Tension erupted in Bhola’s New Market area on Saturday afternoon when an eviction drive targeting illegal shops on municipal land turned violent. According to Bhola Municipality Administrator Md. Mizanur Rahman, agitated traders protesting the demolition of their unauthorized establishments set fire to three municipal trucks used for garbage and goods transport. Before locals could control the blaze, the vehicles’ bodies and engines were severely damaged. Witnesses said the fire was deliberately started on trucks carrying dismantled shop materials, and the attackers prevented anyone from approaching. District Commissioner Md. Azad Jahan visited the scene shortly afterward and announced that the incident would be investigated. Many residents criticized the delayed police response, noting that the violence occurred near the police station. Bhola Model Police Station’s OC Md. Hachnain Parvez said police were unaware of the eviction drive but will take legal action once a complaint is filed.

A state-of-the-art 230/33 kV high-voltage GIS substation is being built in Charfashion, Bhola, marking a major milestone for Bangladesh’s coastal power infrastructure. Jointly funded by the Government of Bangladesh, ADB, and the Climate Fund—at a cost of about Tk 400 crore—the project is being implemented by Reverie Power & Automation Engineering Ltd (Bangladesh) and China’s SPTDE. Once operational in December 2025, the substation will ensure uninterrupted electricity, reduce low-voltage issues and system loss, and open doors for industrial and economic development in the region. Power from Shahbazpur gas plant (425 MW daily) will reach the grid via fiber cables that can also deliver high-speed internet. Locals anticipate new industries, jobs, and improved living standards. The modern facility includes lightning protection, 125 transmission towers, and enhanced disaster resilience—promising a new era of growth for the southern coastal belt.