A youth leader and local chairman in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar has been accused of blocking a century-old access road used by a Hindu family to construct a shop. The incident occurred on Saturday near the mosque market area of Morichya Bazar, where Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, chairman of the Holdiapalong Union Parishad and senior joint general secretary of the upazila Jubo League, allegedly began building on the path. When locals and members of the affected family protested, a scuffle broke out, leaving at least five people injured. Police later intervened and brought the situation under control.

Local residents claim the road has served as the only route for Hindu families in the area for nearly a hundred years. They fear that closing it will severely disrupt both daily movement and local business activities. Several community leaders, including mosque and market committee members, accused the chairman of making unilateral decisions and constructing shops without consultation. Attempts to contact Imrul Kayes Chowdhury for comment were unsuccessful.

Following the incident, police, army personnel, and senior officers visited the site. Later that evening, traders organized a torch procession demanding the chairman’s arrest, while another group held a human chain in Ukhiya town over related injuries.

The Chandpur district unit of the Jatiya Party has officially announced its support for the BNP candidate in Chandpur-3 constituency. The declaration was made on Sunday afternoon during a discussion meeting held in the Biponibag area of Chandpur town, presided over by Sirajul Islam Siru Miji, convener of the Jatiya Party’s Chandpur municipal committee.

Speakers at the event said the decision was taken in the context of the current political situation to restore democracy and ensure people’s voting rights. They expressed hope that collective efforts would help fulfill public expectations in the constituency. Senior leaders from the district and municipal levels, along with activists from various tiers of the party, attended the meeting and pledged to work unitedly for BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol candidate Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik.

In response, Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik welcomed the support, calling it a positive step that would strengthen their campaign. He emphasized cooperation among all to build Chandpur and noted that the Jatiya Party’s backing was aimed at advancing their shared political goals.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the NCP’s southern region, has called for a united stand against any attempt at vote rigging, even in the presence of the administration. He made the remarks on Sunday, January 25, during a brief rally following an election march at Jibanpur village in Rasulpur Union of Debidwar upazila, Comilla.

Addressing local residents, Abdullah said that people must rise above religious, political, and social divisions to resist injustice and ensure that no one can manipulate votes like a bank robbery. He urged voters to remain vigilant and united until the election results are announced. Referring to his birthplace, he mentioned that Rasulpur Union has about 22,000 voters and encouraged them to vote collectively for the “Shapla Koli” symbol to secure victory.

He also appealed to female voters to speak with at least ten others daily to ensure support for his electoral symbol. The event was attended by local leaders from NCP and Jamaat, including Saiful Islam Shahid and Jahangir Alam.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman met with the father of slain student leader Wasim, who was killed during the July 24 mass movement, in Chattogram on Sunday morning. During the meeting, Rahman expressed deep respect to Wasim’s father, calling him a proud parent of a hero. He assured that the people of Bangladesh would always remember Wasim and all others who were martyred or injured in the 2024 movement.

Rahman emphasized that the sacrifices made by those who fought for democracy and people’s rights would never be forgotten by the nation. The meeting was described as a courtesy visit, reflecting the BNP leader’s continued acknowledgment of those who lost their lives in political struggles.

The event highlighted the party’s ongoing effort to honor the memory of activists associated with the July 24 movement and to reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles.

At a seminar held on January 24 at Dhaka University’s R.C. Majumdar Auditorium, speakers said that failure to ensure justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi would leave a deep and lasting scar on Bangladesh’s democratic transition and the establishment of justice. They described the murder as not merely a personal tragedy but a reflection of state failure, a culture of impunity, and the exposure of fascist and hegemonic structures.

Professor Dil Rowshan Jinnat Ara Naznin, Hadi’s teacher and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, called him an exceptional individual who earned people’s affection quickly. She said the administration feared him for his truthfulness and termed the lack of justice an administrative failure. Hadi’s brother Omar Hadi said the family refused financial aid and urged prayers and justice. Other speakers, including PIB Director General Faruq Wasif and writer Rezaul Karim Rony, emphasized institutionalizing Hadi’s ideals and warned against political exploitation of his legacy.

