United News of Bangladesh

What was once a revered national landmark honouring three of Bengal’s most influential political figures has now become a sanctuary for drug dealers, addicts and the homeless. The Mausoleum of the three leaders -- dedicated to AK Fazlul Huq, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Khwaja Nazimuddin -- stands in quiet neglect beside Dhaka University, its symbolic gravitas now lost amid open drug trade and structural decay. Built in 1985 to commemorate these stalwarts of pre-independence Bengal, the mausoleum was meant to serve as a site of reflection and national pride. Today, it tells a different story -- one of administrative indifference, lawlessness and societal failures. Security Lapses The collapse of order around the mausoleum worsened following the murder of Dhaka University student Shammo on May 13. In a subsequent crackdown, police launched raids to clear vagrants and drug users from the adjacent Suhrawardy Udyan. That campaign, however, merely displaced the problem: many of the evicted people moved straight into the nearby mausoleum grounds. A recent on-site inspection revealed a complete absence of security or maintenance staff. A large section of the front boundary wall is missing and several portions lack iron fencing, allowing unrestricted entry. The entire wall facing Dhaka Gate has disappeared. Locals blame scrap thieves for the damage. “Street kids and vagrants have been removing the iron bars to sell them,” said a nearby footpath vendor, requesting anonymity out of fear. Shelter for the Homeless, Hub for Drugs Throughout the day, people can be seen loitering or sleeping on the main platform and around the graves. Some are visibly under the influence, others are openly using drugs. When asked, a man in his fifties who was seated on a grave responded bluntly, “Where else can we go? We live here now.” Multiple sources said the majority of people occupying the site are involved in drug use or distribution. Flourishing Open Drug Market With Suhrawardy Udyan now off-limits, the mausoleum has become a new hub for narcotics. Witnesses said drugs are sold openly near the Dhaka Gate, beneath metro rail pillars and along surrounding roads. Consumers often use the mausoleum grounds immediately after purchasing drugs. Karwan Bazar Railway: The go-to place for illegal drugs in Dhaka Although the Public Works Department officially oversees the site, no permanent security or caretaking staff are posted. On Thursday (July 17), a team from Shahbagh Police Station carried out a brief raid around 5:30pm. Several people were detained and addicts removed—but within minutes, the dealers were back and business resumed as usual. A teenage drug peddler, looked to be around 14 or 15, told UNB, “We used to sell in the park. After getting kicked out, we now sell here.” Asked where he lives, he pointed directly to the mausoleum platform. He named his supplier as a man called ‘Nabi’. Murder Linked to Drug Network On June 15, an 18-year-old named Mobarak was stabbed to death near Shishu Park in Shahbagh. His cousin, Rabiul, said the killing stemmed from a drug-related dispute with Nabi, the same person allegedly operating in the mausoleum area. Police Admit Challenges Officer-in-charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station Khalid Mansur told UNB, “We are conducting daily raids and mobile court operations. Just last night (Thursday), we detained three drug dealers and seized over 1 kg of cannabis. One of them has been arrested under the Narcotics Control Act.” He mentioned the limitations of police action alone: “But without a coordinated initiative, this drug trade cannot be stopped. We are planning a joint operation soon with the Department of Narcotics Control and RAB. We've also notified the Public Works Department to repair the boundary wall around the mausoleum. We’re doing our part, and we've repeatedly urged them to step up as well.” Public Works Department Silent Despite several attempts, UNB was unable to reach Abul Kalam Azad, the designated official from the Public Works Department, for comment on the site’s restoration or security fencing. Court destroys large haul of seized drugs in Brahmanbaria A Heritage Site in Peril More than just a burial ground, the Mausoleum of the three leaders was meant to serve as a lasting tribute to the vision and contributions of three key architects of Bengal’s political past. Today, its symbolic power is being eroded -- both literally and figuratively -- by systemic neglect, criminal infiltration, and a lack of institutional accountability. Unless urgent, coordinated efforts are undertaken, this national monument may soon be remembered not for its historical significance, but for how it was allowed to fall apart.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday delivered a firm rebuke to those who would like to see a restoration of the country’s “rotten old system,” saying, “First bring back the lives of those who sacrificed themselves in the July struggle—if you have the power. But you won’t be able to.” He made the remarks while addressing a large national rally at Dhaka’s historic Suhrawardy Udyan, the party’s first-ever public gathering at the venue. “The martyrs of July gave their lives for the freedom of the nation. If everything from the past is to be restored, then what did they die for?” Dr Rahman asked. “We are indebted to those who were tortured, disabled, or martyred in the fight against tyranny. May Allah grant us the strength to repay that debt as long as Jamaat-e-Islami exists.” The Jamaat chief mentioned several individuals who fell ill during the rally, including Khulna's upazila-level leader Maulana Abu Sayeed and Pabna’s elderly activist Mustafizur Rahman. “May Allah grant Paradise to those who passed away,” he said. Dr Rahman fell ill himself while delivering his speech and had to pause briefly. Upon recovering, he resumed his remarks and declared, “As long as I live, I will fight for the people, InshaAllah. Our struggle will continue until the people of Bangladesh are truly free.” He emphasized that the next major battle would be against corruption: “Another war is coming—against corruption. With the strength of our youth, we will launch that fight, InshaAllah.” Dr Rahman made a series of promises in case Jamaat comes to power in the future.“If Jamaat-e-Islami forms the government with Allah’s mercy and the people's support, no MP or minister will take government land allotments. No one will use duty-free vehicles. They will not handle public funds personally.” He further added “If any MP or minister receives a development allocation, they must report back to the 18 crore people of the country upon completion of the work. We will neither take bribes nor tolerate corruption.” Referring to past incidents, he said “We must not forget or neglect those who were martyred—from October 28, 2006, to the Shapla Square massacre and the 2024 killings. We demand visible steps toward justice for all these atrocities. Until then, the old system cannot be allowed to continue in Bangladesh.”

