United News of Bangladesh

Four members of a family, including a woman, sustained burn injuries after a fire broke out from an electric spark at a tin-shed house in sadar upazila of Manikganj district on Wednesday. The injured were identified as Shamsul Biswas, 65, his wife Mafiyara Begum, 55 and their two sons — Masum Biswas, 35 and Jony Biswas, 25. Witnesses said the incident occurred around 1 pm when a spark from an electric wire reportedly ignited a curtain inside the house, causing fire. Fire breaks out at Karwan Bazar, 10 units battling blaze Masum Biswas said his mother and younger brother were inside the house during the fire. “My father rushed in from outside to douse the flames and he was also burnt. I sustained minor injuries while trying to rescue them,” he said. The injured were first taken to Manikganj Sadar Hospital and later shifted to the emergency department of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery around 6:30 pm for better treatment. Resident surgeon, Dr Md Harunur Rashid, confirmed that four burn victims from Manikganj were brought to the hospital in the evening. Gazipur jhut godown fire under control “They are currently undergoing treatment. The extent of their burn injuries cannot be confirmed at this moment,” he added.

Police recovered the bodies of a young man and a young woman from a beach along the Marine Drive road in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday. One of the bodies was found near Uttar Lombrori and another near Mitapani Chhara boat terminal areas. Locals spotted the bodies and informed police who recovered the bodies, said Saiful Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Cox’s Bazar Model Police Station. ‘Stray bullets’ leave 2 teenagers injured near Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar Police are working to identify the deceased and determine the cause of death, said the OC.

Long queues formed in Rangpur city on Wednesday as residents lined up to buy subsidised essential goods from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), which launched truck-based sales at 15 areas in the city ahead of of Ramadan. With TCB trucks operating in 15 out of 33 wards in Rangpur city, many low- and middle-income people were seen waiting early in the morning at spots where the trucks would be stationed. People said they faced hardship in accessing the goods and called for one TCB truck per ward to ease the situation. Under the programme that started on Tuesday, consumers can buy soybean oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas, and dates at prices lower than the regular market rate. The initiative will continue until March 12. According to TCB officials, chickpeas and dates have been added to the regular Ramadan items. Each package is priced at Tk 590. Nearly 400 customers can purchase goods from each truck daily, allowing around 6,000 people to benefit each day. Bablu Mia, who came to buy TCB goods, said, “For poor families, TCB supplies are a big help. With the current market situation, this service is beneficial even temporarily. Though the range of goods is limited, we hope it continues throughout Ramadan.” Another resident, Romjan Ali, said, “In Bangladesh, prices of all food items usually double during Ramadan. For low-income people like us, this month is very difficult. TCB’s subsidised goods are a good initiative, but more trucks would make it easier for everyone to access them.” Essentials’ prices hike in Sylhet ahead of Ramadan, SCC price list ignored Kulsun Begum, a day labourer, said, “We live hand to mouth. I have been waiting in line since morning, but I still haven’t received anything. We have no guarantee when we will get the items. Poor people have no choice but to wait in line.” Habibur Rahman, regional deputy director and office head of TCB in Rangpur, said the goods will be sold daily except on public holidays. Both family cardholders and general customers can purchase the items. He said to ensure low-income people in Rangpur city can access the goods, sales will take place at different spots on different days. Currently, 15 trucks are operating in Rangpur city while sales continue at five points in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Nilphamari districts.

Sylhet city has witnessed an unusual surge in the prices of daily essentials ahead of Ramadan, leaving consumers frustrated over soaring costs. Visiting Ambarkhana, Bandar Bazar, Madina Market, Subid Bazar, and Kazir Bazar in the city the UNB correspondent on Wednesday found that meat and fish shops were selling products at higher rates than before. Traders said the demand for meat at the start of Ramadan has put pressure on the broiler and Sonali chicken markets. Consumers said the price of broiler chicken has risen by up to Tk 25 per kilogram in a week. A chicken that sold for Tk 165 on February 11 is now being sold at Tk 185–190 depending on location. Similar trends were observed in the fish market, with prices increasing by Tk 25–50 per kilogram for almost all types of fish, according to sellers. Prices of banana, commonly used for iftar, have increased by Tk 5–10 per bunch depending on size. Apple and orange prices have also risen compared to previous weeks. Besides, lemons that were sold at Tk 30–40 a few days ago are now priced at Tk 90–120 depending on size. Cucumbers are being sold at Tk 80–100 per kilogram, up from Tk 30–40 last week. Traders said rising wholesale prices are affecting retail rates. Abdul Qadir, a resident of Tal Tala area, said, “Prices usually rise during Ramadan but this time they have surged early. Market rates do not match the official prices, putting extra pressure on low-income families.” A meat seller at Bandar Bazar said supply is slightly lower than usual while demand is increasing rapidly. “That’s why prices are adjusting in the market. We also have to buy at higher rates from wholesalers,” he added. Earlier on Monday (Feb 9), a meeting at Nagar Bhaban chaired by Sylhet City Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Reza Rafin Sarkar urged traders to sell essentials at fair prices during Ramadan. The meeting fixed rates for beef at Tk 750 per kilogram, buffalo meat Tk 650, goat meat Tk 1,100, mutton and sheep meat Tk 1,000, Sonali chicken Tk 310, and poultry chicken Tk 170. Measures for displaying price lists, preventing adulteration, and regular market monitoring were also decided. However, market visits revealed a different picture. Traders were openly selling goods above the fixed rates, ignoring CSCC’s price list. Customers alleged that beef is being sold at Tk 800–900 per kilogram and prices vary widely between different shops. Shoppers said that ensuring supply-demand balance and strengthening regular monitoring could stabilise the market ahead of Ramadan. SCC Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Rezaie Rafin Sarkar said mobile courts are being conducted and action will be taken against those selling meat above the fixed prices set by the corporation.

