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Bangladesh continues support for UN Peacekeeping: Foreign Minister
International desk
06 Dec 2023, 22:30
Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, MP underscored that Bangladesh would continue supporting the seven priorities of the Secretary General’s Action for Peacekeeping agenda. He said, our principled position, rooted in the foreign policy dictum of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, serves as a guiding force.
This stance consistently propels us force to actively participate in the peace endeavors of the UN including promoting culture of peace, contributing to peacekeeping operations and facilitating peacebuilding. (Dhaka, 6 December)
Foreign Minister Momen said this while speaking as a panelist in the plenary today in the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial being held in Accra, Ghana. He is leading a high-level Bangladesh delegation there.
The UN Peacekeeping Ministerial is held aimed at receiving pledges from the Member States. Dr. Momen made peacekeeping pledges on behalf of Bangladesh.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr. Momen held a meeting with Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary in Accra. The two foreign ministers discussed various issues of mutual interests in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
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5 Killed in Auto-Rickshaw and Covered Van Collision in Kishoreganj
Five people were killed on the spot in a collision between a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and a covered van in Jagannathpur area of the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in Bhairab, Kishoreganj.
The accident occurred around 9:30 am on Monday (December 16). Following the incident, the driver of the covered van fled the scene.
Among the five deceased, two have been identified: Shahin, the driver of the auto-rickshaw, and Rajon, a passenger. Both hailed from Pirijkandi village in Raipura upazila. The identities of the other three victims, all women, are yet to be confirmed.
According to the police and eyewitnesses, two covered vans and a CNG auto-rickshaw were heading towards Bhairab from Nilkuti in Narsingdi. While crossing the Jagannathpur Bridge, one of the covered vans tried to overtake and collided with the other covered van, which then crashed into the auto-rickshaw. This resulted in the instant death of the five victims, including the auto-rickshaw driver.
Confirming the incident, Bhairab Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Saju Mia stated that the identities of two victims have been confirmed so far, while efforts are ongoing to identify the remaining three.
Bishwa Ijtema: / 3 Killed, Over 100 Injured in Violent Clashes Between Jubair and Saad Factions
Violent clashes erupted between the Jubair and Saad factions over control of the Tongi Bishwa Ijtema grounds, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to over 100 others. The clashes began early Wednesday (December 18).
The deceased have been identified as Bacchu Mia (70), a resident of Egarosindu village in Pakundia Upazila, Kishoreganj, and Belal (60) from Beribad area of Dakshinkhan, Dhaka. The identity of the third deceased remains unknown.
Among the injured are Abdur Rouf (55) from Brahmanbaria, Mujibur Rahman (58) from Mymensingh, Abdul Hannan (60), Zahurul Islam (38) from Tongi, Arif (34) from Gopalganj, Faisal (28) from Savar, Toriqul (42) from Narsingdi, Shahed (44) from Chattogram, Ukil Mia (58) from Narsingdi, Pant (55) from Tongi, Khorshed Alam (50), Belal (34) from Keraniganj, Anwar (50) from Narayanganj, Abu Bakar (59), Ariful Islam (50), Anwar (26) from Savar, Anwar (76) from Noakhali, and Forkan Ahmed (35) from Satkhira. The identities of many others injured could not be immediately confirmed.
How the Clash Began
Local sources report that around 3:00 AM, Saad faction members began entering the Ijtema grounds from the western bank of the Turag River via various routes, including the Kamarpara Bridge. At that time, Jubair faction members inside the grounds began pelting stones at them. In response, the Saad faction launched counterattacks, leading to a fierce clash when the Saad faction entered the grounds.
The violent confrontation resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities on both sides.
In a video message, Muaz Bin Noor, a senior influential leader of the Saad faction, claimed, "We are now in control of the Ijtema grounds. Three of our brothers have been martyred in attacks by the Jubair faction." Noor also alleged that several Jubair faction members were detained with knives and sharp weapons.
Casualties and Medical Response
Due to the clashes, the injured and deceased were taken to Tongi Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital and other nearby medical facilities. Hafizul Islam, Senior Brother at the emergency department of the Tongi hospital, confirmed the casualties, saying, "So far, three people have died, and countless others are injured. Many more are arriving at the hospital for treatment."
Ongoing Conflict
As of 8:00 AM, when this report was filed, the clashes were still ongoing, with fears that the death toll and number of injured could rise. Some victims have been transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and other facilities for further treatment.
Korail Slum Fire Brought Under Control within an Hour
The fire at Korail slum, which broke out at 4:15 pm today (18 December) has been brought under control within an hour with seven units of the Fire Service.
