Two days after the clash between Rajshahi University students and locals, situation on the campus has become normal -- with classes and exams resuming today.  Bus services have also resumed on the Rajshahi-Dhaka highway in front of the main gate of the university. Rajshahi University Proctor Prof Ashabul Haque said, "Situation on the campus has become normal. Students have returned to classes and are sitting for exams. The demands of the students have already been accepted." Meanwhile, Professor Farid Uddin Khan, of the Department of Economics, staged a sit-in program at Zoha Chattar of the university from 10 am to 11 am today, protesting the attack on students. Around a hundred students expressed solidarity with Prof Farid Uddin Khan. Professor Farid said, "Due to the negligence of the university administration, locals and the police attacked on the campus. When the police attacked, the students were behind the Binodpur gate of the university. The police entered and attacked them." "Many students are still injured and admitted at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. There is no question of conducting exams in this situation. I am holding this peaceful program by boycotting classes, in solidarity with students," he said. Meanwhile, a case has been filed against 200 to 300 people with the Railway Police Station, for blocking the railway line and destroying government property, said Abdul Karim, station superintendent of Rajshahi Railway Station.

Police filed a case against 250-300 unidentified people in connection with Saturday’s clash between Rajshahi University (RU) students and local people. Sub-inspector of Motihar Police Station Amanat Ullah filed the case last night. Confirming the development, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Rafiqul Alam, said that police have filed a case with Motihar Police station against unnamed people. Read more: Those who set fire on rail line are outsiders: RU VC The authorities of Rajshahi University yesterday afternoon filed a case against more than 500 unnamed people in connection with Saturday’s clash. Following this case, police have arrested a businessman named Taslim Ali alias Peter (45). Moreover, the university authorities formed a 5-member probe committee to investigate into the incident. Pro Vice-chancellor Prof Humayun Kabir is leading the committee.  

Eleven athletes, including three under-17 players, and a coach, who participated in the just-concluded Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games in Dhaka, were arrested  in Rajshahi on charges of ‘beating’ a police officer and ‘stealing’ his wife’s ornaments. The arrestees are Brishti Moni, 16, Jemi Akter, 14, Rimi Khanan, 17, Farhana Khandokar, 17, Sabrina Akter, 19, Dipali, 19, Papia Sarwar Purnima, 19, Khadiza Khatun, 18, Abdul Al Jahid, 16, Ali Azam, 19, Ramjan, 19, Akash Ali Mohan, 20, and coach Ahsan Kabir, 45. Belal Hossain, a relative of a minor female athlete said, the athletes and the coach returned to Rajshahi by Dhumketu Express train from Dhaka Sunday noon. Also Read: Youth Games: Rangpur, Rajshahi divisions reach women's football final Police constable Golam Kibria assaulted a female athlete while the athletes were searching for their missing luggage after the train reached Rajshahi rail station, he alleged. “He attacked another athlete as well. After they got off the train a fight erupted again,” he said. He also said railway police took them to the police station to settle the matter but later filed a case against them. Also Read: PM Hasina opens final phase of Sheikh Kamal Youth Games Gopal Kumar, officer-in-charge of Rajshahi Railway Police Station, said, police constable Golam Kibria’s wife Sultana Razia Sultana filed the case against athletes alleging that they beat up her husband and stole her gold chain. Kibria was sent to the Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital, he said. He also said that the police officer’s brother Golam Sarwar, also a witness in the case, denied any incident inside the train. “He claimed they had a dispute over getting off the train, and then a fight erupted,” said the OC. Liton Hossain, acting chief judicial magistrate of the chief judicial magistrate court of Rajshahi, sent seven of the accused athletes to jail when they were produced before the court. Women and Child repression Prevention Tribunal-2 granted the minors and women athletes interim bail till 10 am on Monday. The lawyer of the accused, Mainul Islam said, there’s no specific allegation against the minors. “Judge Md. Hasanuzzaman will give the final decision after the full hearing on Monday,” he said.    

Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions reached the final of the women's football at the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023 after winning the semi-finals at the BFF Artificial Turf in Motijheel Wednesday. In the women's semi-final, Rangpur made the final after thrashing Chattogram 7-2 riding on four goals from Swapna. Also, Rivana netted two goals in the 57th and 71st minutes; Mowrashi scored one. Menti Chakma scored both goals for Chattogram in the 75th and 88th minutes. Read more: Malan century guides England home as Tigers bemoan batting woes In today's other semi-final, Rajshahi managed to secure their place in the final after beating Dhaka 3-2 in the tie-breaker as the regular time ended in a 0-0 draw. The men's gold medal match between Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions will be held Friday at 3 pm at the Paltan Maidan Outer Stadium.

