Police have arrested Golam Saleh Monju Molla, former mayor of Banaripara municipality and former president of the Upazila Awami League in Barishal. He was detained late Saturday night from his residence in Ward No. 4 of Banaripara town. Authorities said he was shown arrested as an unidentified accused in an explosives and arson case filed by former Chhatradal leader Monir Sardar, and was sent to Barishal court on Sunday morning.

According to Banaripara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mojibur Rahman, Monju was arrested in connection with a pending political case. Following his arrest, local Awami League activists reportedly expressed fear of further detentions. Allegations have also surfaced that some Awami League members, including Monju, continue to move freely under the protection of influential BNP leaders in the area.

Monju Molla, a freedom fighter, is the younger brother of Golam Sarwar, founding editor of the national dailies Samakal and Jugantor.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury informed the parliament that a total of 1,244 newspapers are published from the capital city, Dhaka. He provided this information on Sunday while responding to a question on behalf of Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon, raised by ruling party member Nilufar Chowdhury Moni.

According to the minister, Dhaka currently has 585 daily newspapers, 363 weekly newspapers, and 296 monthly newspapers. Among these, 288 daily, 56 weekly, and 23 monthly newspapers are listed as registered media outlets. The figures highlight the scale and diversity of print media operations based in the capital.

The disclosure provides an updated overview of Dhaka’s print media landscape, reflecting the concentration of publishing activity in the city and the prominence of officially listed publications.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon left Dhaka for China on an official visit. Before his departure from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday, he met with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen for a brief discussion on matters related to the trip. During the visit, the minister will attend the 5th CMG Forum organized by China Media Group, scheduled from June 8 to 11.

In addition to participating in the forum, Swapon is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with China’s Minister of Information. The high-level meeting will focus on strengthening cooperation in information management, media collaboration, digital communication development, and information exchange between the two countries. Policy-level discussions are also planned regarding the possible signing of a memorandum of understanding on information management.

Diplomatic sources indicated that this visit is expected to further enhance mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and China in the fields of information, technology, and media.

Independent Member of Parliament for Brahmanbaria-2, Rumin Farhana, told the national parliament that rural areas are facing 10 to 12 hours of daily power outages. She made the remarks on Sunday during a supplementary question session in the second and first budget sittings. Farhana also questioned why the promised gas connection to the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory had not been provided by May 1, despite earlier assurances from the minister.

In response, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud cited the country’s gas supply limitations. He explained that gas distribution is currently prioritized for power plants over fertilizer factories to maintain electricity generation. Mahmud added that no drilling had been done in the past 17 years, but new drilling has now begun, and gas supply to factories like Ashuganj will follow once production increases.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed reminded the minister of his earlier commitment to start gas supply from the first of the month and urged ministers to be more responsible when making promises in parliament.

Jamalpur 35 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance along the Indian border to prevent push-in and illegal entry into Bangladesh. The heightened security covers 72 kilometers of border areas under 15 Border Outposts (BOPs), including Dhanua Kamalpur and Sataniapara. BGB personnel are conducting continuous day and night patrols to stop any unlawful infiltration or hostile activities.

Local residents are being engaged in joint patrols, and awareness campaigns are being carried out through loudspeaker announcements urging people not to enter the zero line. According to Jamalpur 35 BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Hasanur Rahman, the force remains on high alert to prevent push-in incidents, and no untoward events have been reported so far.

The increased vigilance reflects the BGB’s ongoing commitment to maintaining border security and preventing unauthorized movement across the frontier.

A dramatic incident occurred in Shyampur, Howrah, where angry villagers paraded local Trinamool leader Sannyasi Manna with a garland of shoes. The villagers accused him of taking money from residents in exchange for access to government benefits, including employment and housing schemes. The crowd also cut his hair and tied a rope around his waist before forcing him to walk through the village. The event caused widespread tension, and videos of the incident quickly spread on social media.