Speakers also urged the state to identify any powerful forces behind the killing and ensure fair, not populist, justice, stressing that accountability is essential for democratic progress.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-18 constituency, S M Jahangir Hossain, stated that BNP leaders and activists truly uphold Islam in their hearts. Speaking at a public meeting in Gawair Bazar, Dakshinkhan, on Sunday morning, he said they follow the Quran and Hadith and will not be influenced by any misinterpretation of Islam. He cited acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman’s message that the state should be governed according to the path shown by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Hossain criticized the previous government for allegedly persecuting Islamic scholars and sending them to jail, calling it regrettable. He emphasized BNP’s commitment to building a peaceful society regardless of religion or ethnicity and reaffirmed the party’s respect for Islamic scholars. On local issues, he pledged improved civic services, resolution of gas supply problems in coordination with Titas, and enhanced safety for pilgrims using the Hajj camp in the area.

He urged party workers to reach out to all 56,000 voters in Ward 49 and deliver Tarique Rahman’s message. He also called for vigilance on election day to prevent any conspiracies.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared that farmers are the main driving force of Bangladesh, emphasizing that the country's well-being depends on their prosperity. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally at Chattogram’s Polo Ground on Sunday morning, he announced that if the BNP wins the February 12 election, the party will gradually distribute agricultural cards to all farmers. The rally drew hundreds of thousands of participants from various city units.

Rahman stated that to reduce rising commodity prices, agricultural production must increase, and this requires standing beside farmers and farm workers. He assured that BNP’s promises to the people would be implemented gradually once the party forms the government. He urged voters to support the BNP by voting for its symbol, the paddy sheaf.

Highlighting law and order and corruption, Rahman alleged that citizens had been deprived of their rights in these areas for the past 15 years. He pledged that a future BNP government would strictly enforce law and order and curb corruption, ensuring a safe livelihood for ordinary and working people.

The 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum are scheduled for February 12, but campaign activity in Chattogram remains subdued. Government-led promotion of the referendum is minimal, with limited visibility in both the city and surrounding upazilas. Only Jamaat-e-Islami is actively distributing leaflets door-to-door, while BNP leaders have opted out of the campaign, disagreeing with the government’s approach. The National Citizen Party (NCP) has yet to begin visible campaigning but says it will intensify efforts soon.

Field reports show widespread confusion among residents about the referendum’s purpose. Many working-class citizens interviewed said they had little or no understanding of what the referendum entails. Government advisers recently met with imams and muezzins to encourage support, and officials were urged to promote the vote. However, local sources report that upazila administrations have not organized seminars or public outreach as of mid-January.

Jamaat-e-Islami has declared a special campaign week, while the district administration claims ongoing video broadcasts, leaflet distribution, and courtyard meetings. Despite these efforts, civic activists say the government’s initiative has yet to reach grassroots levels effectively.

Nahid Islam, the Dhaka-11 constituency candidate and convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), said that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election will mark the end of extortion, terrorism, and illegal occupation in politics. He made the remarks on Sunday morning while campaigning in his constituency, declaring that February 12 would be the last day for those involved in such activities.

During his campaign speech, Nahid alleged that a rival group was attempting to intimidate his supporters but claimed those efforts were failing. He urged voters to cast their ballots freely and thoughtfully, emphasizing that the election would determine Bangladesh’s future and destiny. He also cautioned voters against being swayed by false promises, temptations, or personal benefits.

Nahid further encouraged citizens to choose candidates capable of bringing real change to their communities and the country, underscoring the importance of responsible voting in shaping national progress.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that no citizen of the country wants to see extortion as a new profession. He made the remarks on Sunday at an election rally in Kajla, Jatrabari, organized by the 10-party alliance in support of its candidates for Dhaka-4 and Dhaka-5 constituencies. Addressing extortionists, he said they would be given honorable work and would no longer need to hide their identities in society.

