Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, Vice President of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, has urged the interim government to hold elections only after implementing necessary reforms. He warned that elections held without proper reforms would lack credibility and deny people their right to vote freely. Faizul Karim reiterated that Islami Andolon Bangladesh is even willing to make strategic compromises for the sake of an Islamic agenda in the elections. He advocated for proportional representation as the only viable path to forming a national government and stated that even a party with 1% of the vote should have representation in parliament. He also praised the role of Islamic scholars in the mass uprising, acknowledging the participation of people from all religious backgrounds. With over 1,500 lives lost, he described the revolution as legendary.

Mominul Islam Raju, a candidate for the general secretary position of the banned organization Chhatra League’s Savar Upazila unit, has been arrested in connection with a murder case filed by a martyr’s family. The case relates to the deadly crackdown on a mass student protest in Savar. Raju is reportedly accused in two rape cases and multiple murder cases. He was known to be a cadre of fugitive Awami League MP Muhammad Saiful Islam from Dhaka-19. In an attempt to gain favor from the party’s high command, Raju allegedly opened fire on protesting students in broad daylight. Officer-in-Charge Ashiq Iqbal confirmed that Mominul Islam Raju has been arrested in connection with the July Uprising murder case. Authorities have sought a 7-day remand for further investigation.

In the past 24 hours, law enforcement authorities have arrested 16 individuals associated with the Awami League and the banned organization Chhatra League from various police station areas in the city. According to the CMP Public Relations Department, the arrests were made during a special operation conducted since Thursday afternoon. CMP Deputy Commissioner Mahmudah Begum stated that the individuals were apprehended under the Special Powers Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act for their involvement in attacks on student protests against discrimination. They have been sent to court for legal proceedings. The arrested individuals are: 1. Akhtar Hossain alias (48) 2. Bijoy De (25) 3. Md. Siddiq Munshi (41) 4. Javed Uddin Chowdhury alias Saju (39) 5. Sheikh Russell (40) 6. Ratan Ghosh (48) 7. Dr. Kathak Das (40) 8. Md. Nazmul Hasan (19) 9. Sushanto Das Debu (25) 10. Sourav Kumar De alias Basu (45) 11. Md. Hiron Mia (68) 12. Md. Parvez Khan Prince (34) 13. Md. Safi Alam Soudagar (40) 14. Sheikh Abdul Shukkur (58) 15. Riazul Islam (21) 16. Golam Nabi alias Imon (36).

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal has announced that multiple investigation reports on the mass killings and crimes against humanity committed in July and August to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement will be completed within this month. He expressed hope that trials would proceed swiftly once the reports are ready, ensuring justice and deterring future atrocities. He stated that the accused are attempting to discredit the judicial process using financial influence, but the trials will adhere to international standards and be conducted expeditiously. So far, over 300 complaints have been filed, 110 arrest warrants issued, and 35 suspects are currently in custody.

After extensive interrogation, Bangladeshi actress and singer Meher Afroz Shawon and actress Sohana Saba have been released from DB custody. The matter was confirmed by Deputy Police Commissioner Mohammad Talebur Rahman of DMP’s Media & Public Relations Division on Friday afternoon. DB officials stated that they were questioned regarding allegations of an anti-state conspiracy. Shawon and Saba’s names emerged as attendees—both physically and virtually—at a controversial meeting held at Hotel Park in Kolkata on January 15. Following this revelation, they were taken into custody for interrogation.

Mahmudur Rahman Masum, the founding convener of the Comilla University branch of Chhatra League, was beaten by protesting students and handed over to the police around 10 AM on Friday. Masum is accused of orchestrating an attack on students during an anti-discrimination protest near the Ansar Camp on July 29. He faces multiple legal charges. Inspector Mohinul Islam of Kotwali Police Station confirmed that Masum was involved in the attack on student protesters and is now in police custody, awaiting legal proceedings. Notably, Masum currently serves as the organizational secretary of the Awami League’s volunteer wing.

Bangladeshi actresses Meher Afroz Shawon and Sohana Saba were taken to the Detective Branch (DB) office for questioning on the morning of February 7. According to DB sources, both actresses are suspected of involvement in an anti-state conspiracy. Investigators are interrogating them on various matters, and no decisions will be made regarding their status until the questioning concludes. The police detained them on Thursday night. Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Thursday evening, agitated students set fire to Shawon’s father’s house.

