At least 27 people were killed and 106 injured in 37 road accidents on the Cumilla section of the Dhaka–Chattogram highway between March 16 and 26, according to Cumilla Highway Police. The incidents occurred along the 104-kilometer stretch from Daudkandi to Chauddagram, with most crashes linked to reckless driving, negligence, and lack of awareness. One of the deadliest accidents took place on Eid night at Padua Bazar rail crossing, where a train hit a passenger bus, killing 12 and injuring 18.

Experts said that investigation committees formed after such accidents rarely publish their reports, allowing negligent drivers to escape accountability. They emphasized the need for stronger laws and better driver training. The Road Safety Foundation reported 342 road accidents nationwide between March 17 and 26, resulting in 274 deaths, higher than last year’s Eid period.

Local residents accused police of negligence and alleged that excessive three-wheeler traffic and bribery contributed to the unsafe conditions. Officials warned that without stricter enforcement, fatalities on the highway could continue to rise.

A stretch of the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway passing through Gazipur’s Bhawal forest has become a visual attraction due to colorful flowers planted along its central divider. The four-lane road, one of the busiest in Bangladesh, now features white, pink, and red blossoms that delight travelers and pedestrians. Many visitors stop to take photos or videos, sharing them on social media, turning the highway into an emerging destination for nature lovers.

The beautification effort, led by the Gazipur Roads and Highways Department, includes thousands of saplings of various species such as krishnachura, radhachura, jarul, and raktokorobi. Officials say the project aims to make the highway both scenic and environmentally friendly. Environmentalists note that the greenery helps reduce air pollution, noise, and glare from vehicle headlights.

However, authorities and locals warn that uncontrolled crowds and risky behavior—such as standing on the divider for photos—pose safety hazards and threaten the plants. They urge stronger traffic enforcement and public awareness to preserve the beauty and safety of the area.

Drug trafficking and abuse have reached alarming levels across Rangamati, a hilly border district of Bangladesh. The situation has spread from urban centers to remote villages, with reports suggesting that nearly every locality is affected. Local sources blame years of political patronage and weak administrative action for the worsening crisis. In response, district police have recently launched a special anti-narcotics operation under a zero-tolerance policy.

Investigations indicate that drug trade and use are active in all ten upazilas of Rangamati, with the town area identified as the most vulnerable. The networks reportedly expanded during the last two terms of the Awami League government and further intensified under the interim administration. Drugs are entering through largely unguarded borders with India and Myanmar, allegedly controlled by regional armed groups and local syndicates involving political figures.

Following public pressure and directives from the Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, police have intensified operations, arresting over fifty suspects since Eid. Authorities say plans are underway to target the key ringleaders behind the narcotics trade.

Bangladesh Police have prepared a preliminary list of 3,849 extortionists across all 64 districts, including 1,254 in the Dhaka Metropolitan area. The initiative aims to curb widespread extortion and bring offenders under legal action. According to police sources, these groups have long collected money from roads, markets, transport hubs, construction sites, and other business areas, often using threats or force against those who refuse to pay.

Police reports indicate that about 90 percent of those listed are affiliated with political parties, frequently changing allegiance with shifts in government. Some of the extorted funds reportedly reach corrupt political leaders and police officers, helping the networks maintain influence. Following directives from the Home Minister, senior police officials have intensified efforts to identify and act against extortionists and armed criminals.

The list is being finalized and will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Verification of political links and the current status of listed individuals is ongoing, with separate lists also being prepared for armed and repeat offenders.

A disturbing recruitment trend has emerged in Chattogram’s underworld, where young men are being sworn into gangs by taking oaths on the Quran. Police say the recruits record short videos of the oath, which are then sent to Dubai for approval by gang leaders. Once approved, the individuals are considered full members. Three people—Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury Rimon, Monir, and Sayem—were recently arrested, and police recovered firearms, ammunition, and several oath videos.

Officials explained that the Quran oath is not religious but a psychological tool to instill fear and loyalty. Psychologists noted that the process exploits emotional vulnerability, family trauma, and addiction, making recruits mentally dependent on the gang. Former members confirmed that the oath made them feel bound to obey leader Sajjad’s orders without question.

The practice reportedly dates back to the 1990s, when similar methods were used under Nasir’s leadership to ensure loyalty. Sajjad later rose to dominance in the Chattogram underworld, and his group continues to operate with members who view their criminal acts as moral obligations.

