Khulna
Hasina's property vandalised in Khulna
Protestors vandalised and looted a warehouse on ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ancestral property in Dighalia upazila of Khulna, said locals on Friday morning.
Witnesses said the mayhem began at 10:30pm on Thursday in the Nagarghat area with various anti-Awami League slogans.
It was learned that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman purchased one acre and 44 decimals of land in Nagarghat near the Bhairab River, in his wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib’s name during the Pakistani period.
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A jute warehouse and a single-room semi-building house were built on the land which later was named as ‘Sheikh Hasina’s Godown.’
Sheikh Hasina herself hadn’t known about the property until 2007 when she learned about it through her personal lawyer. During Sheikh Mujib’s lifetime, the jute warehouse was managed by his younger brother, Sheikh Abu Naser.
2 days ago
Main goal is to ensure free, fair election: EC Sanaullah
Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah (retd) said that the primary objective of the current commission is to ensure a free, fair, and impartial national election.
The commissioner said this while addressing the inauguration of a day-long workshop titled 'Challenges in the voter registration process and ways to overcome challenges' at the Khulna CSS Ava Center on Thursday.
He said the commission aims to create a comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date voter list.
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The Election Commissioner said that the voter list should be updated not only from designated locations but also through door-to-door efforts to collect voter information.
“It is important to ensure that no one eligible to be a voter, especially women and the young generation, is left out of the list,” he added.
He said attempting to register as a voter in multiple locations by concealing information is a crime and in the age of information technology, such acts cannot go unnoticed.
EC Sanaullah said that the long struggle for democracy, the sacrifices made by people, and the new hope for change are all tied to regaining the right to vote.
“Voting is a fundamental right, and it is closely linked to social stability, harmony, development, and the survival of the nation with honor,” he said.
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The Commissioner further said organising elections is a huge task that requires the involvement of all, especially in these changing times, and must be carried out with accuracy and impartiality.
The workshop was chaired by Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md. Firoz Sarkar, with special guests including Additional Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat KM Ali Newaz, Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam, Regional Election Officer Md. Humayun Kabir, and CBTEP Project Director Muhammad Mustafa Hasan.
3 weeks ago
2 killed in Bagerhat road accident
Two people, including a three-wheeler trolley driver, were killed and four others injured as the vehicle carrying them overturned in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat early Thursday.
The deceased were named as driver Didar Mollah, 30, son of Jafar Mollah of Khulna’s Dacope upazila and day labour Rokan Uddin, 60, son of Wazed Ali Sheikh of Sonaitala village under Mongla upazila.
The injured are Wahed Mollick, Ayub Sardar, Milon Mallick, and Tajmir Sheikh.
Wahed was undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College and Hospital and the trio at Mongla Upazila Health Complex.
Read: 35-year-old dies in Jhenaidah road accident
Mongla police station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Anisur Rahman said the six day labours were returning to their village home in Mongla from Khulna after harvesting paddy there.
Their vehicle veered off after losing control and hit a roadside pile of stones in Chapra area around 2am, leaving the two dead on the spot and four others injured, he said,
The injured were undergoing treatment, the OC said, adding that the trolley was seized.
3 weeks ago
EC Sanaullah urges officials to maintain honesty in voter registration process
Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah (retd) has said that preparing and preserving an accurate voter list is the collective responsibility of all.
“It is our collective responsibility to prepare and preserve an accurate voter list, as even a single vote can determine the outcome of an election,” he said during a meeting on updating voter lists with regional election officials at Khulna deputy commissioner’s office on Wednesday.
He emphasised raising awareness about the significance of voter registration as a fundamental duty of citizens.
Addressing election officials from various districts, the chief guest highlighted the importance of maintaining honesty and integrity in the voter registration process.
"Ensuring the voting rights of citizens without bias is paramount. Eligible individuals, especially women, must be encouraged to register as voters," he said.
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Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam presided over the event.
Additional Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat KM Ali Newaz, Khulna Regional Election Officer Md Humayun Kabir and Superintendent of Police T M Mosharraf Hossain addressed the meeting as special guests.
3 weeks ago
Rangpur extend unbeaten run with win over Khulna
Rangpur Riders solidified their dominance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with an 8-run win over Khulna Tigers in Sylhet on Monday, maintaining their flawless record in the tournament.
A disciplined bowling effort by Rangpur and a surprising late collapse by Khulna secured the Riders’ seventh consecutive win in a match that reached a climax in the last overs.
Rangpur batted first and posted 186 for 5, powered by Khushdil Shah’s unbeaten 73 off just 35 balls, featuring seven sixes. His 115-run stand with Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored 43 off 36, rescued the Riders after a slow start.
Khulna bowlers Abu Hider and Hasan Mahmud took two wickets each but struggled to contain Rangpur’s middle-order fireworks.
