Dhaka 26 September, 2026

Attack on Environment Adviser's Motorcade, Six Journalists Injured

Rtv News

Publish : 26 May 2025, 04:53 PM
Photo: Collected

An attack on the motorcade of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as well as the Ministry of Water Resources, has left six journalists injured in Sherpur.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in the Dawdhara Katabon area of Nalitabari upazila, near the Sherpur border. Adviser Rizwana Hasan was visiting the forested region, surrounded by the Garo Hills, to inspect a proposed tourism project. The visit followed objections raised by the Forest Department regarding the initiative, which was taken up by the local administration.

During her visit, the Adviser firmly stated, "No tourism centre will be built on forest land," adding that plans are underway to establish an elephant sanctuary in the area.

Her remarks sparked outrage among a section of the local population. Supporters and opponents of the tourism project clashed, eventually blocking the adviser's motorcade and staging protests. The situation escalated when a group of agitators launched an attack on the journalists accompanying the motorcade, leaving at least six media personnel injured.

Those injured include Zahidul Khan Sourav of Ekattor TV, video journalist Babu Chakraborty of Somoy TV, Naeem Islam of Bangla TV, Shahriar Shakir of Bangladesh-er Khobor, and two others.

According to the Forest Department, approximately 21,000 acres of forest land stretch across three administrative ranges in Sherpur's Garo Hill region. Around 15% of this land is currently under illegal occupation. The local administration recently proposed building a tourism centre on 223 acres of government land, 32 acres of which have been designated as a protected stone quarry. Following the Forest Department's objections, construction activities were halted.

Speaking to reporters, Adviser Rizwana Hasan reiterated, "This forest is a national asset and must not be destroyed under the guise of tourism." She confirmed that efforts are underway to designate the area as a wildlife sanctuary for elephants.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many expressing concern over the attack on journalists. Local journalists and members of the Sherpur Press Club have condemned the violence and voiced serious concern for the safety of media professionals.

