United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged people across the country to cast their votes for his party’s election symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, on February 12 to give a befitting reply to autocracy. “If people respond by stamping the Sheaf of Paddy on ballot papers, the autocrats who had taken away your rights will get a clear answer,” he told an election rally. The BNP chief said people protested over the last 16 or 17 years against injustice and against the taking away of their rights by the autocratic regime. “If those rights are to be restored, all of you must be vocal on February 12.” Speaking about BNP’s political philosophy, Tarique said the party believes in peaceful coexistence among people of all religions. “To us, the most important identity is being a citizen of Bangladesh. Religion or caste is not our priority. People matter most to us,” he said. Tarique said BNP wants to value people as human beings and believes that only a people-backed government can solve the real problems of the country. The rally began at 3:00pm with recitation from the Holy Quran at the BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj district. Tarique Rahman reached Sirajganj by road from Bogura around 3:30pm. During the rally, he introduced BNP candidates from Sirajganj and Pabna districts and urged voters to support them by voting for the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’.

At least nine supporters of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates were injured following a clash between the groups in Ullapara on the first day of campaigning on Thursday (January 22, 2026). The identities of the injured could not be immediately confirmed, said Rupkar, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Ullapara Model Police Station. Read more: BNP leader shot and injured in Keraniganj OC Rupkar said both sides were campaigning in Tetulia village under the Sirajganj-4 (Ullapara) constituency when a verbal argument escalated into a physical clash. Supporters from both sides reportedly chased each other, and private cars and motorcycles belonging to Jamaat supporters were vandalised. Police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Patrolling has been strengthened in the area to prevent further clashes. Legal action will be taken if any formal complaints are filed regarding the incident, added the OC. Read more: No loan defaulter to be allowed to rule Bangladesh: Nahid 

Vast stretches of mustard fields across Sirajganj have burst into radiant shades of yellow, turning the district into a rolling sea of gold and offering a visual feast that is delighting visitors and farmers alike. From late afternoon until dusk, the flowering fields have become a magnet for people of all ages. Youths, women and men are seen wandering through the blossoms, pausing to admire the view, capturing selfies against the glowing backdrop of nature’s seasonal spectacle. The golden transformation is most striking in Tarash, Raiganj, Ullapara and the char areas—long known as the district’s ‘granary’—where mustard flowers sway gently in the winter breeze, painting the countryside with warmth and colour. Read more: Golden Harvest: Sirajganj farmers reap bumper mustard crop According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a cultivation target of 87,125 hectares was set for mustard farming across Sirajganj’s nine upazilas this season. Farmers, however, have gone beyond expectations, bringing even more land under cultivation and raising hopes of a bumper harvest. Mustard farming has expanded notably in the Chalan Beel areas, particularly in Tarash, Raiganj, Ullapara and Shahjadpur upazilas. Significant cultivation has also been recorded in Kamarkhanda, Kazipur, Belkuchi and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas, reflecting a district-wide surge in production. Among the commonly cultivated varieties are Tori-7, BARI-14, Beena-9 and Beena-14. In the char areas, farmers have opted for the uric acid-free Kalania variety, well-suited to the region’s soil and conditions. Read more: Chapainawabganj farmer sparks local excitement with amazing Chinese orange harvest Local farmers said government incentives have played a crucial role in encouraging cultivation. Seeds and fertilisers were distributed at fixed rates, while agricultural officers provided regular guidance and technical advice to ensure better yields. With favourable weather prevailing, farmers remain optimistic about achieving a bumper output this season. Adding to the vibrancy of the fields, honey collectors from different areas have already installed bee boxes among the mustard crops. Harvesting of mustard flower honey has begun, and collectors expect production to surpass last year’s levels due to the increased acreage under cultivation. Deputy Director of the DAE, AKM Manjur-e-Maula, said farmers had brought more land under mustard cultivation this year compared to the previous season. “We distributed free seeds and fertilisers among small and marginal farmers and provided necessary advice. If the weather remains favourable, there is a strong possibility of a bumper mustard harvest this season,” he said. As Sirajganj’s fields glow under winter skies, the mustard bloom stands not only as a scenic delight but also as a symbol of agricultural promise and rural resilience. Read more: Khulna farmers reap rewards from mustard cultivation, honey production

The water level of the Jamuna River in Sirajganj continues to rise due to heavy rainfall and flash floods coming down from the hills. According to Nazmul Hossain, Sub-Divisional Engineer (Headquarter) of the local Water Development Board, the water level at Sirajganj and Kazipur points has increased by 30 centimetres over the past 24 hours, raising concerns of flooding among the riverside residents. He said the water level of the Jamuna has been rising for the third consecutive time in Sirajganj as heavy rains have continued intermittently for several weeks along with flash floods. As a result, low-lying areas of Kazipur, Belkuchi, Shahjadpur, Chauhali, and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas along the Jamuna riverbank have been inundated, submerging various crops including til (sesame) and kaun (millet). Water level of Jamuna rises again in Sirajganj, triggering flood concerns Some low-lying areas of Shahjadpur, Chauhali, and Kazipur have already been flooded. At the same time, riverbank erosion has been reported in several places across the five upazilas. The local Water Development Board is closely monitoring the erosion-affected areas and taking necessary measures, he added. Nazmul Hossain further said that the water level of the Jamuna may rise for a few more days, but there is no expectation of major flooding.