Incidents of fuel hoarding have increased across Bangladesh, prompting government action to prevent artificial shortages. Authorities have launched strict enforcement drives, leading to the detection and punishment of those storing large quantities of fuel illegally. In Sherpur, a mobile court fined a trader for storing 18,000 liters of diesel in a residential building without environmental clearance. In Jamalpur, police seized 3,010 liters of petrol and arrested 11 people for black-market sales, filing a case against 17 suspects.

In Chuadanga, officials reported no real fuel shortage but noted that panic buying by consumers fearing price hikes has intensified. Filling stations are struggling to manage the surge in demand, with daily sales rising significantly. In Gazipur’s Kapasia, a trader was fined for selling fuel above the government-fixed price, while in Tangail’s Sakhipur, two traders received five-day jail terms for illegal fuel storage and sales.

Officials stated that monitoring will continue to stabilize market prices and prevent exploitation of consumers through overpricing or hoarding.

The government of Bangladesh has proposed major amendments to strengthen laws protecting rivers, canals, and coastal areas. Under the draft National River Protection Commission (Amendment) Act 2026, illegal occupation of river land or obstruction of recovery operations will be treated as criminal offenses with doubled penalties. Unlawful extraction of sand, stones, or soil, as well as pollution or damage to navigability, could result in up to five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1.5 million taka. The draft also grants all rivers legal personhood and living entity status.

The proposed law aims to make the National River Protection Commission an independent statutory body with authority to investigate, inspect, and take legal action against river encroachment and pollution by any public or private entity. It would also serve as the legal guardian of rivers, canals, and coastal zones. Before any development project near rivers or canals, prior approval from the commission would be mandatory.

Environmental expert Sharif Jamil welcomed the initiative as a positive step for river protection but cautioned that the law’s effectiveness would depend on ensuring the commission’s independence and enforcement capacity.

The confluence of the Padma, Meghna, and Dakatia rivers in Chandpur has become a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists. Visitors are drawn by the area’s natural beauty, where the rivers meet to create a sea-like landscape. During Eid and other festive occasions, crowds gather to enjoy boat rides, local food, and the scenic sunset views. The site offers free entry, children’s play areas, and various entertainment options, making it a popular destination year-round.

Chandpur’s municipal administrator Ershad Uddin said the growing number of visitors during Eid has been challenging to manage. He noted that plans are underway to expand facilities at the confluence and the nearby “Mini Cox’s Bazar.” Local MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik stated that tourism development is part of his five-year plan, including a walkway from the New Market–Old Market Bridge to the launch terminal, new hotels, restaurants, cable cars, and floating eateries.

Officials said they intend to seek financial support from the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation to enhance the area’s infrastructure and make Chandpur’s tourist spots more attractive.

The BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has launched an ambitious plan to create one crore jobs within the first 18 months of its tenure, prioritizing employment as a key election pledge. The plan targets nine priority sectors including industry, agriculture, information technology, SMEs, overseas employment, energy, retail trade, blue economy, and the informal sector. Ministries have been instructed to prepare coordinated action plans, with specific performance checklists to monitor progress.

Experts have praised the initiative’s scale but warned that achieving such a large employment target in a short time poses a serious challenge, especially amid global instability caused by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran. The government’s plan includes reopening closed factories, waiving agricultural loans for 1.25 million farmers, and expanding IT training and startup support. It also envisions 600,000 green jobs through tree planting and waste management programs.

Analysts and business leaders, however, question the feasibility of the timeline, citing high energy costs, banking sector weaknesses, and limited foreign investment. They urge the government to adopt realistic strategies, create a favorable investment climate, and strengthen skilled workforce development.

A sudden midnight hailstorm struck Nilphamari district’s Domar and Jaldhaka upazilas late Saturday, causing extensive damage to crops and homes. The storm, accompanied by strong winds, left residents struggling as hail battered fields and rooftops, disrupting normal life in the affected areas.

According to local sources, large areas of farmland cultivating maize, chili, potato, and paddy were severely damaged, with many crops flattened to the ground. The intensity of the hailstorm also punctured tin roofs of numerous houses, allowing rainwater to enter and creating panic among residents. Several Hindu religious puja mandaps were also reported damaged.

Locals said they had not witnessed such a severe hailstorm in the past five to seven years. The Department of Agricultural Extension’s deputy director, Manjur Rahman, stated that field inspections are underway to assess the extent of the losses, though no official damage statistics have yet been released.

