A human chain was organized in Rangpur, Bangladesh, to protest recent attacks on Muslims and mosques in India allegedly carried out by extremist groups. The demonstration took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Rangpur Press Club premises, initiated by the Legal Aid Center (ASK). Participants expressed strong condemnation of the incidents and called for an immediate end to the violence.

Speakers at the event stated that assaults on Muslims have been increasing globally, with India being one of the most affected countries. They described the attacks and mosque vandalism as severe violations of human rights and accused extremist groups of receiving protection. The speakers urged the Bangladesh government to engage in dialogue with India to help stop the killings and persecution.

Among those addressing the protest were ASK Rangpur divisional president Amina Begum Ripa, vice presidents Jahangir Hossain Bablu and Jahangir Hossain Tauyeb, general secretary Nahida Parvin Shikha, organizational secretary Suman Sarkar, and journalist Asaduzzaman Afzal of the Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association.

Bangladesh has strongly condemned an Israeli attack in Lebanon that killed two Bangladeshi nationals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday expressing deep sorrow over the deaths of Rafiqul Islam and Nahidul Islam Nahid, both from Satkhira. The government extended condolences to the bereaved families and confirmed that the Bangladesh Embassy in Lebanon is coordinating with local authorities to complete formalities for repatriating the bodies.

The statement further expressed Bangladesh’s deep concern over the ongoing violence in the region and the loss of civilian lives. It called for maximum restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law. The embassy is maintaining contact with the victims’ families to provide necessary support.

The government’s response underscores Bangladesh’s consistent position on protecting civilians and upholding international law amid regional conflicts.

In Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj, a dispute has emerged between Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ruhul Amin and municipal BNP joint convener Nurul Amin over alleged irregularities in the leasing of local water bodies. Nurul Amin accused the UNO of misconduct in the lease process and announced a human chain protest through a Facebook post. In response, the UNO publicly denied the allegations, asserting that the leasing process was transparent and free from favoritism or corruption.

The UNO stated that the administration’s objective is to ensure the rightful access of genuine fishermen to the water bodies, emphasizing that these are public resources not meant for exploitation by influential groups. He added that all decisions of the upazila water body committee were made lawfully and described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. The UNO urged anyone with concrete evidence to present it and warned against spreading misinformation.

According to the administration, a zero-tolerance policy is being maintained to dismantle local syndicates and ensure transparency and accountability in water body management.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that the government will review, rather than cancel, the existing trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States. He made the statement on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Press Information Department in Dhaka, where he discussed progress in various government activities. Rahman said the agreement allows for termination with a 60-day notice but also provides an option for both countries to revise its terms through mutual discussion.

He explained that the government will first conduct an internal review to assess which provisions might be problematic or harmful to the state. Rahman noted that the agreement is strong and that cancellation could have implications for bilateral relations and tariff issues. He added that the government intends to explore opportunities to renegotiate certain clauses rather than withdraw entirely.

Rahman further clarified that different types of agreements exist, such as formal agreements and memorandums of understanding, and that legal obligations vary among them. He emphasized that the government will evaluate all past agreements to ensure none are detrimental to public interest.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party, said the government has completely failed to ensure the safety of citizens across the country, including in Dhaka and border areas. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria after visiting the graves of two Bangladeshis killed near the border. Patwari urged the government to act as true nationalists by protecting the country’s borders, warning that those who fail to do so are false nationalists.

He criticized the absence of statements from the home and foreign ministers regarding the recent border killings and accused them of inaction. Patwari also condemned a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) press release that labeled the victims as smugglers, calling it an adoption of Indian narratives. He alleged that the BGB’s strength had been weakened after the Pilkhana incident.

Patwari further stated that if his party came to power, it would dig canals along the border to prevent drug inflow from India. He claimed that drug factories operate near the Indian border and that some members of parliament are involved in the trade, demanding accountability from the home minister.