Sannyasi Manna, known as an influential figure in the Amardah Gram Panchayat area, admitted to taking money from some people but claimed it was for development work. He stated that he was willing to return the funds. Police arrived at the scene soon after the incident, brought the situation under control, and took Manna into custody for questioning.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the corruption allegations, the public outrage, and the breach of law and order surrounding the incident.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has strengthened surveillance along the Habiganj border to prevent illegal entry from India. According to the 55 BGB Battalion, the move follows concerns about possible forced crossings from India into Bangladesh. Enhanced patrols, intelligence operations, and coordination with local residents have been implemented across the 103-kilometer border area, including special night operations.

BGB officials stated that members are on high alert to stop any illegal infiltration or human trafficking attempts. Surveillance has been increased at key points, and intelligence monitoring of suspicious movements has been intensified. Local residents reported a visible rise in BGB patrols, both day and night, which they believe has improved overall border security.

Lieutenant Colonel Tanzilur Rahman, commanding officer of the 55 BGB Battalion, said there have been no push-ins through the Habiganj border in the past six months. He added that BGB continues to use night vision, thermal drones, and advanced technology to ensure border safety and protect national sovereignty.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed advised Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud to thoroughly study related matters before making any commitments in the National Parliament. The advice came on Sunday during a parliamentary session after the minister responded to a supplementary question from MP Rumin Farhana regarding gas supply to the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory.

Rumin Farhana reminded the minister that he had earlier promised gas supply to the factory by May 1, but more than a month had passed without fulfillment. She also highlighted severe power shortages in rural areas, describing them as lasting 10 to 12 hours daily. In reply, the minister disagreed with her assessment, citing a gas shortage and the need to prioritize power plants. He said gas supply would resume once the situation improved and mentioned that drilling activities had recently begun after a long gap.

Following the exchange, the Speaker urged ministers to be more responsible when making parliamentary commitments, emphasizing the need for prior study of technical and logistical factors before giving assurances.

Local residents detained 45 people after members of the banned Chhatra League staged a 24-second flash procession on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Comilla’s Sadar Dakshin upazila on Sunday afternoon. Police later seized three microbuses and two buses used in the procession and confirmed that legal action was underway against those detained. The sudden rally took place near the Matiyara area on the Dhaka-bound lane of the highway.

Eyewitnesses said several vehicles carrying a large number of Chhatra League activists suddenly stopped, and participants briefly marched on the road before being chased by locals. Sources claimed the event was preplanned, initially intended for Nimsar in Burichong upazila but shifted to Matiyara at the last moment. Local residents and political activists intervened, capturing several participants before police arrived.

Comilla Sadar Dakshin Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Rakibul Islam said additional police forces were deployed in the area to maintain order and strengthen surveillance following the incident.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has expressed concern over the construction of a large Hindu religious complex in Palashbari, Gaibandha, and the participation of foreign diplomatic representatives in related religious events. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the group’s Amir Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sajidur Rahman called for a transparent and impartial investigation to address public questions surrounding the matter.

The statement emphasized that Bangladesh is a sovereign state where citizens have constitutional rights to practice their religion freely. The leaders urged respect for all faiths and citizens’ rights, noting that the government must examine the funding sources, roles of involved individuals and institutions, and the frequent involvement of foreign diplomats in such activities.

Hefazat leaders further stated that any foreign-linked activities that could affect internal affairs or social balance should be carefully assessed. They urged relevant ministries, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement to review the issue professionally and transparently, ensuring that communal harmony and legitimate rights of any religious community are not undermined.

Member of Parliament for Noakhali-2, Zainul Abdin Faruk, has raised concerns over the uncontrolled spread of unverified content through YouTube and other online platforms. Speaking during the question-and-answer session of the national budget session on Sunday, he said that journalism cards are being distributed across almost all upazilas and even union levels, often to individuals without formal training or qualifications. He urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to investigate who is issuing these cards and to consider bringing such activities under a regulatory framework.

