United News of Bangladesh

Several members of the National Citizen Party (NCP) were reportedly attacked in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Wednesday when they protested alleged extortion and demanded action against illegal establishments in Krishi Market. According to M M Shoaib, office coordinator of NCP’s Dhaka North unit, NCP activists from the Mohammadpur unit visited the Zone-5 office of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to submit a demand for the removal of illegal structures and the reinstatement of legal shop owners at the Krishi Market. He said that a group of miscreants, led by Mahbub Alam—known to be a close associate of the deposed Awami League's former mayor Atiq—launched a sudden attack and attempted murder on NCP representatives in Mohammadpur. Several people, including Mostakim, Kabir Sujan, Zaved, Shawon, and Sani, sustained injuries in this incident and were admitted to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for treatment, he added. NCP warns of consequences for bringing back ‘old culture of terrorism’ On the other hand, Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Hasan said they were informed of the incident by an official of DNCC’s Zone-5. “We sent a team to the spot and learned that a dispute had broken out between two groups over money and other issues. A scuffle occurred, but we could not confirm whether any political party, including the NCP, was involved. It did not appear to be a political matter,” the OC said. No formal complaint has been received from either side as of yet, added the OC.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has cancelled the registration certificate of a Hajj agency for failing to send pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and then delaying refund of their money while intimidating complainants. According to an official gazette notification, the license of Salam Abad Travels (Hajj License No. 1447), based in Jamalpur, has been revoked under the Hajj and Umrah Management Act, 2021 for violating several provisions of the law and committing misconduct. The ministry said six individuals from Islampur in Jamalpur, including one Md Nuruzzaman, had filed complaints alleging that they paid a total of Tk 26.18 lakh to the agency’s representative, Syed Abu Talha, son of the owner, to perform Hajj in 2024. However, the agency failed to send them. Over 1.5 million international pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj When the pilgrims asked for a refund, Talha repeatedly delayed repayment and even threatened the complainants. Following local arbitration, he refunded Tk 7.74 lakh on July 31 last year. Failing to recover the remaining amount, the victims submitted a formal complaint to the Religious Affairs Secretary on November 21. Subsequently, on December 1, the additional secretary (Hajj) held a hearing with both parties. During the hearing, Talha pledged to repay the remaining amount by January 30, 2025, and signed a written settlement. In line with the agreement, he paid an additional Tk 5 lakh in the second installment, the gazette noted. However, as of the deadline, Talha had only returned Tk 12.74 lakh out of Tk 26.18 lakh, leaving Tk 13.44 lakh unpaid. The complainants submitted another complaint on June 18 this year to the Religious Affairs Secretary. A second hearing was held on June 29 where both parties were notified. The ministry concluded that Salam Abad Travels collected money from intending pilgrims without sending them for Hajj, failed to return the full amount, issued threats, and breached the written agreement – all of which constitute serious violations of the Hajj and Umrah Management Act, 2021, specifically clauses 12(b), 12(j), 12(t), and 12(1). Citing these violations, the ministry cancelled the agency’s license under section 13(1) of the Act. It also ordered payment of the remaining Tk 13.44 lakh to the six affected individuals within 30 working days. If the agency fails to make the payment within the stipulated time, the ministry will compensate the victims from the agency’s security deposit, as per section 13(5) of the Act. Additionally, in line with section 13(6), the ministry directed that if any other pilgrims were pre-registered with Salam Abad Travels, they be transferred to agencies of their choice. The decision aims to uphold accountability in Hajj operations and ensure justice for affected pilgrims.  

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday directed the agencies concerned to complete all necessary preparations by December to ensure a peaceful national election. The Chief Adviser made the directive in a meeting that lasted for around two hours at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital. Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, chiefs and high officials of different law enforcement agencies and other concerned departments were present in the meeting. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. India can’t protect individual accused of crimes against humanity: Shafiqul Alam Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were present at the briefing.