An analysis published on May 12, 2026, highlights extensive functional overlap and coordination problems among Bangladesh’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the police, DGFI, NSI, and RAB. The report notes duplication in counterterrorism operations, lack of interoperability in technical tools, and rising state expenditure due to parallel structures. It also alleges that DGFI operates media-related units such as the Press and Public Media Bureau and the Public Relation Monitoring Cell without legal mandate, influencing news content and media management.

The article argues that these practices have weakened institutional integrity and accountability, with agencies engaging in activities beyond their legal scope, including social media operations and political interference. It further points to inadequate training and resources in auxiliary forces like Ansar and calls for structural reforms to clarify command relationships between civilian and military administrations.

The author concludes that functional overlap must be removed before empowering the police, urging agencies to return to their legally defined roles to prevent inefficiency, human rights violations, and state-sponsored misconduct.

A protest and human chain were held in Charfassion, Bhola, demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in humiliating a madrasa teacher and mosque imam by placing a garland of shoes around his neck. The demonstration took place on Tuesday morning, May 12, on the Charfassion Bazar Sadar Road, organized by the local community of Islamic scholars. Several hundred clerics and residents participated in the event.

Speakers at the protest described the incident as a deep conspiracy against the religious community and urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly. According to local sources, the humiliation occurred on the night of May 9 after allegations of sexual misconduct were raised against the imam, identified as Mufti Abdullah Al Noman, a teacher at a local Hafizi and Nurani madrasa.

Participants condemned the act as a severe violation of human rights and warned that if the main culprits were not arrested within 24 hours, they would launch a stronger and continuous movement. A delegation of clerics later submitted a memorandum to the Upazila Executive Officer outlining their demands.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has reported spending Tk 4 crore 49 lakh 47 thousand 972 for the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12. The party’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair submitted the expenditure statement to Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on May 12. The report, signed by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, shows that Tk 4 crore was distributed as grants to 225 candidates.

According to the statement, the party spent Tk 20.9 lakh on election campaigning, Tk 8,700 on transport, Tk 14.17 lakh on rallies and tours, Tk 2.85 lakh on staff, and Tk 9.44 lakh on accommodation and administrative costs. An additional Tk 2 lakh was listed as miscellaneous expenses. The report also includes costs for manifesto design and printing, press conferences, hospitality, transport of campaign materials, central leaders’ visits, and advertisements in the ICC.

In the 13th national election, Jamaat won 68 seats, the highest in its history, while its ally NCP secured six seats.

Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and effective monitoring in implementing the government’s declared 180-day program. He gave this directive to officials during a discussion meeting held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock conference room.

The minister described the 180-day program as a highly welfare-oriented and significant initiative adopted to fulfill the development plan announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the government’s political commitments. He urged officials responsible for implementation across the country to perform their duties sincerely and ensure that the benefits reach the people. Rashid stressed the importance of maintaining proper records and evidence of each activity to present real progress to the public.

He further instructed that information about the program’s progress should be made easily accessible to citizens, not limited to websites but also visible at the grassroots level. The minister expressed hope that through collective efforts, the program’s benefits would effectively reach the people and strengthen public trust in government initiatives.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir stated that any police member found involved in drug use or trafficking will face strict action without leniency. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Rajarbagh Police Lines field while addressing the IG’s Badge, Shield Parade, and awards ceremony for arms and drug recovery. The IGP emphasized that drugs pose a major challenge to the nation’s youth and future, and the Bangladesh Police is working with utmost sincerity and professionalism to combat this threat.

He described the police as a traditional and professional force dedicated to maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety, and preventing crime. The IGP praised award-winning officers for their courage, dedication, and professionalism, urging all members to continue serving the nation with greater commitment. A total of 341 officers received the “Police Force Exemplary Good Service Badge-2025” for their outstanding performance between March 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.

Awards were also given to police and RAB units for successful operations in recovering illegal firearms and drugs during 2025, with top-performing units recognized across multiple categories.

