United News of Bangladesh

The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate in a statement has condemned certain media outlets and social media platforms for circulating "false, misleading and unfounded reports involving the Bangladesh Navy. These reports allege that a Bangladesh Navy ship intruded into Indian waters and deliberately sank an Indian fishing trawler named PAROMITA-10 while it was engaged in fishing activities in the Bay of Bengal. In fact, at the time the Indian fishing trawler met with the accident, a Bangladesh Navy patrol ship was conducting routine maritime patrol well within Bangladesh waters, at a distance of more than 12 miles from the incident location. Bangladesh Navy had no involvement whatsoever in the said incident, says an ISPR media release on Tuesday evening. On Monday (Dec. 15), at 1515 hours Bangladesh Local Time, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Indian Coast Guard officially informed MRCC, Dhaka via email that an Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) named PAROMITA-10 had capsized and sunk in Indian waters in the Bay of Bengal with 16 fishermen on board.  Another Indian fishing trawler IFB RAGHUPATI successfully rescued 11 of the fishermen, while the remaining five remained missing. The Indian Coast Guard subsequently requested all nearby ships and fishing trawlers to assist in the ongoing search efforts.  Immediately upon receiving this information, Bangladesh Navy promptly directed its patrol ship to undertake search activities within Bangladesh waters. Through close coordination and cooperation with the relevant authorities of both countries, a Bangladesh Navy patrol ship actively participated in the searching efforts alongside the Indian Coast Guard and local Bangladeshi fishermen. Such initiatives reflect the Bangladesh Navy’s commitment to humanitarian assistance at sea and contribute significantly to strengthening mutual trust, cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighboring countries. ISPR said notwithstanding these facts, some sections of the News Media and Social Media have continued to disseminate unfounded allegations claiming that a Bangladesh Navy ship entered Indian waters and sank the fishing trawler PAROMITA-10. These claims are entirely baseless.  The publishing of such misinformation is deeply regrettable and unwarranted, the statement said. In this regard, all media outlets were "earnestly urged" to exercise responsible journalism and to refrain from publishing and circulating misleading, sensational or defamatory reports against Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh.  

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-1) on Tuesday arrested the prime accused and two others in an attempted murder case over the attack on the members of ‘July Rebels’. The prime accused was Altaf alias Thotkata Altaf, 46, an accused in multiple cases. Tipped off, RAB-1 members arrested him in a drive in BSCIC Industrial Area, RAB officials said. On December 13 when members of the organization formed a human chain in front of Uttara BNS Centre around 6:30pm to protest the shooting of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi a group of assailants armed with local weapons attacked them, they said. During the attack, Altaf allegedly struck July Rebels member Yusuf Ali Redowan on the head with intent to kill, causing serious injuries, said Md Rakib Hasan, Additional Superintendent of Police and Senior Assistant Director (Media Officer) of RAB-1. The attackers also vandalised July Rebels’ head office at Muktijoddha Market in Sector-6 under Uttara East Police Station and threatened its members before fleeing the scene, he added. Yusuf Ali Redowan filed an attempted murder case with Uttara East Police Station. The two other arrestees are Saiful Islam, 37, and Md Amir Hossain Firoz, 47. The arrestees were handed over to the police station concerned for further legal proceedings.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Kabir, a close associate of the prime accused Faisal, in connection with the attempted murder of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, according to information received from the RAB headquarters on Monday night. RAB said Kabir was a key accomplice of Faisal, who has been identified as the principal suspect in the gun attack on Osman Hadi. Further details about the arrest will be disclosed later, the elite force added. Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot by assailants on Friday after Jummah prayer at Bijoynagar Boxculvert road in the capital. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with bullet injuries from he was shifted to Evercare hospital. Finally, he was sent to Singapore by an air ambulance on Monday afternoon for better treatment. CEC takes attack on Hadi seriously, orders immediate action: EC Following the incident, law enforcement agencies launched a series of operations to identify and arrest those involved. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police earlier said Faisal Karim Masud, alias Daud Khan, and another suspect were identified in connection with the attack, while RAB and police have already earlier arrested seven suspects for their alleged roles in aiding the shooter.  

The Supreme Court has restricted access to its courtrooms for trial candidates and anyone other than lawyers in both its divisions from Monday, citing security concerns. The notification said the Supreme Court, being the highest judicial institution of the country, requires strict security to ensure the safety of the Chief Justice, judges of both divisions, lawyers conducting cases, and all concerned, said a notification issued on the order of the Chief Justice and signed by Supreme Court Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddiqui. It noted that recently trial candidates, litigants and other unauthorised persons have been entering the courtrooms, creating obstacles to security, a peaceful environment and the smooth conduct of judicial proceedings. Such activities, the notification said, have disrupted the security of judges, lawyers, officials and employees. Govt clears draft law to establish separate secretariat for Supreme Court “For the sake of security, access of trial candidates or any persons other than lawyers to the courtrooms of both divisions of the Supreme Court has been limited and restricted,” it said. The notification also said that any kind of gathering, procession, and carrying of legal or illegal weapons, including deadly weapons, explosives and narcotics, has been completely banned on the Supreme Court premises. The order will remain effective from December 15 to December 31. Legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order, it warned. Lawyers, their assistants, court officials and employees, and trial seekers have been asked to remain vigilant and comply with the directive.    