Following student protests at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), the administration has expelled 18 Chhatra League leaders from their dormitories. The students were accused of: • Violence against anti-discrimination student activists • Engaging in terror activities on campus In addition to expelling the 18 leaders, the administration issued show-cause notices to three more students. Yesterday, students locked the administrative building for six hours, demanding the removal of a professor accused of consuming alcohol in a dormitory. CUET’s student coordination body welcomed the decision, calling it the first visible action after six months of protests.

On Thursday night, angry protestors vandalized the residence of former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Murad Hasan, in Sarishabari, Jamalpur. Protestor also torched a private car before moving on to attack the home of Rafiqul Islam, former Upazila chairman and Awami League leader. Murad Hasan, who served as state minister from 2018, was a controversial figure due to his remarks on: • Removing “Bismillah” from the constitution • Calling for the posthumous trial of former President Ziaur Rahman • Making derogatory comments about Zaimah Rahman His leaked phone conversation with actress Mahiya Mahi led to his resignation from the ministry.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that former party leader Ghulam Azam died due to persecution by the Awami League government. Speaking at a rally in Narayanganj, he referred to a 72-foot-long banner that had previously banned Azam’s entry, allegedly put up by Shamim Osman, a prominent Awami League leader. “A godfather once hung a 72-foot banner barring Ghulam Azam from entry. Where is that godfather now?” he questioned, adding, “Arrogance like this is never good.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer has claimed that after Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, no political group openly rejected it. Speaking at a public gathering in Narayanganj, he asked, “Can anyone name a political party that said they do not accept Bangladesh’s independence after 1971? There isn’t any. Everyone has accepted our beloved country’s independence voluntarily.”

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has issued a statement urging the government to take stricter measures in light of the ongoing situation in the country. The statement expresses deep concern over provocative actions by the ousted dictator and his associates, who were removed through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs. This has led to a surge in public resentment, resulting in the destruction of statues, plaques, and other symbols of the former regime across the country. The statement criticizes the interim government for failing to bring the dictator and his associates to justice in the past six months, leading people to take matters into their own hands. BNP asserts that the public had expected the rule of law but has been disappointed. The party warns that if the government fails to demonstrate its ability to control the situation, the stability of both the state and the administration will be at risk. BNP has called on the authorities to take immediate action to restore order.

The government will take swift and effective measures to recover both looted police weapons and all illegal arms, with visible success expected soon, stated Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan. Speaking late Thursday night at Mintu Road with student activists from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, he assured prompt action. Students, led by Abdul Hannan Masud, were demanding the arrest of members of the now-banned Chhatra League and the recovery of illegal weapons. Asif Mahmud further mentioned that many politically licensed arms holders over the past 16 years have failed to surrender their weapons, although most have been seized by the police. However, looted arms remain largely unrecovered. He confirmed that joint forces would receive fresh government directives to expedite arms retrieval. Meanwhile, Hannan Masud demanded that all weapons be recovered by tonight.

Fugitive Sheikh Hasina continues to make one remark after another from India against the ongoing student-led mass uprising. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s ex-press secretary, Maruf Kamal Khan, commented on Facebook, stating, "Hasina has aged, lost her influence, and is exhausted. She is merely repeating the same old lies!" The post further claimed that Hasina once had a creative ability to fabricate a continuous stream of lies, but now she struggles to invent new narratives. According to the statement, she can no longer execute credible deception or even come up with innovative slander. The people no longer believe her tales of sacrifice after looting billions, nor are they convinced by her conspiracy theories regarding the killings. The post concluded by stating, "Only those living in a fool’s paradise would believe in her revival."

In Noakhali’s Begumganj, the ancestral home of former Army Chief Moeen U Ahmed was attacked, vandalized, and set on fire. Simultaneously, the house of former mayor of Chaumuhani and ex-president of the municipal Awami League, Akhtar Hossain, was also vandalized. Upon receiving news, police and army officials visited both locations. However, the district convenor clarified that this attack was unrelated to the anti-discrimination student movement. According to police and locals, more than a hundred youths launched the attack on the former army chief’s house late in the evening. At the time, the house was unoccupied, as Moeen U Ahmed’s younger brother, Javed U Ahmed, a former vice-president of the district Awami League, was away.