More than five million people live in Bangladesh’s southwestern coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat, where livelihoods depend on fishing and the Sundarbans. These communities face recurring natural disasters, waterlogging, salinity intrusion, and a lack of safe drinking water and healthcare. Despite previous mega projects, implementation hurdles and political changes have slowed progress. The newly formed government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is now being urged to take urgent, sustainable measures to protect agriculture, ensure freshwater access, and strengthen embankments.

The article highlights worsening conditions for fishers and forest-dependent workers due to pollution, illegal fishing with poison, and renewed threats from forest bandits in the Sundarbans. Many families are losing income and migrating to cities. Farmers are struggling as saline water damages croplands, reducing rice production and arable land. Health and education services remain inadequate, particularly for women exposed to high salinity and for children lacking access to schools.

The author calls for the government to prioritize employment, environmental protection, healthcare, and education in coastal areas, and to restore the region’s role in national economic growth.

At least 21 people have been killed in the past 15 months in Raozan upazila of Chattogram amid an ongoing power struggle between two influential BNP leaders. Police reports indicate that 15 of the victims were BNP activists, and at least 15 killings stemmed directly from political disputes. More than 350 people have been shot during this period, marking the highest level of political violence in a single upazila in recent times.

The conflict intensified after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, when rival factions led by MP Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury and former district convener Golam Akbar Khondkar reactivated their networks. Both groups have allegedly formed armed teams and attempted to influence local police, leading to slow investigations. Police have identified a pattern of motorcycle-based masked gunmen carrying out targeted killings within seconds, often near police posts.

Authorities have arrested one suspect in the latest killing of Jubo Dal leader Abdul Majid, while both BNP factions claim to have urged stricter administrative action to curb the escalating violence.

A BNP activist was reportedly injured in an attack allegedly carried out by Awami League supporters in Burirdanga Union’s Ward No. 3 of Mongla upazila, Bagerhat. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, in the Chalabunia area. The injured man, identified as 47-year-old Monoj Shil, is currently receiving treatment at Mongla Upazila Health Complex, confirmed Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Rahman Shahin.

According to local sources, residents rushed to the scene after hearing screams and found Monoj Shil lying on the ground, bleeding. He alleged that Awami League ward general secretary Robi Roy and two or three associates attacked him while attempting to seize his 10-katha fish enclosure. Monoj claimed he was beaten when he tried to resist and that his family was later threatened. He said the assault was revenge for an earlier incident on the 5th.

Awami League leader Robi Roy denied the allegations, saying he was injured while trying to stop the fight. Police stated that legal action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.

Incidents of post-election violence have persisted across Bangladesh following the 13th parliamentary election. Reports from multiple districts describe ongoing clashes, injuries, and deaths involving supporters of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and independent candidates. In Chuadanga’s Jibannagar, a Jamaat leader’s death in a clash with BNP activists led to a protest march demanding arrests within 24 hours. Police confirmed one death and said a case is being processed. Similar unrest has been reported in Bagerhat, Jhenaidah, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Natore, Jessore, and Pabna.

In Bagerhat, repeated confrontations among BNP, Jamaat, and independent supporters have left one person dead and over a hundred injured since the election. In Jhenaidah’s Kaliganj, clashes at a BNP office injured police officers, while in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon, attacks on homes of opposition activists were reported. Other districts saw factional disputes over local dominance, fisheries, and tender allocations.

Authorities in several areas stated that cases have been filed and investigations are ongoing, though tensions remain high and political groups continue to hold protests demanding justice for victims.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Ma’sud announced that preparations for local government elections will begin after Eid. He made the statement on Sunday at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, while attending the Best Reporting Award ceremony organized by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy. He said the Election Commission remains active year-round, organizing parliamentary, presidential, and local elections. The commission is awaiting the first parliamentary session to decide whether local polls will be held under party symbols or on a non-partisan basis.

Ma’sud emphasized that the commission is committed to conducting fair elections in accordance with the law. He also noted that journalists play a vital role in improving the commission’s work through constructive criticism. During the event, three reporters were recognized for excellence in online, television, and print categories.

Separately, the Election Commission has taken steps to move National Voter Day from March 2 to March 1. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that a letter has been sent to the Cabinet Division regarding the change, which aims to align with earlier observances and regional decisions.

The Supreme Court Bar Association of Bangladesh has postponed its 2026–2027 executive committee election to May 13 and 14. The decision was made at a special meeting held on Sunday at the association’s South Hall after candidates and general members requested that the election not be held during Ramadan. The election was originally scheduled for March 11 and 12, with nomination submission and withdrawal deadlines already announced.

According to the earlier schedule, nomination forms were sold from February 19, with submissions accepted until March 1 and withdrawals allowed until March 4. The special meeting suspended that timetable, and the association stated that a new schedule will be issued in line with the revised voting dates. The election will fill 14 posts, including president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, joint secretaries, and executive members.

The last election took place on March 6–7, 2024, and was marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging. Following political changes on August 5, an ad hoc committee was formed to manage the association’s affairs until the next election.

The Bangladesh government convened a high-level meeting to determine immediate actions following escalating conflict in the Middle East after a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman met with ministers and senior officials to review the situation and instructed them to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi workers in the region and maintain energy security. The government emphasized proactive measures to manage potential disruptions in remittance inflows and fuel supply.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated that Bangladesh is working to safeguard its energy sector, noting that current reserves and supply contracts should prevent short-term shortages. Energy Adviser Humayun Kabir said the country’s fuel stock is sufficient for now, and there is no cause for panic. Officials confirmed that Bangladesh has about 45 days of refined fuel reserves and ongoing import contracts through June, minimizing immediate risks from the closure of the Hormuz Strait.

