Why it matters: The brutal attack on an autorickshaw driver and a horrific bus accident on the highway in Lohagara, Chattogram, on the same day have brought the risks to public safety and the transport system back into the spotlight.

Why you need to know: The stabbing of an autorickshaw driver in the throat during a vehicle hijacking on Sunday night, followed by a head-on collision between two buses on Monday morning, has caused deep concern among locals. The activity of criminal gangs and reckless driving on the highway are disrupting the safety of ordinary people.

The big picture: In the West Taiber Para area of Barahatia Union in Lohagara, miscreants attacked a driver named Nurul Alam (55) with sharp weapons and snatched his autorickshaw. He was rescued in critical condition and sent to Chattogram for advanced medical treatment, but the perpetrators remain at large.

Between the lines: Police are investigating whether the autorickshaw hijacking was a premeditated crime. Additional Superintendent of Police for the Satkania Circle, Ariful Islam Siddiqui, visited the scene and is conducting a special operation to identify those involved.

Highway scene: Meanwhile, on Monday morning, a head-on collision occurred between two buses—Hanif Paribahan and SP Travels—in front of the Chunati Horticulture Nursery. Fortunately, no passengers were killed or injured, but the front parts of both buses were mangled, indicating driver negligence on the highway.

What’s next: Police are intensifying efforts to arrest the hijackers, and the seized buses have been taken to the highway police station. The local administration has promised to take strict measures to restore order on the highway and bring the criminals to justice quickly.

The bottom line: Strict surveillance by the administration and effective security measures are now the need of the hour to prevent the deterioration of law and order and the recurrence of accidents on the highways in Lohagara.

Why it matters: The 200-year-old traditional Mirkadim white cattle, or ‘Dhabal’ breed, from Munshiganj is now on the verge of extinction, serving as a major warning sign for the country’s livestock diversity.

The big picture: Currently, the number of purebred Mirkadim cattle across the country is less than 500, with only 200 remaining in Munshiganj district. The dominance of foreign and crossbred cattle, high prices of cattle feed, and farmers shifting professions have pushed this traditional breed toward disappearance.

Between the lines: Although the meat of the Mirkadim cow is highly delicious and low in fat, commercial farmers have lost interest in the breed due to its low milk production. While cheap feed was once available from local rice mills, small farmers are now unable to survive due to high production costs and labor shortages.

By the numbers: There are 84 Mirkadim cattle preserved at the Central Cattle Breeding Farm in Savar and 61 at the BLRI. A fully grown bull can weigh between 350 and 500 kilograms, and they possess a much higher disease resistance compared to foreign breeds.

What’s next: The government has taken initiatives for artificial insemination and semen supply to preserve the purity of the breed. The Department of Livestock Services has brought 25 farmers under special assistance, and a new project has been approved to conserve the breed.

The bottom line: If Mirkadim beef can be marketed as ‘premium quality beef’ and government incentives are ensured, it is possible to save this traditional breed from extinction.

Why it matters: The Union Parishad is the grassroots level of the local government system, and it is a constitutional and legal obligation to elect new representatives as the terms of approximately 4,300 UPs have expired.

The big picture: The Election Commission (EC) has finalized the schedule for the UP elections in five phases starting from 21 January, which will continue until 27 May 2027. Voting for approximately 1,000 UPs will take place in the first phase, with the remaining phases to be completed sequentially.

Between the lines: The election dates have been set with special consideration for the month of Ramadan and the SSC examination schedule, ensuring that students’ studies and religious observances are not disrupted. Verification of information for coastal area weather conditions and unions stuck due to legal complexities or lawsuits is also proceeding in parallel.

What’s next: The final list for the first and second phases of the election will be published by Thursday of this week. Preparatory work for election materials, including printing ballot papers in coordination with the BG Press and the Security Printing Press, is progressing rapidly.

The bottom line: The commission’s main goal is to complete elections in expired unions as per the law. Decisions regarding unions facing complications due to lawsuits will also be made promptly based on final court rulings.

By the numbers: The first phase will cover approximately 1,000 UPs, with the second phase on 4 February, the third on 29 April, the fourth on 13 May, and the fifth on 27 May. The Election Commission has undertaken this massive task as the terms of a total of 4,300 Union Parishads have expired.

Details of preparation: The Election Commission stated that there is no need to purchase new election equipment, but arrangements have been made to replace damaged items. Preparations for printing three types of ballot papers for the positions of chairman, general member, and reserved female member have also been completed. It has been decided to hold elections simultaneously in all Union Parishads of an upazila if their terms expire at the same time, which will help reduce administrative complexity. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that the commission has taken all necessary preparations to ensure the election is fair and participatory.