Follow google news channel to get RTV news Google News
9 Injured in Truck Accident on Dhaka-Mawa Expressway
At least nine people were injured in a freight truck accident caused by dense fog on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway in Sreenagar Upazila, Munshiganj. The accident occurred around 3:30 AM on Sunday (December 28) on the slope of a rail overbridge on the Mawa-bound lane. Upon receiving the news, a team from the Sreenagar Fire Station rushed to the scene to begin rescue operations. The injured were initially taken to the Sreenagar Upazila Health Complex. Since the victims are residents of Bhanga Upazila in Faridpur district, they were later transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Traffic on that section of the expressway was disrupted for approximately an hour and a half due to the crash. Read More Fire Breaks Out at Rohingya Camp in Cox's Bazar However, movements returned to normal by dawn following efforts by the Fire Service and Highway Police. According to the Fire Service, the truck was traveling from Cumilla to Bhanga. It was carrying laborers along with decoration materials and various goods belonging to traders returning from a fair in Cumilla. Dewan Azad Hossain, Station Officer of Sreenagar Fire Service, stated that the driver lost control of the vehicle because he could not see the road clearly due to heavy fog. The truck subsequently hit the railing and overturned. All nine people on board, including the driver, sustained serious injuries.
9 Injured in Truck Accident on Dhaka-Mawa Expressway
Fire Breaks Out at Rohingya Camp in Cox's Bazar
A fire has broken out at the Leda Rohingya Camp (Camp No. 24) in Teknaf Upazila, Cox's Bazar. The blaze reportedly started around 10:00 PM on Sunday in a shed within Block F of the camp. Within moments, the fire spread throughout the block and quickly grew out of control. Two units from the Teknaf and Ukhiya Fire Service are currently working to bring the flames under control. Additionally, members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) stationed at the camp, army personnel, camp volunteers, and local Bangladeshis are working together to extinguish the fire. Local Rohingya witnesses reported that after the fire ignited in a single shed at 10:00 PM, it rapidly jumped to neighboring structures. Initial attempts by camp volunteers and security forces to contain the fire were unsuccessful. Fire service units from Teknaf and Ukhiya arrived shortly after to take over the operation. According to camp sources, the fire was still not completely under control an hour after the incident began. As of now, there is no immediate information regarding casualties or the total extent of the damage.
Fire Breaks Out at Rohingya Camp in Cox's Bazar
Massive Blasts Rock Myanmar Border, Panic Grips Ukhiya and Teknaf
Residents along the Ukhiya and Teknaf borders spent a sleepless night in fear as thunderous sounds of airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling echoed from Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Sirajul Mostafa Lalu, a member of Ward 2 of Huaikyang Union Parishad, confirmed the situation to the media on Sunday (December 28) morning, reporting that the intensity of the blasts was unlike anything heard in recent times. Midnight Terrors at the Border According to local residents, the heavy shelling began around midnight on Saturday and continued intermittently until 2:00 AM. Read More Myanmar Begins Voting for First Time in Five Years Under Military Rule The explosions were so powerful that doors and windows of houses on the Bangladesh side rattled violently. The most affected areas include: Ukhiya: Palongkhali and Rajapalong Unions. Teknaf: Border villages within Huaikyang Union. Conflict Near the "Zero Line" Sources indicate that the blasts are part of the ongoing fierce conflict between the rebel Arakan Army and the Myanmar Junta forces. The strikes reportedly took place in the Balibazar area, approximately 13 kilometers inside Myanmar territory from the "Zero Line" and 15 kilometers southeast of border pillar BRM-18. "Suddenly, massive explosion sounds began at night," said UP Member Sirajul Mostafa Lalu. "People from the border areas were calling me repeatedly out of fear. We have advised everyone to remain alert." Official Response Lieutenant Colonel Jashim Uddin, Commander of the 64 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Ukhiya Battalion, addressed the concerns, stating that while the explosions were audible near the Huaikyang BOP (Border Outpost), they occurred strictly within Myanmar's borders. The BGB remains on high alert to prevent any spillover effects or illegal crossings resulting from the intensified fighting across the frontier.
Massive Blasts Rock Myanmar Border, Panic Grips Ukhiya and Teknaf
One Dead, 15 Rescued After Fire Breaks Out on Saint Martin-Bound Vessel
A devastating fire erupted on a passenger ship named The Atlantic Cruise on the Bankkhali River near the BIWTA terminal in Nuniyachhara on Saturday morning. One crew member was killed, while 15 others, including crew and staff, were rescued alive. The fire broke out around 7:00 AM on December 27 as the vessel was preparing to dock to pick up passengers for a trip to Saint Martin. Casualty and Rescue Operations The deceased, identified as 35-year-old Nur Kamal, was an employee of the vessel. According to reports, he was asleep in a cabin when the fire started. Local residents using trawlers and speedboats rushed to the scene as the ship blazed at the river estuary, successfully rescuing 15 people on board. Fire service units and the Coast Guard reached the site shortly after. "We have recovered the charred body of an employee who was asleep in a room," said Sayed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Cox'S Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defense. "We are searching to ensure no one else is trapped. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined." Impact on Tourism The incident occurred just before nearly 200 tourists were set to board. Hossein Islam Bahadur, General Secretary of the Sea Cruise Owners Association, noted the narrow escape for travelers: "194 tourists were scheduled to travel to Saint Martin on this ship today.  Read More Massive Fire Breaks Out on Saint Martin-Bound Ship Fortunately, they had not yet boarded and were waiting at the terminal." Some of the stranded tourists were accommodated on other vessels based on capacity, while the remainder are scheduled to depart tomorrow. Investigation Launched Authorities have initiated a formal inquiry into the disaster. Following an on-site inspection, Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan announced the formation of a five-member committee to investigate the cause of the fire. A meeting with ship owners is also scheduled for this afternoon. "We are investigating whether the fire was caused by a mechanical fault or other factors," added Tanjila Tasnim, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate. Vessel operations between Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin had recently resumed on December 1, with six ships authorized to carry a maximum of 2,000 tourists daily under strict safety guidelines.
One Dead, 15 Rescued After Fire Breaks Out on Saint Martin-Bound Vessel
Bus-Truck Collision on Expressway Leaves 10 Injured Amid Heavy Fog
At least 10 people were injured in a collision between a passenger bus and a truck on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway during the early hours of Saturday. Fire service officials reported that two of the injured are in critical condition. The accident occurred around 1:00 AM on Friday night (December 27) near the Chonbari bus stand area of the highway. Upon receiving the news, members of the Shreenagar Fire Service rushed to the scene to conduct rescue operations. The injured passengers were initially taken to the Shreenagar Upazila Health Complex. Due to their deteriorating conditions, two victims were immediately transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for advanced treatment. Highway Police and the Fire Service have not yet been able to confirm the identities of the victims. Read More Massive Fire Breaks Out on Saint Martin-Bound Ship Shreenagar Fire Service Station Officer Dewan Azad told the media that a "Tungipara Express" passenger bus, heading from Gabtoli to Gopalganj, lost control due to heavy fog and rammed into the back of a truck parked on the Mawa-bound lane of the expressway. The accident disrupted traffic on the expressway for approximately one hour. Normal traffic flow resumed around 1:30 AM after Highway Police, with the assistance of the Fire Service, removed the damaged vehicles from the road. The bus involved in the accident has been seized, and legal proceedings are underway.
Bus-Truck Collision on Expressway Leaves 10 Injured Amid Heavy Fog
Read More
Nine Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Injured in Sudan
Israel Linked to Nearly Half of 2025 Journalist Deaths
Kenya: Landslide Kills at Least 21 after Heavy Rains
Arundhati Roy, Gayatri Spivak Demand Release of Shahidul and Others