United News of Bangladesh

A 70-year-old inmate died on Saturday at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) while receiving treatment for cancer. The deceased was identified as Abdur Rahman Mia, who suffered from multiple serious illnesses. Abdur Rahman Mia was arrested in a case under Kotwali Police Station and sent to Chattogram Central Jail on November 17, 2025. His health deteriorated, and on December 24, he was transferred to CMCH for advanced treatment, where doctors admitted him after examinations. After nearly a month of treatment, he was discharged and returned to the jail on January 18, 2026. Medical reports showed he had lung cancer that had spread to the brain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Following doctors’ advice, he was readmitted to CMCH on January 26. He died at 11:30 am on Saturday (January 31) while under medical care. Chattogram Central Jail Superintendent Syed Shah Sharif confirmed the death. Abdur Rahman Mia was a resident of Uttar Agrabad, Purbo Muhuri Para of Double Mooring in Chattogram. Some sources said he was a vice-president of Ward 24 South Agrabad Awami League, though no official documents were seen. Child rescued from deep tube-well hole in Ctg dies The hospital death certificate listed the cause of death as carcinoma of the lung with brain metastasis, along with high blood pressure, COPD, and diabetes. Syed Shah Sharif, the jailer of Chattogram Central Jail said, “The higher authorities have been informed about the inmate’s death and the necessary legal procedures are underway.”  

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived in Chattogram on Saturday evening to begin the second phase of his election campaign ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. He landed at Shah Amanat International Airport around 7:15pm by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, said BNP Media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He will spend the night in Chattogram and will join the election campaign in Chattogram and surrounding districts on Sunday,” said Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of BNP’s election steering committee. He said Tarique will join a ‘Youth Policy Talk’ at a hotel in Chattogram at 9:30am on Sunday with around 300 university students. At the event, he will outline the party’s policy proposals on education, employment, agriculture, health, women’s empowerment and the environment, among other issues. Read More: Tarique urges voters to back BNP, warns against vote fraud Later in the day, Tarique will address a mass rally at the historic Polo Ground, marking his first visit to Chattogram in more than two decades. Party leaders said the rally is expected to draw a very large crowd, with organisers expecting up to o10 lakh people. A 100-foot-long and 60-foot-wide stage has been constructed, and separate areas have been set aside for women and the media. Around 200 microphones and 10 LED screens will allow people outside the ground to follow his speech. The rally has created excitement across the city, with streets, BNP offices and local gathering points decorated with posters and slogans. Party leaders said Tarique’s return after 21 years carries deep emotional and symbolic significance for supporters in Chattogram. Read More: Sylhet sets the stage as Tarique ready to launch BNP’s election campaign Following the Chattogram programme, Tarique will address rallies at Feni Pilot School ground, Chauddagram High School ground in Cumilla, Sonagazi Digbazi Field, Daudkandi Central Eidgah ground, and Kanchpur Balur Math in Narayanganj. Party leaders said the visit is expected to boost the party’s momentum ahead of the polls and give a fresh push to BNP’s campaign. Tarique is expected to instruct leaders to work in unity and seek public support for the party’s electoral symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. Security measures have been strengthened in and around the Polo Ground. The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has prohibited weapons, explosives, sticks, bricks, stones, unauthorised placards, and drones in the rally area. Legal action will be taken against violators, the police said. Tarique launched the first phase of his election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet’s Alia Madrasah ground, speaking at seven rallies in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj.

