Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has praised the bravery of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) for their actions at the border. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he emphasized that relations should be based on equality and dignity, asserting that there should be no compromise on independence, sovereignty, and national honor.

The remarks came after tension erupted at the Ramrampur border in Bakshiganj upazila of Jamalpur district, where an attempt to push in a stateless person led to a confrontation between BGB and India’s Border Security Force (BSF). A 30-minute flag meeting failed to resolve the issue, prompting both BGB and local residents to take positions along the border. A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing a verbal altercation between the two forces.

During the exchange, BGB members reportedly pushed the individual back toward Indian territory after BSF attempted to push him into Bangladesh. When a BSF member mentioned firing, BGB personnel responded with a warning, asserting their readiness to defend if provoked.

Kushtia-3 Member of Parliament Amir Hamza has called for making the Lalon Shah shrine area in Kushtia free from drugs. He raised the demand during a supplementary question session in the National Parliament on Wednesday, asking Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury whether any initiative exists to declare the shrine a drug-free zone. Hamza expressed concern over unethical activities taking place during the annual birth and death anniversary events of Lalon Shah.

In response, Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said the government aims to make not only the Lalon Shah shrine area but the entire country drug-free under the leadership of the Prime Minister. He stated that the government has extensive plans to eliminate drugs and linked the effort to economic development, noting that drug eradication succeeds when economic activities increase in society.

The minister added that the country had experienced a dark period over the past 18 years when drug abuse spread widely, even involving political figures. He said the current government is working to end that era and build a new Bangladesh through social and economic transformation.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government has decided to recruit 500,000 new government employees. Among these, recruitment for 2,879 vacant posts under the Ministry of Public Administration and its subordinate offices is already underway. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon during the question-and-answer session in the National Parliament, responding to a query from BNP lawmaker Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas of Pabna-5, whose question was presented by AKM Selim Reza Habib of Pabna-2.

In response to a supplementary question from BNP lawmaker Abul Kalam of Comilla-9 regarding recruitment to vacant government posts, the Prime Minister said that many positions remain vacant across various government sectors. He emphasized that filling these posts is essential to make administration more dynamic and to deliver services more efficiently to citizens. The government is reviewing the matter seriously and aims to begin the recruitment process as soon as possible.

The parliamentary session began at 3 p.m. under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, with the first 30 minutes allocated for the Prime Minister’s questions.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has clarified why ruling party women members of parliament were assigned to oversee development activities in constituencies represented by opposition MPs. The explanation came during a parliamentary session on Wednesday when Jamaat MP Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem from Dhaka-14 raised a question about media reports suggesting that government party women MPs were given responsibility for monitoring development projects and issuing government order letters in opposition areas.

In response, the Prime Minister stated that women MPs elected under the party’s quota system do not have specific constituencies under the constitution or law. Therefore, based on political and organizational structure, certain areas were designated for them to work. He emphasized that opposition MPs retain full rights to participate in development activities in their constituencies, while women MPs also have legitimate roles as elected representatives.

The Prime Minister assured opposition MPs of direct cooperation if needed for development in their areas, noting that the government is proceeding according to established rules.

In the Bangladesh Parliament on Wednesday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stood up to answer on behalf of the Minister of Religious Affairs during the question-and-answer session. His action prompted enthusiastic reactions from opposition lawmakers. Salahuddin remarked that he was responding for the sake of goodwill and added that it would be good if the opposition occasionally showed such appreciation.

Earlier in the same session, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman explained the government’s decision to assign ruling party female MPs to oversee development activities in constituencies held by opposition members. The explanation came after Jamaat MP Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem from Dhaka-14 raised a question citing media reports that ruling party female MPs were being given responsibility for monitoring development work and issuing geo letters in opposition constituencies.

The Prime Minister clarified that female MPs elected from reserved seats do not have specific constituencies under the constitution or law, implying that their oversight roles were not meant to undermine opposition MPs’ authority.

