The Arakan Army has released four Rohingya individuals who were taken hostage after crossing the Naf River into Myanmar. The freed men—Arafat Ullah (21), Anis Ullah (22), Md. Jaber (14), and Anwar Sadek (27)—have returned to the Jadimura refugee camp in Teknaf. Allegedly, they had crossed the border to transport narcotics when they were abducted.

Ahead of student union elections, Jahangirnagar University has barred the entry of outsiders on campus starting May 3 until further notice. The university administration issued the restriction to maintain security during the elections for the central and hall student unions. All university personnel have been instructed to carry their ID cards at all times.

Speaking at a protest on May 2, Hasnat Abdullah declared that banning the Awami League is not a request but a decision of the people. Addressing Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, he said the government owes its authority to the sacrifices of wounded and martyred citizens. Sarjis Alam echoed the sentiment, saying the student-public coalition had delivered its verdict nine months ago and would do so again.

Khulna University students staged protests late Friday night after Assistant Student Affairs Director Hasan Mahmud Sakir was assaulted by a former student. The injured staff member is being treated at Khulna Medical College Hospital. Protesters condemned the attack, declared the assailant, Noman, persona non grata on campus, and demanded the harshest punishment under university regulations.

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has arrested four individuals involved in a robbery at a Gazipur business disguised as detectives. The incident occurred on April 14 at Multi Point BD. A portion of the looted funds, amounting to BDT 2.255 million, was recovered. The arrested individuals include Md. Abdur Rahman Rajon (28), Md. Robiul Islam (30), Md. Uzzal (36), and Md. Miraj (25).

Akhtar Hossain, leader of the NCP, has demanded that the Awami League be removed from the list of registered political parties and declared a terrorist organization. He accused the party of committing crimes against humanity and oppressing the people of Bangladesh. Hossain called on the interim government to recognize its role as a government of public uprising and act accordingly.

Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained 10 individuals attempting to smuggle a large quantity of urea fertilizer into Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The detainees hail from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, and the Rohingya refugee camp in Teknaf. The seized fertilizer was handed over to Teknaf Customs, while the suspects and their boat were transferred to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal action.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on May 4 via a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London, landing in Sylhet and then Dhaka. Authorities proposed modifying the flight route to London-Dhaka-Sylhet to accommodate her medical needs. However, in a gesture of compassion, Khaleda Zia declined the proposal, citing concern for the inconvenience it might cause other passengers, her press aide Shamsuddin Didar confirmed.

Bangladesh has made notable progress in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, rising 16 places to rank 149th among 180 countries with a score of 33.71, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Last year, Bangladesh was placed at 165th. Among its South Asian neighbors, India ranks 151st, Pakistan 158th, and Bhutan 152nd—all trailing behind Bangladesh. However, Nepal (90th), Sri Lanka (139th), and the Maldives (104th) continue to outperform Bangladesh in the index.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the decision on establishing a humanitarian corridor will be made only after consultations with all parties involved, including the UN, Myanmar, and local communities in Rakhine. He acknowledged the civil war-like situation in the region that is disrupting supply chains and causing severe hardship. “There’s a genuine humanitarian crisis, and we’re open to coordinated efforts,” he said.

Abu Taher, Chairman of Chiora Union in Cumilla’s Chauddagram, has been temporarily suspended for issuing birth certificates to Rohingya women. The investigation confirmed that he had shared his official ID and password, failed to act responsibly, and issued documents to two Rohingya women posing as local residents. These documents were later used to obtain passports in an attempt to travel to Vietnam.

On World Press Freedom Day, Tarique Rahman wrote that despite authoritarian rule, journalists remained committed to exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and state failures. He urged unity in defending press freedom and the safety of courageous journalists. “Journalists are pillars of democracy and must be protected from censorship and violence,” he said, adding that media enjoyed true freedom during BNP rule.

NCP Joint Secretary Mahin Sarkar declared that the only way Sheikh Hasina could return to Bangladesh is “with a noose around her neck.” He stated that the uprising began the day Hasina labeled them as traitors. “Erasing Bengali nationalism in the name of the constitution will leave no room for human rights,” he said. He called the 2024 movement “the world’s largest digital revolution,” one that resonates with the oppressed in Kashmir and Palestine as well.

Two Bangladeshi citizens, including an SSC examinee named Rimon, were detained by the BSF while taking photos near the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat. Rimon is the son of Mostak Hossain, and the other detainee, Sazedul Islam, is from Bogura. They had gone to visit the area and were detained by about 25 BSF personnel near a tea garden close to the border.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) returned two Bangladeshi farmers captured from the Dinajpur border, following the handover of two Indian nationals by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The returned farmers were Enamul Islam and his son Masud Rana from the Dharmojain area. Notably, the Indian citizens were initially captured by Bangladeshi villagers in retaliation for the BSF’s earlier action.