United News of Bangladesh

Over 50,000 people in 10 villages of Kaunia upazila in Rangpur have been enduring years of hardship after floodwaters washed away the approach roads to a bridge, forcing them to cross a fragile bamboo footbridge every day. Besides, the concrete bridge at Gopidanga Moulvibazar in Balapara union has remained largely unusable for vehicles after the Teesta River eroded its approach roads. The bridge has also developed a noticeable tilt, prompting fears of a major accident. Locals said the concrete bridge was built in 2014 by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) at a cost of Tk 37.24 lakh. However, a few years later, floodwaters from the Teesta River washed away the approach roads on both sides. With no repairs undertaken by the authorities, local residents constructed a temporary bamboo-and-wood platform to maintain communication. Since then, thousands of commuters, including school and college students, as well as battery-run auto-rickshaws, vans and horse carts, have been using the risky crossing daily. Residents alleged that frequent minor accidents occur on the bridge, while travelling at night has become even more dangerous. They said repeated appeals to local authorities and elected representatives for reconstruction of the bridge and its approach roads have yielded only assurances. Balapara Union Parishad Member Hafizar Rahman said at least 50,000 people from 10 villages depend on the crossing. UP Chairman Ansar Ali said several proposals had been submitted to the LGED seeking construction of a new bridge. Kaunia Upazila LGED Engineer Md Manirul Islam said a proposal for a new bridge has already been approved and the feasibility study completed. "The project is now at the design stage. We hope the tender will be approved soon, after which construction work will begin," he said.

Around 10,000 people have been stranded after breaches in two embankments along the Teesta River flooded several villages in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur. The breaches developed at the volunteer-built embankments in Ward No. 8 of Nohali Union following a sudden rise in the Teesta's water level, allowing floodwater to enter nearby villages. A visit to the area found that nearly 150 metres of the embankments have already been washed away by the river. Vast tract of cropland have gone underwater, while floodwater has inundated villages, disrupting normal life. The erosion has also put more than 100 homesteads, educational institutions, mosques, a temple, roads and other infrastructures at risk. Residents of Char Baghdhogra, Char Kachari, Chilakhal, Binbinia and Mukutpara said families, particularly children, elderly people and livestock, are facing severe hardship, with many taking shelter at relatives' houses. Monayem Hossain, a local resident said hundreds of people lose their homes to river erosion every year but no permanent solution has been implemented. "The embankment has already lost about 150 metres to the river. If the main embankment is breached, thousands of people will lose their homes. A few thousand geo bags will not be enough. A permanent embankment project is urgently needed," he said. Abdul Karim, another resident, said several houses have already disappeared into the river before their eyes. "My house could be the next. If I lose my homestead, I will have nowhere to go. If no one gives me a place to relocate, I will have to move to Dhaka with my family and earn a living by pulling a rickshaw," he said. Mominul Islam, another affected resident, said repeated erosion has already washed away homes, farmland, a mosque, a madrasa and schools. "We do not want relief. We want a permanent embankment to protect us," he said. Executive Engineer of the Rangpur Water Development Board (WDB) Robiul Islam said 4,500 geo bags have already been allocated to protect the embankment, and dumping work is  underway. "More geo bags will be supplied if necessary. We are treating the matter with utmost importance," he said. Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosammat Jesmin Akter said the affected area has been inspected and the Water Development Board has been requested to take immediate measures to prevent further erosion.

A 24-year-old worker of a hotel died as the hotel owner’s son allegedly hit him with a hammer at Khamar Intersection in Rangpur city on Tuesday night. The deceased was identified as Shaon, resident of Nurer Chak of Aditmari upazila of the district. Sanatan Chakraborty, deputy commissioner of Rangpur DB police, said police arrested Mizanur Rahman Monu, son of hotel owner Amir Hossain, in this connection. During interrogation Mizanur admitted that he had an argument with Shaon over spitting betel leaf residue near a utensil storage area and  following the dispute he hit Shaon with a hammer at night, said police. Meanwhile, family members of Misanur claimed that he has been suffering from mental health problems for a long time. Legal steps will be taken after getting complaint from the family members of the deceased, said police.

The death toll from drinking ‘toxic liquor’ in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur rose to four with the death of another man. The deceased was identified as Ershad Mia, 40, son of Sultan Ali of Buzruk Jhalai Pakarmatha area. Earlier, three people died after taking toxic liquor on Monday. Locals said a number of people consumed toxic liquor at Balarhat Bazar on Sunday night and they fell sick after returning home. Two of them died early Monday while another died on Monday morning at Rangpur Medical College and Hospital. Later, Ershad died on Monday night at the same hospital, said Ershad Ahmed, Officer-in-charge of Mithapukur Police Station. On information, Mithapukur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Parvez visited the area. An investigation is underway and legal action will be taken against those responsible in the incident, said the OC.

