Eighteen months after the July 2024 uprising, investigations into related cases in Chattogram have seen little progress, according to victims’ families. Relatives allege that inquiries have slowed further since the new government took office, with no official follow-up or communication. Police confirmed that among 151 cases filed, only one has reached the reporting stage, while the rest remain under investigation.

Families of those killed, including students Wasim Akram, Faisal Ahmed Shanto, Omar Nurul Absar, and Mahbubul Alam Masum, expressed frustration over the lack of justice and government contact. They said that during the interim government, officials and students had visited them, but since the new administration assumed power, even phone calls have stopped. Police and court sources reported that the cases involve more than 21,000 named and 30,000 unidentified accused individuals.

The victims’ families say they have received neither financial assistance nor rehabilitation. Many now doubt whether justice will ever be served, as investigations remain stalled and no visible progress has been made.

Advocate Tajul Islam has been removed from his position as Chief Prosecutor of the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal, and Advocate Aminul Islam has been appointed as his replacement, according to a government notification issued on Monday. The change comes amid ongoing trials related to the July genocide and crimes against humanity, prompting discussions about the continuity and pace of the tribunal’s proceedings.

During his one and a half years in office, Tajul Islam led significant progress in the prosecution of July genocide cases, resulting in multiple convictions, including death sentences for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Under his leadership, 24 formal charges were filed, 21 trials are ongoing, and three verdicts have been delivered. Tajul expressed confidence that the new prosecutor would continue the pursuit of justice and emphasized the need to prevent future atrocities.

New Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, previously a lawyer for Khaleda Zia, pledged to uphold the aspirations of the July movement and ensure fair trials. He stated that under the elected government, the tribunal’s work would proceed with greater momentum.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh is set to amend postal ballot regulations following experiences from the recently held 13th parliamentary election. According to EC sources, the changes will remove the voter declaration form and the provision for multiple envelopes. These elements were found to compromise ballot secrecy, as the declaration form contained both the postal ballot number and the voter’s national ID, potentially revealing voting choices.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud confirmed that the EC is considering dropping the declaration form, noting that voter identity is already verified through registration with a photograph. He also said the number of envelopes used in postal ballots will be reduced. EC officials explained that, unlike regular ballots cast in secret booths, postal ballots could expose voter preferences due to the attached declaration form.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), welcomed the move, calling the declaration form unnecessary and a risk to voter privacy. He described the reform as a positive step toward protecting electoral confidentiality.

A Dhaka University student and student leader was allegedly beaten by police during an anti-drug operation at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Monday night. Witnesses said the incident occurred when anthropology student Naeem Uddin questioned police actions, prompting an officer to remark, “You’re arguing too much,” before assaulting him and seizing his phone. Several journalists, including Banglanews24 multimedia journalist Tofayel Ahmed, were also reportedly injured while covering the raid.

Student organizations and eyewitnesses condemned the incident, calling it a violation of human rights and demanding disciplinary and legal action against the involved officers. Leaders from various student groups said police cannot act as judges on the street and must be held accountable for unlawful behavior. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Shahbagh Police Station officials did not provide immediate comments, and the university administration has yet to respond.

Journalists and students have urged an impartial investigation into the assaults, emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent further abuse of power by law enforcement.

Newly elected Member of Parliament Akhtar Hossain from Rangpur-4 (Kaunia-Pirgacha) constituency and member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP) pledged to fulfill all his election promises despite his alliance not forming the government. Speaking as the chief guest at a large public reception and iftar gathering at Pirgacha Government College field on February 23, he said he would visit government offices to secure development projects for his constituents.

Hossain sharply criticized the BNP, accusing its defeated candidate Emdadul Haque Bhorsa of instigating violence and looting in Haragach. He said his party rejected politics of hatred and sought to work inclusively for all. He also praised Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and urged attention to small infrastructure projects in northern Bangladesh to improve accessibility for rural residents.

The event, organized under the leadership of local Jamaat-e-Islami representatives, featured speeches from leaders of Jamaat, NCP, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. Before the reception, Hossain attended a meeting with the Pirgacha Upazila administration, visited a late Jamaat leader’s grave, and inaugurated a local road.

