Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Cumilla Metropolitan unit organized a protest rally and gathering on Thursday afternoon at the Cumilla Town Hall field, opposing the government’s repeated increases in fuel and electricity prices. The event demanded immediate withdrawal of the new rates and called for control over rising commodity prices. The rally was led by city unit Ameer and central executive member Kazi Din Mohammad, who addressed the gathering before the procession.

Speakers at the event accused the government of worsening public hardship by raising energy prices, which they said would increase transport costs, agricultural expenses, and prices of essential goods, disproportionately affecting low-income citizens. They urged the authorities to take effective measures to protect people’s purchasing power and warned of a nationwide movement if the decisions were not reversed.

The protest march, attended by a large number of party leaders, activists, and citizens, concluded at the central Eidgah ground after parading through key city streets.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has urged the government to immediately withdraw the increased electricity prices and halt what he described as anti-people measures. He issued the call during a protest rally held on Thursday afternoon at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, organized to oppose the recent electricity price hike and rising commodity costs. The demonstration, part of a nationwide program by the party’s Dhaka North and South units, later turned into a procession through several city streets.

Porwar criticized the government for ignoring public suffering and failing to fulfill its promise not to raise electricity prices within two years, noting that the increase came only three months after the pledge. He also accused the authorities of corruption, mismanagement, and neglecting renewable energy initiatives. Other party leaders, including Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Dhaka South Amir Md Nurul Islam Bulbul, condemned recent fuel price hikes, alleged law enforcement abuses, and the appointment of a new chairman at Islami Bank, calling it illegal.

The protests were simultaneously held across major cities as part of Jamaat’s central program demanding price reductions and better governance.

Five Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) of police have been promoted to the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police (Grade-2). The promotion was announced on Thursday through a notification signed by Toufique Ahmed, Deputy Secretary of the Police-1 Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to the notification, the promoted officers are DIG of Sylhet Range Md. Mushfequr Rahman, NSI Director (DIG) Barrister Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, DIG of Chattogram Range Md. Moniruzzaman, Additional Director General (Admin) of RAB Faruq Ahmed, and DIG of Dhaka Range Rezaul Karim Mallik. The order instructed the newly promoted officials to submit their joining letters to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs through the proper authority.

The announcement formalizes the elevation of these senior police officials to higher administrative responsibilities within Bangladesh’s law enforcement structure.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday accused the United States and Israel of trying to create division among Iranians following what he described as their “final blow” in the Middle East war. In a written message from Tehran, Khamenei said the “evil enemies” were attempting to plant seeds of doubt, despair, fear, distrust, and division among the people. He urged Iranians to counter these efforts with determination, foresight, unity, and solidarity.

The message was read aloud during a ceremony marking the 37th anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. The 1979 revolution had overthrown US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. After Khomeini’s death in 1989, Ali Khamenei became Supreme Leader until his death on February 28 this year in a US-Israeli attack that triggered a regional war.

Although a ceasefire was reached on April 8, direct and indirect talks have yet to produce a lasting peace. Mojtaba Khamenei, who took office in March, has rarely appeared in public, addressing the nation mainly through written statements.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has protested in Dhaka against the government’s decision to increase electricity prices only three months after pledging not to raise them for two years. The announcement came on Thursday, prompting a demonstration near the north gate of Baitul Mukarram, where Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar criticized the move.

Porwar stated that the power minister had previously assured citizens that electricity prices would remain unchanged for two years, but the government broke that promise. He accused the authorities of disregarding the people’s mandate from a recent referendum and urged them to curb corruption instead of raising prices.

Jamaat-e-Islami described the government’s decision to raise fuel and electricity prices as anti-people and vowed to continue protests against the policy.

The National Democratic Party–JAGPA has announced the formation of its Malaysia branch committee. The approval was given on Wednesday by JAGPA vice president and party spokesperson Rashed Pradhan. The committee was jointly coordinated and announced by JAGPA’s organizational secretary Md. Akram Hossain and Youth JAGPA’s organizational secretary Oliul Anwar.