Two Awami League leaders, including Abul Hasnat, the assistant private secretary to former Planning Minister M A Mannan, have been sent to jail following court orders in Sunamganj. The leaders are Shantiganj Upazila Awami League General Secretary Md Hasnat Hossain and Jagannathpur Upazila Awami League General Secretary Rezaul Karim Riju. They appeared separately before the Speedy Trial Court of Judge Nurul Haque in Sunamganj and the cognizance court of Judge Md Emdad Hossain in Jagannathpur on Wednesday, seeking bail. Both judges rejected their bail pleas and ordered them to be sent to jail.

According to the report, a case was filed on September 2, 2024, under the Speedy Trial Act against 99 individuals, including former Planning Minister M A Mannan and three former members of parliament. Three former police officers from Sunamganj were also named in the case, in which Hasnat was listed as an accused.

The court proceedings mark a continuation of legal actions stemming from the 2024 case, though further details on the charges or next steps were not provided in the report.

Tension erupted along the Ramrampur border in Bakshiganj upazila of Jamalpur after members of India’s Nandirchar BSF camp allegedly tried to push an elderly man into Bangladesh early Wednesday morning. Members of Bangladesh’s 35 BGB battalion and local residents resisted the attempt, forcing the 60-year-old man to remain in the no man’s land area. A flag meeting between BGB and BSF was held for 30 minutes but failed to resolve the issue.

The situation escalated when a BSF subedar reportedly ordered his troops to open fire, prompting BGB personnel to warn that they would not remain idle and were ready to respond. Local residents also joined the protest, shouting and brandishing sticks in support of BGB. The elderly man remains stranded in no man’s land as both sides maintain heightened alert.

Lieutenant Colonel Hasanur Rahman, commanding officer of Jamalpur 35 BGB, confirmed that the force, along with locals, resisted the push-in attempt and that efforts to resolve the matter through discussion are ongoing. BGB remains on maximum alert to prevent further incidents.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized the need to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability in administrative operations. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a question-and-answer session in the 13th National Parliament’s second and first budget session, responding to a query from Comilla-9 Member of Parliament Abul Kalam. The session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, began at 3 p.m.

In his response, the Prime Minister said that during the inauguration of the 2026 Deputy Commissioners’ Conference, several directives were issued to district commissioners and divisional commissioners. These included adopting a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, avoiding unnecessary bureaucratic delays, and ensuring integrity, merit, and competence in recruitment, transfer, and posting. He also called for reform initiatives to strengthen administrative effectiveness and accountability.

The Prime Minister further stressed accelerating digital transformation to make service delivery timely, efficient, and transparent. He directed immediate action against law violations, effective control of law and order, and strict monitoring to ensure that public services remain free from harassment, delay, and corruption.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, central executive council member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dhaka North city unit chief, and DNCC mayoral candidate, praised journalists for their contribution in addressing national crises. Speaking at a meeting with print media journalists at a restaurant in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, he said that objective reporting helps expose irregularities and plays a vital role in urban development.

The meeting was organized by the publicity and media division of Dhaka North Jamaat and presided over by Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim, a central executive council member and secretary. Selim Uddin highlighted Jamaat’s support for students during the July movement and its assistance to families of those killed or injured. He criticized the government for inaction over border push-in attempts and instability in the financial sector, particularly concerning Islamic Bank. He asserted that public deposit institutions should not be handed over to corrupt interests.

Rezaul Karim expressed confidence that Selim Uddin would gain strong public support in the upcoming Dhaka North City Corporation election and provide capable leadership to meet citizens’ expectations.

A fire was set at the July Memorial in Moktarpara area of Netrakona town late Tuesday night, reportedly by individuals chanting slogans in support of Sheikh Hasina. Police suspect kerosene was used to ignite the fire at the steel-made structure near the Mogra River bridge. The incident caused minimal damage, and a 25-second video of the event circulated on social media the following day, showing three young men leaving the site while shouting political slogans.

Fahim Rahman Khan Pathan, a central member of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and resident of Netrakona Sadar, alleged that members of the banned Chhatra League were involved. He suggested the act was intended to demonstrate political activity ahead of a possible reformation of the district committee. Pathan described the memorial as an emotional site linked to the July Movement and accused the banned group of trying to create unrest.