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In their chase, Khulna appeared on course for victory at 164 for 4, needing only 22 runs off the final 18 balls with six wickets in hand.
However, Rangpur’s bowlers, led by Akif Javed, who took 3 for 29 runs, and Saifuddin, who bagged 2 for 28 runs, turned the tide with a great comeback.
A series of quick wickets, including two run-outs, saw Khulna collapse, losing six batters for just 12 runs and finishing at 178 for 9.
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Khulna’s Mohammad Naim scored 58 off 41 balls, while skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a 39 off 24. Despite their efforts, Khulna fell short, extending their losing streak to three matches after winning their opening two.
3 weeks ago
Mongla Port Development: Work on Pashur Channel Dredging begins
A project titled "Pashur Channel Maintenance Dredging" has begun at Mongla port to maintain navigability of the channel.
Approved during an ECNEC meeting last week, this project is estimated to cost Tk 1,538.19 crore.
The project taken by the Mongla Port Authority follows the completion of dredging at the Outer Bar of the Pashur Channel, with ongoing work at the Inner Bar.
Khulna farmers reap rewards from mustard cultivation, honey production
Upon completion, ships with drafts of 9.5 to 10 meters will be able to dock directly at Mongla Port’s jetties.
The initiative aims to sustain the port's channel depth and ensure its smooth operation, officials said.
Overcoming Past Challenges
Mongla Port faced severe navigability issues between 2002 and 2007 due to a lack of dredging in the Outer and Inner Bar channels.
The port became nearly inoperative due to the constraints, with a sharp decline in ship arrivals.
After completing a Tk 712 crore Outer Bar dredging project in 2020, the port now accommodates ships with 9-meter drafts.
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Later the port authority started dredging the Inner Bar, spanning 23 kilometers from Joymonirgol to the port jetties.
Despite initial projections to complete the Tk 793.72 crore project by June 2022, delays increased costs to Tk 992 crore.
New Maintenance Dredging Project
The newly approved maintenance dredging project for Pashur Channel will be implemented from January 2025 to December 2029.
Of the total project cost, Tk 1,384.37 crore will come from the government, with the remaining Tk 153.82 crore funded by Mongla Port Authority.
Besides, the "Procurement of Supporting Vessels for Mongla Port (1st Revised)" project will now cost Tk 936.56 crore, up from Tk 767.25 crore, and is set to be completed by June 2025.
Boosting Port Capacity
Rear Admiral Shahin Rahman, Chairman of Mongla Port Authority, said there is no alternative of regular dredging to sustain the country’s second-largest seaport.
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"The port has proven its growing significance by facilitating key national projects like Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Rampal Power Plant, and Metro Rail," he said.
With ongoing and planned projects, Mongla Port aims to overcome navigability challenges, enhance its operational efficiency, and further contribute to the economic growth of Bangladesh’s southwestern region.
"We are implementing a comprehensive master plan to transform Mongla Port into a modern and dynamic facility capable of handling future demands," he said.
3 weeks ago
July uprising: 8 lawyers sent to jail in Khulna
A Khulna court on Monday sent eight members of Khulna Bar Association to jail in a case filed during the July uprising.
Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sharif Hossain Haidar passed the order after rejecting their bail petitions.
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Those sent to jail are Al-Amin Ukil, former member of Khulna Metropolitan unit Jubo League, Tamal Kanti Ghosh, a Swechasebak League leader, Abdul Kuddus, Sohel Pervez, Sumonto Kumar Biswas, former Chhatra League leader Sheikh Shamim Ahmed and Saidur Rahman Tutul and Mehedi Hasan.
Two arrested in connection with attack on Elephant Road businessman
Emam Hossain, member of the Khulna Bar Association, filed a case against 28 people including former president of Khulna Bar Association and also the president of Sadar upazila unit AL Saiful Islam in connection with their alleged involvement in attacking students during the student-led movement in Khulna, said Advocate Nurul Hasan, a counsel of the plaintiff.
Among the accused, 23 people secured bail for six weeks from the High Court.
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AL leader Saiful, General Secretary of Sadar upazila unit Awami League Tarik Mahmud, District unit AL general secretary Sujit Kumar Odhikari, Anisur Rahman Paplu and Advocate Jesmin Parvin Joly went into hiding.
3 weeks ago
Khulna AL leader shot dead at Cox’s Bazar beach
Khulna Awami League leader and former councillor of Khulna City Corporation Ward-4 Golam Rabbani Tipu was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday.
The incident happened around 8:30 pm in front of the Seagull hotel.
Cox’s Bazar Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Md. Ilyas Khan, said, “We have launched an investigation and are working to identify the culprits.”
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Witnesses said, hearing a gunshot, followed by the sight of Tipu collapsing to the ground, locals rushed him to the Cox’s Bazar District Hospital, where doctors confirmed his death upon arrival.