Rivers in Bangladesh’s coastal and eastern districts continue to swell as heavy rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, lashes Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal divisions. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board’ on Wednesday said the heavy downpour is likely to continue over the next 24 hours from 6 pm with forecasts of moderate to moderately heavy rain in the following two days. Over 35 Feni villages flooded as dams collapse at 17 points The persistent rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, disrupted daily life in Dhaka and other parts of the country. According to the Met Office, Dhaka recorded 80 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours till 6pm today, while the highest rainfall during this period was 271 millimetres in another location. In Feni district, water levels in the Muhuri and Selonia rivers have crossed the danger level and the situation is expected to remain stable in the next 24 hours with a possibility of gradual improvement as water levels begin to recede, it said. However, heavy rainfall is likely in the basin over the next 24 hours followed by moderate to moderately heavy rainfall over the subsequent two days. In Chattogram district, the Halda River may rise above the danger level within the next 24 hours, which could trigger floods in low-lying areas along its banks. Water levels in the Feni, Sangu, and Gomti rivers are rising while the Matamuhuri River is currently receding, it said.. Forecasts indicate that the Gomti River may continue to rise in the next 24 hours while water levels in the Sangu and Matamuhuri may fall. All these rivers are likely to show a declining trend over the following two days. In Sylhet division, water levels in the Manu, Dhalai, and Khowai rivers continue to rise. The rising trend is expected to persist over the next 24 hours. The Ganges and Padma rivers are also witnessing rising trends and are expected to continue rising over the next five days, though they will likely stay below danger levels during this period. In Chattogram, a three-year-old child died after falling into an open drain amid waterlogging caused by continuous rainfall in Halishahar area on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Mosammat Humaiyra. Incessant rain floods Khulna city, adjacent areas Kamrul Islam, in-charge of Agrabad Fire Station, said, “On information, our team retrieved the child after about an hour of effort. She died on the way to a hospital,” he said. In Feni, More than 35 villages in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas have been submerged following the collapse of flood control embankments at 17 points along the Muhuri, Kuhua and Silonia rivers.  The damage, caused by incessant heavy rain and surging upstream water from India, has also disrupted power supply in several areas of the district, leaving thousands of residents in the dark. The floodwaters, however, have reportedly started to recede in Feni town, many low-lying areas remain inundated, disrupting daily life.  The Muhuri and Selonia rivers in Feni district are still flowing above danger levels. Fulgazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fariha Islam said, “Flood control dams have broken in at least seven places in the upazila. As a result, 14 villages have gone underwater.” More than 150 people took shelter in shelters, dry food and cooked food were arranged for them, she said. Meanwhile, continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days submerged the Feni-Parshuram road, severing direct road communication with Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas. Besides, continuous rainfall for the past few days has left parts of Khulna city, its suburbs and adjacent upazilas near the Sundarbans submerged. Several areas, including Royal Mor, Tutpara, Mistripara, Ahsan Ahmed Road, Boyra, Mujgunni, Sonadanga, and Fulbarigate went under water in the city. Rains entered the houses of the low-lying areas of the city, causing suffering of residents. Fish enclosures, ponds, and croplands were flooded and residents were facing an acute shortage of drinking water. Flood and waterlogging triggered by rains were also reported from Bagerhat, Barguna, Bhola and Madaripur districts.