Suhrawardy Udyan turned into a sea of people by midday on Saturday as Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is holding its first-ever solo national rally at the historic venue, drawing tens of thousands of leaders, activists and supporters from across the country. The much-hyped gathering marks a significant political moment for the party since the country’s independence, as it seeks to reassert its presence ahead of the upcoming national election. The rally, scheduled to officially begin at 2:00pm, party Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman in the chair. Jamaat’s key demands at the rally include ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections with a level playing field, initiating fundamental political reforms, introducing the July charter and adopting a proportional representation (PR) system for national elections. Crowds began gathering at the venue from Thursday night, with early arrivals performing their Fajr prayers at the field. On Saturday morning, large processions of Jamaat members were spotted marching from various parts of Dhaka towards Suhrawardy Udyan, chanting slogans in support of the rally. Many activists were also seen crowding the city’s metro rail network. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami members distributed flyers following Jumma prayers on Friday in front of mosques across the country, including in the capital, to mobilise further public support. At a press conference on Thursday, party leaders announced that they had invited representatives from other political parties, including the BNP, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NCP), and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, to attend and speak at the rally. Jamaat’s 'National Rally': Activists march towards Suhrawardy Udyan The event comes at a politically tense time, following the recent attack on an NCP rally in Gopalganj, allegedly by ruling Awami League activists and its banned student wing, Chhatra League. The rally began at 9:40am on Saturday with a cultural programme hosted by Saifullah Mansur and conducted by the Saimum Cultural Group, featuring performers from various divisions. Even before the official commencement, the field was reportedly full, with some senior leaders taking refuge in the adjacent Ramna Park due to the overflow of attendees. UNB correspondents on the ground noted signs of discomfort among participants due to the heat, with several individuals reportedly falling ill. Groups of attendees were seen resting under trees in Ramna Park to escape the scorching sun. Jamaat claims this is the largest solo political gathering in its history. After nearly a month of preparation, the party estimated that over one million people would attend. While Jamaat had previously joined joint rallies at Suhrawardy Udyan alongside the BNP, this marks its first major solo political demonstration at the historic venue. Positioning the rally as a prelude to the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, Jamaat leaders are calling for “national unity” and the establishment of a “welfare state.” Dr Shafiqur Rahman is expected to deliver a speech urging unity based on a seven-point demand. To accommodate the massive turnout and ensure basic services, organisers have set up over 500 temporary toilets, 1,000 water taps, 15 medical booths, 15 parking zones, and thousands of chairs at the venue. Around 6,000 volunteers have been deployed for logistics and security duties. 2 Jamaat leaders killed in road accident on way to Dhaka rally Besides, more than 400 loudspeakers and over 50 giant LED screens have been installed at major points of Dhaka to broadcast the event. Thousands of Jamaat supporters have travelled to the capital in buses, trains and launches. The party has issued a public apology for any traffic congestion or temporary inconveniences caused by the gathering.

