Bangladesh News Roundup: Rohingya Detention, ICT Charges, and Narsingdi Violence

1. Rohingyas Pushed Back from India Detained by BGB
Yesterday, 12 Rohingyas were reportedly pushed into Bangladesh through the Batamoral Pan Punji border in Barlekha upazila, Moulvibazar, by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) intercepted them, interrogated them, and took them into custody.

The group included three men, four women, and five children. According to Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Haque Chawdhury, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-52, the individuals identified themselves as Rohingyas and were allegedly forced into Bangladesh around 6:30 a.m. They were subsequently handed over to Barlekha Police Station for legal processing.

Verification of their identities may take time, as none of the Rohingyas possess formal ID cards. Officer-in-charge Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Molla said authorities are coordinating with relevant offices in Cox’s Bazar to confirm their details.

2. International Crimes Tribunal Frames Charges Against Ex-Cops
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has formally framed charges against five former police officers, including Habibur Rahman, ex-commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, over alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising in Rampura.

The other accused are Rashedul Islam (former DMP Khilgaon zone deputy commissioner), Mashiur Rahman (former Rampura OC), Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan (former sub-inspector), and Chanchal Chandra Sarkar (former assistant sub-inspector). Of these, only Chanchal is in custody; the others remain fugitives.

The charges include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, abetment, incitement, failure to prevent or punish crimes, and command responsibility under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.

The formal complaint states that on July 19, police action in Rampura critically injured six-year-old Musa, whose grandmother Maya Islam was fatally shot by the same bullet. Another victim, Md Nadim, was also killed. Additionally, video footage surfaced showing 18-year-old Amir Hossain falling from an under-construction building, allegedly after being shot at by police while clinging to the edge.

Chanchal pleaded innocent when charges were read, and the tribunal set October 16 for opening statements and witness testimony.

3. Fatal Clash in Narsingdi Leaves One Dead, Five Injured
A violent clash between two rival groups erupted yesterday in Muradnagar village, Narsingdi Sadar upazila, leaving one man dead and five others injured by gunfire.

The deceased, Idan Miya (55), was the father of Al-Amin Maruf, president of Ward 7 of Jamaat-e-Islami. The clash involved two local factions: one led by Shah Alam Chowdhury of BNP’s Alokbali union unit and another by Abdul Kaiyum Miya, an expelled BNP member.

Police officer Md Emdadul Haque confirmed the situation is under control and said the deceased was sent for autopsy. Hospital sources reported two critically injured victims were later transferred to Dhaka for further treatment.

During the incident, Jamuna TV journalist Ayub Khan Sarkar was attacked while covering the events at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. Fellow journalists and locals rescued him, and he received four stitches for head injuries.

BNP and local residents gave conflicting accounts of the violence, with allegations of armed attacks by both sides. The expelled leader Kaiyum could not be reached for comment.