Journalist Anis Alamgir has been shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Uttara West Police Station in the capital. Officer-in-Charge of Uttara West Police Station Kazi Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed said a case has been lodged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Anis Alamgir was shown arrested in connection with it. The OC said there are four other accused in the case but he did not disclose their identities. Investigation against them is underway, he added. Earlier, a team of the Detective Branch (DB) picked up Anis Alamgir from the capital after 8 pm on Sunday On Monday, Aryan Ahmed, a member of an organisation named ‘July Revolutionary Alliance’, filed the case at Uttara West Police Station, accusing Anis Alamgir and four others of conspiring to destabilise the state and inciting activities of the organisation, whose activities are currently restricted, the OC said.

Two days after the shooting of Inquilab Moncho spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi, a case has been filed naming prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud and several unidentified others. One Javed, a member of Inquilab Moncho formed during last year’s July Uprising, lodged the case with Paltan Police Station, its officer-in-charge Mustafa Kamal Khan told UNB on Monday. Among the accused, the prime suspect is on the run, while law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), have so far arrested six people. On Monday, RAB arrested three more people, including Faisal Karim’s wife and brother-in-law. The arrestees are Faisal’s wife Begum Samia, his brother-in-law Shipu, and Begum Maria. RAB also recovered several bank cheques signed by Faisal Karim Masud and seized electronic devices from the arrestees. Meanwhile, an air ambulance equipped with all emergency facilities for critical patients arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday morning to take Hadi to Singapore for advanced treatment.

In his farewell address as Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Syed Refaat Ahmed on Sunday said no legal provision in the world can ensure collective freedom if society is driven by the desire for unearned wealth, unjust luxury and the prestige of undue power, stressing that moral integrity must accompany the rule of law. “There is no point in establishing a separate secretariat for the judiciary unless we, the judges, are careful about personal dishonesty,” he said. The Chief Justice made the remarks while delivering his farewell address at the Supreme Court Auditorium on Sunday noon, ahead of his retirement as the country’s 25th Chief Justice on December 27. Addressing fellow judges, Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed urged them to regard the pursuit of knowledge and the habit of reading as the highest duty of their lives. He encouraged continuous study, research and the development of judicial experience. “Let the primary foundation of all our efforts be not merely the execution of work, but the pursuit of excellence in that work,” he said. The Chief Justice also called on judges to go beyond traditional legal learning and expand their understanding of society, culture, anthropology, history, economics and political thought. At the same time, he urged them to explore modern fields such as artificial intelligence, environmental science and cybersecurity. “As judges, we can never be certain which everyday occurrences in people’s lives may give rise to disputes and when unprecedented questions will be brought before the courts, testing our judgment and discernment,” he added. Referring to the historic establishment of the Supreme Court Secretariat, the Chief Justice said judicial independence and a separate secretariat must be firmly established as the primary guardians of the constitutional rights of the people. He emphasised that strict action must be taken against corrupt and dishonest judges and said members of the judiciary should no longer point fingers at others for injustices committed within the system. “We must fulfil our responsibilities fully to ensure speedy justice for the people. Political influence must be avoided in the pursuit of preferred outcomes,” he said. Judges of the Appellate Division, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, senior advocate Zainul Abedin, Supreme Court Bar Association President AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, district and sessions judges, metropolitan sessions judges, chief judicial magistrates and chief metropolitan magistrates, among others, were present on the occasion.          