After nearly 21 years, the historic Polo Ground in the port city of Chattogram is once again set to witness a defining political moment as BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman prepares to address a major election rally on Sunday. The port city is buzzing with excitement as BNP leaders, activists and supporters from across Chattogram pour in, turning the area around the Polo Ground into a hive of political activity. For many, the occasion carries deep emotional and symbolic weight, marking Tarique Rahman’s return to the city after a gap of 20 years and seven months. This rally will formally launch the second phase of the BNP’s election campaign, with party insiders describing it as a crucial moment in shaping momentum ahead of the polls. Streets, party offices and local gathering points across the city are alive with preparations, posters and slogans, reflecting the heightened enthusiasm surrounding the visit. Tarique Rahman is scheduled to take the stage at around 11:30am, when thousands are expected to gather at the historic ground, long associated with landmark political events in Chattogram’s history. Organisers say the rally is expected to be one of the largest BNP gatherings the city has seen in recent years. A 100-foot-long and 60-foot-wide stage is being constructed at the venue, where workers were seen busy with preparations on Saturday afternoon.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to begin the second phase of his election campaign from Chattogram on Sunday, completing electioneering in Sylhet. “Our leader Tarique Rahman is travelling to Chattogram today as part of his election campaign. He will depart Dhaka at 7:35pm by air and spend the night in Chattogram,” said Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of BNP’s election steering committee. He made the remarks at a press briefing at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office on Saturday morning. Mahdi said Tarique will join a ‘Youth Policy Talk’ at a hotel in the port city with around 300 university students at 9:30am on Sunday. At the event, the BNP chief will outline his party’s policy proposals on education, employment, agriculture, health, women’s empowerment and the environment, among other issues, Mahdi added. BNP to ensure safety of Hindu community if elected: Mirza Fakhrul Later in the afternoon, Tarique will address a mass rally at the Chattogram Polo Ground. Following the Chattogram programmes, he will address campaign rallies at Feni Pilot School ground, Chauddagram High School ground in Cumilla, Sonagazi Digbazi Field, Daudkandi Central Eidgah ground, and Kanchpur Balur Math in Narayanganj. Tarique launched the first phase of his election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet’s Alia Madrasah ground and spoke at seven rallies in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj the same day.

An officer of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was killed and three others were injured in a gun attack by armed criminals while recovering weapons in the hilly area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda on Monday evening (January 19, 2026). The deceased was identified as Abdul Motaleb, a Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of RAB-7. Read more: Chankharpul massacre verdict on Tuesday; BTV to air live Three other officials- Lance Naik Imam, Naik Arif, and Constable Rifat- were critically injured and admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Sirajul Islam. Md Sohel Rana, in-charge of the Sitakunda Fouzdarhat Police Outpost, said RAB-7 came under the gun attack by armed criminals during the arms recovery drive. He said Jungle Salimpur is a remote hilly area where thousands of illegal settlements have grown over the past four decades on government and khas land. The region has long served as a safe haven for hill grabbers, armed criminals, and land mafias. The area is reportedly still controlled by armed groups, making entry for outsiders extremely difficult, added the in-charge. Read more: Justice trails shadows; RAB arrests suspect in brutal Banasree murder

A Chattogram court on Monday indicted 39 people including spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in lawyer Saiful Islam Alif murder case. Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Zahidul Haque framed charges against them after hearing the law-point arguments from both sides. Though the indictment the trial in the case started officially, said public prosecutor SUM Nurul Islam. An unprecedented security measures were taken on the court premises during the hearing and check-post was set up at the main gate of the court. Twenty-three accused including Chinmoy Das were produced before the court around 9:45 am amid tight security. Sixteen other accused in the case remained absconding. Slain lawyer Alif’s father Jamal Uddin was present at the court. On November 26, 2024, followers of Chinmoy Das intercepted a prison van carrying him after his bail prayer was rejected by a court in a sedition case. Lawyer Alif was stabbed to death during a clash between law enforcers and Chinmoy’s supporters on the court premises. On November 29, 2024, victim’s father Jamal Uddin filed a case naming 31 accused and 15 to 16 unnamed others with Kotwali Police Station. Ctg Lawyer Alif Murder: Police press charges against 38 On July 1, 2025, police pressed charges against 38 people but the plaintiff of the case filed a ‘naraji’ a no-confidence motion) petition. Three main accused in the case—Chandan Das, Ripon Das and Rajib Bhattarcharya gave confessional statements before the court.  

A mild earthquake was felt in parts of Bangladesh including Chattogram early Tuesday (December 02). The tremor measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale was recorded at 12:55am, said meteorologist Shahnaj Sultana of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry The epicentre was in Mingin of Myanmar 431 km southeast of BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon, she said.