Rangpur and Rajshahi Divisions reached the men's football final of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games' 2023 eliminating their rivals in the semifinals at the Palton Outer Stadium in the capital on Tuesday.  Rangpur Division booked a seat for the final eliminating Khulna Division by 3-0 goals in the day's first semifinal in the afternoon.  Alamgir struck twice in the 73rd and 90th minutes while Shahriar opened the Rangpur account in the 18th minute. In the day's 2nd semifinal, Rajshahi Division eliminated Sylhet Division beating them by 2-0 goals also on Tuesday afternoon. Also Read: Youth Games Handball: Rangpur Div clinch women's title beating Dhaka Div by 30-17 goal  After a barren first half, Saddik put Rajshahi ahead in the 67th minute while Akash sounded the margin scoring one more goal for Rajshahi in the 84th minute.  The gold medal deciding men's final match between Rangpur and Rajshahi Divisions will be held on Friday (March 3) at 2:45 pm at the same venue while the 3rd place deciding match between two losing semifinalists will be held on Thursday (March 2) also at 2:45 pm.    

A school teacher and a van driver were killed after a bus hit the van at Mohanpur upazila in Rajshahi district on Monday morning. The deceased were identified as Mustafizur Rahman Uzzal, an English teacher at Nakheel Ideal High School, and van driver Mobarak Hossain. Read more: 2 killed in Ctg road accidents The accident occurred around 8:30am at Keshorhaat area of the upazila when the Rajshahi-bound bus coming from Naogaon hit the van, leaving the duo critically injured, said Selim Badsha, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mohanpur Police Station. Locals rushed them to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital where teacher Uzzal succumbed to his injuries around 1pm. Later, the van driver died around 2:30pm while undergoing treatment at the hospital, added the OC. Police seized the bus, said the OC, adding that legal action will be taken in this regard.

A new episode of Young Bangla’s ongoing interactive session “Let’s Talk” where university students and youths from different walks of life get a chance to speak to policymakers – to lend out their concerns and aspirations centering the social safety net schemes amid global headwinds – is set to be streamed on Facebook this Friday at 9 pm.  The participants and panelists discussed students’ participation, combating drug addiction, ways of improving interdepartmental coordination, meeting consumer demands, competency to deal with the pandemic in the future, women’s safety in public places, road safety, roles and responsibilities of the ministry of public administration, coordination between different local government agencies and many more. Held on February 15, 2023, Young Bangla organized its 43rd episode of “Let’s Talk”, tilted ‘Social Safety and Security’, at the University of Rajshahi – bringing in a diverse group of policymakers, experts and students. In addition to Young Bangla, the country’s largest youth platform, a number of private television channels will also stream the 30-minute event. At the event, policymakers, experts, students and others youths of Rajshahi had an interactive discussion and idea-sharing session. The session focused on contemporary issues, especially on the government initiatives to ensure social safety and security. Read more: CRI's 'Let's Talk': Speakers back govt initiatives to shore up energy security Farhad Hossain MP, State Minister for Public Administration; Khadizatul Anwar MP; Professor Dr. Golam Shabbir Sattar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Rajshahi; and Dr Sakia Haque, Joy Bangla Youth Award winner 2018 and Founder of Travelettes of Bangladesh, participated as panelists on this “Let’s Talk” event. More than 250 students from the University of Rajshahi, Varendra University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi College, and others took part in the event and directly discussed, asked questions, and shared their opinion with the panelists. State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said, “It is our job to deliver all government services ensuring public safety through efficient public administration. “We strive to develop our officials in such a way that they have a service-minded attitude. So that they can serve everyone equally and better,” he said. He also added that the government wants the youths to come forward with their talents and skills to build a smart Bangladesh. “They should take the opportunities to avail government facilities and services, i.e., getting government funds, loans, and training and prove themselves in the competitive market,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring law and order for safety, including zero-tolerance against terrorism and violence against women. We have taken several steps to protect women’s rights and empower them, including legal support for victims of violence, and skills training and financial support for women’s economic empowerment.” In response to a question relating to ongoing inflation due to the pandemic and different international conflicts, he added that Bangladesh is doing better than many countries and is on the development track. He added that the prime minister emphasizes on food security to deal with inflation. “We have sufficient fertilizer, seeds, and pesticides. Positive thinking, approach and activities can help us to overcome such challenges and to create a smart Bangladesh.” Khadizatul Anwar MP said, “Reporting is important to prevent intimate personal violence. The government can only act against such crimes when it receives reports. Women must break the silence and raise their voices against intimate personal violence.” “They must seek help from the government to stop such violence as the government has introduced several initiatives to protect women from such heinous crimes. Women can also talk to family and friends and seek support to prevent this. Women leaders and celebrities can speak up about this issue and share their experiences to raise awareness among general people.” She added that youths should come forward to ensure social safety and security.

A mobile court in Rajshahi sentenced two poachers to one year in jail for killing at least 600  birds in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi. Police arrested them with 600 slaughtered birds of different species from the Kakramari Patir Bil area on Wednesday. The convicted poachers are Abu Bakar Siddiki, 55, and Firoz Hossain, 32. Tipped off, a team from Charghat police station raided that area and arrested them, said UNO Sohrab Hossain.  Also Read: Two poachers held with venison, animal hides in Bagerhat According to police, the poachers killed the birds to sell in local hotels and restaurants. “They were sentenced to one year and fined TK 1 thousand as per the ‘Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act- 2012’. They were sent to jail,” said the UNO. The dead birds were sent to a local orphanage.  