In response, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasir Khan Chowdhury told Parliament that the ministry is already working on issues of misinformation and disinformation. He said that a special team has been formed to monitor such activities and to take legal action against those involved. The minister assured that the team’s scope and detailed operations will soon be officially announced.

Both lawmakers emphasized that unregulated media practices could harm public trust in journalism and hinder democratic and developmental progress.

The third meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament was held at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The meeting, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, MP, was attended by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tareq Rahman, MP, along with other committee members including the Leader of the Opposition Md. Shafiqul Rahman, several ministers, and senior parliamentary officials. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP, joined the meeting as a special invitee.

The committee discussed the allocation of time and duration for the upcoming budget session. It was decided that the session would be held daily at 3 p.m., except on public holidays, and would conclude on 9 July 2026. The meeting also proposed holding two sittings per day from 27 to 30 June. The Speaker was authorized to make any necessary changes to the session’s schedule or working days.

A total of 3,228 questions were received for the session, including 191 for the Prime Minister and 3,037 for other ministers. Additionally, 98 notices under Rule 71 and 293 decision proposals under Rule 131 were submitted.

Student Jamiat Bangladesh distributed cold water and saline to teachers and instructors participating in a sit-in program demanding MPO inclusion for non-MPO recognized educational institutions. The initiative took place on Sunday afternoon in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, where the group also distributed water and saline to the general public in the Paltan area.

According to Student Jamiat representatives, the effort was a humanitarian response to the ongoing severe heat and adverse weather conditions affecting the protesting teachers. Central and local leaders of the organization, including Jubaer Hossain, Kamrul Islam, and Ahmad Naziri, were present during the distribution.

Teachers from various non-MPO schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions have been demonstrating for a long time to be included under the MPO scheme. Their current sit-in in front of the National Press Club is part of this continuing movement.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called for allocating at least 8 percent of the national budget to the health sector, citing severe mismanagement and inequality in current allocations. The demand was made during a human chain program held on Sunday in front of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, organized by the party’s medical wing to protest what it termed health sector mismanagement and attempts to rehabilitate fascist elements.

Speaking as chief guest, Mohammad Selim Uddin, Jamaat’s Dhaka North city mayoral candidate, criticized widespread corruption, political interference, and irregularities in hospitals. He alleged that despite sufficient budget allocations, substandard equipment is often supplied, and medicines meant for public hospitals are diverted to private pharmacies. He also accused the government of politically motivated transfers and promotions of doctors.

Other speakers, including Dr. S.M. Khaliduzzaman, highlighted that developed countries allocate 10–15 percent of their budgets to health, while Bangladesh spends only 2–3 percent. Participants demanded transparency, accountability, and a corruption-free health administration to ensure equitable healthcare for all citizens.

In the Bangladesh Parliament on Sunday, NCP lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah from Cumilla-4 alleged that journalists who had legitimized enforced disappearances, killings, vote rigging, and mass violence over the past 17 years were being rehabilitated in various media outlets. He questioned whether any legal action would be taken against such individuals or media houses. Responding on behalf of the information and broadcasting minister, State Minister Yasir Khan Chowdhury said that while media freedom exists, anyone—journalist, politician, or businessman—who acts against democracy or engages in terrorism will face legal consequences under existing laws.

Hasnat Abdullah further claimed that certain media organizations, including those under Bashundhara Group’s East West Media, had produced content supporting the ruling party and legitimizing violence. He demanded an explanation of the legal basis for their rehabilitation. Supporting part of his concern, ruling party MP Zainul Abedin Faruk from Noakhali-2 raised issues about unqualified individuals claiming to be journalists and spreading misinformation online. In reply, Yasir Khan Chowdhury said a monitoring team was being formed to address misinformation and bring offenders under legal scrutiny.

The state minister added that the team’s scope and activities would be announced soon.