The National Citizens Party (NCP) has issued a stern warning of renewed protest actions if the perpetrators behind the attacks on Nahid and Sarjis in Gopalganj are not swiftly brought to justice. Nahid Islam, the party's convener, declared that they will not return home until Gopalganj is freed from “Mujibism.”

On Thursday, NCP leaders organized a rally and street meeting in Faridpur town, condemning the current government led by Sheikh Hasina as fascist. They accused the administration of turning Gopalganj into a den of terror. The meeting also featured speeches from key NCP leaders, including Akhtar Hossain, Nasir Uddin Patwary, Mazharul Islam, and Advocate Tarikul. The event concluded with the chant: “Long live revolution, down with Mujibism.”

Gopalganj, July 16 — Former State Minister for Home Affairs, Sohel Taj, has accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of orchestrating an attack on four individuals — Nahid, Sarjis, Hasnat, and Zara — in Gopalganj. In a social media post, he referred to the Prime Minister as the "Devil Queen," claiming she was the mastermind behind the assault.

According to Sohel Taj, the attack was a targeted attempt to suppress the leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement and the broader July-August mass uprising. He described it as a "cowardly attempt to eliminate voices of dissent."

In the same statement, he further alleged that instead of self-reflection or accountability, Prime Minister Hasina has been engaged in destructive policies, including money laundering and issuing nationwide crackdowns through authoritarian tactics.

Sohel Taj's remarks have sparked sharp political debate, with critics viewing them as a bold accusation against the highest level of government.

The BNP has accused the government of deliberately destabilizing law and order to derail the upcoming national election scheduled for February. Condemning the recent attack and violent clashes at an NCP rally in Gopalganj, the party described the incident as part of a larger conspiracy to undermine the democratic process. According to the BNP, the ruling party seeks to cling to power by suppressing opposition groups and denying people their right to vote. The BNP blamed the government’s failure—and in some cases, direct involvement—for the deteriorating security situation across the country.

Adviser Farida Akhtar shared her memories of the July 2024 mass uprising, where she actively participated in street protests under the banner of the ‘Angry Women’s Platform’. Despite being injured in joint attacks by police and ruling party affiliates, she said she and her fellow activists continued their protests. Akhtar recounted organizing women-led demonstrations at key locations including Shahbagh, Sat Masjid Road, and the Press Club. She highlighted that ordinary citizens—students, rickshaw-pullers, and the general public—played vital roles in the movement. Describing the uprising as more than just a political event, Akhtar said it symbolized public sacrifice and unity. She added that the government is now planning initiatives to honor the martyrs, ensure rehabilitation, and provide medical care for the injured.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury claimed that the recent Gopalganj unrest exposes the Awami League’s reliance on muscle power. Speaking at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Thursday (July 17), he said Bangladesh could have been a global example if the past four elections under Sheikh Hasina had been democratic. He described Hasina’s government as a “monster” clinging to power without public support, stressed the need for mutual respect among political parties, and called for urgent free and fair elections to restore stability and revive investment in the country.

Bangladesh’s Security Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that all individuals involved in the Gopalganj violence will be arrested and prosecuted. Speaking at a press briefing, he admitted that although intelligence agencies had information, the scale of violence was unexpected. Avoiding a direct answer regarding police failure, he said, “Let those responsible speak.” He added that the situation in Gopalganj is now under control.

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has announced human chain protests and memorandum submissions in front of all police stations in Dhaka, condemning attacks on their activists in Gopalganj. The protests are scheduled for Thursday (July 17) at 4 PM. Earlier, Gopalganj witnessed violent clashes, arson, and crude bomb explosions during NCP’s march, leaving four dead and at least 15-20, including journalists and police, injured. A 22-hour curfew remains in place, with security forces deployed to restore order.

Malaysian immigration authorities detained 35 undocumented migrant workers during a July 15 raid in Johor province. The detainees include nationals from Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, Afghanistan, and India, aged between 18 and 55. All were held at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot pending investigation.

Nahid Islam, Convenor of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has announced his return to Gopalganj, vowing to raise flags of the “July Uprising” in every household. In a Facebook post on Thursday (July 17), he accused the Awami League of being a “Mujibist terrorist organization” responsible for orchestrated attacks on their peaceful events. Claiming that their rallies were held under official instructions, Nahid said NCP members were attacked on their way back. He reported hearing of four deaths and stated, “We neither support nor expect extrajudicial killings.” He also demanded the arrest and trial of attackers in Gopalganj and across the country, and announced a march in Faridpur.

Two murders occurred within an hour in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur and Adabor areas in the early hours of Wednesday (July 16). In Adabor’s Nabodoy Housing area, a driver named Ibrahim (29) was shot dead by three masked assailants who arrived on motorcycles. Locals chased and detained two of the attackers and handed them over to police. Meanwhile, in Mohammadpur’s Chand Uddyan Housing area, Al Amin (27), known as a police informant, was killed by a teenage gang. He had recently helped police capture the brother of a gang member, sparking fears across the neighborhood.

Bangladesh is preparing for a third round of negotiations with the United States to reduce the 35% countervailing tariff on its exports. The Ministry of Commerce is formulating a position paper with input from 11 ministries and related agencies. The discussions aim to assess the feasibility of U.S. conditions under local and international laws. Meetings with U.S. companies like Chevron and Excelerate Energy have been held, with more planned, including one with the American Apparel and Footwear Association on July 22.

Bangladesh's economy has hit a period of stagnation due to weak revenue collection, a widening budget deficit, and mounting inflationary pressures, according to the Bangladesh Bank’s annual report for FY 2023–24.

The report warns that the economic slowdown is threatening overall macroeconomic stability. Reduced funding for development projects has led to a liquidity crisis in the banking sector, forcing the government to rely heavily on borrowing—further fueling inflation.

However, the report notes some recent signs of recovery following a change in government. Improvements in fiscal discipline, rising domestic savings, and initiatives to boost investment have generated cautious optimism. Inflation is also showing signs of a gradual decline. To ensure long-term stability, the central bank emphasizes the need to increase private sector investment.

In the past 24 hours, two more people have died from dengue fever in Bangladesh, and 321 new patients have been hospitalized. This brings the total number of dengue-related deaths in 2025 to 60, with 15,906 reported infections so far this year.

Barisal recorded the highest number of new cases (110), followed by 74 cases in the Dhaka South City Corporation area. As of now, 1,241 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. The infection rate remains higher outside Dhaka than within the capital.

Rakibul Islam Rakib, President of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), has criticized BNP advisers for failing to visit the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed. Speaking at a memorial event in Rangpur, Rakib said the absence of top leaders was deeply disappointing.

He emphasized that the sacrifice of Abu Sayeed will never be forgotten as long as Bangladesh exists. Rakib also condemned the recent attack on NCP activists by Chhatra League in Gopalganj and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has said that history will not forgive those who spread falsehoods and propaganda against the Zia family and Tarique Rahman.

Speaking at a protest organized by Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Dudu said the late President Ziaur Rahman was the architect of modern Bangladesh. He condemned the recent killings of a businessman in Mitford and a Jubo Dal leader in Khulna, stating that such atrocities have stirred the conscience of the medical community.