A 14-year-old madrasah student named Yasin Arafat died by suicide in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred in Uttarpara area of Mandaria village under Sreepur Union. Police confirmed that the boy took his own life after his mother declined to buy him a new bicycle due to financial constraints. The deceased was the son of the late Abul Hashem and Nasima Begum.

According to family sources, Yasin had been requesting a new bicycle for some time. When his mother explained that she could not afford it, he became upset and took his life by hanging. Police from Chauddagram Model Police Station recovered the body and brought it to the station.

Sub-inspector Liton Chakma stated that the body was taken to the police station and would be sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for autopsy on Saturday.

Bangladesh is witnessing a sharp increase in brutal murders, rapes, child abuse, mob beatings, and domestic and political violence, creating widespread fear and instability. Experts attribute this surge to family conflicts, moral decline, drug abuse, and the influence of online hate content. Recent incidents, including the killing of seven-year-old Ramisa Akter in Pallabi and multiple family murders in Gazipur, have shocked the nation. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to control the situation as criminals act with growing impunity.

Data from rights organizations show a disturbing trend: in 2025, 632 women were murdered and 786 raped, including 543 children. In early 2026, hundreds of killings and assaults were recorded, with police officers also facing attacks while on duty. Many victims’ families reportedly fear filing cases due to threats and political influence protecting offenders.

Experts and former police officials stress that restoring law enforcement morale, ensuring impartial justice, and strengthening community policing are essential to curb the violence. They urge stronger institutional capacity and public trust to reverse the rising tide of brutality.

A seven-year-old boy named Mithil died after being electrocuted in an abandoned tin shed in Nijmaona village of Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred near BNP Bazar area under Gazipur Union No. 2. Mithil, a second-grade student of Hasmat Ali Pre-Cadet School, was the younger son of expatriate Sohaag. Both of his parents have been working in Lebanon for about two years, leaving him in the care of his grandparents.

According to local sources, Mithil was playing in a nearby madrasa field when he came into contact with the tin shed and was electrocuted. Locals rescued him and took him to Sreepur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Residents alleged that the abandoned structure had an illegal electrical connection, which caused the fatal accident.

Police visited the scene after receiving the report. Sub-Inspector Tajul Islam stated that no written complaint had been filed and that discussions were ongoing with the child’s relatives. The family decided not to conduct an autopsy.

The shoes of Comilla Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman were stolen from the Comilla Police Lines Jame Mosque during Friday prayers. After the prayer, he discovered his shoes missing from the rack, prompting commotion among attendees. Detectives reviewed CCTV footage and identified a man wearing a T-shirt labeled 'Khandani' taking the shoes. The suspect was detained, and the shoes were recovered within four hours of the incident.

An unnamed police source confirmed that officers examined the CCTV footage showing the suspect walking away wearing the stolen shoes. The Detective Branch declined to comment on the matter, and attempts to reach senior officers for further details were unsuccessful. The theft drew attention on social media, where users discussed the unusual nature of the event.

The report noted that theft and mugging incidents have recently increased in Comilla, with a separate daylight mugging in Thakurpara going viral earlier in the week. Locals viewed the mosque theft involving the police superintendent as a significant reflection of the city’s growing security concerns.

A young man named Bijoy Mia has been arrested in Durlavpur area of Habiganj Sadar upazila for allegedly attempting to rape a four-year-old girl. The incident occurred on Thursday evening when the child was playing near her home. She fell ill after the assault attempt and was admitted to the hospital. Police arrested the suspect from the suburban area of Durlavpur on Friday afternoon.

According to local sources, the victim’s father works abroad. After the incident became known, anger spread among local residents. Allegations have surfaced that an influential group tried to suppress the case through a settlement and pressured the victim’s family. The child’s mother has filed a case with Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station.

Police officials confirmed that they recorded the child’s statement at the hospital and sent the accused to jail through the court. Hospital authorities said the child remains under treatment and will undergo further medical tests on Saturday.

At least twelve people were injured, some seriously, in a clash between two groups over control of the Baluchar cattle market in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. at Baluchar Bazar, where several victims suffered stab wounds. Some of the injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while others received local treatment. Police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control, deploying additional forces to prevent further unrest.

Local sources said the clash erupted during a meeting about managing the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha cattle market, which is scheduled to operate on May 23 and 26. The market’s leaseholder, Mohammad Zahidur Rahman, a central vice president of Gana Adhikar Parishad, had assigned security duties to two individuals. During the meeting, an argument escalated into violence between the Sarkar and Baul groups.

Officials and witnesses stated that the conflict stemmed from a power struggle over market dominance. Police confirmed that the situation is now stable and that legal action is being taken against those involved.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain stated that those involved in the murder of child Ramisa Akter have been arrested and will face exemplary punishment. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing a seminar at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club. The ministry’s public relations officer confirmed the statement through a press release on Friday.

The minister described the incident as deeply painful for society and expressed prayers for Ramisa’s soul along with condolences to her family, assuring that the government stands by them. He emphasized that no one is allowed to take the law into their own hands and that the government is determined to ensure swift justice for the offenders.

He reiterated that the current government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against violence towards women and children, underscoring its firm stance on preventing such heinous crimes in the future.

Students of Khulna University organized a protest rally on Friday evening in front of the 'Adommo Bangla' sculpture, denouncing rape, murder, and the prevailing culture of impunity. The demonstrators demanded prompt trials and exemplary punishment for perpetrators of such crimes.

Participants voiced frustration over the lack of effective justice, claiming that repeated incidents of rape and murder continue due to delayed or absent legal action. They criticized the state and administration for failing to ensure women’s safety. Several students expressed fear about moving alone even during the day, citing insecurity both inside and outside the campus.