UK Junior Minister for Housing and Communities Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned from the government on Tuesday, a day after four political aides also stepped down. The resignations have added pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. In a post on social media platform X, Fahnbulleh urged Starmer to make the “right decision” for the country and the party, and called for a defined timeline for an orderly transfer of power.

Fahnbulleh, who represents the Peckham constituency in South London, shared her resignation letter along with the post. In the letter, she stated that while the government had made progress in some areas, it had failed to deliver the pace, ambition, and effective action expected under the public mandate for change. She further wrote that the public’s message was clear—Prime Minister Keir Starmer had lost trust and confidence.

The series of resignations has intensified scrutiny of Starmer’s leadership and raised questions about the government’s direction and internal unity.

Energy and Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku stated that a fascist government had ruled the country for the past 17 years, neglecting domestic resources and increasing dependence on foreign imports. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon after inspecting the Barapukuria coal mine in Dinajpur and holding discussions with officials.

The minister emphasized that the current government, elected by popular vote, is committed to using the nation’s own resources for the welfare of its people. He questioned why the country should import fuel when it has its own energy reserves. According to him, the government is prioritizing the extraction of domestic energy resources with the consent and participation of all relevant stakeholders.

Earlier, the minister held separate meetings with officials of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant and the Maddhapara Stone Mine, accompanied by several members of parliament and other senior officials. He also visited the sites to review ongoing operations and gather updates from the concerned authorities.

NCC Bank and the Gono Unnayan Kendra (GUK) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance climate resilience and improve living standards in the char areas of Fulchhari upazila, Gaibandha. The agreement, signed at NCC Bank’s head office, supports a two-year project titled “The Adaptive Eco Char Project: A Blueprint for Thriving Dynamic Landscapes,” to be implemented in Fazlupur and Fulchhari unions. Cultivera Limited will serve as the strategic partner, while Dahuk will handle research and evaluation.

The project aims to strengthen local communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change and ensure sustainable livelihoods. Key initiatives include establishing solar-powered digital resilience centers, providing telemedicine-based health services, installing safe water and solar power systems, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and supporting women entrepreneurs. Thousands of families are expected to gain access to safe water, energy, and healthcare, while over 300 families will engage in income-generating activities.

NCC Bank’s managing director M. Shamsul Arefin said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development. GUK’s chief executive M. Abdus Salam expressed hope that the partnership would serve as a model for climate resilience in other vulnerable regions.

A seven-month-old baby named Hossain died on Tuesday morning in Hariharpur village of Ashtamanisha Union under Bhangura upazila in Pabna after a lychee seed got stuck in his throat. According to police and local residents, the child was sitting in the yard where other children were eating lychees. He put a lychee seed in his mouth, which became lodged in his throat, causing him to lose consciousness. His father removed the seed by hand and rushed him to the upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Dr. Kaushik, the residential medical officer at the health complex, said the child was brought in dead and that the seed had blocked his airway, leading to suffocation. Officer-in-Charge Safiul Azam stated that an unnatural death case was filed at the police station. Following a request from the family, the body was handed over to relatives without an autopsy.

The incident has caused grief in the local community, highlighting the dangers of small objects for infants.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that there will be no political interference in Bangladesh’s financial sector or related economic areas. Speaking as chief guest at the launch of the Bangladesh Startup Investment Company (BSIC) at Hotel Radisson Blu on Tuesday, he said the institution will operate as a fully professional entity without political appointments or influence. He added that BSIC’s initial capital will expand over time, serving as both an investment firm and a platform to strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem.

The minister said the initiative addresses two major challenges for young entrepreneurs—lack of funding and inability to provide collateral. Investment decisions will be transparent, efficient, and professional. He linked the project to the government’s manifesto goal of creating employment for ten million people by leveraging the demographic dividend, particularly through the creative economy to engage rural and urban youth.

He noted that the government is advancing capital market reforms and has appointed skilled advisors for investment and market development. Several domestic banks have joined to form this venture capital initiative, which aims to attract international venture capital firms and open new horizons for Bangladesh’s economy.