Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested a fugitive leader of banned militant outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir from Mohammadpur area in the capital. The arrestee is Abdul Baten, 60, son of late Arshad Ali of Manikganj's Daulatpur upazila and a member of the invitation and finance department of the militant outfit. Read: RAB arrests sacked driver among three for kidnapping joint tax commissioner  According to a RAB-2 media release, Baten remained absconding for five years after an anti-terrorism tribunal had issued an arrest warrant against him. Tipped off, a team of the elite force conducted a drive in the capital Mohammadpur area and arrested him around 3pm on Sunday, added the release. Read: RAB arrests two members of juvenile gang over school student murder Baten, also an accused in 4 cases filed in the capital's Sher-E-Bangla Nagar Police Station, Hazaribagh police station and Manikhganj's Daulatpur police station, used to carry out organizational activities in different areas of the country. Legal action is under process against the arrestee and efforts will continue to arrest other operatives of the outfit, it added.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested the driver of the bus “responsible for the deaths of 17 people” in Jhalakathi, from Ashulia in Savar early today (July 26, 2023). The arrestee was identified as Mohon Khan, 40. Based on information, a team of RAB-8 conducted a drive in Ashulia and arrested Mohon at the dead of night, said RAB’s Legal and Media Wing Director Khandaker Al Moin this morning. 17 die as bus plunges into pond in Jhalakathi; 35 injured Moin said that Mohon used to drive heavy vehicles despite being issued a license for driving light vehicles. Earlier on Monday, police arrested Md Foysal, supervisor of the bus, from Rajapur area of Jhalakathi district. 11 injured as another explosion rocks oil tanker in Jhalakathi’s Sugandha River On July 22, 17 people died and 35 were injured when a bus of ‘Smriti Paribahan’ plunged into a roadside pond at Chhatrakanda in Sadar upazila of Jhalakathi district while heading towards Barishal from Pirojpur district. Sub-inspector of Jhalakathi Police Station Sushankar filed a case against three people including the driver, supervisor and helper of the bus driver. Two more bodies found in Jhalakathi ship fire incident, one remains missing

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) say they have arrested three members of the militant group, Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, including its Ameer, Md Anisur Rahman, from Munshiganj's Louhajang upazila early today (July 24, 2023). The identities of the other operatives were not disclosed by the law enforcers. Read: 2 arrested for detonating homemade explosive on Dhanmondi 32 Acting on a tip-off, a RAB team conducted a drive in Boronopara village in Louhajang upazila around 3 am and arrested the three men, ANM Imran Khan, assistant director of RAB's Legal and Media wing, said. During the drive, the RAB team also recovered firearms and explosives from the alleged Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya operatives, he added. Read: Land dealer Ekhlas killing: DB arrests 5 suspects including industrialist mastermind Details are set to be disclosed at a media briefing at RAB's media centre in Dhaka at 11:30 am.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested the “military commander” of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) from Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Friday. The arrestee was identified as Hafez Nur Mohammad, 32. Man killed in gunfight between ARSA, RSO groups in Ukhiya Rohingya camp, police say Based on information, a team of RAB-15 conducted a drive in Shamlapur and arrested Nur around 10 pm, said Abu Salam Chowdhury, senior assistant director of RAB-15 (Law and Media). 4 ARSA operatives held with huge cache of arms in Cox’s Bazar Based on Nur’s information, the elite force is conducting drives to arrest other members of the group. Suspected ARSA commander killed in ‘gunfight’ at Rohingya camp: APBN

