Zahirul Islam, a leader of the Volunteer League in Barguna, has been arrested on charges of extorting Tk 20,000 from local watermelon farmers. A case was filed at Taltoli Police Station by farmer Rakib Bhaddar, accusing Islam and seven others of extortion. On Wednesday afternoon, police produced Islam before the Amtali Magistrate’s Court, which ordered him to be held in jail pending further investigation.

In a late-night operation in Rangpur, police arrested Afatab Uddin Sarkar, a former MP from Nilphamari and a veteran freedom fighter. Sarkar had been in hiding due to multiple charges, including illegal possession of firearms, use of force, and attempted murder related to his efforts to suppress anti-discrimination protests. Law enforcement officials confirmed the arrest was based on intelligence reports. He will be presented in court on Thursday.

Seven months after the fall of the government, Kishoreganj’s Shaheed Syed Nazrul Medical Hospital is still issuing tickets bearing the Mujib Year logo. This has sparked outrage among students and activists involved in the July Revolution. They argue that despite the autocratic regime’s downfall, its loyalists remain embedded in various institutions. On Tuesday, the logo was spotted on emergency department tickets. Hospital authorities claim they are using leftover printed tickets and have not yet received approval to issue new ones.

Sargis Alam, a key organizer of NCP North, was reportedly injured following an attack by private university students in Bashundhara Residential Area. Both Alam and a group of students have filed complaints at Vatara Police Station. Videos circulating online show a heated verbal altercation escalating into physical clashes. Alam accused a group led by Chhatra Dal’s Shakil of attacking his supporters with sharp weapons, leaving several injured with severe wounds to the head and back.

Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, the central Naib-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, has urged the government to take retaliatory action if Bangladeshi citizens are killed at the border. He expressed concern that even during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims near the Bangladesh border live in fear of being shot by Indian forces. He blamed past governments’ weak foreign policies for such incidents and called on the current administration to adopt a stronger stance. Additionally, he urged the government to ensure fair distribution of iftar and essential food items at reasonable prices during Ramadan.

Tension prevails in Satkania after two Jamaat activists, Nezam Uddin and Abu Saleh, were brutally hacked to death after being summoned to a so-called arbitration meeting. According to the local Jamaat-e-Islami unit, former UP chairman Nazrul Islam Manik ordered the attack, which was carried out by his brother Momtaz and others. As of Wednesday night, no case had been filed, but the victims’ families are preparing to take legal action.

NCP Senior Joint Convenor Samantha Sharmin emphasized the need for local elections before national polls, calling it a practical field test. She warned that rushing into a national election without first testing proposed electoral reforms through local elections would be unacceptable. She also stressed the importance of judiciary reforms, governance restructuring, and a Constituent Assembly election before the national polls.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam stated that under the Second Republic, national security would be strengthened, and collapsed political, social, economic, and cultural institutions would be rebuilt while preserving democratic values. He stressed that a new democratic constitution must be formulated to eliminate any possibility of constitutional authoritarianism. One of their primary goals is to draft a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly, following the example of France’s Second Republic, which abolished the monarchy and established democratic rights.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury dismissed any connection between Sheikh Hasina’s legal proceedings and the upcoming elections. Responding to a statement by Sargis Alam, Khasru stated, “The electoral process cannot be stalled. A democratically elected government will ensure Hasina and her authoritarian regime face justice.” He criticized the government’s approach to environmental issues, saying, “Instead of supporting industries like shipbreaking, they are merely monitoring and imposing restrictions.”

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi accused certain anti-public advisers of preventing the Chief Adviser from addressing teachers’ demands. He criticized the government for ignoring non-MPO teachers who are protesting for survival, calling them “victims of hunger and neglect.” Rizvi stated, “Teachers, who shape our future generations, are forced to stand on the streets, demanding basic sustenance, while the government turns a blind eye.” Since February 23, non-MPO teachers under the United Non-MPO Alliance have been staging continuous protests for their demands.

BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has extended support to young innovator Zulhas Molla, who built and flew his own aircraft in Shibalaya, Manikganj. On Wednesday, district BNP coordinator Afroza Khan Rita and “We Are BNP Family” convener Atikur Rahman Ruman handed Zulhas Molla a financial aid of 50,000 BDT at Jafarganj Bazaar. Zulhas, who completed his SSC from Jionpur BK School in 2014, was unable to pursue further studies due to financial constraints and currently works as an electrician in Dhaka.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie stated during a relief distribution event that illegal weapons from the ruling party’s tenure, along with those looted from police stations on August 5, are now in the hands of criminals. He accused government allies of using these weapons to carry out crimes in society. He urged the authorities to take responsibility and recover these arms to restore stability before the elections. “Reforms will continue, elections will take place, but illegal weapons must be seized beforehand. No one will be allowed to use these arms to take over polling stations in Bangladesh,” he asserted.

Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the vandalism and attempted looting during a raid at the Gulshan home of Tanveer Imam’s ex-wife, the former daughter-in-law of the ousted political advisor to Sheikh Hasina, HT Imam. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office’s press wing revealed that the raid occurred on Tuesday night when 20-25 individuals, acting under the guise of a “search,” forcibly entered the house. They were reportedly looking for large sums of illegal money, weapons, and associates of the Awami League. Upon receiving a call, police intervened and arrested three individuals at the scene.

The court has ordered the freezing of 39 bank accounts belonging to former minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, which hold a balance of 5.26 crore BDT. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has formed a team to investigate charges of money laundering against him. During the investigation, it was discovered that he might transfer or relocate these assets. On October 17, the court also ordered the seizure of 580 properties, including homes, apartments, and land in Bangladesh and abroad. Among these are 343 properties in the UK, 228 in the UAE, and 9 in the US. Additionally, accounts in banks in the UAE and one in Bangladesh have been frozen.

Former Minister of Shipping Shahjahan Khan, who was arrested on murder charges during the recent mass protests, has said that he feels safe in jail, away from the reach of terrorists. He made the statement on Wednesday after being brought to court at 10:06 AM. When asked by journalists why he was smiling, Shahjahan replied, “I always smile, and I will continue to do so until my last breath.” When questioned about his well-being in prison, he stated, “I am doing well. At least I am safe from terrorists here.”