Speakers emphasized that the government and responsible authorities must act decisively to prevent future atrocities. They urged immediate and effective measures to ensure justice and women’s safety, warning that the public no longer tolerates prolonged judicial delays.

Armed assailants attacked the house of former central Jubo Dal member Haji Billal Hossain in Tongi, Gazipur, on Friday night, reportedly over a land inheritance dispute. The attackers, numbering between 150 and 200, vandalized the property and fired several blank shots. At least four people, including Billal’s son Abir Hossain Alok, were injured. Police from Tongi East Station visited the scene after receiving reports of gunfire.

According to Billal Hossain, the conflict stemmed from a long-standing dispute over inherited land. A settlement and registration were scheduled for Thursday, but the opposing party did not appear. Later, a group led by local men identified as Adnan Khan, Khokon Patowary, and Kawsar allegedly carried out the attack using local weapons and explosive-like devices. The injured were taken to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, while one victim was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mehedi Hasan confirmed that police were dispatched to the scene and that legal procedures are underway.

A man in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria upazila allegedly hacked his disabled father to death on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the Moulvirkum area. The victim, identified as Khalilur Rahman Saudagar, 65, died at the scene after his son, Minarul Islam Russell, 30, attacked him with a sharp weapon, severing one of his hands. Locals detained the suspect immediately after the attack and handed him over to police.

According to local sources, family members and neighbors took the victim to the Chakaria Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. A local rural physician said Russell had been quarrelling frequently with family members since separating from his wife several years ago. Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Monir Hossain confirmed that the accused was arrested with the help of residents and that the body was being sent to the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue.

Police stated that legal action would be taken once a written complaint is received from the family.

Two people were killed in a head-on collision between a truck and an auto-van in Domar upazila of Nilphamari district on Thursday evening. The accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. in front of Sonaray Bazar on the Domar-Debiganj highway. The deceased were identified as Mominul Islam, 38, son of the late Mofiz Uddin of Chilahati Sabujpara area, and pedestrian Bikash Chandra, 25, son of Okindra Chandra Roy of Mahiganj area.

According to police and local sources, a truck traveling from Debiganj toward Nilphamari collided head-on with an auto-van. The auto-van driver, Mominul Islam, died on the spot. The truck then lost control and hit pedestrian Bikash Chandra, who was standing by the roadside. He was rescued by Domar Fire Service and taken to Domar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Police and traffic officers arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and brought the situation under control. Despite the accident, traffic on the highway remained normal. Domar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Habibullah confirmed the deaths.

Police in Rajarhat, Kurigram detained a young man named Maidul Islam Manik on Friday afternoon for allegedly posting offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his wife Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) on Facebook. The arrest took place in Nowdabash Barobari village under Umormajid Union after the post spread online and drew public anger.

According to police and local sources, the post shared from Manik’s personal Facebook account contained objectionable content that quickly circulated on social media, sparking outrage among local worshippers and residents. Fearing unrest, Rajarhat police promptly reached the area, brought the situation under control, and took the accused into custody.

Rajarhat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Mamunur Rashid stated that the man was detained for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. He confirmed that the suspect had been interrogated and that a case was being processed. The situation in the area is currently calm and stable.

A seven-year-old girl was allegedly subjected to an attempted rape in the Hajipara Sunnia Madrasa area of Chattogram’s Double Mooring police station on Friday around noon. Locals caught the accused young man and beat him before police arrived. When officers tried to control the situation, an angry crowd surrounded them, leaving the police trapped for nearly two hours. The child was taken to the One Stop Crisis Center at Chattogram Medical College Hospital in critical condition and is under intensive observation.

According to Double Mooring Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jamal Uddin, the police team reached the scene after receiving the report but faced strong resistance from residents. The accused was later rescued and taken to the police station for questioning. Witnesses said the man tried to drag the child to a secluded spot before locals intervened.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid stated that the case is being investigated seriously, and the victim’s family has been provided with necessary medical and support services.

Police in Chapainawabganj recovered the hanging body of Iman Ahmed Payel, a local Chhatra League leader, from his home in Shibganj municipality on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4 p.m., and officers arrived at the scene after being informed by family members. Payel was the son of Silu Moharil from Pithalitla village and served as the joint general secretary of the Shibganj municipal unit of the Chhatra League.

According to family members, Payel had been suffering from depression due to personal and family issues. On Friday, before the Jumu’ah prayer, he reportedly had an argument with his disabled mother and later locked himself in his room, where he was found hanging. Police recovered the body and sent it to Chapainawabganj District Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman of Shibganj Police Station confirmed the recovery and said no complaint had been filed by the family. Legal action will be taken after receiving the autopsy report.

Armed assailants set fire to an excavator and other equipment used in the Pilak canal re-excavation project in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari district. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, and local authorities, including the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mishkatul Tamanna and police, inspected the site the following morning. Police confirmed that the excavator was completely destroyed by fire.

The canal re-excavation is part of the nationwide “Canal Re-excavation Program 2026,” initiated to fulfill Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s election pledge. The Pilak canal project, costing 18 million taka, covers five kilometers, while the Teimatai canal project, costing 15.4 million taka, spans 4.1 kilometers. Earlier this month, local leaders of the regional group UPDF were accused of threatening project workers to halt operations unless extortion demands were met. The two projects had created employment for 773 low-income residents.

UPDF local organizer Durjoy Chakma denied involvement, calling the allegations false and conspiratorial. Police and administrative officials stated that legal action would be taken if formal complaints are filed.