In the newly formed committee, Md. Ibrahim Hossain has been elected president and Abu Musa general secretary. Vice presidents Tofayel Ahmed and Zobayer Hossain, and joint general secretaries Md. Iqbal Hossain Jihad and Zainal Abedin were also named. Other positions include Saiful Islam Sagor as organizational secretary, Mahfuz Islam Sagor as office secretary, Abdullah Habib as publicity secretary, Nazrul Islam as finance secretary, and Mehedi Hasan as member.

During the approval, spokesperson Rashed Pradhan congratulated the new leaders and called for unity among patriotic forces at home and abroad to continue the struggle for justice.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified vigilance along the Ranisankail, Haripur, and Pirganj border areas of Thakurgaon following concerns over a possible pushback by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). Although local sources have circulated information suggesting such a move, no official confirmation has been issued so far.

According to local accounts, groups of men, women, and children have reportedly gathered in the border region of Uttar Dinajpur district in West Bengal, raising fears they might be forced into Bangladesh. The information could not be independently verified. The Haripur and Pirganj areas are geographically marked by the flow of the Nagar River, which could pose humanitarian and security risks if any forced crossings occur.

BGB has increased patrols and surveillance across the border to prevent any illegal entry or pushback attempts. The commander of the 50 BGB Battalion in Thakurgaon stated that the force remains fully prepared to respond to any such situation.

At least 62 people were injured on Thursday morning when two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed in Bishnupur village under Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah district. The confrontation began around 8 a.m. and involved supporters of local BNP leaders Matiar Rahman and Kofil Uddin Member. Among the injured, 35 received treatment at Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex, while 27 were admitted to hospitals in Jhenaidah, Kushtia, and Faridpur.

Local resident Arshad Ali said the conflict stemmed from a long-running rivalry between the two groups over forming a social organization that included Awami League activists. The tension reportedly intensified after August 5, when competition arose over recruiting Awami League workers into their respective groups. During the clash, 15 houses were attacked, vandalized, and looted.

According to Shailkupa police, officers remain deployed at the scene, but no case has yet been filed. Medical officials reported that 17 of the injured are in serious condition.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified patrols and surveillance along the Benapole border in Jashore to prevent illegal infiltration and push-in attempts. Authorities stated that regular patrols and round-the-clock monitoring are being maintained to keep the border situation stable. BGB personnel at various border outposts remain on high alert to ensure security.

According to BGB sources, the security measures were reinforced following concerns about possible attempts to push people illegally into Bangladesh. Additional monitoring has been deployed in vulnerable areas, and local residents are cooperating with BGB to prevent any unauthorized entry. Local sources claimed that a few days ago, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) tried to push 10 to 12 people into Bangladesh through the Sadipur area, but the attempt failed due to BGB’s strict stance.

Officials confirmed that the situation at the border is currently calm and under control. However, BGB remains on maximum alert and prepared to respond to any unexpected developments to maintain border security.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called on citizens to remain united to thwart all forms of enemy conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the country. In a message delivered on Thursday, June 4, he emphasized that national solidarity is essential to confront external pressures and internal divisions. The statement was issued on the 37th death anniversary of former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency cited by Anadolu.

Khamenei warned that Iran’s adversaries are waging a hybrid war combining military and psychological tactics. Without naming any country, he suggested that after failing militarily, enemies are now attempting to sow division within Iranian society. He stressed that unity between the people and state institutions is the strongest defense against such threats.

The appeal comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated following recent clashes, described as the most serious since a ceasefire took effect in April. Efforts toward a lasting agreement continue, with U.S. President Donald Trump expressing optimism about progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and limiting Iran’s nuclear program.

A BNP leader was allegedly assaulted by Jubo Dal activists in Narayanganj on Thursday afternoon. The victim, Akil Uddin Bhuiyan, a former joint convener of Siddhirganj Thana BNP, was reportedly attacked in the presence of district Jubo Dal member secretary Mashiur Rahman Roni. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. at the Narayanganj District Council premises during an event marking the 45th death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman.