Prime Minister Rahman is personally monitoring the situation, directing ministries to protect expatriate workers and assist stranded passengers. Economists warned that prolonged conflict could affect remittance inflows and foreign reserves if disruptions persist.

India’s main opposition party, the National Congress, has strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as a joint attack by the United States and Israel. In a statement issued on Saturday, the party called the incident an assassination carried out without a formal declaration of war and said it violated international law and diplomatic norms. The Congress warned that such actions could deepen the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and severely disrupt regional stability.

The Indian central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has not yet issued an official statement on Khamenei’s death. While the government expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, it avoided direct comment on the killing. The situation deteriorated further on Saturday following a series of retaliatory missile strikes among the United States, Israel, and Iran.

India has historically maintained warm diplomatic ties with Iran, particularly in energy imports, regional trade, and strategic projects such as the Chabahar Port. The government’s silence following Khamenei’s death has sparked political debate in New Delhi.

Following joint Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran that triggered widespread conflict across the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated a readiness to engage in dialogue with Iran’s new leadership. The statement, reported by The Atlantic magazine, marks a potential shift toward de-escalation after days of retaliatory strikes that caused heavy casualties in multiple countries.

According to The Atlantic, Trump said Iran’s new leaders want to talk with his administration and that he plans to speak with them. He added that such discussions should have taken place earlier, describing the missed opportunity as a delay by Iran. However, when asked about the timing of the talks, Trump declined to comment, leaving the schedule uncertain.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, comes amid ongoing regional instability, with Israel, Iran, and several Arab nations affected by the violence. The indication of possible dialogue suggests a tentative step toward easing tensions, though no concrete timeline has been set.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has called for the immediate declaration of the current parliament as a 'Constitution Reform Council' and demanded the impeachment and arrest of the president, whom he described as fascist. He made the remarks on Sunday at an iftar gathering of the National Youth Power at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka.

Nahid Islam said the reform process must begin through a parliamentary session where members would take an oath under the reform council. He emphasized that the president who legitimized fascist acts must be impeached and brought to justice. Referring to the July uprising, he claimed that 1,400 people were killed and thousands injured, insisting that justice for those killings, including the deaths of Sharif and Osman Hadi, must come first.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan criticized the new government for disappointing the public and urged it to take an oath under the July Reform Council. He also said any parliamentary session opened by the president who supported the previous regime’s actions would be unacceptable.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has expressed deep concern over the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, he said that recent military attacks in Iran and subsequent missile and drone strikes on neighboring Gulf countries indicate a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability. He condemned all actions violating national sovereignty, endangering civilians, and undermining peace.

Dr. Rahman voiced particular concern over Israel’s destabilizing activities, saying such actions heighten tensions, obstruct dialogue, and weaken efforts for lasting peace. He also described Iran’s retaliatory attacks as counterproductive and urged an immediate halt to all hostilities. He warned that continued conflict would worsen human suffering and deepen instability across the Muslim world.

Calling for restraint and renewed diplomacy, Dr. Rahman urged all parties to cease military operations and return to dialogue. He also appealed to the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety and consular support of Bangladeshi nationals in the Middle East during this crisis.

Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he had no role in the eviction of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from her Dhaka cantonment residence. He made the statement during cross-examination by defense lawyer Aminul Gani in the ongoing crimes against humanity case against dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, where Bhuiyan appeared as the first prosecution witness.

During the third day of questioning, Bhuiyan denied multiple allegations, including taking steps to evict Khaleda Zia while serving as Quartermaster General, failing to act on enforced disappearances, and benefiting from government favors. He stated that he was abroad during the alleged eviction period and had no operational control over army operations related to disappearances. He also denied offering any proposal to divert investigations or accumulating wealth through undue advantage.

The trial is being conducted by a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as a violation of international law. In a message posted on social media on Sunday, Sharif expressed solidarity with the people of Iran following what he termed as Khamenei’s martyrdom. He conveyed Pakistan’s condolences and stated that the nation stands with Iran during this time of grief and sorrow.

Sharif further said that Pakistan is deeply concerned over the breach of international legal principles. His remarks came as Pakistan officially expressed solidarity with Iran in the wake of a joint attack by Israel and the United States. The statement also reiterated Pakistan’s call for adherence to international law amid the escalating regional tensions.

The development reflects Islamabad’s diplomatic stance aligning with Tehran following the reported attack, while urging respect for international norms and legal frameworks.

Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who served from 2005 to 2013, has reportedly been killed in an Israeli-US airstrike, according to several international media outlets. The Jerusalem Post, citing the Iranian Labour News Agency, reported on March 1 that the attack targeted Ahmadinejad’s residence in Narnak, northeast Tehran, killing him along with several of his bodyguards.

The report has not been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the incident. Ahmadinejad previously held positions as governor of Ardabil province and mayor of Tehran before becoming president.

The lack of confirmation from Iranian officials leaves uncertainty about the accuracy of the reports and the broader implications for Iran’s political situation.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned recent attacks by the United States and Israel while diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program are ongoing. The condemnation came through a ministry statement issued following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

According to the statement, the attacks occurred as Oman was mediating discussions between Washington and Tehran, with the latest round of talks held in Geneva on February 26. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in the same statement that Khamenei’s path will continue, signaling policy continuity despite the leadership change.

The ministry’s remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing international focus on Iran’s nuclear activities, as well as the evolving political landscape following Khamenei’s death.