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) Abu Fazal Md Sanaullah on Saturday said law enforcement agencies are fully alert to prevent any repeat of covert attacks ahead of the upcoming national election, asserting that the electoral process will proceed on schedule despite recent security concerns. The assurance came after a special meeting held at the EC involving representatives from the Home Ministry and various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to review the law and order situation since the election schedule was announced. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Sanaullah said the discussion particularly focused on the recent “covert and targeted attack” on Inquilab Manch spokesperson and independent Dhaka-8 aspirant Sharif Osman Hadi, which has raised serious concerns among political actors and voters alike. “While details cannot be disclosed for the sake of investigation, several important aspects have emerged,” he said, adding that the suspected attacker had gradually gained close proximity to the victim and has a past involving political violence and criminal records. The EC was informed that a significant number of previously arrested militants and criminals have been released on bail over time and are currently active in society, posing renewed security challenges. “This issue has been taken seriously, and we discussed what further measures are required,” he also said. The Election Commissioner said the meeting also examined whether the attack was an isolated incident or part of a larger coordinated plan, and whether there were any gaps or failures in preventive intelligence or operational responses. Participants further discussed recent attempts to set fire to two upazila-level election offices, which failed but were captured on CCTV footage. These incidents, the EC noted, indicate the possible involvement of individual or splinter actors attempting covert sabotage. “To ensure deterrence, we have stressed the need for increased checkpoints, restrictions on the movement of known criminals, recovery of illegal arms and ammunition, and intensified intelligence coordination,” the official said. Law enforcement agencies informed the commission that the second phase of the ‘Rebel Hunt’ operation resumed on Friday and is being carried out in a coordinated manner. Special emphasis has been placed on intelligence-sharing, border areas—particularly the southeast—and Rohingya-inhabited regions to assess any linkage with broader destabilisation attempts. The EC said cyber security units are already operational using existing national cyber infrastructure, with a dedicated coordination cell formed at the commission to monitor election-related disinformation and online threats. Responding to questions on whether the attack could create fear among candidates and voters, the EC official said, “That is precisely the intention behind such acts. But today’s meeting was meant to defeat that objective. These attempts will not be allowed to succeed.” Regarding a recent comment by the Home Adviser suggesting licensed firearms could be issued to candidates, the EC said no such discussion had taken place with the commission so far and the matter would be reviewed once official clarification is received. The EC also confirmed that three individuals have already been arrested in connection with the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, while further details remain confidential due to ongoing investigations. On election code of conduct enforcement, the commission said returning officers and executive magistrates are already active in the field to remove illegal posters and banners following the expiry of the 48-hour deadline. EC Sanaullah reiterated that while it is impossible to eliminate all risks during an election, the effectiveness and responsiveness of law enforcement agencies are key. “We are satisfied with the actions taken so far, though there is scope for further strengthening,” he said. He also urged political parties and candidates to remain vigilant, warning that infiltrators may pose as allies. “This incident has shown that sabotage can come from within close circles. Preventive caution is essential.” The Election Commissioner reaffirmed that the election will be held on time, and any attempt to derail or intimidate the democratic process will be met with firm and coordinated action by the state.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Sunday said they have identified two suspects in connection with the gun attack on Inquilab Moncho leader and Dhaka-8 election candidate Osman Hadi. The DMP also issued border alerts to prevent them from fleeing the country. DMP Additional Commissioner Nazrul Islam disclosed the information at a press conference held at the DMP Media Centre at Mintu Road in the afternoon. DMP has also collected the passport details of suspected shooter Faisal and blocked his passport at immigration to ensure that he cannot flee the country. Confirming the identities of the two attackers, Nazrul Islam said Faisal opened fire while Alamgir was riding the motorbike used in the attack. Police are making all-out efforts to arrest both suspects, he said, adding that there is no information yet about their fleeing the country. Nazrul Islam also said Faisal’s passport has already been blocked. He said police have detained two suspected human traffickers Sibion Dion, 32, and Sanjoy Cichim, 30 from Nalitabari area of Mymensingh. “We are collecting information regarding some people involved in facilitating illegal cross-border movement through Mymensingh border areas,” he added. The DMP official said efforts to arrest those involved in the attempted killing are continuing and the government has taken special measures to ensure security for frontline July fighters and people contesting the upcoming election.

The interim government on Sunday said the police would provide security protocols for all political parties ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum. Under this protocol, there will be clear instructions on how security will be ensured for political leaders and potential candidates in the upcoming national elections and in their residences, offices, movements, public meetings and cyberspace, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Sunday. Besides, initiatives have been taken to provide additional security to the leadership of the frontline leaders of the mass uprising and other important political leaders. Police have already identified the attackers and their associates in the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson of the Inquilab Moncha and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency. Intensive operations by law enforcement agencies are continuing to arrest them, said the interim government. The motorcycle used in the attack has already been seized and the fingerprints of the suspects are being checked. To prevent the main suspect from crossing the border, photos and other information of the suspects were provided to all immigration check posts on Friday night. Patrols of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and RAB have been intensified in the border area. Although the location of the suspects has been identified several times within the country, it has not been possible to arrest them yet due to their repeated changes of location, the government said. Meanwhile, police have already collected the travel history of the main suspect and it shows that he has traveled to several countries in the past few years as an IT businessman. The latest information is that he traveled to Singapore on July 21. Several other suspects who may be involved in this attack have already been brought under surveillance. Bangladesh sought India’s cooperation in preventing the escape to India of the suspects involved in the recent attempted assassination of Bangladeshi political leader Sharif Osman Hadi and, in case they manage to enter the Indian territory, to ensure their immediate apprehension and extradition to Bangladesh. Bangladesh emphasised that India, as a neighbour, is expected to stand with the people of Bangladesh in upholding justice and safeguarding democratic processes. The High Commissioner of India emphasised that India looked forward to peaceful elections in Bangladesh and expressed his country’s readiness to extend all cooperation in this regard.