United News of Bangladesh

A nine-year-old boy was beaten to death over allegations of stealing betel nuts in Haluaghat in Mymensingh on Friday afternoon. The victim, Imon Mia, was the son of Dulal Mia of Bausha village in Swadeshi Union. According to police and local sources, Imon had allegedly stolen betel nuts from his neighbor Atahar Ali’s tree about a month ago. After keeping silent for nearly a month, Atahar Ali on Friday called Imon to his house, locked the door, and beat him severely. Imon’s family rescued him and took him to Haluaghat Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Police recovered the body and are preparing for post-mortem examination. Four election officials withdrawn in Mymensingh, Naogaon over irregularities Md Ferdous Alam, officer-in-charge of Haluaghat Police Station, said preliminary investigation shows the killing was linked to the betel nut theft. “The matter is being investigated seriously,” he added.

A BNP leader on Friday has opened a closed party office of the Bangladesh Awami League in Panchagarh, triggering controversy within his own party. The office was opened in the morning at Chaklahat Union in Panchagarh Sadar upazila by Abu Daud Pradhan, president of the Sadar upazila unit of BNP. A video of the incident later went viral on social media. It showed Abu Daud Pradhan standing on the veranda of the Awami League office and giving a speech. According to local sources, Abu Daud Pradhan is a former chairman of Chaklahat Union Parishad. In his speech, Abu Daud Pradhan said he was unaware that the Awami League party office had remained locked and claimed he would have opened it earlier had he known. He also said the recent election victory came after 18 years and described it as a mandate given by forces from both sides of the Liberation War, adding that the party had received a record number of votes across Bangladesh. He said every party has some wrongdoers and that there are clear instructions to expel such elements. Stressing law and order, he urged leaders and activists of both parties to ensure that peace and stability are not disrupted in Panchagarh. Referring to local results, he expressed disappointment that the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol failed to secure first position in any polling centre of his own union. Addressing Awami League supporters, he said they are citizens of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh and urged them not to engage in any wrongdoing. He said no offender would be spared, regardless of party affiliation, and asked them to inform him if they faced any harassment. He referred to cases against Awami League leaders and activists, saying that regardless of their nature, the party’s leader would soon go to Parliament to take oath and, he hoped, become prime minister, after which the situation would be clear. Freedom fighter Abul Hossain said the office had earlier been locked by Jamaat supporters. He added that the office was opened with local people present and would temporarily be used by freedom fighters, not for Awami League political activities. Speaking on the matter, Abu Daud Pradhan said the move was not a party decision. He said the Awami League office was opened only to prevent tension in the area and maintain peace, adding that the office had earlier been locked by Jamaat supporters. District BNP Convener Md Jahirul Islam Kacchu said there was no decision from the district or central BNP regarding opening the Awami League office. Awami League was right fit for Jamaat : Mirza Abbas He said the upazila BNP president would have to bear responsibility for his action and that the matter would be discussed with the central leadership. He also said opening the banned Awami League office immediately after the election victory was not a good move and that organisational action would be taken against Abu Daud Pradhan following an investigation for breaching party discipline.

A fire that broke out at a jhut godown in the Ambagh area under Konabari area of Gazipur on Friday night was brought under control about one and a half hours later. Md. Mamun, assistant director of Gazipur Fire Service, said the blaze started around 7:30pm. Five firefighting units were deployed to the scene to control the fire and was brought under control about one and a half hours later. 18 injured in gas balloon blast during electioneering in Gazipur The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities are set to assess the full extent of the damage  

Counterattacks and widespread vandalism occurred over voting in Kalaiya Port of Baufal Upazila of Patuakhali on Friday. The incidents took place from Friday morning to noon, eyewitnesses said. Jubo Dal activists, including Sujan, Alamin, and Langa Mizan, followers of Upazila Jubo Dal convener Gazi Gias, allegedly attacked the business establishment of decorator businessman Md. Shah Alam Biplob, 46, around 9:15am over claims of voting irregularities. They later beat a timber trader, Md. Selim, 52. Following these attacks, the group reportedly took up residence at Gias’s house armed with country-made weapons. In response, Jamaat-backed activists and local businessmen reportedly attacked Gias’s business establishment and party office, vandalising it extensively. At least 10 motorcycles and a refrigerator kept in front of Gias’s residence were damaged. Meanwhile, Jamaat supporters beat and injured BNP activists Alamgir Gazi, 55, and Shahabuddin Sarda, 48, in the Khairbazar area of West Birpasha, Kanakdia Union, around 8 am. They were admitted to Baufal Upazila Health Complex. Besides, BNP activists and supporters reportedly beat and injured a Jamaat supporter, Md. Firoz, 55, in Mominpur village of Keshabpur Union around 1pm. Firoz was sent to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for treatment. Atiqul Islam, Inspector (Investigation) of Baufal Police Station, said police were sent to the spot after receiving reports of attacks, vandalism, and beatings at several locations. “Legal action will be taken if a written complaint is filed,” he added. Jamaat’s winning candidate, Shafiqul Islam Masud, said, “I do not support revenge politics. Injustice will not be tolerated. If any workers or supporters are involved in attacks, party and legal action will definitely be taken against them.”

