Bangladesh
Two Trains Collide Head-On in Lalmonirhat
Russel Islam, Lalmonirhat: Rail communication between Burimari and the rest of the country has been suspended following a head-on collision between two trains in Lalmonirhat.
The accident occurred on Monday (July 23) at approximately 2:00 PM, next to the workshop of the Lalmonirhat Railway Station on the Burimari-Lalmonirhat rail route.
According to local sources and the railway department, the Lalmoni Express train, which had departed from Dhaka, arrived late at Lalmonirhat station and disembarked its passengers. Afterward, this intercity train was proceeding towards the workshop for cleaning. At the same time, the 461 Burimari Commuter train, departing from Burimari and bound for Parbatipur, was entering Lalmonirhat station on the same line. This resulted in a head-on collision between the two trains. As a result, two coaches of the passenger-empty Lalmoni Express train were derailed, and the railway line sustained minor damage. However, despite passengers being on the Burimari Commuter, no casualties were reported.
Since the incident, all rail communication on the Lalmonirhat-Burimari rail route has been cut off. Meanwhile, passengers of the Burimari Commuter train, which was bound for Parbatipur, are facing extreme hardship as the train remains stranded at the accident site. The relevant railway department has begun work to repair the line and salvage the coaches.
R.M.B. Benazir Ahmed, an officer from the security department of the Lalmonirhat Divisional Railway, who was present at the scene, stated, “There were no passenger casualties. Security personnel are ensuring the safety of the passengers. Rescue operations have also commenced.”
Sajid Hasan, D.M.E. of the Lalmonirhat Railway Loco Department, said, “No casualties occurred in the train accident. Rescue operations are underway. If any negligence of duty is found, it will be investigated, and appropriate action will be taken.”
Bangladesh’s High Court has upheld the death sentences of former police officials Pradeep Kumar Das and Liaqat Ali in the murder of retired Major Sinha Md Rashed Khan, describing Pradeep as the “mastermind” and principal planner of the killing. The 378-page verdict, delivered on 2 June, was uploaded to the Supreme Court website on 23 November.
The court observed that Pradeep was present at the scene and pressed his shoe-clad foot on Sinha’s chest and neck, ensuring his death—an allegation supported by witness testimonies and the post-mortem report. The court further noted that Liaqat Ali fired four shots at the unarmed victim in a premeditated manner, causing his death.
Stating that the trial court had correctly applied Section 302 of the Penal Code, the High Court upheld the earlier sentences: death for Pradeep and Liaqat, and life imprisonment for six others found guilty of conspiracy, aiding the crime, and sharing a common intention.
Major Sinha was shot dead at a police checkpoint in Shamlapur on 31 July 2020. The Cox’s Bazar court delivered the initial verdict on 31 January 2022. Following procedure, the death reference was sent to the High Court, while the convicts also filed appeals. With the High Court verdict now affirmed, the defence is expected to appeal to the Appellate Division once the certified copy is received.
Two people, including a van driver, were killed after a passenger bus struck a van in Chuadanga Sadar’s Alokdia Bazar on Sunday afternoon. Two others were injured, with both critically wounded victims transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
The deceased were identified as Parveen Akhter, 45, of Monirampur village in Alokdia Union, and van driver Ramzan Ali, 26, who later died on the way to the hospital. The injured—Israt from Rajapur and Shabdul from Jhenaidah’s Kotchandpur—remain under treatment.
According to police, the bus was travelling from Chuadanga to Meherpur when it rammed into the van from behind at Alokdia Bazar. One of the van passengers died on the spot. Rescue teams transported the injured to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, from where two were referred to Rajshahi due to their critical condition.
Additional Police Superintendent Mostafizur Rahman said legal procedures are underway and the bodies will be handed over to the families. The bus driver fled the scene after the accident.
Authorities in Meherpur have fined Nivalak Paints Bangladesh Ltd. Tk 200,000 for illegally producing paint. The penalty was imposed during a joint operation conducted by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and RAB on Sunday afternoon.
Mamunul Hasan, Assistant Director of the Consumer Rights Directorate in Meherpur, said the factory had been producing paint without proper authorization for an extended period. During the raid, officials found evidence supporting the violation and imposed the fine accordingly.
The same operation also penalized two other establishments: Shahin Traders was fined Tk 15,000 for selling oil and gas without a valid license, while New Bengal Foods was fined Tk 5,000 for producing bakery items in an unhygienic environment.
RAB-12 Meherpur Company Commander Lt. Wahiduzzaman and Food Safety Officer Riaz Mahmud were also present during the operation,
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