At least 52 people were killed in police firing in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on August 5, 2024, according to a BBC Eye investigation published on Wednesday. The mass killing occurred on the same day then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled to India following weeks of anti-government demonstrations. Initial reports at the time suggested 30 dead in Jatrabari on that day. To uncover the sequence of events, BBC Eye examined hundreds of photos, videos, eyewitness testimonies, and conducted several on-site visits to Jatrabari. While various media and UN reports had previously addressed the incident, BBC says its investigation sheds new light on how the violence started and escalated, and provides new figures on the death toll. A spokesperson for Bangladesh Police said, “During the July uprising, such tragic events occurred, where some police personnel used excessive force and acted unprofessionally while attempting to control protesters.” A critical piece of video evidence, recorded by protester Miraj Hossain who was later killed in the shooting, shows the initial moments of police firing at 2:43 PM near the main gate of Jatrabari Police Station, it said. The video, extracted from his phone by family members, reveals army personnel initially stationed in front of the protesters suddenly withdrawing before police opened fire. Hasina approved lethal force against Bangladesh protesters: BBC report Other CCTV footage shows protesters fleeing through alleys as gunfire erupted. Another video captured police kicking injured people lying on the ground, according to the BBC report. The BBC also clarified misinformation surrounding a viral video that was previously believed to show the August 5 incident. Metadata analysis and visual inconsistencies revealed that the viral footage was actually from August 4 when a separate clash occurred outside Jatrabari Police Station. Drone footage analysed by the BBC showed police firing continued at least until 3:17 PM on August 5. The video also captured bodies lying on the highway and injured protesters being rushed to hospitals in vans and rickshaws. Initially, it was believed around 30 protesters were killed. After verifying hospital records, interviews with families, media reports, and social media posts, BBC found that at least 52 civilians were killed that day. Besides, six police officers were reportedly killed when a group of protesters later set fire to the police station. Cases have been filed against several Jatrabari police officials, including then-Officer-in-Charge Abul Hasan, who was present during the shooting. Police said they have begun necessary proceedings to hold those responsible accountable. Sources: BBC Eye, BBC Bangla

Students of the Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College staged a sit-in protest in front of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding the immediate promulgation of an ordinance to regulate Unani and Ayurvedic medical education. The protests which began at 10 am was part of a continued movement by the students to address what they describe as long-standing discrimination in the sector. Zubair, one of the protesting students, said, “We are victims of discrimination. Students from general backgrounds have been admitted to our college in violation of the rules. Despite having three streams under the Alternative Medical Care – Homoeopathy, Unani, and Ayurvedic – only the Homoeopathy Act was passed in September 2023. The Unani and Ayurvedic bill remains stuck. We don’t understand why we are being sidelined.” Consensus Commission holds meeting with EC Another student, Habib, said, “We are protesting an illegal letter issued on June 30 for admitting 250 students. These students were given degrees without any admission test. After our protest, the letter was canceled, but we have received no assurance from the health authorities about our future.” The students alleged that they have been denied a medical council for 35 years and demanded the swift passage of the Unani and Ayurvedic Medical Education and Practice Ordinance. Students said they began peaceful demonstrations on June 30 which included torch processions, sit-ins, human chains, and protest rallies across different parts of Dhaka.  

A meeting was held between the Bangladesh Election Commission and the National Consensus Commission on Tuesday evening. During the meeting, they exchanged views over the progress in implementing urgent recommendations made by the Election System Reform Commission and the related issues, said a press release from the Consensus Commission on Wednesday. Canadian High Commissioner meets Prof Ali Riaz Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on behalf of the Election Commission, attended the meeting held at the conference room of the Consensus Commission. Vice-Chair of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz , members of the consensus commission Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftikharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain and Dr Md Ayub Mia and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider were present.

Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh on Wednesday met Vice-Chair of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz to discuss the progress of the commission’s works to build an agreement over reform initiatives taken by the interim government. Ajit Singh was accompanied by Political Counsellor Marcus Davies and Counsellor & Head of Cooperation Stephen Weaver. Prof Riaz briefed the delegation on the dialogues with the political parties regarding building consensus and drafting the National Charter. He welcomed Canada's interest and emphasised the importance of international partnerships in strengthening democratic institutions. Foreign Affairs Adviser off to Malaysia to attend ASEAN Regional Forum   During the meeting, the Canadian delegation expressed strong support for the Commission’s objectives. They commended the efforts being made to promote inclusive dialogue and national consensus, and assured continued cooperation and assistance from the Government of Canada, said a press release from the Consensus Commission. The Canadian High Commission to Bangladesh in a Facebook post said the meeting discussed the work of the Bangladesh National Consensus Commission (NCC) on important reforms to take forward. “Canada will continue engaging all stakeholders to build consensus on reforms for an inclusive and democratic future for people of Bangladesh,” it said.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Wednesday dismissed the perception that the ongoing reforms in Bangladesh are being carried out under the prescription of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “We are carrying out these reforms in our own interest," he said this while addressing the Accounting and Auditing Summit (A & A Summit) at a city hotel here under the theme of ‘FRC’s Role and its impact on economic governance of Bangladesh’. Basic reforms priority, not long-term ones: Dr Salehuddin Questioning the misperception of a section of people, the adviser said if the IMF and World Bank asked for something good what the problem is. “What is the problem if they say something good, of course they are giving us technical assistance and that is also a very good contribution” he said. The interim government has constituted a number of reform commissions and some of them have already submitted their reports to the government.    

The Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday introduced a new master circular revising policies to streamline and accelerate financing for the burgeoning startup sector. Recognising startups as crucial drivers of growth, job creation, and innovation, the central bank's updated policy seeks to foster an innovative business environment and create new employment opportunities, aligning with sustainable development goals. A major change has been made to increase the loan limit for startups from Tk 2 crore to Tk 8 crore, categorized by the startup's operational stage. The loan was Tk 1 crore earlier. Bangladesh Bank anticipates that these revisions will simplify access to financing for this high-potential sector and play a crucial role in its effective development. The new master circular, developed through consultations with various stakeholders, introduces significant revisions to existing startup financing policies. Key changes are: Inclusive Definition of Startups: A more inclusive and comprehensive definition for startup ventures has been established. Entrepreneur Eligibility: Entrepreneurs must be at least 21 years old to qualify for financing, with no upper age limit. Existing businesses operating as startups are eligible if they have been registered for no more than 12 years. Expanded Financing Options: Previously, scheduled banks could only offer loan/investment facilities from their startup funds. The new circular allows for both loan/investment and equity financing for startups. Bangladesh Bank unveils major regulatory policy for banks Dedicated Equity Investment: Each scheduled bank's 'Startup Fund' will now exclusively provide equity investment facilities to startups. New Venture Capital Company: Bangladesh Bank will initiate the formation of a venture capital company to facilitate equity investment in startup firms. Scheduled banks will invest all funds from their startup funds as equity in this new company, which will be reflected as equity investments in their financial statements. Detailed instructions on the formation and operation of this company will be provided in separate circulars or guidelines. Bank and Financial Company Funding: Banks and financial companies will utilize their own loan/investment funds to provide loans and investments to startup entrepreneurs. Refinancing Facility: Banks and financial companies can access refinancing facilities from a Tk 500 crore 'Startup Fund' established by Bangladesh Bank against disbursed loans/investments to startup entrepreneurs. Transition Period: Following the issuance of this circular, no new loans or investments can be disbursed from a bank's own 'Startup Fund' to startup entrepreneurs, although already sanctioned loans/investments can still be disbursed. Increased Loan Limits: The loan limit for startups has been significantly increased from Tk 2 crore to Tk 8 crore, categorized by the startup's operational stage. The loan was Tk 1 core in previous. Reduced Interest Rates: The interest/profit rate for term and working capital loans/investments at the customer level will be a maximum of 4%, applied on a quarterly compounding basis. Exemption from ICRRS: Banks and financial companies are exempted from the Internal Credit Risk Rating System (ICRRS) guidelines until June 30, 2030, when providing loans/investments to startups, considering their potential, risks, and capabilities. General Provision: Banks and financial companies will maintain a 0.50% general provision against unclassified loans/investments disbursed to startup entrepreneurs from their own loan/investment funds.