As opposition groups announced a nationwide long march toward Jatiya Party (JP) offices, JP leaders and activists gathered outside their Rangpur headquarters at Pigeon Square to “defend” the premises.

Local leaders stressed that JP holds no position either in favor of or against the Awami League, warning that any attempt to storm their office would be resisted.

They also rejected allegations linking JP to the recent attack on Nurul Haque Nur, insisting the violence was carried out by the army and police. “Blaming JP is an attempt to scapegoat us,” said district student leader Arif.

Party leaders further claimed the Awami League had long tried to weaken JP, stressing there is no alliance or special relationship between the two parties.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has declared that the next national election will be held before Ramadan in 2026, stressing that “no one can stop it except Allah, the Lord of all worlds.”

Speaking on the political climate, Salahuddin said the people of Bangladesh are now election-focused, and anyone attempting to oppose the electoral process will be rejected by the public.

He emphasized that the BNP is working on constitutional and structural reforms aimed at safeguarding democracy and preventing the rise of fascism in the future. While some reforms would require constitutional amendments, he argued that the current government could already implement those that do not.

Salahuddin accused certain quarters of trying to obstruct the election under “flimsy excuses” but asserted that a strong electoral atmosphere is already in place, with candidates beginning outreach campaigns. He warned that anti-election rhetoric will only isolate those who pursue it.

In Tangail, Gana Adhikar Parishad activists have been accused of vandalizing the district Jatiya Party office during a protest march. Eyewitnesses said the rally, which began from the local Gana Adhikar office, marched through Victoria Road and later attacked the JP office in Thana Para.

Following the incident, protesters blocked the Dhaka-Tangail Jamuna Bridge Highway at the Nagar Jalpai bypass, halting traffic for about 30 minutes.

However, GOP leader Sagar denied involvement, claiming, “We did not attack their office. It was Jatiya Party activists who unjustly mobbed and attacked VP Nur. The JP still harbors remnants of dictatorship. If the attackers are not arrested immediately, we will launch a tougher movement.”

BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moin Khan condemned the attack on Nurul Haque Nur, saying, “Nur’s position on the streets is clear. People of this country cannot accept such brutality against him. We must ensure yesterday’s attack is never repeated.”

After visiting Nur at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, he reiterated that BNP believes in democracy and peaceful politics. “The fight to restore democratic governance will continue. The people’s aspirations will be fulfilled through a fair and neutral election,” he said.

Doctors confirmed that Nur has regained consciousness but remains in a critical condition. A six-member medical board has been formed for his treatment.

Following the release of the inquiry report on the Sambhal riots in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed the findings proved the violence was a “planned conspiracy” targeting Hindus.

Yogi said, “At independence, Hindus made up 45% of Sambhal’s population. Today that figure has fallen to 15%, while Muslims now make up 85%. Under SP and Congress rule, Hindus were repeatedly attacked. But under the double-engine government, appeasement is over.”

The commission reported that outside instigators were brought in to fuel unrest, with extremist groups exploiting arms and drug smuggling.

However, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi dismissed the findings, calling them politically motivated. “In a region like Sambhal, known for its multi-religious heritage, it is unfair to pin the blame solely on Muslims. If outsiders carried out the violence, where was the administration? Why does the report not highlight security failures? This report is nothing but election politics,” Owaisi said.

Human Rights Watch has accused India of abusing and forcibly displacing Rohingya refugees since May 2025. Hundreds have been arbitrarily detained, and many reportedly tortured. Authorities allegedly confiscated their belongings and UNHCR registration cards, while some were forced to swim to Myanmar’s coast. The BJP-led operation targeted Rohingyas and Bengali-speaking Muslims, reflecting the party’s portrayal of them as “illegal immigrants.” Many fled to Bangladesh, where HRW interviewed nine refugees in Cox’s Bazar who recounted harassment, confiscation of property, and forced displacement.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus personally inquired about Nurul Haque Nur’s condition over the phone at around 1:00 PM on Saturday, confirmed Gana Adhikar leader Abu Hanif.

“Nur briefed the Chief Adviser about the details of yesterday’s attack. Dr. Yunus assured that the matter will be investigated and those responsible will face consequences,” Hanif said.

Earlier on Friday night, Law Adviser and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam visited Nur at Dhaka Medical College.

