Kushtia-3 Member of Parliament and Islamic speaker Mufti Amir Hamza posted a statement on his verified Facebook page on Monday night, addressing allegations related to extortion and other misconduct. In his post, he claimed that certain vested groups were spreading false propaganda against him because his efforts to serve the people were obstructing their interests.

Hamza wrote that since becoming an MP, many individuals involved in extortion, tender manipulation, land grabbing, and drug trade could no longer operate freely. He alleged that these groups were now spreading fabricated information to protect their illegal activities. He warned them to stop such actions and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the trust placed in him by the people of Kushtia.

He concluded by expressing confidence that his constituents would continue to support him in resisting those engaged in wrongdoing and pledged to make every sacrifice necessary to uphold their welfare.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for the formation of an independent, impartial, and credible investigation commission to uncover the truth behind the 2013 Shapla Chattar massacre in Dhaka. In a statement to the media on Tuesday, he demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible, describing the incident as a tragic and shameful chapter in the nation’s history.

Rahman stated that despite the passage of many years, no fair or acceptable trial has yet been conducted, leaving victims’ families deprived of justice and causing frustration and anger among the public. He emphasized that the culture of impunity cannot be acceptable in a civilized state and that the right to peaceful assembly and expression is constitutionally guaranteed.

He urged the nation to remain united in the movement to establish peace, justice, and humanitarian values, stressing the need to reveal the truth and bring the perpetrators under the law to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

State Minister for Social Welfare and Member of Parliament for Natore-1, Farzana Sharmin Putul, has intervened following media reports alleging irregularities in the construction of a mini stadium in Bagatipara upazila, Natore. The project, costing around Tk 9 crore, came under scrutiny after reports of substandard materials, unscheduled work, and poor supervision. During her visit, the minister ordered a 24-hour suspension of construction and announced that the contract agreement would be reviewed. She warned that proven irregularities would lead to strict action, including possible replacement of the contractor.

Farzana Sharmin Putul criticized the local administration for not taking timely action despite public complaints. She emphasized that development must be transparent and that citizens have the right to know how public funds are used. The minister also pledged to raise the issue at higher levels of government.

Local residents welcomed the minister’s swift response, expressing hope that this would mark the beginning of effective measures against long-standing irregularities and ensure quality and transparency in the project.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has not formally conceded defeat in the recently concluded state election, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the help of the Election Commission, took away around 100 seats from her party. She and Abhishek Banerjee are expected to hold a press conference in Kolkata’s Kalighat to explain how the party was allegedly defeated. Despite her claims, the BJP is set to form its first government in the state with more than a two-thirds majority.

Analyses of the results suggest several factors behind Trinamool’s loss after 15 years in power. These include erosion of female voter support due to failures on women’s safety, large-scale voter list revisions that removed over nine million names, and widespread allegations of corruption and administrative inefficiency. The party also faced setbacks from Hindu-Muslim polarization, with BJP gaining from consolidated Hindu votes.

Observers note that the Election Commission’s control over the administration and deployment of over 240,000 central security personnel limited Trinamool’s traditional advantage as the ruling party, contributing further to its electoral defeat.

Two officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) have been dismissed for failing to return to work after taking leave and leaving the country. The matter was confirmed on Tuesday morning by CAAB’s public relations officer, Kawsar Mahmud. The dismissed officials are Mohammad Abu Sayeed, Director of Flight Standards and Regulations (Airworthiness and Engineering), and Md. Arif-ur-Rahman, Assistant Director (CNS). Abu Sayeed was temporarily suspended on May 3 and asked to explain within seven days why he should not be permanently dismissed, while Arif-ur-Rahman was permanently dismissed on April 25.

According to CAAB sources, Abu Sayeed had applied to join a job in Malaysia in July of the previous year and went on ten days of leave from August 4 to 13, 2025, but did not return afterward. Despite multiple attempts to contact him through official and personal channels, his whereabouts remained unknown. His absence exceeding 60 days without permission was treated as misconduct under CAAB’s 2021 employment regulations, leading to a departmental case and subsequent dismissal decision. Arif-ur-Rahman, who went to the United States on 15 days of leave, also failed to return for about 20 months and was dismissed for prolonged absence and misconduct.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a historic victory in West Bengal, winning 206 of the state’s 294 assembly seats and ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her own Bhabanipur seat to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared in traditional Bengali attire in Delhi, pledging to build a “Sonar Bangla” and calling the 2026 election a triumph of good governance.