Three young men had been killed after a motorcycle was hit by a truck in the Bhadraghat Bazar area on the Sirajganj-Nalka regional highway in Kamarkhand upazila, police said on Thursday. The deadly clash occurred on Wednesday night. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Zahidul Islam, 21, son of Joynal Sheikh; Md Abdul Gaffar, 20, son of Abdul Hai – both from Sengati village in Raiganj upazila – and Shoeb Ali, 21, son of Abdul Wadud from Teghori village in Tarash upazila. Kamarkhand Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Abdul Latif said the three youths were heading towards Sirajganj town from the Nalka area on a motorcycle around 8pm when a truck loaded with poultry coming from the opposite direction hit them and fled the scene. Motorbike-truck collision leaves two youths dead in Pabna All three died on the spot, the OC said. He added that by the time police arrived, family members of the victims had already taken the bodies. “Efforts are underway to trace and seize the truck,” said the OC.

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.

A schoolboy was beaten to death allegedly by a man and his son at Old Ferry Ghat Balu Point of Hossainpur in Sirajganj town on Friday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Md Ashiq Hossain, 15, a 10th-grade student and son of Dulal Hossain of the Hossainpur. Sirajganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Humayun Kabir said Ashiq went to bathe at a water pump owned by Al-Amin around 4pm on Friday. Al-Amin and his son Rifat, 15, of Hossainpur Bou Bazar area, reportedly forbade him from doing so, triggering an altercation. At one point, Ashiq was struck in the neck with a bamboo stick that him dead on the spot. Couple drowns as boat sinks in Pabna Following the incident, Al Amin and his son fled the area. Upon receiving information, police recovered Ashiq’s body from the scene in the evening and sent it to Shaheed M Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. The body was handed over to the family after the post-mortem on Saturday morning. The process of filing a case over the incident is underway, the OC added.

A man was killed and nine others were injured in a clash between two groups of locals over collection of donations for an under-construction mosque in Belkuchi upazila of Sirajganj, said police on Sunday. The deceased was Azhar Ali, 46, son of Abdus Sattar of Chhoto Saguna village under the upazila. Police, however, detained three accused—Amir Hamza, Mosharraf Hossain, and Shahin Anowar Master in this connection. Locals said followers of Alauddin and Karimul groups locked into an argument over the matter on Friday afternoon. A clash broke out between the groups centring Friday’s matter before the Iftar on Saturday, leaving 10 people injured, they said. Brick kiln demolished, another fined in Sirajganj Considering condition, Azhar was rushed to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura where he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment early Sunday, said Belkuchi police station’s Officer-in-Charge Zakaria Hossain. The rest injured received treatment from several hospitals, he said. Additional police personnel were deployed in the area to ward off any unexpected incident further, he said, adding that a murder case was filed in this connection.

A woman was stabbed to death allegedly by her husband  at Brajbala Murutia village in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj on Wednesday night.  The victim was identified as Ruma Khatun, 23, daughter of Motahar Pramanik of Sontala village in Ullapara upazila.  Shahjadpur police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Aslam Ali said her husband  Ashraful Islam Sohag was arrested from a neighbouring house on Thursday.  Youth stabbed dead in Khulna Police said Ashraful stabbed Ruma in her stomach and chest at one stage of altercation, leaving her dead on the spot. Ashraful went into hiding after the murder.  Upon receiving information, police recovered Ruma’s body on Thursday morning and sent it to Shaheed M Mansur Ali Medical College Hospital for an autopsy.  A murder case was filed in this connection, the OC added.

Former Awami League MP  from Sirajganj-6 (Shahjadpur) constituency Chayan Islam has been arrested from a residence of his relative in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur, said police on Monday morning. Chayan’s wife and an associate were also detained from the house and taken to the police station.  Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sreepur police station Joynal Abedin Mondol said being tipped-off they came to know that the former MP was hiding in the house in Tepir Bagan village. Graft case: Ex-AL MP gets 4 years jail in Jashore Police arrested him from the house with the help of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and BNP activists around 12:30am on Sunday, he said.   The former lawmaker had been hiding in the house for around the past two months, the OC said, adding that they took his wife and an associate under their custody.