A 65-year-old woman and her son died from electrocution at Dakkhin Nalua village in Matlab South upazila of Chandpur district on Tuesday night. The deceased were identified as Rina Begum, wife of Shahadat Khan, and her son Russel Khan, 35, of the village. Hafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Matlab South Police Station, said Russel first came into contact with a live wire and was electrocuted while trying to take a connection from an electric pole set up on the road adjacent to their house around 9:30 pm. As Rina Begum rushed to rescue him, she was also electrocuted and died on the spot. On information, police recovered the bodies and sent them to a local hospital.

Two people including an army personnel were killed and 15 others injured in a collision between a bus and a truck on Sherpur-Mymensingh highway in Phulpur upazila of Mymensingh district on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Rezaul Karim, 35, a truck driver of Bangladesh Army and Abdul Baset, 50, a bus driver. Rashedul Hasan, officer-in-charge of Phulpur Police Station, said the accident occurred at Balia intersection when a Sherpur-bound bus collided head-on with a truck of Bangladesh Army, leaving 17 people injured. Among the injured the driver of both the vehicles died on the way to a local hospital. Youth shot in Khulna gun attack

A youth was shot and wounded in an attack by some miscreants near Mowla Bari Khalpar area in Khulna city late Tuesday night. The injured youth was identified as Sohel alias Chega Sohel, 28, son of Shahadat of the same locality. Locals said Sohel has several cases filed against him and is allegedly involved in drug trading. Officer-in-Charge Md Kabir Hossain of Khulna Sadar Police Station said criminals opened indiscriminate fire targeting Sohel and one bullet hit the left side of his waist. Previous enmity might be the reason behind the attack, he added. He was first taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital. As his condition deteriorated at night he was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

A seven-year-old child was killed after being run over by a truck in the Jaflong area of Gowainghat Upazila on Tuesday morning. The deceased was identified as Nayan Mia, son of Khairul Islam of Kashipara area in Osmaninagar Upazila. He had been living with his family in a rented house in Mohammadpur area of Jaflong. According to local residents and police, the accident occurred around 11:30 am on the Mamaar Dokan–Mohammadpur road when Nayan was crossing the road. A speeding truck hit him, leaving him critically injured. Locals rescued the child and took him to Jaintiapur Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Officer-in-Charge of Gowainghat Police Station, Md Moniruzzaman, confirmed the incident.

Immigration police arrested two brothers, both accused in a murder case in Sunamganj, while they were attempting to flee to India through Benapole on Tuesday afternoon. The arrestees were identified as Sadiqur Rahman Shamim, 36, and Sajidur Rahman, 32, sons of Jalal Uddin of Halurgan area in Sunamganj. According to immigration police, the two brothers submitted their passports at the Benapole immigration desk, where verification revealed that they were accused in a murder case and also listed in a blacklist. Shamim claimed that they were involved in politics with the Bangladesh Awami League and that a case had been filed against them over a family dispute. Officer-in-Charge of Benapole Immigration Police Sakhawat Hossain said the two were detained after their names surfaced during passport checks. After completing immigration formalities, they were handed over to Benapole Port Police Station. Sub-Inspector Khayrul Islam of Benapole Port Police Station said the brothers were accused in a murder case filed in Sunamganj. “We are contacting Sunamganj police and will hand them over accordingly,” he added.

Two men were electrocuted while attempting to rescue a farmer who came into contact with a live electric line in Nakla upazila of Sherpur district on Tuesday evening. The deceased were identified as Mintu Mia, 45, son of Umed Ali, and Angur Mia, 50, son of Kubed Ali, both residents of Poladeshi village under Baneshwardi union of Nakla. Witnesses said farmer Samidul Islam was repairing an electric line of his irrigation pump when he was electrocuted and fell from a ladder. Hearing his screams, neighbours Mintu and Angur rushed to help but were also electrocuted. Locals rescued the three and took them to Nakla Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared Mintu and Angur dead. Samidul was referred in critical condition to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Emergency physician Dr Maliha Nujhat confirmed that the two victims were brought dead around 5:30pm, while the injured farmer was shifted for advanced treatment. Officer-in-Charge of Nakla Police Station Ripon Chandra Gop said an inquest report has been prepared and a case of unnatural death is being processed.