Sylhet Prepares for Presidential Visit, Confirms West Indies Test Venue, and Responds to Viral Chaining Incident
Sylhet was in the news on several fronts this week: the city's administration convened preparations for a formal visit by President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on September 15, international cricket confirmed Sylhet as a venue for an upcoming West Indies Test series in November, and police made three arrests after a video showing a young woman being chained and dragged through a marketplace spread widely on social media.
🗳️ Minister Calls for Coordination Ahead of Presidential Visit to Sylhet
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury presided over a special preparatory meeting at Sylhet Circuit House on September 9 to coordinate arrangements for President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's scheduled visit to the city on September 15. The meeting was organised by the district administration and brought together officials from multiple departments to ensure the orderly completion of the visit's programme. Speaking as chief guest, Minister Choudhury described the presidential visit as a significant occasion for Sylhet and called on all concerned parties to work in coordination. During the visit, the President is planned to pay homage at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shahparan (RA), two of the most revered Sufi saints whose dargahs draw pilgrims from across Bangladesh and the global Bangladeshi diaspora throughout the year. The President is also expected to meet and exchange views with citizens and notable members of Sylhet's society, including university teachers, journalists, business leaders, professionals, and representatives from political and civil society organisations. The minister stressed that prominent citizens from all sections of society should be involved in the visit, underscoring the importance of making the occasion broadly representative of Sylhet's diverse and historically significant community. [2]
🎉 Sylhet Confirmed as Venue for Bangladesh-West Indies Test Series
Bangladesh's cricket authorities confirmed that Sylhet will serve as one of two venues for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies, scheduled for October and November. The first Test is planned to begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, from October 28, while the second Test is scheduled to start from November 5 at the Sylhet venue. The announcement followed the release of the full series schedule ahead of the West Indies tour to Bangladesh. Sylhet's international cricket stadium has built a reputation as one of Bangladesh's modern venues, and its inclusion in the series ensures that fans across the northeastern division can attend top-level international fixtures close to home. The presence of the West Indies in Sylhet will bring a major cricketing occasion to the city and is expected to draw considerable local support. Sylhet has a strong cricketing culture and regularly draws large crowds for domestic and international fixtures, and the Test match in November offers fans a rare chance to see the longer format of the game in a city that has embraced cricket as an important part of its sporting identity. The series adds to the calendar of significant events taking place in Sylhet this autumn. [1]
Three Arrested After Video of Chained Woman Spreads on Facebook
Three men were arrested in Sylhet after a video circulated on Facebook showing a young woman, aged 20, being chained around the waist and dragged along a road in the Shahjalal Upsahar area of Sylhet city. The incident took place on the night of Monday, September 8, after the woman was detained by traders and local residents at the B-Block Mosque Market on the allegation of attempted theft at a shop. CCTV footage showed the woman placing her hand inside a cash box but not succeeding in taking money, according to police. When officers first responded, locals said they wished to resolve the matter themselves, and police withdrew. Later that night, traders contacted police again and officers brought the woman to the police station, with no written theft complaint subsequently filed. After the video spread widely on social media, police arrested shop owner Jakir Hosen, 43, his brother Mozakkir Hosen, 40, and Borhan Uddin, 45. Officer-in-Charge of Shahparan police station Ferdous Ahmed confirmed that police became the plaintiff, filing a case alleging detention, torture, outraging of the woman's modesty, and unlawful spread of the video online. All three were produced before court. Additional Deputy Commissioner Manzurul Alam noted that the woman had placed her hand in the cash box but had not taken money. [5]
Sources: [2] bssnews.net · [1] Cricinfo · [5] viewsbangladesh.com