Analysts cited religious polarization, anti-incumbency, and strategic campaigning as key factors behind the BJP’s success. The party’s focus on administrative failures, local issues, and Bengali cultural symbols helped counter the “outsider” label. Trinamool’s image suffered from corruption scandals, unemployment, and local-level extortion. The Election Commission faced allegations from Trinamool of voter list manipulation, which BJP described as a victory for neutrality.

Post-election violence and unrest were reported across the state, prompting deployment of central forces. Discussions have begun over who will become West Bengal’s next chief minister, with several BJP leaders under consideration. The results mark a major political realignment in India, with BJP and its allies also performing strongly in Assam and Puducherry, while new forces rose in Tamil Nadu and Congress regained Kerala.

In the 2026 Indian state elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved sweeping victories in West Bengal and Assam. In West Bengal, the BJP ended Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year Trinamool Congress rule by winning 202 of 294 seats, while Trinamool secured 71. The Congress won 2 seats and the CPI(M) 1. In Assam, the BJP-led NDA returned to power for a third consecutive term, with the BJP alone winning 82 of 126 seats. The NDA also retained control in the union territory of Puducherry.

In Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), made a historic debut by winning 105 seats, becoming the single largest party and positioning Vijay as a potential chief minister. The DMK and AIADMK won 58 and 46 seats respectively. In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF regained power after ending a decade of Left Democratic Front rule, securing a majority with Congress winning 63 seats and CPI(M) 26.

The results mark a major political shift across several Indian states, reshaping regional power balances and leadership dynamics.

Bangladesh today observes Shapla Massacre Day, commemorating the deadly crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013. The operation, known as “Operation Secure Shapla,” was carried out jointly by law enforcement agencies during the night, leaving an unresolved debate over the number of casualties. While the then government claimed minimal deaths, rights group Odhikar listed 61 victims. The International Crimes Tribunal’s (ICT) investigation agency has now confirmed evidence of 32 killings, citing the use of lethal weapons and sound grenades after cutting electricity.

Following political changes in 2024, previously suppressed information about the incident has begun to surface. The ICT investigation agency is preparing to submit a report accusing 25 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, and ex-DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed. Families of victims, long silenced by fear, are now demanding justice and accountability.

Hefazat-e-Islam leaders have urged current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible, emphasizing that justice for the May 5 killings is essential to uphold the rule of law in Bangladesh.

Leaders of various political and religious organizations have demanded an impartial investigation and punishment for those responsible for the killings at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka on May 5, 2013. The demand was made in statements sent to the media on Monday, marking the anniversary of the incident. Commemorative discussions and prayer gatherings were held in the capital and other parts of the country.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh issued a statement urging nationwide prayers and discussions in memory of the victims, calling on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure justice. The group held events in several Dhaka zones, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s leader, the Chormonai Pir, called the killings a shameful chapter in national history and demanded recognition and compensation for the victims. He also urged the state to officially commemorate the day.

Today, multiple organizations are continuing related programs, including discussions at Dhaka University and exhibitions at the National Museum. On Friday, the Shapla Smriti Sangsad will host a memorial event titled “Shaplar Shohidgantha—5 May Massacre: Remembrance and Evaluation.”

The Election Commission (EC) has approved the gazette declaring Nusrat Tabassum, joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) under the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, as a member of parliament for a reserved women's seat. Senior Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud confirmed the approval on Monday, stating that the document has been signed and will now be sent for printing.

Earlier, the alliance had nominated Monira Sharmin for the same seat, but her nomination was canceled by the returning officer because she had not completed three years since leaving her job, as required by law. Her appeal to the EC was rejected, prompting her to file a petition with the High Court. The hearing was scheduled for Monday afternoon, but one of the judges declined to hear the case, and it is now expected to be heard by another bench on Tuesday.

