In Fatikchhari, Chattogram, extortionists led by one Belal Driver assaulted and broke the leg of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Yunus Mia Suman (48), allegedly for testifying in a case filed by the administration. Locals rescued Yunus and admitted him to a private hospital before transferring him to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Belal Driver (54) had previously served a one-month jail sentence handed down by a mobile court under the supervision of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) on January 16, following extortion charges. Reports indicate that Yunus was a witness in that case, which led to the attack by Belal, who is known for his political ties with BNP.

Following the approval of the 213-member district convening committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Chandpur for the next six months, 160 members have announced their resignation. The central convening and member secretary committee was declared on February 18. The resigning members allege that the contributions of July movement activists were undervalued and that irregularities occurred in the committee formation. The dissidents claim the committee contradicts the spirit of the July movement. Additionally, accusations have surfaced that several members were included in the committee without their knowledge. The protesting members have not only demanded the cancellation of the committee but have also sought accountability from the central leadership.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged for immediate elections to restore stability in the country, stating that the entire nation is in turmoil. Speaking to a political party, he cautioned against making statements that could further escalate tensions.

He criticized the calls for election delays under the guise of reforms, arguing that ordinary people do not understand such technicalities. “For the people, their fundamental rights are the real reforms,” he said. Fakhrul also condemned foreign-based content creators for inciting political instability.

Highlighting the immense suffering endured by BNP leaders and activists, he asserted, “Just as 1971 belongs to us, so does July—do not create divisions.” He also warned India, stating, “If you provide shelter to murderers, the people will turn against you.”

Chief Justice of Bangladesh has asked legal experts to provide insights on how BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and others could be compensated if they were treated unjustly. Senior lawyer Prabir Niyogi suggested that the Supreme Court could determine an appropriate compensation amount. Meanwhile, the Appellate Division has scheduled a verdict for February 25 regarding the 85 individuals allegedly denied election commission appointments. Previously, on February 19, senior lawyer Salahuddin Dolon demanded compensation for Khaleda Zia and proposed symbolic punishment for those responsible for any injustice.

Two leaders, Saidur Rahman Mostak (45), a leader of the Khan Khanapur Union Awami League, and Saiful Islam Ershad (40), a leader of the district Chhatra League, have been arrested in Rajbari in connection with an attack and gunfire during a public uprising. They were detained in separate operations by the DB and Sadar police on February 19. According to DB officers, Shahin Fakir filed a case on October 2, accusing them of attacking students and citizens during the protest at Goalondo Mor. The two will be presented in court on Thursday.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has urged the nation to observe International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day on February 21 through discussions and prayers. In a statement, he recalled the sacrifices of students and youth in 1952, who protested against the ruling authorities to establish Bengali as the state language, resulting in the deaths of several students, including Dhaka University students. He emphasized the need to protect the Bengali language from foreign cultural influences and also stressed the importance of continuing the struggle for voting rights and civil liberties.

Rekha Gupta, MLA from Shalimar Bagh, has been selected as the Chief Minister of Delhi by the BJP. Her name was announced on Wednesday evening in front of the party legislators as the parliamentary leader. She will take the oath along with her cabinet members at Ramlila Maidan. Representing the Banik community, Gupta was previously a leader of ABVP. Notably, she became the Chief Minister in her very first term as an MLA. After 27 years, BJP has regained power in Delhi with 48 seats, while Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured only 22 seats.

A delegation from Gano Odhikar Parishad is set to meet with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) today. The five-member team will be led by the party’s president, Nurul Haque Nur. This information was confirmed in a press release issued on Wednesday by Abu Hanif, a senior council member and media coordinator of the party.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3 PM on Thursday at the Election Commission headquarters. However, it remains unclear how many Election Commission representatives will be present at the meeting.

A leader of the ruling Awami League has been arrested while attempting to enter the Bangladesh Secretariat using an expired and invalid pass. The detained individual, Sagir Ahmed, is the secretary of the Uttara Thana Awami League and a close associate of former Education Minister Dipu Moni. The Deputy Commissioner of the Secretariat confirmed the arrest, stating that Ahmed tried to forcefully enter the premises using an expired vehicle pass. Following discussions with the Home Ministry, he was handed over to Shahbagh police station.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a review hearing for Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam’s death sentence appeal on Thursday. The case is listed ninth on the Supreme Court’s official cause list, with proceedings set to take place under Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed’s bench.

Azhar was sentenced to death on December 30, 2014, by the International Crimes Tribunal for war crimes committed in 1971. The verdict was upheld by the Appellate Division on October 23, 2019.

The Revolutionary Student Council has urged President Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu not to attend the first-hour tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar on February 21. At a protest at Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial on Wednesday, council convener Abdul Wahed accused the president of remaining silent during the July-August massacre, where over 2,000 people were killed.

Wahed also claimed that Chuppu was elected by an “illegitimate parliament” and demanded his resignation. He urged the president to “reflect on his position” from Bangabhaban instead of appearing in public during International Mother Language Day.

A court has ordered the freezing of 20 bank accounts belonging to former State Minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu and his wife, Seema Hamid, following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday. These accounts reportedly hold over 21 million BDT. The ACC stated that an investigation is underway into the couple’s alleged unexplained wealth and that they were attempting to transfer or launder their assets, making an immediate freeze necessary.

In Begumganj, Noakhali, the residence of a local BNP leader was attacked twice following a Facebook live broadcast. The attacks are believed to have been orchestrated by political rivals. According to family sources, on Sunday, Farhan, a leader of the Chhatra Dal, went live on Facebook. During the broadcast, he spoke out against extortionists, tender manipulators, and allies of the Awami League from the 1/11 period. In response to his Facebook Live, the President of the local BNP, Kamaksha Chandra Das, allegedly threatened Farhan’s father over the phone, demanding that his son delete the live stream or face dire consequences. The following day, two attacks were carried out on the family. The accused has denied the charges.

A violent clash occurred at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) on Tuesday, with over 60 students injured. Chhatra Dal leaders have blamed activists from the anti-discrimination student movement, Chhatra Shibir, and Chhatra League for the violence. The altercation began when Chhatra Dal supporters were attacked during a rally, leading to retaliatory violence. The situation escalated into a campus-wide confrontation, involving both local party members and outsiders. At least 10 injured students were hospitalized in critical condition.

Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, has vowed never to compromise with the government under any pressure. His statement was shared by his sister, Alima Khan, during a visit to him in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Amid rumors of secret negotiations with the government, PTI plans a strong anti-government movement after Eid ul-Fitr. PTI leader Shoaib Yusufzai highlighted increasing political tensions between ruling parties PPP and PML-N, predicting the government’s imminent downfall.