The National Independent Investigation Commission has summoned 15 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, General Aziz, and Fazle Noor Taposh, to testify regarding the BDR massacre.

Others on the list include Sheikh Selim, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mirza Azam, Bahauddin Nasim, retired Generals Muhammad Shamsul Alam, Molla Fazle Akbar, Moeen U Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, Abdul Kahar Akand, Noor Mohammad, and Monirul Islam.

According to an official statement, their testimonies are deemed essential, and they may appear in person at the commission’s office or testify via online video conference. The commission has been instructed to complete the testimony process by March 31.

Speaking at an event marking International Women’s Day at Dhaka University, Salahuddin Ahmed expressed grave concern over the increasing violence against women and children in Bangladesh. “The country’s image is being tarnished both nationally and internationally due to these incidents. Perpetrators must be dealt with harshly,” he said. Ahmed further questioned whether these acts were part of a deeper fascist conspiracy and urged strict measures to root them out. He also reiterated the commitment to women’s empowerment, stating that increasing women’s participation in parliament is a constitutional and legal priority under the 31-point program.

A violent clash broke out between two groups in Madaripur over a dispute for dominance. In the incident, two brothers, Saiful Sardar (40) and Ataur Sardar (35), were hacked to death. Among the three injured, one named Palash Sardar succumbed to his injuries while being transported to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Additionally, several houses belonging to Ataur and his relatives were set on fire. Police have arrested two suspects, and extra police forces have been deployed in the area. Reports indicate that Saiful, an Awami League leader, had been attempting to maintain his influence following the government’s downfall, which led to a feud with Shahjahan and Union Parishad Chairman Zainal Mollah. The clash was a result of this ongoing conflict.

On Friday afternoon, the secretary of Jatiya Chhatra Shibir raised questions about the funding sources of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in a Facebook post, responding to similar inquiries about his own organization’s finances. JCD General Secretary Nasir Uddin had earlier questioned how Chhatra Shibir was able to spend BDT 300,000 daily on mass Iftar programs. “Our question is, where do they get so much money from? What is their source of income?” he asked.

Tarique Rahman spoke with the mother of the abused child in Magura over the phone on Saturday. He assured her of full support, including medical treatment for the child. He also assigned overall responsibility for the matter to Dhaka South Jubo Dal’s Member Secretary, Rabiul Islam Nayan.

Speaking to journalists, Nayan stated that Tarique Rahman has taken full responsibility for the child’s medical treatment as well as the family’s well-being. “He has instructed us to ensure that the impoverished family does not feel helpless in any way,” Nayan said. Additionally, Tarique Rahman has emphasized the need to remain vigilant so that the perpetrators do not escape justice.

On International Women’s Day, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman took to Facebook to advocate for women’s empowerment, gender equality, and progress. He acknowledged three extraordinary women in his life—his mother, wife, and daughter—stating that they have been his greatest inspirations. “I have always strived to ensure every opportunity, success, and happiness for them,” he wrote. He further expressed confidence that many others share the same sentiment. Rahman emphasized that every woman deserves the same dignity, protection, and opportunities as men. He also highlighted BNP’s initiatives, such as the ‘Family Card’ program, SME loans for female entrepreneurs, and various educational and vocational training projects, as key efforts in promoting women’s empowerment.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has warned that the recent rise in harassment against women across the country could be part of a conspiracy to portray Bangladesh as an ultra-conservative nation on the global stage. He expressed concern that extremist groups might be fueling such incidents, leaving women feeling increasingly unsafe. Rizvi called for a government elected by the people to ensure women’s security and empowerment. He also emphasized BNP’s commitment to women’s development, promising comprehensive measures for their progress in all sectors. Furthermore, he questioned how legally banned groups could hold rallies and urged the government to remain vigilant against the resurgence of extremism.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has clarified that his calls for Sheikh Hasina’s trial are unrelated to demands for postponing the elections.

“We demand justice for the mass killings carried out under her orders. Thousands of people were murdered, and their families still don’t know where their loved ones were buried. The least we can expect is justice,” Alam stated.