Voting in the elections to Rajshahi and Sylhet city corporations is underway today (June 21, 2023). Voting started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break. People were seen standing in long queues to cast their votes in a festive atmosphere since morning in both cities. Eight mayoral candidates, including Awami League-backed Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, are contesting the polls in Sylhet while four mayoral contenders, including Awami League-backed AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, are contesting in Rajshahi. Security in Sylhet At least 2600 law enforcers have been deployed for the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) election to ensure foolproof security. Gazipur City Corporation election: Voting ends with no reports of violence Besides, 14 judicial magistrates and 42 executive magistrates in 42 wards are perform their duties to take instant action in case of violence, Forty-two mobile teams have been deployed in each general ward, with 24 striking teams in three general wards each, and six reserve striking teams at each thana. Alongside, RAB team, consisting of 22 members, and one platoon of BGB were set to patrol the wards. Besides, 272 candidates are contesting for 42 general councillor posts, and 87 are contesting for 14 reserved female seats. Khulna, Barishal city polls: Voting begins amid much enthusiasm, long queues of voters This year, a total of 4,86,605 voters will exercise their franchise at the polls. There are 190 polling stations and 1,364 polling booths. Besides, 132 centres out of 190 are deemed "vulnerable". The movement of motorbikes remains off the road from June 19 midnight until June 22 midnight. Movement of trucks, buses, microbuses, private cars and easy-bikes remains off from June 20 midnight until June 21 midnight for the Sylhet city election. Security in Rajshahi The local administration has taken five-tier security to ensure foolproof security. Alongside police, RAB, BGB and Ansar members are performing their duties to ensure a free and fair election for the people of Rajshahi, said Rajshhai Metropolitan Police Commissioner Anisur Rahman on Tuesday (June 20, 2023). Read more: Election Commission monitoring Rajshahi, Sylhet city polls through CCTV cameras Around 250 members of RAB and 10 platoons of BGB are patrolling in the city to check any kind of untoward incident. Apart from it, 3,514 police members and 935 Ansar members are also on duty. Returning officer Delwar Hossain, said there are 155 polling stations in 30 wards of the city. Of these, 148 are declared “vulnerable”. Besides, 3,614 election officers, 30 executive magistrates and ten judicial magistrates are on the field to ensure a peaceful environment during the election. A total of 1,560 close circuit cameras have been installed. A total of 3,51,982 people including 30,157 new voters are scheduled to exercise their franchise in the Rajshahi city polls. Peaceful voting underway; Law and order situation good: Zayeda

Mahmudul Alam Babu, chairman Sadhurpara UP in Jamalpur who is a suspect in the murder of Banglanews24.com journalist Golam Rabbani Nadim, was detained from Debiganj upazila of Panchagarh district early Saturday (June 17, 2023). Members of Rapid Action  Battalion (RAB) detained Babu and two others around 5 am in Chilahati union of the upazila, said Jamal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Debiganj Police Station. Also Read: Journalist injured in attack by miscreants in Jamalpur dies  They were trying to flee the country by crossing the border, RAB sources said. RAB will later brief the media on this detention. Golam Rabbani's wife, Monira Begum, alleged that her husband was killed on the orders UP chairman Mahmudul Alam Babu due to his news reporting. Also Read: Take immediate action against journalist Rabbani's killers: Sultana Kamal-led MSF Golam Rabbani was returning home on June 14 when he was attacked by a group of terrorists in Bakshiganj upazila. The assailants physically assaulted him before fleeing the scene, leaving him unconscious. He died at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital the following day. Monira claimed that her husband had been subjected to various forms of harassment before the incident, and it was the chairman's associates who carried out the killing. She demanded exemplary punishment of those involved in the incident. Also Read: TIB condemns killing of journalist Rabbani

Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque won the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election with 1,54,825 votes, according to unofficial results. Khulna City Corporation elections Returning Officer Md Alauddin announced the results after counting of votes ended at all 289 polling centres. His nearest rival, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md Abdul Awal  got 60,064 votes, said Alauddin. Also read: Voting in Khulna, Barishal city polls end; counting on According to unofficial results, Jatiya Party’s  Shafiqul Islam Madhu (plough) bagged 18,074 votes, Independent candidate SM Shafiqur Rahman (clock) got 17,218 and  Jaker Party’s SM Sabbir Hossain (rose) got 6,096 votes. Earlier, voting in the Khulna City Corporation (GCC) election began on Monday using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in all polling stations in a peaceful manner. The voting began around 8 am and continued till 4 pm without any break. Also read: Khulna city polls: BNP orders activists, supporters to stay away from voting However, some minor irregularities were reported in both elections causing injuries to some people. Out of 5,35,529 voters eligible for voting in elections across Khulna, 2,56,433 casted their ballots at 1,732 booths of 289 polling stations in Khulna City Corporation elections. Alauddin said 45% voters cast their ballots today. Also read: Voting underway in festive environment in Barishal, Khulna cities: EC Habib Five candidates contested for the mayoral post in Khulna City Corporation election while 136 contested for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats. Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 were elected unopposed earlier. Meanwhile, eleven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) carried out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Also read: Khulna city polls: Low voter turnout at many centres

