Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the abduction of 25 rubber plantation workers in Lama, Bandarban. On February 16, armed criminals kidnapped the workers from Murung Jhiri, Fasiakhali Union, and later released them after extorting 10 lakh taka in ransom. Following the incident, Jasim Uddin filed a case at Lama Police Station. The arrested individuals are from Thanchi, Ruma, and Lama. OC Shahadat Hossain confirmed the arrests and stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

At the 55th BGB-BSF conference in New Delhi (Feb 17-20), Bangladesh and India’s border forces agreed on six key issues, including reducing border killings to zero through joint patrols, regulating border infrastructure, curbing cross-border crimes, strengthening surveillance, combating human trafficking, and enhancing bilateral cooperation. BGB urged BSF to prevent unnecessary border violence, while BSF reaffirmed its commitment to a non-lethal approach. Discussions also covered flood prevention, waste management in border canals, and security concerns regarding separatist groups. A joint declaration formalized these agreements.

Police have recovered the hanging body of a student from a dormitory at Rajshahi University. The incident took place on Friday evening at Tuhin Hall, where the body was discovered.

Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman confirmed the matter. The deceased has been identified as Md. Sifat Sifatullah, a student of the Fisheries Department from the 2022-23 academic session.

His body has been sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Describing him as a devout and well-mannered individual, his classmate Hasib Chowdhury said, “He had been suffering from depression for some time, but he never shared it with us.”

Two individuals were shot dead by assailants in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, late on Friday night, February 21st. The incident occurred around 11:30 PM. The officer-in-charge of Shailkupa Police Station, Masum Khan, confirmed the details, adding that the situation has caused unrest in the local community. Residents have expressed deep concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, calling for swift action from the interim government to address the growing instability.

A prisoner has died from burns sustained in an accident while cooking at Rajshahi Central Jail. The incident occurred on Friday morning at around 9:30 AM, and the prisoner succumbed to his injuries at the burn unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The deceased, Bipul Kumar, was a resident of Mahadebpur, Naogaon, and had been serving a life sentence since 2010 for a drug-related crime. Doctors reported that 20% of his body was burned. Although he was referred to Dhaka for further treatment, he passed away before reaching the capital. The jail superintendent declined to comment further, confirming only the prisoner’s death at the medical facility.

The nation solemnly observed Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day, remembering those who sacrificed their lives for the right to speak Bengali. Thousands walked barefoot to the Central Shaheed Minar, singing “Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushe February,” as a mark of respect. Security was tight, yet the atmosphere remained peaceful. People from all walks of life, including students and political leaders, paid tribute. The day also reinforced the commitment to a discrimination-free society, emphasizing the importance of linguistic and cultural rights.

A court has issued an order to frame charges against Additional Police Superintendent Mohammad Nazmul Hasan Rajib in a dowry-related case involving his second wife. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Zulfiqar Ali, informed that the court passed this order during the hearing on Thursday. According to the allegations, on October 26, 2023, Nazmul married the plaintiff while concealing his first marriage. He allegedly took a dowry of 21 lakh 40 thousand Taka and subjected the plaintiff to abuse when she refused to meet further demands. This led to the filing of the case. Additionally, there is an ongoing case against him for fetal homicide.

A group of current and former students from Dhaka University staged a protest against a rape incident that took place on a moving bus en route to Rajshahi. The demonstration was supported by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Bangladesh Student Rights Council.

Protesters blamed the government for a culture of impunity regarding sexual violence and demanded the resignation of the Home Adviser. Sumaiya Akter, one of the protestors, stated, “Even though we have fought for an equal Bangladesh, we still have to take to the streets against violence against women on February 21.”

She further criticized the Home Adviser for remaining silent while perpetrators escape justice. Protesters also alleged that rapists often receive protection from political leaders, allowing them to evade legal consequences.

Malaysia has lifted the ban on Indian Islamic scholar and speaker Dr. Zakir Naik from delivering public speeches. The restriction, imposed temporarily in 2019, is no longer in effect, according to Malaysian media.

During a parliamentary session, a member of parliament questioned the Home Minister about whether the ban on Naik was still in place. In response, the minister confirmed that the restriction was temporary and has since been lifted.

Al Jazeera reports that Zakir Naik remains on India’s wanted list over allegations of money laundering and promoting hate speech. In 2019, Malaysia took a stance against him after his controversial remarks about Malaysian Hindus and Chinese communities sparked outrage.

A tragic accident on the Bogura-Nogoa highway resulted in the death of four passengers when a truck collided with an auto van. The incident took place at Dupchanchia Mail Bus Stand around 8:30 PM on February 21. The victims, returning from a tile factory, were traveling in the auto van when its axle broke, causing the truck to crash into it. Three others were seriously injured. Authorities are investigating, and the truck driver remains at large.

A fire at a mill near Talatla Market in Khilgaon, Dhaka, was brought under control after two hours of intense effort by Fire Service teams. Ten fire units worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, which was finally under control by 9:35 PM on Friday. Fire Service officials reported that the fire started around 7:30 PM in a garage corner and quickly spread to the mill. Explosions were heard from cylinders in the garage, causing significant damage to many vehicles.

Renowned poet Abdul Hai Shikdar has stated that Bangladesh’s independence will be at risk if the aspirations of the July Revolution are not understood. Speaking at a conference titled Contemporary Bangladesh, he emphasized that appointing Dr. Yunus as the Chief Adviser was one of the best decisions made by the students. He argued that without this, India would have strangled the revolution in its cradle. He further stressed the need to provide the Chief Adviser with a path for stability and peaceful resolution. Shikdar also warned that India could disintegrate Bangladesh within 24 hours, adding that only Yunus’ influence keeps Modi acting like a meek cat.

A Dhaka court has granted a two-day remand for five individuals arrested under the Arms Act following a reported gunfight with joint security forces at Chand Udyan in Mohammadpur.

The detainees—Md. Miraj (25), Al Amin (24), Mohammad Hossain (24), Mominul (20), and Mehdi Hasan (19)—were presented before the court, where law enforcement requested a seven-day remand. The court, however, approved a two-day remand for each.

According to the case details, security forces were conducting a patrol when the accused allegedly opened fire without warning. In response, the forces retaliated, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

A recent comment by the U.S. President, which appeared to blame Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the war, stirred controversy. In response, EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas clarified on Thursday that she initially assumed the U.S. President had mistakenly confused Zelensky with Russian President Vladimir Putin when referring to a “dictator.”

Kallas emphasized that Zelensky is a democratically elected leader, chosen through free and fair elections. She further explained that during wartime, many countries suspend elections as per their constitution, and Ukraine has followed the same practice.

Baraigram Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sirajul Islam has been withdrawn following allegations of robbery on a moving passenger bus, harassment of a female passenger, and negligence of duty. Rajshahi Range DIG Mohammad Shahjahan ordered his withdrawal during a visit on Friday. Victims complained of not receiving police assistance, and the OC failed to report the incident to superiors. Authorities have sought an explanation from him, and he has been temporarily transferred to the Natore police lines. Further investigation is underway, with potential disciplinary action pending the findings.