The Bangladesh Police Service Association has called on the government to reconsider its decision to change the long-standing uniform of the Bangladesh Police. In a statement signed by its General Secretary and Cumilla Superintendent of Police Md. Anisuzzaman on February 23, the association said that more research and public opinion assessment are needed before altering the traditional attire.

The statement recalled that the khaki uniform was chosen in 2003–2004 after extensive evaluation by a government committee, considering factors such as officers’ skin tone, climate, visibility during day and night duties, and distinction from other forces. The association argued that the new uniform selected by the current interim government does not adequately address these practical issues and resembles those of other agencies, making field identification difficult.

It further noted that the khaki uniform symbolizes the force’s tradition, discipline, and professionalism, and that changing it would be costly. The association suggested that funds would be better spent on modernization, logistics, and training to strengthen morale and efficiency.

Bangladesh Bank has issued show-cause notices to three of its officials for holding a press conference where they described Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as an authoritarian figure. The notices were sent by the bank’s Human Resources Department under the governor’s directive, requiring written responses within ten days before further action is taken. The officials involved are Naushad Mostafa, Director of SME and Special Programs; A.K.M. Masum Billah, President of the Officers’ Welfare Council; and Golam Mostafa Shrabon, the council’s General Secretary.

The press conference, held on 16 February, criticized the governor’s decisions on merging weaker banks with EXIM and Social Islami Bank and on issuing digital bank licenses. According to internal sources, the event violated staff regulations requiring prior approval from the governor before public statements. The officials also questioned the agenda of a board meeting held the same day, alleging favoritism in digital banking approvals.

Sources added that a cross-party alliance within the central bank has been formed to push for full institutional autonomy, legal reforms, and promotion-related demands. The show-cause process marks a new phase in internal tensions within Bangladesh Bank.

The European Union (EU) has congratulated the Election Commission of Bangladesh, led by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, for successfully conducting the 13th parliamentary election in a free, fair, and acceptable manner. The EU’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, conveyed the message during a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner at the Election Commission building on Monday, February 23, where Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed was also present.

During the meeting, Ambassador Miller appreciated the Chief Election Commissioner’s expression of gratitude for the EU’s support in the electoral process. He noted that the Election Commission’s work continues with upcoming by-elections and local government polls covering 12 city corporations, 495 upazilas, and 4,582 union councils. The EU pledged to maintain its assistance for these future elections as well.

The 13th national parliamentary election was held on February 12, marking another milestone in Bangladesh’s electoral process under the current commission’s leadership.

Prime Minister’s Office Chief Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar has issued a public notice warning against fake social media accounts created in his name. In a statement sent to the media on Monday, he announced that he has decided to stop using his personal Facebook and Instagram accounts, which have now been deactivated.

The Chief Secretary cautioned that any individual using his name or designation to create or operate fake social media accounts with the intent to spread misinformation or cause confusion will face legal action. He clarified that he will not be responsible for any such activities. The notice urged the public and media to rely only on official sources for accurate information.

The statement serves as a preventive measure to curb the misuse of official identities on social media and to ensure that communication from government officials remains authentic and verifiable.

An abandoned mortar shell was recovered on Monday morning during canal excavation in Durganagar village of Sindurkhan Union, a border area of Sreemangal upazila in Moulvibazar. The discovery caused panic among locals, prompting police to issue a safety alert and urge residents to stay away from the site. The object was first spotted by farmer Sahid Mia while digging, who noticed a heavy metallic item buried underground.

Police from Sreemangal station arrived at the scene, recovered the suspicious object, and cordoned off the area. Moulvibazar Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sreemangal Circle) Wahiduzzaman Raju and Sreemangal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahirul Islam Munna visited the site. The Sylhet Metropolitan Police bomb disposal unit was informed and dispatched to the location.

According to police, the bomb disposal team later examined and neutralized the mortar shell. Authorities confirmed that the area was secured for public safety until the operation was completed.

The Bangladesh government has cancelled the contractual appointments of nine secretaries through separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday night. The orders, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Nur‑e‑Alam, state that the remaining tenure of each official’s contractual appointment is hereby terminated. The decision takes immediate effect in the public interest.