A man was hacked to death allegedly by his wife at Joypur village in Rupsha upazila of Khulna early Friday. The deceased was Mohor Ali, 45, hailed from Bajuya area in Dacope upazila. He used to work at a sweetmeat shop. Mir Razzak, Officer-in-Charge of Rupsa Police Station said the deceased, Mohor Ali, 45, had converted from Hinduism to Islam about 22 years ago and married Hosneara Begum of Joypur village. Ex-BNP leader dies amid tension at Khulna polling centre The victim’s son, Shimul Hossain, said his father returned home from work on Thursday night. His parents were sleeping in the next room. He said that very early in the morning his mother, Hosneara Begum Putul, knocked on their door and told him to keep the door open before leaving. Shimul went back to sleep. Around 6:30am, he woke up after hearing his brother-in-law’s screams and found his father lying in a pool of blood. He said they searched for his mother but could not find her anywhere. Later, they informed police. Shimul alleged that his mother fled after killing his father, taking her necessary clothes with her. Her mobile phone was also found switched off. OC Mir Razzak said police recovered the body and legal steps will be taken. Man beaten to death in Khulna

Miscreants snatched away ballot paper after exploding crude bombs at a polling centre under Bhola-1 (Sadar) constituency in Sadar upazila of Bhola district on Thursday, forcing authorities to suspend votes for nearly one and a half hours. Omar Faruk, Presiding Officer of Alinagar School and College polling centre in Sadar upazila said a group of people entered the centre after setting off crude bombs around 12:15pm. Later, they beat up polling officials and snatched away 56 ballot papers and stamped 76 others irregularly. ‘Perhaps my last vote,’ says octogenarian voter in Faridpur Voting process was suspended for about one and half an hour due to the incident. Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arifuzzaman along with police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Police also arrested an activist of Jamaat-e-Islami from the spot.

On a quiet morning at the Government Pilot High School polling centre in Bhanga upazila under Faridpur-4, an elderly voter stood out on Thursday for his emotional words. Suruj Khan, 80, arrived at the polling centre slowly, leaning on his wife, Nurbahan Begum, for support. Each careful step reflected both age and determination. For Suruj, this was not just another election day; it was perhaps a final chapter in a lifelong exercise of democratic duty. Women flock to Dhaka polling centres as voting progresses Seeing the elderly voter approach, on-duty law enforcers moved forward to assist him. The presiding officer made arrangements so that he would not have to stand in line, allowing him to cast his ballot with ease and dignity. After voting for his preferred candidate, Suruj became visibly emotional. Tears welled up in his eyes as he uttered softly, “Perhaps this is the last vote of my life.” His words captured a lifetime of participation in the nation’s electoral journey, a reminder of how deeply personal the act of voting can be. When asked about the type of candidate he supported, Suruj replied with quiet conviction: “I voted for someone who will not create unrest in the area and will allow all of us to live in peace.” In the Faridpur-4 constituency, a total of eight candidates are contesting this election, offering voters a range of choices. Festive mood marks peaceful start to national election across Bangladesh

A local Swechchhasebak Dal leader was detained by the Coast Guard along with Tk 50 lakh in cash in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali on Wednesday night. The detainee was identified as Kajal Mridha, 41, joint convener of the municipal unit of Swechchhasebak Dal. He was held around 10pm from an area adjacent to Khepupara Girls’ Secondary School, said Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kausar Hamid. Acting on a tip-off, a Coast Guard patrol team conducted a drive in the area. During the operation, the team searched a market bag in Mridha’s possession in the presence of Executive Magistrate Md Mohidul Hasan and recovered Tk 50 lakh in cash. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Yasin Sadiq, members of the Detective Branch (DB) and other law enforcement officials were present during the drive. Officials said no evidence of the money’s link to the election was found. The Coast Guard later filed a money laundering case against him with Kalapara Police Station.

A local leader of Krishak Dal sustained critical injuries after miscreants severed the veins of both his hands and legs in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi on Wednesday afternoon. The injured was identified as Biraj Ali, 47, son of late Amir Mollah of Ramchandrapur village. He is the general secretary of Nimpara Union Krishak Dal and an active worker of Abu Sayeed Chand, the paddy sheaf candidate for Rajshahi-6 constituency. The attack took place around 2pm on the Kaluhati-Arani Road in the Ramchandrapur Gorestan area. Family members said Biraj Ali was returning home after cutting grass for cattle when a helmeted man arrived on a motorcycle and attacked him with a machete, leaving him critically injured before fleeing the scene. Hearing his screams, locals rescued him and took him to Puthia Upazila Health Complex. He was later shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. His elder brother Abdul Majid said the attacker had covered the motorcycle’s number plate with cloth. He claimed Biraj had no known personal or political enmity and that there had been no dispute over the upcoming elections. Charghat upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Shahinur Rahman Shahin said Biraj Ali had no known conflicts, though it is suspected the attacker might be a local as he appeared familiar with the area while fleeing. Police are investigating whether the attack was politically motivated. Helal Uddin Farooki, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Charghat Model Police Station, said police visited the scene after receiving information and necessary legal steps would be taken following investigation.