident, fellow passengers and local residents immediately started rescue operations. The injured were later taken to Jashore General Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment at the male and female surgery wards. Hospital sources said the injured are out of danger. Chougachha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rezaul Karim confirmed the incident.

A defamation case has been filed in Jashore against Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated Kushtia-3 candidate Mufti Amir Hamza for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the late Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Mehedi Hasan Zillu, a member of the convening committee of Jashore District Krishak Dal and a resident of Khadki in the city, filed the case on Wednesday afternoon, said plaintiff’s lawyer Advocate M A Gafur. Taking cognisance of the complaint, Jashore Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Asadul Islam ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to probe the allegation and submit a report. Read More: IU Chhatra Dal leader files case against Mufti Amir Hamza over defamatory remarks According to the case statement, Amir Hamza made indecent and defamatory remarks about Arafat Rahman Koko while addressing a mahfil in Chattogram in 2023.   The plaintiff claimed the remarks tarnished the dignity of the deceased and brought dishonour to the Zia family, creating a negative public perception. The complainant said he came across a video of the statement online on January 17 while at the BNP office near Laldighi in Jashore and was deeply shocked by it. The plaintiff further claimed that the remarks hurt the sentiments of nationalist-minded people and caused defamation amounting to Tk 50 crore. Earlier, a similar defamation case was filed in Khulna against Mufti Amir Hamza over the same allegation by Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Society Central Joint General Secretary and Khulna Metropolitan President Md Jahirul Islam Bappi.

Police have arrested another suspect in the murder case of BNP leader Alamgir Hossain in Jashore following confessions from the victim’s son-in-law and the main shooter. The accused, Shahin Kazi, 25, was caught Monday night (Jan 12) from Lon Office Para area of Jashore town. On Tuesday afternoon (Jan 13), he was presented in court and confessed his involvement in the killing. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Asadul Islam accepted his statement and ordered him sent to jail. Shahin Kazi is the son of Kislu Kazi from Chanchra Raipara (Tulotola Mor) in Ward-6 of Jashore municipality. He was living in a rented house in Lon Office Para at the time of arrest. According to the source of investigatiuon, the victim’s son-in-law and main planner of the murder, Based Ali Porosh, and his associate Asabul Islam Sagar mentioned Shahin Kazi’s name while in police remand. Later, the main shooter Tridib Chakraborti Mishuk, arrested last week, also named Shahin Kazi in his confessional statement to the court. Based on this information, case investigator SI of DB Alok Kumar De arrested Shahin Kazi from Lon Office Para around 4:45 pm on Monday. According to police,  CCTV footage and information from previously arrested suspects indicate Shahin Kazi acted as a key accomplice. He coordinated with hired killers and planners and was present at the crime scene. Shahin Kazi also faces three previous cases, including extortion. Alamgir Hossain was shot dead on January 3 evening in Shankarpur area of Jashore town. Main shooter in BNP leader Alamgir murder arrested in Jashore His wife Shamima Begum filed the murder case at Kotwali police station. So far, four people have been arrested in connection with the case – the victim’s son-in-law Parash, associate Sagar, main shooter Tridib, and Shahin Kazi. Case investigator SI Alok Kumar De said, “Police are continuing their operations to arrest others involved and recover the weapons used in the murder.”

As winter settles in Jashore, Gadkhali, Bangladesh’s flower capital, bursts into vibrant blooms, drawing visitors and boosting both the local economy and tourism. With the festive season approaching, including the New Year, flower growers and traders here are brimming with optimism for a flourishing season of sales. Nestled in Jhikargachha upazila, Gadkhali and its surrounding villages—Panisara, Navaran and nearby areas—are now carpeted with blossoms, heralding the start of a vibrant flower season. Business waiting to bloom in ‘Flower Capital’ Gadkhali Farmers have already begun harvesting a rainbow of blooms, while traders rush to dispatch them across the country. According to Agriculture Department officials, the region boasts around 7,000 flower growers cultivating approximately 1,200 hectares, of which nearly 650 hectares are dedicated to flowers. Eleven varieties thrive here, from the elegant gladiolus and fragrant tuberose to roses, gerbera, marigold, gypsy, rodstick, calendula and chrysanthemums.