Officer-in-Charge Md Al Mamun Sarkar confirmed that senior police officials visited the scene and are analyzing CCTV and video footage to identify those responsible.

An eleven-party alliance in Bangladesh has announced protest rallies across all border districts and points on Friday to denounce alleged push-ins and border killings. The coalition also declared a nationwide protest in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area on June 15 against what it described as rising incidents of murder, rape, and deteriorating law and order. The announcements were made at a press conference organized at the central office of Jamaat-e-Islami.

At the event, Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the alliance, accused the government of authoritarian governance and failing to act against border violence. He claimed that India attempted more than 50 push-ins in the past three months and that 19 Bangladeshis were killed by Indian forces in the last 100 days. He criticized the home minister’s recent comments on border killings as contradictory to national policy and called for a stronger foreign stance.

Nasir Uddin Patowary of the NCP added that the government’s role in border areas was inadequate and urged strengthening the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has concluded defense arguments in the war crimes case against Mahbubul Alam Hanif, joint general secretary of the suspended Awami League, and three others accused of involvement in six murders during the July uprising in Kushtia. The tribunal has kept the case awaiting verdict, meaning the judgment could be delivered at any time. The order was issued on Wednesday after defense lawyer Amir Hossain completed his arguments.

Earlier, on June 7, the prosecution concluded its arguments seeking the maximum punishment for all four accused. Prosecutor Mizanul Islam presented the case on behalf of the prosecution, with Prosecutor Faruk Ahmed and others in attendance. The accused include Kushtia District Awami League president Sadar Uddin Khan, general secretary Azgar Ali, and Kushtia City Awami League general secretary Ataur Rahman Ata.

All four accused are currently absconding, according to the tribunal proceedings.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Malaysia later this month, marking his first foreign trip as head of government. The visit is expected to take place on June 21, and party members have begun preparations to ensure the trip proceeds smoothly. A festive atmosphere has been noted among supporters in anticipation of the visit.

To coordinate efforts, the Nationalist Youth Party (Jubo Dal) in Malaysia held an initial preparatory meeting on Sunday. In Dhaka, Malaysia BNP President Engineer Badlur Rahman Khan and General Secretary Md. Mosharraf Hossain Miazi also convened a meeting on the same topic, attended by party and affiliated organization leaders.

The Malaysia Jubo Dal meeting was attended by its President Md. Jasim Uddin, Vice Presidents Sheikh Md. Selim and Md. Nazmul Hasan, Joint General Secretary Sultan Bin Siraj, Organizational Secretary Md. Russel Rana, Assistant Organizational Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman Babu, Abdullah Noman, Ismail Akand, and Arian Sifat, among others.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents prevented an attempted push-in by India's Border Security Force (BSF) at the Ramrampur border in Bakshiganj upazila of Jamalpur early Wednesday. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. when BSF members from Nandirchar camp allegedly tried to push a man, approximately 60 years old, into Bangladesh territory.

Following the incident, a flag meeting was held at 10:30 a.m. between officials from Jamalpur 35 BGB and Nandirchar BSF camp. However, the BSF personnel did not take back the stateless man and left him at the zero line, where he has remained since. BGB officials confirmed that they, along with locals, resisted the push-in attempt and are maintaining heightened vigilance along the border.

Efforts to resolve the matter through discussions are ongoing, and BGB has stated it remains on maximum alert to prevent any further push-in attempts.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that future peacekeeping missions will be modern and technology-driven. He made the statement on Wednesday morning at the International United Nations Peacekeepers Day event held at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment. The Prime Minister said the sacrifices of peacekeepers will remain a shining example in the nation’s history and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to global peace under the UN flag.

He paid deep tribute to Bangladeshi peacekeepers who have sacrificed their lives for world peace since 1988, noting that 175 members have been martyred and many others injured while serving in UN missions. Rahman expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls. He emphasized that the dedication of Bangladeshi peacekeepers demonstrates their resolve to defend not only national sovereignty but also global peace.

The Prime Minister added that the government remains committed to honoring the families of fallen and injured peacekeepers and to strengthening Bangladesh’s role in future UN peacekeeping operations through modernization and technology integration.