According to eyewitnesses, a verbal altercation broke out between Bhuiyan and Jubo Dal activists over standing positions during the inauguration ceremony. Although senior leaders initially calmed the situation, tensions later escalated into a physical attack. Bhuiyan sustained injuries, including a split lip and torn clothing. District Council Administrator Professor Mamun Mahmud condemned the assault, stating that video footage would be reviewed to identify the attackers and that no violent behavior would be tolerated within the BNP.

Bhuiyan claimed that despite resolving an earlier argument with Roni, the latter’s followers attacked him afterward. Attempts to contact Roni for comment were unsuccessful.

A views exchange meeting was held at the Jamiat party office in Sunamganj between the party’s Secretary General Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi and local leaders. The meeting took place on Thursday at 11 a.m., presided over by district president Maulana Tafazzul Haque Aziz and conducted by general secretary Maulana Taiyyibur Rahman Chowdhury. Afendi emphasized the growing need for ideal-based politics in the current national context and said the party had contested the last election in understanding with the BNP. He alleged that Jamiat faced defeat due to opposition from domestic and foreign forces.

He called on Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam to play a more organized and effective role in establishing Islamic values, justice, and a humane society. District president Tafazzul Haque Aziz reaffirmed the district unit’s commitment to party ideals and said efforts were underway to strengthen and mobilize the organization across all levels. He added that under central leadership guidance, every district unit would be made more active and people-oriented.

Several district and metropolitan Jamiat leaders attended the meeting, including vice presidents, secretaries, and youth and student representatives.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be able to remain in power for more than one year. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Gandhi alleged that the administrative and institutional structures supporting the government are weakening from within. He also warned that Modi might resort to emergency-like measures to retain political control as dissatisfaction grows inside key institutions.

Gandhi stated that information about Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and their families is being shared with him by insiders. He further alleged that even officials from the Election Commission and intelligence agencies are providing him with updates. The Congress leader expressed concern about India’s economic situation, claiming that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has dismantled safeguards needed to withstand global instability.

The report noted that Gandhi did not present evidence to support his claims, and there was no immediate response from the central government or the BJP. Questions have also been raised about the legality and credibility of the alleged internal information leaks.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat has dismissed as false the allegations that valuables were stolen from 150 pieces of luggage belonging to returning Hajj pilgrims at Dhaka airport. Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat’s PID conference room, he said an investigation found no evidence of theft or irregularities. The allegations had surfaced on social media, prompting immediate instructions from the Prime Minister to verify the claims.

Millat stated that CCTV footage showed no mishandling of luggage, and the entire offloading and distribution process was completed within an hour. He emphasized that the ministry called the press briefing to clarify misinformation spread online and to ensure factual reporting. The minister added that the aviation authority submitted a report and video evidence confirming that no theft occurred.

He further noted that over 78,000 pilgrims traveled smoothly this year, with no major issues reported. The government expressed satisfaction with the successful management of Hajj operations and apologized for any minor inconveniences faced by returning pilgrims.

BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party aims to move forward following the path shown by late President Ziaur Rahman. He made the remarks on Thursday at a discussion and newspaper exhibition titled “Ziaur Rahman’s Independent and Neutral Diplomacy in the Current Context,” organized by the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) at its auditorium to mark the 45th anniversary of Ziaur Rahman’s death. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan presided over the event.

Mirza Fakhrul stated that Ziaur Rahman rebuilt the nation during a time of crisis by uniting political forces and promoting national unity. He emphasized that Ziaur Rahman wanted Bangladesh to be self-reliant and not dependent on any other country, which made him popular among ordinary citizens. Fakhrul added that current BNP leadership under Tarique Rahman reflects Ziaur Rahman’s ideals.

Speakers including economist Dr. Mushtaq Khan and journalist Abu Rushd discussed Ziaur Rahman’s political philosophy, foreign policy, and contributions to state-building during the event.