Tipu sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, said Dr. SM Shoaib of the hospital.
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No additional individuals were with Tipu at the time of the attack, and police are continuing their search for the murderers.
1 month ago
Khulna sees surge of 24,860 voters
Khulna district has witnessed a surge of 24, 860 voters compared to the past year, totaling 2,058,293 voters, according to a draft voter list published by the Election Commission (EC).
The EC made it public on January 2 this year, showing 1,033,447 male and 1,024,827 female voters respectively.
Moreover, the list includes 19 transgender voters in the district, consisting of nine upazilas and seven police stations.
The draft voter list shows the highest 3, 081 voters increased in Dumuria upazila, totaling 2, 76, 395 voters.
In Sadar police station, the number of voters went up by 2,253 to reach 186,326.
In Koyra upazila, there has been a slight increase in male voters compared to female voters, with a total of 2,192 new voters, standing at 182,973 in total.
Sonadanga police station sees an increase of 1, 714 voters, totaling 139,140 voters; Khalishpur police station, where voter numbers have grown by 1,563, reaching 129,885; and Phultala, where an increase of 1,575 voters brings the total to 122,117.
Read: Some 1.8 million new voters added to draft voter list: EC
Voter numbers in Paikgacha, Batiaghata, Dakop, Rupsa, Terokhada, and Dighalia have also seen steady increases, with some areas such as Paikgacha registering a rise of 2,191 voters, bringing the total voter count to 234,062.
In Daulatpur, 1,193 new voters have been added, raising the total voters to 87,527.
Sources at the district election office said that after the central publication of the draft list, the field offices of the EC made the updated lists.
Following this, people can file claims, objections, or requests for corrections at the concerned upazilas by January 17 and their applications will be resolved by January 30. The final voter list will be published on March 2.
According to district election officials, the process for finalising the voter list will continue until March 2. The Commission is also considering collecting citizen data for voter list updates through door-to-door visits starting January 20, although a final decision on this plan is yet to be made.
The last year’s previous voter list had a total of 2,033,433 voters in Khulna, including 1,019,364 male, 1,014,052 female voters, and 17 third-gender ones.
Read more: Final voter list to be published on Mar 2: EC
Khulna District Election Officer Farazi Benjire Ahmed told UNB that the draft voter list has already been published and the process of collecting citizen data for voter list updates will begin on January 20.
1 month ago
ICT seeks list of Khulna magistrates during July-August protests
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sought a list of magistrates who were in charge in Khulna during the mass protests by students and the public in July-August.
Following the imposition of curfew on July 20, magistrates worked alongside Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the army. The tribunal has urged authorities to submit detailed reports on the actions and directives issued by these magistrates. Last week, the tribunal sent an official letter to the Khulna deputy commissioner seeking the list.
According to sources at the DC office a report will soon be sent to the tribunal after reviewing the request.
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Khulna District Magistrate Mohammad Saiful Islam confirmed receiving an official letter from the International Crimes Tribunal. He said that the matter is currently under process to reach a final decision.
The anti-quota protests began on June 5 and later escalated into a mass uprising. Initially, the deputy commissioner did not give much attention to the movement. However, after a High Court ruling, students took to the streets, and police intervention began.
The tribunal's letter specifically highlighted events following the curfew imposed on July 19, including police activities, alleged abuse, threats from political groups like Jubo League and the now-banned Chhatra League, and clashes between protesters and law enforcement. It has called for detailed accounts of the deputy commissioner’s role during this period.
During the protests, Khondkar Yasir Arefin served as the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Khulna. On the first day of the curfew, he issued seven directives, including safeguarding public lives and property, protecting government assets, and maintaining peace and order by deploying magistrates in nine sub-districts.
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According to district records, the magistrates in charge in Khulna metropolitan and surrounding areas from July 19 to August 5 included Navid Sarwar, Rubayet Ahmed, Md. Muntasir Hasan Khan, Md. Anwar Sadat, Jubayer Jahangir (Dacope), Iftekharul Islam Shamim (Paikgachha), Asadur Rahman (Batiaghata), Papia Sultana (Phultala), Arafat Hossain (Dumuria), Sumaiya Sultana Annie (Terokhada), BM Tariq Uz Zaman (Koyra), Khan Masum Billah (Digholia), and Kohinur Zaman (Rupsha). Many of these magistrates have since been transferred to other locations.
Sources added that two days before the curfew, the then district magistrate informed the relevant ministry that there was no significant damage in Khulna. He also requested increased police deployment in key areas such as Shibbari, Sat Rasta, Zero Point, Gallamari, Khulna University premises, and major roads.
On August 4, the district magistrate requested the Khulna sector commander of BGB to deploy forces to maintain public safety and order. On the same day, an appeal was made to the principal staff officer for deploying the armed forces in the area.
1 month ago