The information was confirmed by Rakibul Hasan, an officer on duty at the control room of the Fire Service Headquarters.
The fire was brought under control around 5:15 pm on Wednesday (December 18). Earlier, the fire reportedly broke out at around 4:15 pm, according to Anwarul Islam Dolon, an officer at the media cell of the Fire Service Headquarters.
He stated that the fire started at Bou Bazar in Korail slum around 4:15 pm. Upon receiving the news, seven units from three stations were dispatched to the scene. After an hour of effort, the fire was brought under control, he added.
5 Killed in Truck-Auto Rickshaw Collision
Five people, including a child, were killed in a collision between a dump truck and an auto-rickshaw in Pekua, Cox's Bazar. Two others were injured in the accident.
The incident occurred around 7:00 AM on Thursday, December 19, in the Dhoniakata area of the ABC regional highway in Pekua.
Cox's Bazar police spokesperson Jashim Uddin reported that the collision crushed the auto-rickshaw, killing four passengers on the spot and injuring two.
The injured were rescued and admitted to a local hospital. While the dump truck has been seized, the driver and helper are currently on the run, according to the police official.
End to Bank Heist: 3 Robbers Surrender
Three robbers who had taken hostages at the Zinzira branch of Rupali Bank in South Keraniganj, Dhaka, have surrendered. During the operation, three locally made weapons were recovered.
This information was shared by RAB official Khalid Hasan on Thursday evening (December 19).
He stated, "The three robbers inside the bank have surrendered. Locally made weapons have been recovered from their possession."
In a message from RAB, it was revealed that the three robbers had entered the Rupali Bank branch in the Chunkutia area of South Keraniganj, demanding 1.5 million BDT. They later surrendered to a joint force along with three firearms.
Earlier, around 2 PM on Thursday, the robbers entered the bank. The nearby mosque’s loudspeaker was used to alert locals about the robbery, prompting hundreds of people to surround the bank. The bank manager, Shekhar Mondal, was not present at the time of the incident.
Senior officials, including Dhaka District Police Superintendent Ahmad Moid, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of South Keraniganj Revenue Circle Rois Al Rezwan, along with RAB and law enforcement personnel, were present at the scene.
Mild Cold Wave Grips Panchagarh, Temperature Drops to 9.8°C
In Tetulia, Panchagarh, a mild cold wave has caused the temperature to drop again to 9°C, intensifying the feeling of severe cold. Although the sun has been visible since morning, its warmth is lacking.
According to the Meteorological Office, the lowest temperature in Tetulia was recorded at 9.8°C at 6 a.m. on Sunday (December 22).
Meanwhile, the entire Panchagarh region has been gripped by the intensity of the cold. The biting chill has paralyzed daily life, especially between dusk and 10 a.m., when the cold feels most severe.
The situation has worsened the plight of day laborers, who are unable to start work on time. Although the temperature slightly rises as the day progresses, the cold intensifies again in the afternoon.
From night till morning, roads remain covered in dense fog, creating difficulties for vehicle drivers. They have to navigate cautiously with headlights on.
The icy cold winds flowing from the Himalayas and the winter chill have led to a rise in cold-related illnesses. The outpatient departments of hospitals across the district and upazilas are seeing an increasing number of patients suffering from cold-related ailments. Doctors are providing treatment along with advice on prevention and recovery from such illnesses.
Jitendra Nath, Assistant In-Charge of the First-Class Weather Observation Center in Tetulia, said, "The mild cold wave is causing a biting chill. This morning at 6 a.m., the lowest temperature recorded in Tetulia was 9.8°C. The temperature may drop further in the coming days."
10-Vehicle Pileup on Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, Fears of Multiple Casualties
A collision involving 10 vehicles, including buses, occurred on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway due to dense fog early Sunday morning (December 22) in the Sirajdikhan and Sreenagar areas of Munshiganj. Authorities fear multiple casualties.
The accident began around 4 a.m. with a collision between two cargo trucks. Later, at approximately 7:30 a.m., another bus rammed into a stationary one, injuring several people. Simultaneously, a pickup van struck a private car, causing further injuries.
Highway police and fire service teams rushed to the scene to initiate rescue operations.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Kader Jilani of Hasara Highway Police Station stated, “We are working to clear the damaged vehicles from the road and restore traffic flow. The dense fog in the morning led to multiple collisions.”
He added that five people were injured in the incident and were promptly taken to the upazila health complex for treatment. Police suspect excessive speed combined with poor visibility from the fog as the primary cause of the accidents.
