DHAKA, March 9, 2026 (BSS) — Police have arrested four members of an organized gang involved in stealing and trading human skeletons, recovering 47 skulls and a large quantity of human bones during multiple raids in the capital. The arrests were made by Tejgaon Police Station under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in the Tejgaon area. The detainees are: Kazi Zahurul Islam alias Soumik (25), Md. Abul Kalam (39), Asadul Munshi alias Jasim alias Ershad (32), and Md. Faisal Ahmed (26). During the operation, police recovered 47 human skulls and bones of various body parts, which were stored in several plastic market bags. Deputy Commissioner of police, Tejgaon Division, Ibne Mizan disclosed the information today in a press briefing held at media centre of Dhaka Metropolitan Police at Mintoo Road in the capital. According to Tejgaon Police Station sources, police received confidential information that a man was collecting human skeletons illegally from graveyards with the intention of selling them.  Acting on the tip-off, a team conducted a raid around 1:45 am on March 9 in front of Gate No. 1 of Monipuripara under Tejgaon Police Station and arrested Kazi Zahurul Islam alias Soumik.  At that time, one human skeleton was recovered from his possession. Later, based on his information, police carried out another raid around 7:10 am in front of Tejgaon College, where Md. Abul Kalam and Asadul Munshi alias Jasim alias Ershad were arrested with two human skeletons. Following further interrogation, police conducted a raid at approximately 3:30 pm the same day at a hostel room of Sapporo Dental College & Hospital under Uttara West Police Station.  During the raid, police recovered 44 human skeletons scattered inside Room No. 402, which were allegedly dug up from various graveyards across the country and stored there. A regular case has been filed against the accused at Tejgaon Police Station. During initial interrogation, the arrested suspects reportedly confessed that the gang used to steal human skeletons from graveyards in different parts of the country, including Gazipur, and sell them to buyers at high prices. Police said that Md. Abul Kalam has 21 cases filed against him in different police stations across the country, while Asadul Munshi alias Jasim alias Ershad has two cases against him. Legal proceedings against the arrested individuals are currently underway.  

RANGPUR, Mar 10, 2026 (BSS): The district administration has undertaken preparations to distribute 2,879.76 tonnes of rice among 2,87,976 vulnerable families under the government's Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme to support them in celebrating the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festival. Officials said the rice has been allocated by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for distribution among poor and distressed families across eight upazilas and three municipalities of the district. District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) Golam Kibria told BSS that the distribution process will be carried out by the upazila administrations with assistance from local public representatives and union-level committees. Each beneficiary family will receive 10 kg of VGF rice.  The distribution will take place in 77 unions under the eight upazilas and three municipalities and will be completed before the Eid-ul-Fitr festivity. Under the programme, 156.39 tonnes of rice will be distributed among 15,639 families in Rangpur Sadar upazila, 684.21 tonnes among 68,421 families in Mithapukur, 382.22 tonnes among 38,222 families in Pirganj and 483.94 tonnes among 48,394 families in Pirgachha upazila. In addition, 275.99 tonnes of rice will be distributed among 27,599 families in Kawnia, 428.37 tonnes among 42,837 families in Gangachara, 239.04 tonnes among 23,904 families in Badarganj and 136.98 tonnes among 13,698 families in Taraganj upazilas. Apart from this, 30.85 tonnes of rice will be distributed among 3,085 families in Badarganj municipality, 15.49 tonnes among 1,549 families in Haragachh municipality and 46.25 tonnes among 4,625 families in Pirganj municipality. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Enamul Ahsan said the district administration has taken necessary measures to ensure timely distribution of the allocated VGF rice among cardholder families so they can celebrate the upcoming Eid festival with greater ease.