Dr. Rahman stated that young people should not depend on unemployment allowances but should become builders of Bangladesh. He pledged to prioritize local development if given the opportunity to govern. He also emphasized that Bangladesh does not want the shadow of domination from any power, seeking friendly relations with all civilized nations without interference.

Criticizing the 54-year-old political system that he said has led to fascism, the Jamaat chief called for a complete transformation and urged citizens to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum as a mark of respect for the July martyrs.

Myanmar held the final phase of its month-long general election on Sunday, organized under the military junta’s authority. The army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is widely expected to secure a decisive victory. Critics argue that the election aims to extend military rule under the guise of civilian legitimacy. Voting began at 6 a.m. in several constituencies, though large areas under rebel control could not participate.

The country, long under military dominance, had moved toward limited civilian reforms in the 2010s before the 2021 coup halted that process and led to civil conflict and humanitarian crisis. The junta has promised to return power to the people, but the exclusion of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the dissolution of her National League for Democracy (NLD) have fueled claims that the polls are rigged in favor of the military’s allies.

Analysts note that the USDP, dominated by former military officers, already won most seats in earlier rounds. The new parliament will elect the next president, with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing seen as a possible contender. Official results are expected later this week.

The High Court has issued a contempt of court rule against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin for allegedly failing to comply with a previous court order. The rule asks why punitive action should not be taken against him. The order was issued on Sunday by a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan.

According to the case details, Advocate Yunus Ali Akand had applied to the CEC for registration of a political party named Krishak Sramik Janata Party. When the application was not resolved, he sought the court’s intervention. The court subsequently issued an order regarding the matter, which was reportedly not implemented, leading to the contempt proceedings.

The High Court’s rule marks a formal step in determining whether the CEC’s inaction constitutes contempt, and the court will later decide on possible punitive measures based on responses to the rule.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared that no party member involved in terrorism would be spared and that corruption would be eradicated at any cost. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon during a large election rally at the Polo Ground in Chattogram, where he emphasized that the party would firmly act against wrongdoing within its own ranks.

Highlighting the BNP’s election slogan, “Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh, Sobar Age Bangladesh,” Rahman urged all pro-democracy forces to unite. He said that honoring the sacrifices of July martyrs like Wasim required ensuring victory for BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ candidates. During the event, he introduced candidates from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and Bandarban.

Rahman announced that if BNP came to power, it would establish 100,000 healthcare centers and launch canal excavation programs. He pledged to make healthcare accessible at the grassroots and to develop Chattogram as the country’s commercial capital, stressing that the people of Bangladesh seek political rights and change.

A commentary published on January 25, 2026, in Amader Desh Online criticizes U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Gaza Peace Board,” describing it as an empty and unethical initiative that turns peace into a financial transaction. The article states that draft charters were quietly distributed to about 60 countries, seeking up to one billion dollars in membership fees. It argues that the proposal shifts from moral peacebuilding to a long-term management project over a devastated Gaza, without addressing justice or Palestinian self-determination.

According to the analysis, the board’s structure is financially driven, with membership determined by payment and authority concentrated in the chairman’s hands. Palestinians are excluded from decision-making, and the plan omits references to international law, the Geneva Conventions, or UN resolutions. The piece warns that the initiative bypasses the UN system to avoid accountability, creating a parallel governance model that privileges control and profit over transparency.

The article concludes that true peace in Gaza requires an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, accountability for crimes, and Palestinian-led reconstruction under international law, not externally imposed financial schemes.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that the people of Bangladesh want political rights and change. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at a large public rally held at the Polo Ground in Chattogram, organized ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Rahman emphasized that criticism alone would not benefit the people and outlined several development commitments if his party came to power.

He said the BNP aims to bring healthcare services to people’s doorsteps and to develop Chattogram as the country’s commercial capital. Rahman also pledged that a BNP government would establish 100,000 healthcare centers and resume canal excavation projects. He further vowed to take strict action against corruption under any circumstances.

The rally formed part of the BNP’s broader campaign activities for the upcoming national election, highlighting the party’s focus on governance reform, infrastructure development, and anti-corruption measures.