Haribhanga mango is expected to generate trade worth over Tk 250 crore this season, as the harvest of Rangpur’s signature fruit is set to begin in mid-June, agriculture officials said. The Haribhanga mango, a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Bangladesh, is widely known for its distinctive taste, aroma and premium market value, making it one of the most commercially important fruits in northern Bangladesh. Agriculture officials say if weather conditions remain favourable, the current season could generate business worth more than Tk 250 crore from this mango alone.“We are expecting trade of over Tk 250 crore from Haribhanga mango this year,” said Md Sirazul Islam, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Rangpur division.According to the DAE, more than 3,000 hectares of land in Rangpur district have been brought under Haribhanga mango cultivation this year.Recent rainfall has supported fruit growth and improved juiciness, although some areas experienced minor damage due to hailstorms and strong winds. Overall, officials expect a better yield than last year.Agricultural experts say Haribhanga mango follows a natural alternate bearing cycle – known locally as “on year” and “off year”— and this season is considered an “on year,” meaning trees are bearing significantly more fruit than usual.The mango is typically harvested in mid-June when it reaches full maturity, although early market arrivals often include unripe fruit sold at higher prices by some traders.Data from agriculture offices shows that mango buds began appearing in December and harvesting is expected to begin on schedule this year.Haribhanga mango is known for being fiberless, sweet and highly aromatic, with a thin skin, small seed, and an average weight of 200-300 grams.Farmers estimate an average yield of 10-12 tonnes per hectare. With cultivation spanning over 3,000 hectares, total production value is projected to exceed Tk 250 crore.However, farmers remain cautious about weather risks.“Some of my orchards have been damaged by storms and further bad weather could cause losses,” said Nazmul Islam, a mango grower from Padaganj in Mithapukur, who cultivates mangoes on over 12 acres of land.Despite minor damage from recent hail and wind, growers remain optimistic about a strong harvest if conditions remain stable.Local wholesalers say demand is already building ahead of the season. “Buyers from Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet have started contacting us. We expect both price and demand to be strong this year,” said Abdul Malek, a trader.Experts note that Haribhanga mango is no longer limited to the domestic market. It is exported to countries, including Malaysia and Singapore, while direct sales through social media and e-commerce platforms have increased significantly in recent years. Its GI status has further strengthened brand value and pricing.Fakhrul Anam Benju, President of the Rangpur chapter of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), said the mango’s commercial reach is expanding rapidly but challenges remain.“Despite its huge potential, farmers are concerned about the lack of cold storage and modern preservation facilities. Since Haribhanga is highly perishable, special transport arrangements such as dedicated trains or faster logistics should be introduced,” he said.DAE’s Sirazul Islam said the crop is in its peak “on-year” cycle and that they are actively supporting farmers with technical guidance.On February 12, 2024, Haribhanga mango received official recognition as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Bangladesh.

A child undergoing treatment with measles-like symptoms at Rangpur Medical College Hospital has died. The deceased, identified as Zakir, aged 22 months, died at the hospital’s paediatric isolation ward around 8:00pm on Saturday, Dr ANM Tanvir Chowdhury, assistant professor of the paediatrics department at hospital, said on Sunday morning. According to hospital sources, Zakir, son of Sabuj Mia of Ulipur in Kurigram, was admitted to the hospital on the night of April 30 with measles-like symptoms. Meanwhile, sources at the office of the divisional health director said 49 new patients with symptoms consistent with measles were identified across the Rangpur division in the last 24 hours till Sunday morning. Of the newly identified patients, 30 were admitted to Dinajpur General Hospital and 19 to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, according to health officials.

For more than 50,000 people across at least 25 villages in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur, daily life has become a risky struggle due to the absence of a permanent bridge over the Jamuneshwari River. At Chilapak Kalurghat, about 18 kilometres from the upazila headquarters, the river cuts off Hariarkuthi and Soyar unions, leaving residents dependent on risky and unreliable crossings for years. This route serves as the only key link for the residents. According to locals, they have been relying on boats in the rainy season and the bamboo bridge in the dry season for transportation for years. During the dry season, villagers build a temporary bamboo bridge to cross the river. However, the structure goes under water during the monsoon, worsening the situation. As water levels rise, residents again have to rely on boats for crossing – posing serious risks, especially for women, children and the elderly. Crossing the river at night becomes nearly impossible, in emergencies. Villagers said they often have to wait for hours for a boat during the rainy season, while currents discourage boatmen from operating, intensifying their suffering. Farmers in the area are among the worst sufferers. Although rice, potatoes, maize and vegetables are produced here, farmers are deprived of fair prices as they cannot get their produce to market on time. Often, the goods spoil, causing them to incur losses, pushing agriculture-dependent families into financial strain. Students also face major setbacks. They have to cross the river daily to attend schools, colleges and madrasahs. During the monsoon, many guardians hesitate to send their children to educational institutions due to safety concerns, leading to disruptions to their education. Matinuzzaman, secretary of Kursha Union Parishad, said the lack of a permanent bridge causes immense suffering for residents. “My home is across the river. People here face serious difficulties in movement, especially during the monsoon. For patients, the crossing of the river becomes a nightmare,” he said, adding that delayed transportation often worsens medical conditions. Service holders and small traders are facing similar challenges, as they often fail to reach workplaces on time. Businesspeople are incurring financial losses as they are unable to transport goods on time. Around 25 villages, including Chilapak, Patanipara, Dolapara, Baniapara, Ujiyal, Mamunpara, Menanagar, Kalurghat, Dangapara, Pramanikpara and Mondolpara, are directly dependent on this crossing point. Locals alleged that although several public representatives and political leaders have promised to construct a bridge over the years, no visible progress has been made. Hariarkuthi Union Parishad Chairman Kumaresh Roy and Soyar Union Parishad Chairman Al Ibadat Hossain Pilot said the issue has been raised multiple times in the upazila coordination meetings and proposals have been sent to the authorieis concerned, but without any fruitful outcome. Residents have strongly demanded immediate construction of a permanent bridge at Kalurghat, saying it will not only ease communication but also boost education, healthcare, agriculture and overall economic development in the region. Executive Engineer of Local Government Engineering Department of Rangpur, Abu Musa, said a proposal for the bridge has already been sent to the ministry. “We hope a solution will come soon,” he added.