Bangladesh has made progress in healthcare since independence, but government health spending remains among the lowest in Asia, just over 3% of total operational expenditure. Shortages of doctors, nurses, and medical supplies, coupled with inefficiency and mismanagement, continue to undermine service quality. Despite budget allocations and recruitment drives, public hospitals and clinics struggle to meet demand. Experts emphasize the need for strategic planning, skilled personnel, technological upgrades, and increased funding to ensure accessible, high-quality healthcare for all citizens.

Gana Adhikar Parishad leader Rashed Khan rejected allegations that their activists attacked the Jatiya Party office yesterday. Instead, he accused police and army personnel of storming outside the Gana Adhikar office and attacking their leaders.

“Nur’s nose was broken, his eye injured, and his life remains at risk. This was a planned assassination attempt. Army members stomped on his chest with boots,” Rashed claimed, urging the Army Chief to take action against those involved.

He further alleged that “Awami League loyalists still remain in the army” and must be removed, accusing DGFI of colluding with Jatiya Party to present it as the opposition.

Kaptai Lake, one of Bangladesh and South Asia’s largest reservoirs, was created in 1960 with the construction of a dam on the Karnaphuli River for electricity generation. Spanning around 725 square kilometers, it supplies fish to meet local demand and supports approximately 26,500 fishermen in Rangamati and Khagrachhari. However, encroachment and illegal occupation are steadily shrinking this vital artificial lake, putting livelihoods at risk and threatening the ecological balance of the region. Immediate measures are needed to protect it.

China’s Haze Shipping Company is launching the China-Europe Arctic Express, a new container route linking Chinese ports including Ningbo-Zhoushan and Qingdao to major European ports such as Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Gdansk. The Arctic segment via Russia’s Northern Sea Route reduces transit time to just 18 days—less than half of the Suez Canal route. Initially seasonal, the service aims to speed deliveries, cut inventory costs, and meet Europe’s peak-season demand, with plans for year-round operation using ice-class vessels.

NCP’s southern region chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah has said that elections under the current constitution, used by Sheikh Hasina for “night voting,” are unacceptable. Speaking at a meeting in Debidwar, he urged the Chief Adviser to amend the rules and give the polls legal legitimacy. He criticized past elections, alleging dead voters, ballot stuffing, and bias from officials. Hasnat likened the system to a house with broken doors, stressing structural reforms before credible elections can take place.

Khelafat Majlis Amir Mawlana Mamunul Haque declared that no election will be allowed in Bangladesh without official recognition of the Shapla Square martyrs and implementation of the July Charter.

Rejecting the 1972 Constitution, he said, “Elections are not the immediate priority. First, Bangladesh must acknowledge the blood of Shapla’s martyrs. The July revolutionaries shed their blood to uproot imperialism. There can be no compromise between the July movement and the 1972 regime.”

Mamunul warned against attempts to return to the “Baksali system” of 1972 and criticized those who invoke Ziaur Rahman’s name while supporting such measures. He further vowed to resist the establishment of “statues disguised as sculptures” of dictators in Bangladesh and opposed the idea of building a statue of Zia.

National Congress Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah has declared that his party has no objection if elections are held as early as next month, provided that electoral rules are revised. However, he firmly rejected holding polls under the current constitution, which he claimed was used to justify “night-time voting in the name of day-time elections.”

Speaking at a yard meeting in Debidwar’s Mohammapur, Hasnat said, “During Sheikh Hasina’s rule, most people could not cast their votes. Those who could were allowed to stamp entire ballot papers. Even deceased individuals were shown in voter lists. Corrupt officials from the administration aided this rigging. The people of this country do not want to witness such elections again.”

Chaos erupted in front of the Jatiya Party’s central office in Kakrail during an anti-government rally by Gana Adhikar Parishad. Witnesses reported brickbats and an assault carried out by joint forces. Nurul Haque Nur sustained severe injuries in the incident.

Footage circulating online shows a young man in a red T-shirt repeatedly beating Nur after he had collapsed to the ground. The video sparked widespread outrage, prompting police to begin efforts to identify the attacker.

DMP official Mir Asaduzzaman confirmed that the man had initially been detained by security forces but was later released. “We are working to identify him quickly,” he said. Gana Adhikar leaders accused Jatiya Party workers of launching the attack, which was later followed by police baton charges on a torch procession held in protest.

Party leader Rashed Khan said, “The video clearly shows police and army personnel attacking us first. After Nur fell to the ground, the man in the red T-shirt began beating him mercilessly. This must be investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable under the law.”