On suspicion of theft of Tk10 lakh, two construction workers were beaten to death at an under-construction building in the Rajshahi city's Safura BSCIC area Thursday night, police said. The law enforcers detained four people over the incident. They also recovered videos from the accused which show them beating the workers up. Rezaul Karim, 45, from Naogaon's Manda and Rakibul Islam, 35, from Chapainawabganj's Shibganj were tied to a pole and beaten up from noon to 8pm at night. Mazharul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Boalia Police Station, said Rezaul and Rakibul had been working at the building of Modern Food Factory owner Mohammad Abdullah in front of Bishal Biscuit Factory for the past few days.   Read more: Man beaten to death over ‘theft charge’ in Gaibandha On suspicion of theft of Tk10 lakh from the food factory owner's home yesterday, Abdullah, his brother-in-law Moin Uddin Real, father-in-law Masum Reza and factory Manager Imran tied up the workers and beat them up with iron rods and sticks to extract a confession. On information, police rushed to the spot and rescued the workers, both in critical condition.They were taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) where Rezaul was declared dead at 8:30pm, the OC said. "Rakibul succumbed to his injuries around 9.30pm while undergoing treatment." The bodies were kept at the RMCH morgue for autopsies and will be handed over to the families after the completion of legal procedures, he said. So far, no case has been lodged at the police station over the incident, he added.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated 26 development projects in Rajshahi, worth around Tk 1,333 crore. Of the 26, seven projects are for Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC). The PM also laid foundation stones of six other development projects with an estimated cost of Tk 376.28 crore. The prime minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of the projects joining a mammoth public rally organised by Rajshahi city and district units of Awami League at the historic Madrasa Maidan. Foundation stones were laid for Tk 24 crore Information Complex, Tk 8.35 crore Regional PSC Office Building, Tk 62 crore Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam Girls High School, Tk 53 crore Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Boys High School, Tk 162 crore BKSP Regional Training Centre, and Tk 66 crore Rajshahi WASA Building. The implemented projects include a 58ft mural of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, built by Rajshahi City Corporation at the city’s C&B Crossing, at a cost of around Tk 5.03 crore. Also read: PM set to address Rajshahi rally, huge turnout at venue The city corporation has also implemented other projects including Sheikh Russel Shishu Park, Flyover on Mohanpur Railway Crossing, four-lane road and road divider with a separate lane for slow moving vehicles from Vadra Rail Crossing to Nawdapara bus terminal, four-lane road and road divider including a separate lane for slow-moving vehicles from Bilsimla railway crossing to City Haat and road widening, development from Kalpana Cinema Hall to Talaimary crossing and road carpeting, drain and footpath construction from Rentur Kharir Arat to Dhalur Mor via Hi-tech Park and road construction from the court to Shahartali Club. Aimed at ushering in a new horizon in recreation, particularly for children, the Sheikh Russel Shishu Park on 2.14 acre in Chhotobangram area with an estimated cost of Tk 4.43 crore is nearing completion. The Roads and Highway Department has constructed a highway from Puthia to Bagmara at a cost of Tk 116.83 crore. Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank has implemented upward extension work from the sixth floor to tenth floor of its head office at a cost of Tk 10.21 crore. Rajshahi Metropolitan Police as built its headquarters at a cost of Tk 20.08 crore. Rajshahi National Heart Foundation Hospital has been established in Laxmipur area at a cost of Tk 14.46 crore. A Technical Training Centre has been built at Mohanpur Upazila at a cost of Tk 22.18 crore. Rajshahi Shishu Hospital has also been established at a cost of around Tk 22.90 crore. Rajshahi Medical College has constructed its administrative building at costs of around Tk 15 crore. A multi-storey Social Service Complex has been built in Rajshahi involving around Tk 12.78 crore. A two-storey female hostel has been constructed on a six-storey foundation at Rajshahi Government Women's College for Tk 5.58 crore. A five-storey academic building of Technical School and College has been built at Charghat costing around Tk 17.20 crore. A multipurpose building has been constructed at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital at a cost of around Tk 8.96 crore. The Civil Surgeon’s Office has also been established at a cost of Tk 4.27 crore. Bangladesh Water Development Board has been implementing two projects to protect the left banks from erosion of the Padma river in Charghat and Bagha upazilas involving around Tk 694.34 crore. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has been constructing two roads under its Rural Connectivity Improvement Project involving around Tk 43.96 crore. A multipurpose auditorium has been constructed at Rajshahi PTI at a cost of Tk 8.92 crore. The Upazila Muktijoddha Complex Building has been built in Rajshahi city at a cost of Tk 2.81 crore.