Police have recovered the body of Maulana Lutfur Rahman (72), a senior scholar of Al Jamia Imdadiya Madrasa and the khatib of Bottola Kachari Mosque, from a rented house near the historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj. The victim’s wife discovered his body with his throat slit inside a washroom on Wednesday afternoon after hearing sudden screams. He was rushed to the emergency department of a medical college hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that an investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators.

Twenty-one Bangladeshi men, women, and children who were trafficked to India with promises of work have been repatriated to Bangladesh after serving various sentences. The Indian police transferred them to the Benapole border. Rights organization, Rights Jessore, has provided legal assistance to 10 individuals, while Justice and Care has assisted 11 others. These individuals were detained for illegal entry into India at different border points. A representative from Justice and Care mentioned that if the repatriated Bangladeshis identify the traffickers and seek legal aid, assistance will be provided.

On Wednesday, the Director-General of the Election Commission’s NID Division, ASM Humayun Kabir, held a meeting with a UNHCR delegation at the Election Commission office. During the meeting, he mentioned that the information available with UNHCR is also sought by the government. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with the government, allowing the sharing of data regarding the Rohingyas. Discussions focused on how this data can be obtained. He further noted that with elections approaching, Rohingyas are attempting to enter the system. The sooner the data is available, the more beneficial it will be, enabling better control. This will reduce the need for much effort in preventing the Rohingyas from entering the system.

Hifazat-e-Islam’s central leader, Allama Mhuimuddin Rabbani, stated that while Hifazat does not engage in politics or seek power, political parties must align themselves with Hifazat’s demands. He emphasized that no one can attain power by bypassing Hifazat. He also criticized the current government for its oppressive tactics against Hifazat over the past 16 years, which resulted in numerous martyrs. He stated that no election should take place in Bangladesh without justice for the martyrs. Rabbani also condemned Israel’s violent actions in Palestine, calling it a disgrace to humanity, and expressed deep concerns about the persecution of Muslims in India.

In Gazipur’s Konabari, over 800 workers at a garment factory went on strike demanding their Eid bonuses, holiday pay, and half of this month’s salary. The strike began at 8:30 AM, and workers expressed dissatisfaction with the factory’s management, accusing them of neglecting their demands. The workers voiced frustration over the owner’s refusal to address their issues, particularly around the Eid holiday. Sample man Shamsuddin mentioned that staff would receive their overdue payments, but workers still struggle to secure their rightful wages.

In Netrokona, a human chain was formed demanding the release of Abdul Hamid (65), who was arrested on charges of raping his mentally disabled daughter. Speakers at the protest stated that Hamid has been serving humanity since the COVID-19 pandemic and was wrongly accused based on fabricated claims from his opponents. They called for a thorough investigation into the case. Netrokona’s police chief, Kazi Shahnewaz, confirmed that the arrest was made under the direction of the police superintendent and that the court had granted a one-day remand for further questioning.

In Bishwanath, five individuals have been arrested after attacking Abdul Ahad (40), suspecting him of stealing a mosque imam’s mobile phone. The attackers broke into his home, severely injuring him by breaking his right leg and gouging out his eyes. Police later rescued him in critical condition and sent him to the hospital. Ahad’s wife, Rahima Begum (30), filed a case against seven individuals at the Bishwanath Police Station, resulting in the arrest of five suspects, who have been sent to jail.

The High Court has directed the issuance of a certification for the film The Remand, which depicts the bloody history of Bangladesh’s mass uprisings and revolutions. The ruling mandates that the certification must be granted within three days. The order follows a petition by the film’s producer and director, Syed Belayet Hossain Belal, after authorities initially denied approval. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, along with the Bangladesh Film Certification Board, were named as respondents in the legal challenge.

Authorities at Kuala Lumpur International Airport have detained 45 foreign nationals, including 36 Bangladeshis, for failing to meet entry requirements.

According to an official statement, immigration officers screened 115 foreigners, out of which 45 individuals failed to meet the necessary entry criteria. Among them, 36 were Bangladeshi citizens, while the remaining 9 were Pakistanis.

The detainees were not allowed to disembark and have been transferred to the monitoring unit for further investigation.

India has significantly reduced medical visa approvals for Bangladeshis, creating an opportunity for China to expand its medical services in the country, according to a Reuters report.

In 2023, a majority of Indian visas issued to Bangladeshis were for affordable private medical treatment. However, following Hasina’s ouster, India is now granting fewer than 1,000 medical visas per day, a steep decline from the previous 5,000–7,000 daily approvals.

Meanwhile, at least 14 Chinese firms have invested over $230 million in Bangladesh since the interim government took office. India has yet to respond to Bangladesh’s extradition request regarding Hasina. The Chief Adviser is set to visit China later this month.

Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus met with Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman today. During the meeting, the Army Chief briefed the Chief Adviser on his recent visit to the Central African Republic and discussed measures to ensure justice for deprived military officers.

Additionally, the Army Chief informed the Chief Adviser about various military roles, including medical assistance provided during the recent mass uprising. The Chief Adviser praised the army’s contributions and provided guidance on future initiatives.

Adviser Asif Mahmud clarified in a Facebook post that no decision has been made regarding appointing administrators to local government wards. The government is still considering local government elections, making any discussion about administrator appointments irrelevant at this stage.

He added that the absence of elected representatives in city corporations, municipalities, district councils, and upazila councils is hindering public service delivery. He reiterated that holding elections and ensuring democratically elected representatives is the best way forward for local governance.

Jagannath University students have seized ten buses of Gabtoli Link (Pvt.) Limited in protest after a fellow student was assaulted. The incident occurred when Rabi Das boarded a No. 8 Gabtoli bus from Gulistan to Kalyanpur. Due to delays and the approaching iftar time, an altercation ensued between the student and the bus driver.

Later, while all passengers disembarked at different stops, Rabi Das was forcibly detained inside the bus at Kalyanpur. The bus staff verbally abused, overcharged, and later physically assaulted him, gathering additional staff members for the attack.

The Government of Bangladesh has expressed strong condemnation and deep concern over Israel’s renewed military aggression in Gaza. The attacks have resulted in significant civilian casualties, particularly among women and children. Bangladesh considers this cycle of violence a blatant violation of international human rights laws and a serious disregard for established ceasefire agreements. The government calls on Israel to immediately halt all military operations, exercise maximum restraint, and respect international humanitarian laws.

In a statement from the Chief Adviser’s press wing, Dr. Muhammad Yunus has directed swift action on several issues concerning the welfare of grassroots police personnel. His directives include:
1. Reviewing the removal of the existing ceiling on risk allowances.
2. Procuring 364 new pickup trucks and 140 prison vans for police use.
3. Allocating funds for police construction projects that are less than 70% complete.
4. Funding the acquisition of land for 65 police stations currently operating in rented buildings.
5. Considering interest-free loans for purchasing motorcycles for SI and ASI-ranked officers.