A Rangpur court on Monday convicted a man and sentenced him to death for killing a police officer in 2021. Rangpur Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Marzia Khatun handed down the punishment. The condemned convict was identified as Pervez Rahman Palash, a drug trader and son of Zahidul Islam from the Haragach area. The court also fined him Tk 10,000 and sentenced him to five years imprisonment in two separate sections of the case. Youth hacked to death in Rangpur According to the prosecution, Piarul Islam, an assistant sub-inspector of Haragach Police Station, was stabbed to death by the convict during an anti-narcotics drive at Shahebganj in Rangpur city on September 25, 2021. Police arrested Palash from the spot along with drugs. Two separate cases—one under the Narcotics Act and another for murder—were filed against Palash.

A school teacher died after suffering a heart attack reportedly while waiting in a queue to buy fuel at a filling station in Rangpur on Saturday night. The deceased was identified as Mehedi Hasan, son of Matiur Rahman from the New Engineer Para area of the city. He was a teacher at Balakuar Chowrar Hat Government Primary School. Family members said Mehedi Hasan had gone to a filling station at Parjatan Mor to purchase fuel. While standing in line he fell sick and was immediately taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospita, where doctors declared him dead, they said. Officer-in-Charge of Rangpur Metropolitan Kotwali Police Station Azad Rahman  said police received information that a man had died after falling sick while waiting in queue at the fuel station. “He might have suffered a heart attack while standing in the queue,” the OC added.

A severe shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds at Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH), the largest public healthcare facility in northern Bangladesh, is putting critically ill patients at grave risk amid limited access to life-saving support. Hospital director Brig Gen Ashikur Rahman said between March 1 and April 5, 29 of the 79 patients admitted to the ICU died — a figure that underscores the mounting pressure on the already stretched critical care system. Despite serving eight districts in the Rangpur division, the hospital has only 10 ICU beds, far short of the growing demand. Patients suffering from stroke, pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions are among those seeking admission, many of whom remain in critical condition. Doctors and health experts say the high death toll is linked not only to the shortage of beds but also to inadequate facilities including a lack of modern equipment and trained personnel. Saiful Islam, a resident of Domar upazila in Nilphamari, has been trying for weeks to secure an ICU bed for his critically ill wife Arzina Begum. “After 24 days of struggle, we finally managed a bed,” he said, describing the ordeal. For many others, access to ICU care remains uncertain. “Getting an ICU bed now depends on luck,” said Sonali Begum, a patient’s relative. “Many patients are being turned away due to a lack of beds. We can only wait and hope.” Another relative, Zainal Ahmed, said the high cost of private healthcare leaves families with few alternatives. “Private hospitals charge Tk 30,000 to Tk 40,000 per day for ICU care. We cannot afford that, so we wait here. But by the time a bed becomes available, it may be too late,” he said. The 1,000-bed hospital treats between 2,500 and 3,000 patients daily, far exceeding its capacity. “Six months ago, we couldn’t get an ICU bed. Now it’s the same situation,” said another relative. “We don’t have the money for private hospitals. Where should we go?” Hospital sources said the demand for ICU services is rising daily but limited beds and equipment prevent many patients from being admitted. Health experts have termed the situation unacceptable for a divisional-level public hospital. They said expanding ICU capacity must go beyond increasing beds — requiring modern ventilators, life-support systems, and trained doctors and nurses. “In the current reality, many patients are forced to seek treatment at private facilities which are beyond the reach of most people,” said a public health expert, adding that poor patients are often left without care. Dr Md Alfe Sani Moudud Ahmed, assistant professor of Critical Care Medicine at RMCH, said the actual number of deaths outside the ICU remains unknown. “If so many patients are dying inside the ICU, we have no data on how many are dying outside without access to critical care,” he said. “At least 10 percent of the 2,500 to 3,000 daily patients need ICU support. That means we need around 100 ICU beds.” “With only 10 beds, we are struggling to provide services. Without increasing equipment and skilled manpower, the situation will worsen,” he added. Hospital Director Brig Gen Ashikur Rahman said authorities are trying to deliver the best possible care with limited resources. “We have informed the higher authorities about the need to increase ICU beds. We hope for a quick solution,” he said.