At first glance, the white polythene canopies stretching across both sides of the road just 10 kilometres west of Jashore town resemble festive tents set up for a grand wedding. A closer look, however, reveals a different celebration — one of soil, sweat and seedlings. This vibrant landscape belongs to Abdulpur and Bagdanga villages in Jashore Sadar upazila, widely recognised as the country’s winter vegetable seedling capital, where a quiet agricultural revolution is underway. As evening falls or rain begins, farmers cover the seedbeds to protect young plants. Some are busy sowing seeds, others watering the sprouts, while some uproot mature seedlings for sale. Between 250 to 300 growers in Abdulpur and Bagdanga produce 20 to 25 crore vegetable seedlings over a six-month season, generating sales worth Tk 20 to 30 crore, according to local farmers. These seedlings, including cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beet, turnip, tomato and chili, are distributed to nearly all 64 districts of Bangladesh. From morning to dusk, farmers and traders from across the country flock to the area to collect high-quality seedlings, which have gained a reputation even in the most remote corners of the country. How to know when your garden vegetables are ready to harvest Rekan Mia, a grower from Abdulpur, said seedling production began in the area around 20 years ago, but commercial-scale production has accelerated over the past decade. He, however, noted that excessive rainfall this year disrupted several planting cycles, causing significant losses. The rising prices of seeds, fertilisers, labour and polythene have added to farmers’ financial strain, he said, urging the government to provide financial assistance to help recover the losses. Saddam Hossain, another grower from Bagdanga, pointed out their seedlings are sold both online and offline across the country. “Traders from different districts come to purchase seedlings directly. There’s also a dedicated seedling market at the Churamankathi bazaar in Sadar upazila, which attracts buyers nationwide,” he said. Mamun Hossain shared current rates, noting that good-quality cauliflower seedlings sell for Tk 1,000–1,500 per thousand, while cabbage seedlings range from Tk 800-1,100 depending on quality. “We produce all types of winter vegetable seedlings here. Commercial seedling cultivation has created employment for many locals. With proper government support, this sector can see further growth,” he added. Prices of winter vegetables drop in Khulna, essentials continue to rise

Three people including a police officer were killed in a road accident on Jashore-Bagharpara highway in Bhangura Bazar area of Bagharpara Upazila on Sunday night. The deceased were identified as Sub-Inspector (SI) Nikkan Adhya of Lahuria Investigation Center under Lohagara Police Station in Narail, Akhtar Hossain, son of Ahmad Ali of Basundia area in Jashore Sadar,  and Abu Jafar, son of Abdul Majid of Vekutia area in Jashore town and former joint general secretary of the central committee of BNP’s volunteer wing Swechhasebok Dal. Tularampur Highway Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Sekandar Ali said when a bus crashed into a stationary truck loaded with bamboo around 10:45 pm on Sunday some of the bamboos pierced into the bus, leaving Akhtar Hossain dead on the spot. 2 killed in M’singh road crash Locals rescued Abu Jafar and police officer Nikkan Adhya and took them to Jashore General Hospital in critical condition. Abu Jafar was declared dead on arrival while Nikkan Adhya was referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. But his condition deteriorated en route and he was taken to Narail Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead. OC Sekandar Ali said proper legal action will be taken.

Two people were killed and two others injured in a road accident on the Jashore-Benapole highway in Jashore Sadar upazila early Thursday. The accident took place around 4am in the Natunhaat area, said officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station Abul Hasnat. The deceased were identified as Masudur Rahman Milon, 40, former sports affairs secretary of the Jashore District Chhatra League, and Jui, 30, of Sarathi Mill area in Jashore. The injured – Mamun, 32, from Betaga village in Bagerhat’s Fakirhat upazila, and Masud, 45, from Arenda village in Jashore Sadar – were taken to Jessore General Hospital. Youth held with five gold bars in Jashore According to police, the victims were heading towards Benapole from Jashore in a private car when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash into a roadside tree. Milon and Jui died on the spot. Locals rushed to the scene, rescued the injured and informed the police. The bodies of the deceased were recovered and sent to the hospital morgue, the OC added.