The first session of Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s grand rally began at the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday morning. Leaders and activists from different parts of the country started gathering at the venue from early hours. Although the main programme is scheduled to formally start at 2pm, the first session began around 10am with recitations from the Holy Quran. Islami Andolan submits reform opinion to Consensus Commission District and city-level leaders of Islami Andolan Bangladesh from different parts of the country are addressing the gathering in this session. Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Principal Hafez Maulana Yunus Ahmad is present at the event. Leaders of various political parties who support the demand for introducing proportional representation in elections are also expected to attend the rally.

Police have detained three people in connection with the killing of a Dhaka University (DU) student. Officer-in-charge of Shahbagh police station Md Khalid Mansur told UNB that several police teams launched a special drive shortly after the murder in different areas. The trio was detained from the Green Road and Rajabazar areas, he said, expressing reluctance to disclose the identities of the detainees for the sake of investigation. Primarily it was known that the detainees were involved in the murder and drives were ongoing to detain the rest of the accused, said the OC. Victim Shahriar Alam Samyo, 25, a student of the 2018–19 academic session of the International Relations department, died after being stabbed by miscreants near the Suhrawardy Udyan area adjacent to the campus late Tuesday night. Private university student stabbed dead on campus in Dhaka He was a resident of room 222 of F Rahman Hall and hailed from Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj. According to police, the incident took place around midnight when Samyo was passing by the Mukta Mancha area of Suhrawardy Udyan on his motorcycle. An altercation reportedly broke out following a collision with another bike. The dispute escalated into a scuffle, during which Samyo was stabbed in the right thigh with a sharp weapon. The attacker then fled the scene. His classmates rushed him to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in a critical condition, where doctors later declared him dead. Woman stabbed dead in Dhaka  

Thousands of leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam gathered at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka to attend their pre-announced grand rally, to press home their five-point demand including withdrawal of cases filed against their leaders and activists immediately Excavating canals one of BNP’s political pillars: Amir Khosru The rally began around 9 am and is scheduled to continue until 1pm, according to organisers. Participants from various parts of the country started arriving at the venue from around 5 am, and the ground was filled with several thousand people within two hours. According to the sources, there are approximately 300 cases pending against its leaders. The other key demands include justice for the killings during the Shapla Chattar crackdown on May 5, 2013, the deaths during protests against the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Dhaka in March, 2021 and the killings in July–August 2024. Besides, they demanded cancellation of the proposed commission on women’s rights reform and an end to what they describe as mass killings and persecution of Muslims in Palestine and India. Earlier, the Hefazat activists brought out a procession in the Baitul Mukarram area of the capital and chanted various slogans. They also urged people to join the program in support of Islam and justice. Law enforcement agencies have taken special measures to ensure security surrounding the event. Members of various security forces including plainclothes and uniformed police have been stationed at key points across the city since early morning.