A mobile court in Kendua upazila of Netrokona fined a shopkeeper 40,000 taka for illegally storing and selling petrol at inflated prices without a license. The operation took place on Friday evening, March 27, at Rampur Bazar in Ashuzia Union, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md Rifatul Islam. Authorities seized approximately 800 liters of petrol stored in six drums, three of which were full and three partially empty.

The fine was imposed under the Petroleum Act, 2016 and the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. The confiscated petrol was ordered to be sold publicly at government-fixed prices at Rampur Bazar on Saturday morning, March 28. The officer-in-charge of Kendua Police Station was instructed to take necessary measures regarding the incident.

According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, similar drives will continue in the public interest to prevent illegal fuel trading and protect consumer rights.

As the United States-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, global oil and gas markets face mounting pressure due to the near-total halt of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which normally carries 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas, has seen traffic plunge by more than 95 percent since Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared it closed to certain nations. About 2,000 ships remain stranded, while some vessels from India, Pakistan, China, and Malaysia have been granted limited passage after securing Tehran’s approval.

In response, regional producers are turning to three key pipelines to bypass the strait: Saudi Arabia’s East-West Petroline, the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, and Iraq’s Kirkuk-Ceyhan line to Turkiye. Combined, these routes can move around 9 million barrels per day—less than half the 20 million normally shipped through Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has sharply increased Petroline flows, but risks persist from potential Houthi attacks near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The UAE’s Fujairah exports have risen modestly, while Iraq’s pipeline remains underused.

Despite these efforts, analysts note that the pipelines’ limited capacity and vulnerability to missile and drone strikes mean they cannot fully replace the disrupted seaborne exports.

A mobile court in Sirajganj sentenced a trader named Md. Apon, aged 19, to one month of simple imprisonment and fined him 100 taka for hoarding petrol and selling it at higher prices. The operation took place on Friday evening at the fertilizer-selling establishment M/S Apon Enterprise in Panchthakuri Bazar, where 22 liters of petrol and lubricants were seized.

According to Executive Magistrate Md. Ruhul Amin, the raid was conducted based on complaints that the business was illegally storing and selling petroleum products. Upon finding evidence of illegal stockpiling, the trader admitted his guilt. The sentence was issued under Section 20(1)(a) of the Petroleum Act, 2016. The seized petrol and lubricants were taken into custody by the authorities.

The case highlights local enforcement of petroleum regulations in Sirajganj, aiming to prevent illegal fuel trading and protect consumers from inflated prices.

Police in Chandina upazila of Cumilla conducted a special anti-drug operation over the past 24 hours, arresting eight individuals including drug dealers and users. The detainees were later sentenced to varying jail terms and fines by a mobile court. The operation, led by Officer-in-Charge Atikur Rahman, resulted in the recovery of yaba tablets, cannabis, and drug-use equipment from different areas of the upazila.

Among those arrested, Sajjad Hossain and Shariful Islam were fined 50,000 taka each and sentenced to one day in jail for possessing and using yaba. Md. Dihan received a 15-day sentence, Liton and Manik Bhandari were sentenced to one month each, and Sakil received three months’ imprisonment with fines. Sohel and Rasel were sentenced to five days in jail and fined. In a separate incident, Arif Hossain, 26, was arrested under Section 34 for causing public nuisance in the municipal area.

Police officials stated that anti-drug operations in Chandina will continue.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested two suspects directly involved in the daylight murder of Jubo Dal leader Golam Kibria in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. The arrests of Md Rashed alias Lopan and Jahangir Hossain alias Kallu were made during overnight raids in Rupnagar’s Eastern Housing and Uttara’s Diabari areas. RAB recovered a foreign revolver and three rounds of ammunition used in the killing. The arrests were announced at a press briefing at RAB-4 headquarters in Mirpur on Friday, March 27, 2026.

According to RAB, the murder was planned to maintain political dominance and control over Mirpur’s criminal network. Investigations revealed that the killing was ordered by top criminal Mashiur Rahman alias Mashi, who saw Kibria as an obstacle to his extortion and business operations in the area. Kibria was shot dead on November 17 inside a hardware store in Mirpur-12, an attack that also injured a rickshaw-puller and caused widespread public alarm.

RAB said the arrested shooters had been preparing to flee the country before being captured. Two other named suspects, Pata Sohel and Bukpora Sujon, had been arrested earlier in the same case.