Several supporters of mayoral candidates backed by Awami League (AL) and Islami Andolon Bangladesh were injured in a clash over entering a polling centre, as Barishal City Corporation election is underway today (June 12, 2023). Islami Andolon candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, who is contesting the election with the ‘hand fan’ symbol, alleged that several of his supporters as well as he were injured in an attack by AL men when they were about to enter the Kawnia Secondary Girls School centre. He said voters and his agents were forced to leave the Kawnia centre and Manik Miah centre. “Activists of the AL mayoral candidate barred me from entering the Kawnia centre when I tried to lodge a complaint with the presiding officer,” the Islami Andolon candidate told UNB Barishal correspondent. “I, along with several of my supporters, was injured in the attack,” he said. Read: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates Denying the allegation made by the Islami Andolon candidate and supporters, AL activist Biddyut said they only told them that they "should not enter the polling centre with such a big crowd." “Rather they (Islami Andolon activists) carried out an attack on us with knives, leaving several men injured,” he said.

Voting in Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and Barishal City Corporation (BCC) elections began amid much enthusiasm this morning (June 12, 2023). Voters are seen standing in long queues at polling centres to cast their votes using electronic voting machines (EVM) in a peaceful manner. Voting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. No untoward incident was reported till this report was filed around 8:30 am. The city corporation elections are being monitored by the Election Commission from Dhaka through CCTV cameras. Read:EC ready to hold Khulna city polls tomorrow, BGB deployed  A good number of law enforcers have been deployed to ensure tight security measures at each polling station so that voters can exercise their right. In the Khulna city corporation election, five candidates are vying for the mayoral post, 136 for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats. Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 were elected unopposed earlier. Awami League-backed candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque cast his vote at Pioneer Secondary Girls School centre on the city’s South Central Road around 9:10am. Read:Gazipur city polls will be free and fair, says EC commissioner After voting, the mayoral candidate said the election is being held in a free, fair manner. “I will accept whatever result coming from the voters,” he said, hoping that people will vote for him for continuation of the development. Eleven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are carrying out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). There are 5,35,528 voters in the 31 wards of Khulna city and there are 1,732 polling booths under 289 polling stations. Read more:BNP won’t join 5 city polls in any way: Fakhrul Of them, 161 polling stations are considered “vulnerable”. On the other hand, seven candidates are competing for the mayoral post in the Barishal city polls. Besides, 119 candidates are in the race for the post of general councillor and 42 candidates for the reserved councillor post. Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah Khokon Serniabat cast his vote at the Government Barishal College on Kalibari road in the city. Read more: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates Jatiya Party-backed candidate Iqbal Hossain Taposh exercised his franchise at Syed Abul Manan DDF Alim Madrasah on Gorostan road, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim at Rupatoli Housing Abdur Rob Serniabat Secondary School. Zaker Party’s candidate Md Mizanur Rahman Bachhu also cast his vote at Chhutpur Secondary School while independent candidate Md Kamrul Ahsan Rupon at Alekanda Govt Primary School in the city. A total of 276,298 voters will be able to cast their votes in 126 polling stations in 30 wards. Of the centres, 106 are considered “vulnerable”. Ten platoons of the BGB remain deployed in the BCC election along with 4,500 members of the law enforcing agencies. Read more: Jamaat's statement on resisting upcoming nat'l election came from BNP: Hasan Mahmud

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it. "There is now a tendency to give sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism. We have taken a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will give sanctions,” she said. The prime minister said this while inaugurating the five-day long 60th Convention of Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) at the IEB Headquarters with the theme “Innovative Engineering in the 4th Industrial Revolution”. Read: PM Hasina urges the US to lift sanctions against Russia “What will you do with me? My parents, brothers and sisters have all been killed. I have nothing to lose. But I want to take my country forward,” she said. On December 10 in 2021, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions against Bangladesh's elite force, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and seven of its former and current officials alleging serious human rights violation. Bangladesh has strongly denied the allegation and instead highlighted RAB's remarkable success in combating terrorism and drug menace. Read more: ​​​​​​​IEB protests DCs' proposal on design, implementation of projects