Previously, he had made a controversial remark, saying, “No one should talk about elections until Sheikh Hasina is brought back and executed.”

His comments have sparked intense political debate over justice and electoral processes.

The National Coordination Party (NCP) has strongly condemned recent cases of violence and harassment against women.

In a statement, the party cited a recent incident where a female Dhaka University student was harassed by a staff member. Even while in police custody, the accused reportedly made derogatory comments about the victim in a media interview.

NCP also highlighted the case of a child being raped in Magura and ongoing cyber harassment targeting female activists. The party denounced these incidents as threats to public safety and demanded strict legal action and justice for the victims.

In response to the rising incidents of violence, harassment, and cyber abuse against women, the National Coordination Party (NCP) has announced a protest rally. The event will take place on Saturday at 4:00 PM in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh.

The demonstration aligns with International Women’s Day 2025, advocating for stronger measures to ensure women’s safety and cyber protection.

Key NCP figures, including Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Organizer Sarjis Alam, Senior Joint Conveners Samanta Sharmin and Ariful Islam Adib, and Senior Joint Secretaries Tasnim Zarah and Nahida Sarwar Chowdhury, are expected to attend.

The Gana Adhikar Parishad has extended an invitation to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia for an Iftar event. The invitation was received by senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Friday night.

According to a statement from the party, a delegation led by spokesperson Faruk Hasan delivered the invitation. The event, scheduled for March 13 at Hotel SkyCity in Malibagh, aims to honor political leaders and commemorate the martyrs of the July-August revolution.

On Friday at around 4:30 PM, police arrested four members of the banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir from Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The arrested individuals are Rafsan Ahmed Sajjad (22), Redwan Hasan (21), Habibur Rahman (24), and Abdullah (20).

Earlier that day, the group attempted to hold a protest march in Paltan, prompting police to disperse them using batons, tear gas shells, and sound grenades. Injured member Rafsan was taken to Dhaka Medical by his three associates, who were later arrested.

Shahbagh police confirmed the arrests and stated that legal action is being taken.

An audio clip recently surfaced on the Facebook account of Assistant Press Secretary Fayez Ahmed, revealing a conversation involving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In the clip, Hasina can be heard instructing authorities to “shoot directly” whenever possible.

During the conversation, an intelligence officer inquired whether suspects could be arrested overnight based on photographic evidence. Hasina responded, “I have ordered all of them to be arrested at night.” The intelligence officer then acknowledged the instruction.

Hasina further stated, “I have instructed the RAB, DGFI, and everyone else to capture as many as possible.” She added, “Wherever gatherings are spotted, take action from above—we have already started in some locations.”

Upon learning about movements near Mohammadpur Police Station, Hasina directed RAB to be sent to the area. She then gave an explicit order, saying, “I have issued an open directive—use lethal weapons, shoot on sight.”

The conversation raises serious concerns regarding the government’s handling of security operations.

Rashed Pradhan, spokesperson for the National Democratic Party, stated that the Awami League has consistently distorted history to sell the spirit of the liberation war. He claimed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not seek the independence of Bangladesh but aspired to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Pradhan highlighted that Sheikh Mujib concluded his speech on March 7 by saying “Long Live Pakistan.” He also discussed the distortion of history from the 1971 war and stressed the need to learn from the past. Pradhan emphasized that to build a sovereign and prosperous Bangladesh, the country’s united efforts must reject Awami League’s policies and Indian dominance.

In a press conference on Friday, the Nationalist Student Party (JSD) rejected allegations made by Sarjish Alam, the spokesperson of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), regarding the North South University student protests. The student group called the accusations ‘baseless and fabricated.’ They also questioned the funding sources of the NCP, citing concerns over financial support from wealthy individuals and the Student Shibir’s iftar funds. The student group condemned Alam’s post, which labeled North South University students as ‘terrorists, criminals, and beggars,’ and warned that blaming the student group for internal party disputes was a deliberate lie.