Pakistan Navy ship ‘PNS Saif’ (FFG-253) arrived at Chittagong Port on Saturday (8th November 2025) on a four-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh, as both countries seem to rebuild ties after decades of cold relations. Chief Staff Officer of Commander Chattogram Naval Area received the vessel on behalf of the Commander, Chattogram Naval Area. A well-decorated naval band of the Bangladesh Navy performed ceremonial tunes in keeping with naval tradition. Officials from the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka and senior officers of the Bangladesh Navy were also present to welcome the visiting ship and its team. Dhaka eyes new horizons in partnership with Kathmandu Earlier, upon entering Bangladesh’s maritime boundary, the ship was welcomed at sea by Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Shadhinota. During the visit, the commanding officer of ‘PNS Saif’ and other members of the delegation are scheduled to pay courtesy calls on Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander BN Fleet, and Area Superintendent Dockyard. Officers, sailors, and trainees from the visiting ship will also visit various historic and tourist sites, naval ships and establishments in Chattogram. In turn, officers and sailors of the Bangladesh Navy will visit PNS Saif. The ship is scheduled to depart Bangladesh on November 12, 2025. Read more: Pakistan keen to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh: Visiting CJCSC

Five activists of the BNP sustained bullet injuries in a gun attack allegedly carried out by rivals over establishing dominance in Raozan upazila of Chattogram district on Wednesday (5th November 2025) night. The incident occurred around 11:45pm in Chowdhurypara area under Ward No. 4 of Bagowan union, according to police and locals. The injured were identified as Abdullah Sumon, general secretary of the upazila unit of Sramik Dal, and activists Ismail, Khorshed, Rubel and Sohel. Of them, Sumon’s condition is reported to be critical. All five are currently undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH). Locals said a group of unidentified assailants arrived on motorcycles and in a car before opening fire indiscriminately on the BNP men. Hearing their screams, residents rushed to the scene and rescued the injured, taking them to CMCH. One killed, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah injured in Ctg gun attack Locals alleged that police reached the spot about an hour and a half after the shooting, which caused panic in the area. They claimed that the attack stemmed from a conflict between two local BNP factions over establishing supremacy. Md Jabbar, a local resident, said the assailants fled the scene soon after the attack. Raozan Upazila BNP president Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said the victims were returning home after attending a preparatory meeting ahead of the party’s observance of ‘Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on November 7. He said nine to ten armed men ambushed the BNP and affiliated activists in Bagowan Kuiyapara Chowdhurypara area, adding that Sumon’s condition remained critical. The officer-in-charge of Raozan Police Station could not be reached despite repeated attempts. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md Belayet Hossain of the Raozan–Rangunia Circle said police had been deployed in the area to prevent any further untoward incidents, and an investigation was underway. Earlier in the day, BNP’s Chattogram-8 candidate Ershad Ullah was shot and injured during a campaign event in the city’s Bayezid area, where one of his associates, Sarwar Babla, was killed. Prof Yunus orders security forces to hunt down attackers behind Ctg violence On October 25, local Jubo Dal leader Md Alamgir Alam was killed in a similar gun attack in the same upazila. Meanwhile, at least 17 people have been killed in the upazila over the past year, including 12 BNP activists, four Chhatra and Jubo League men, and one expatriate.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has directed the security forces to spare no effort in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators and to bring them swiftly to justice, stressing that violence and intimidation have no place in our political and social life. "The CMP has already launched a manhunt for the attackers," he said. The interim government on Wednesday (5th November 2025) strongly condemned the violent attack at an election campaign event of Ershad Ullah, the nominated candidate of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for Chattogram-8. In a statement, the government called upon all political actors and their supporters to uphold calm, show restraint and ensure that the February general election takes place in an atmosphere of peace, dignity, and fairness. Read more: Five BNP men wounded in Raozan gun attack "The government will do its part by taking all necessary measures to guarantee the secure and peaceful conditions required for free, fair, credible and festive elections across Bangladesh," said the statement issued by the Chief Adviser's press wing. Immediate investigation by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) indicates that Ershad Ullah was not the target of the attack, but a stray bullet hit and injured him.  The government wishes him an early recovery. A full probe has been ordered. The government expressed its deep concern at this criminal act and reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting the safety and rights of all candidates and citizens participating in the democratic process. Read more: One killed, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah injured in Ctg gun attack