The month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 entered its third day on Monday, drawing a large number of visitors. This year, the fair hosts 99 stalls on the premises of Bangla Academy and 609 stalls at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan. A total of 708 publishers were expected to participate, compared to 642 publishers last year. Visitors can visit the fair from 3 pm to 9 pm on regular days. On holidays, it will remain open from 11 am. Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the fair on Saturday, which carries the theme “July Gono Obbhuthyan: Notun Bangladesh Binirman” (The July Uprising: Rebuilding a New Bangladesh). The fair also features 37 pavilions—one at Bangla Academy and 36 at Suhrawardy Udyan. A dedicated space for little magazines has been set up near the open stage of Suhrawardy Udyan. Read: Book Fair: Paperback still rules readers' choice in digital age

In anticipation of the Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela (book fair) 2024, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced extensive security measures to tackle potential sabotage acts and militant threats. The security plan, detailed by DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, aims to ensure a safe environment for the attendees of Bangladesh’s largest book fair, set to open on February 1. Commissioner Rahman, after inspecting the security protocols, stated, “We have put in place a robust security framework to enable visitors to explore and enjoy the fair without any apprehension.” These remarks were made during his visit to the book fair’s location in Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Wednesday. Books worth Tk47 crore sold in Amar Ekushey Book Fair in 27 days Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is slated to inaugurate the month-long cultural event at 3 pm on February 1. In a first for the fair, attendees can now enter and exit through five designated gates at Suhrawardy Udyan, including a special entrance via the Engineering Institute. Each entry point will be equipped with archways and metal detectors to enhance safety. The DMP Commissioner outlined the comprehensive security measures, including the establishment of internal and external security perimeters and continuous surveillance by undercover detectives. Additionally, numerous watch towers have been erected to oversee and prevent any unforeseen incidents. Further bolstering the security, the entire fair area is under continuous CCTV monitoring, connected to a dedicated control room. The DMP has arranged various patrolling units, including foot, street, and cyber patrols, around the fair vicinity. The presence of the dog squad, SWAT team, and bomb disposal unit will provide an immediate response capability. Kid’s zone of Ekushey Book Fair abuzz with little book lovers  In addition to these security provisions, the DMP has taken measures to cater to the comfort and well-being of the visitors. These include a lost and found center for missing children, a nursing center for mothers, blood donation facilities, and access to pure drinking water throughout the fair premises. The security plan was detailed in the presence of senior DMP officials, emphasizing the significance and scale of the protective measures for this cultural cornerstone event. Read more: Tracing the Roots of Ekushey Boi Mela

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Agargaon-Motijheel section of Dhaka Metro Rail on October 20, Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (August 20, 2023). A rally will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital at 3pm on October 20, marking the inauguration, the minister said while exchanging views with journalists at the conference room of the Road, Transport and Bridges Ministry in the Secretariat. Also read: First phase of Metro Rail test run from Agargaon to Motijheel underway Meanwhile, the 11.5 km stretch of Dhaka Elevated Expressway, from Kawla to Farmgate, will be opened on September 2. On this occasion, a rally will be held at the old trade fair ground in Dhaka’s Agargaon. The construction work of the northern route of MRT Line 5 will be inaugurated on September 16, Quader also said. Also read: Metro rail service resumes after two hours of suspension On October 28, a rally will be held in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila to mark the inauguration of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually inaugurate 140 bridges, 12 overpasses across the country from the newly-constructed Sarak Bhaban in Dhaka on October 22. A vehicle inspection centre will also be inaugurated at the same time. Also read: PM to inaugurate Agargaon-Motijheel section of Dhaka Metro Rail in Oct: Quader

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq said a three-tier security has been taken in and around the Ekushey Book Fair venue. The DMP commissioner said this while talking to reporters  after visiting the book fair venue at Suhrawardy Udyan on Tuesday afternoon. Read more: Ekushey Book Fair to span entire February again after two years He said there is no specific threat to anyone centering the  book fair. “However, if any author or publisher feels insecurity, we will keep a close eye on him/her,” he added. CCTV cameras have been installed at the fair venue. Besides, 1500 police personnel will be deployed to ensure the overall security of the fair. Read more: DMP bans gathering, carrying of arms around JS He also said that they have made special arrangements so that visitors can easily enter the book fair. There will be separate gates for entering and exiting the fair and the visitors will be checked by the archway and metal detectors, added the DMP chief. There will be parking arrangements at the fair venue, he said.