The EC stated that if the High Court issues any directive, the commission will comply by canceling or amending the gazette accordingly.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Paltan Zone has expressed deep grief and anger over the killings at Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013, and demanded a speedy and impartial trial for those responsible. The demand was made during a discussion and prayer meeting held on Monday evening at the organization’s Paltan office in Dhaka, marking the anniversary of the incident.

The meeting was presided over by Mufti Salah Uddin, president of the Paltan Zone, and conducted by general secretary Mufti Imranul Bari Siraji. Several religious leaders, including Maulana Abdullah Al Masud Khan, Maulana Manjurul Haque, Maulana Makhdoom, and Maulana Abdullah Rasel, addressed the gathering. Speakers emphasized that in a just and civilized state, no citizen should lose their life through oppression or injustice. They described the Shapla incident as both a humanitarian tragedy and a question of justice and human rights.

The speakers urged a full and impartial investigation, legal action against all directly or indirectly involved, and justice and compensation for the victims’ families. They stated that establishing justice would be the true way to honor the sacrifices of those who died.

Thirteen years after the May 5, 2013 operation at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar, families of those killed continue to live in deep poverty and sorrow. The coordinated security raid, known as “Operation Secure Shapla,” left many families without their main earners. Survivors describe losing loved ones, facing social ostracism, and struggling with debt and illness. Most families have received little or no state assistance or recognition, and many remain traumatized by the events of that night.

The article recounts testimonies from several families who lost relatives, detailing their economic hardship and emotional devastation. It also highlights the government’s long-standing denial of casualties, with officials claiming no one died during the operation. Human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Odhikar reported dozens of deaths, but official investigations were blocked and data suppressed. Media outlets were shut down during the raid, creating what witnesses called a blackout.

Following the fall of the previous authoritarian government in August 2024, victims’ families now see a renewed possibility for justice and international recognition of the killings as crimes against humanity.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for ensuring justice for all perpetrators, including Hasina, involved in the July massacre. He made the demand while addressing a citizens’ reception organized by the Islamic Mission Japan at Kaminakazato Takinogawa Hall in Tokyo on Monday afternoon. Rahman emphasized that the sacrifices made by Bangladeshis in 1947, 1971, and 2024 must be honored through building a corruption-free state.

Addressing expatriates, Rahman urged them to enhance their knowledge and skills to contribute to national progress and strengthen the economy through remittances. He expressed gratitude to expatriate voters, noting that 65 percent supported Jamaat in the 13th national election, and pledged to uphold their rights both in parliament and on the streets. He also advised Bangladeshis in Japan to respect local laws and preserve their cultural roots.

Other speakers, including MPs Saiful Alam Khan Milon and Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman, highlighted the importance of expatriate participation in advancing Bangladesh’s ongoing movement and protecting their rights abroad.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of large-scale electoral fraud after the party took a strong lead in the state elections. Speaking to reporters on May 4, 2026, Banerjee alleged that the BJP had 'stolen more than 100 seats' and that the Election Commission had turned into a 'BJP commission'. She claimed that repeated complaints were ignored by authorities.

Banerjee further alleged that the BJP’s victory was unethical and that the Prime Minister and Home Minister were complicit in manipulating the Election Commission. She accused officials of coercion, abuse, and arresting counting agents, vowing to continue the political fight. As of 8:30 p.m., the BJP had won 136 seats and was leading in 72 more, while the Trinamool Congress had secured 49 seats and was ahead in 30, according to BBC Bangla.

The allegations have heightened political tension in West Bengal as counting continues and official results are awaited.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, stated that citizens must not be held hostage by extortionists, mafias, and terrorists. Speaking on Monday at a meeting of party organizers from the Dhaka-12 constituency at Segunbagicha’s Sanghati Auditorium, he emphasized the need to dismantle criminal syndicates across the country to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. He said protecting citizens’ livelihoods should be a top priority for the elected government.

Haque warned that criminals often operate under political and administrative protection, and in some cases maintain unholy ties with members of law enforcement agencies. He stressed that such collusion must end if extortion, terrorism, and illegal occupation are to be stopped. He also noted that no political identity should shield criminals from accountability.

Party leaders at the meeting called for strengthening political and social resistance alongside administrative measures against extortionists and violent offenders.