According to the ministry notifications, the affected officials include Md. Saidur Rahman (Secretary, Health Services Division), Shish Hayder Chowdhury (Secretary, ICT Division), Siddiq Zobayer (Director General, National Academy for Planning and Development), Mohammad Yusuf (Senior Secretary, Land Appeal Division), Momtaz Ahmed (Senior Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs), Dr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman (Senior Secretary, Planning Commission), M A Akmal Hossain Azad (Senior Secretary, Planning Commission), Begum Sharifa Khan (Alternate Executive Director, World Bank), and Dr. Kaiyum Ara Begum (Secretary, Planning Commission).

The notifications emphasize that the decision has been made in the public interest and is effective immediately, though no further explanation or reaction was provided in the source.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has accused the ruling party of lacking the courage to hold local elections after reviewing vote figures in divisional and district cities. In a Facebook post on Monday evening, he alleged that the government, which once criticized the interim administration as unelected, is now appointing unelected mayors across the country. His remarks followed the government’s decision on Sunday to replace civil servants with political appointees as administrators in six major city corporations, including Dhaka North and South.

Bhuiyan, a former adviser to the outgoing interim government, also expressed concern that similar unelected appointments could soon extend to upazila chairmen and other local government positions. He warned that upcoming appointments might include unelected union parishad chairmen, members, and ward councillors.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir dismissed these concerns earlier on Monday, stating that despite the appointment of administrators in six city corporations, local government elections would be held on schedule.

A counter-case has been filed against supporters of Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, following an earlier complaint over an altercation at the local Shaheed Minar. The new case was lodged on Sunday night, February 22, by Tamim Mia, an employee of a local business establishment, only hours after Farhana’s supporter Md. Ahad filed the first case alleging obstruction and assault during a floral tribute. The counter-case names 17 individuals and includes 100 to 150 unidentified persons as accused.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred early on February 21 near Anwar Hossain’s business, Farzana Anwar Diagnostic Center, and his residence, where the accused allegedly gathered, hurled abuses, and assaulted the complainant when he protested, also snatching money from him. The report notes that tensions began over slogans at the Shaheed Minar. Earlier, Ahad’s case had named BNP leader Anwar Hossain Master as the main accused, who has since been granted bail. Sarail Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Manjur Kader Bhuiyan confirmed the filing of both cases.

The dispute originated when Rumin Farhana faced obstruction while attempting to lay flowers at the Shaheed Minar in her constituency on February 21, prompting her to leave without paying tribute.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Monday at 12:30 p.m. During the meeting, the ambassador conveyed warm greetings and congratulations from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and extended an invitation for the Prime Minister to visit China. The information was shared by the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Humayun Kabir, who briefed reporters after the meeting.

Kabir stated that no discussion was held regarding the schedule of the visit, as the Prime Minister is currently focused on several domestic priorities. He added that the invitation would be considered when the Prime Minister begins his foreign visits. The adviser noted that China recognized the new government’s two-thirds majority mandate and that the ambassador’s visit was primarily to congratulate the newly elected Prime Minister.

Kabir described Bangladesh-China relations as historic, originating during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman. He emphasized that China remains a key development partner and that the current government aims to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit.

Bangladesh’s President Md. Shahabuddin has revealed that full support from the opposition BNP helped him remain in office during the turbulent period following Sheikh Hasina’s government collapse in August 2024. Despite widespread administrative and judicial changes, Shahabuddin—elected during the Awami League era—retained his position through the interim government and administered the oath to the new prime minister on February 17, 2026. In an interview with the daily Kaler Kantho, he said BNP leaders and the armed forces assured him of their backing, emphasizing constitutional continuity.

During the interim government, protests and demands for Shahabuddin’s resignation intensified, but BNP publicly opposed his removal, citing risks of political instability and constitutional crisis. Senior BNP leaders argued that ousting the president could delay elections and worsen the national situation. Political analyst Mohiuddin Ahmed noted that BNP’s stance was driven by its desire for quick elections under constitutional order.

Shahabuddin also accused the interim administration of undermining his office, including shutting down his press wing and excluding him from diplomatic communications, but former officials declined to comment on his claims.