Zakir Khan, the former president of Narayanganj District Chhatra Dal, has been released from prison after completing a five-year sentence in an anti-terrorism case. He was warmly welcomed with flowers by his family and a large number of supporters upon his release. His lawyer stated that Zakir Khan had faced 33 cases, of which he has been acquitted in 32. He is currently out on bail in the remaining case. Notably, he was arrested by RAB-11 on September 3, 2022, after remaining absconding for a long time. He gradually secured bail in various cases and was acquitted on January 7 this year in the high-profile Sabbir Alam murder case.

Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yusuf W.Y. Ramadan, praised the “March for Gaza” rally in Dhaka as a moment of historical significance. “From the refugee camps of Gaza to the olive groves of the West Bank, your solidarity is deeply felt,” he stated. The ambassador highlighted the unity and resilience of the Bangladeshi people, regardless of age or gender, in standing up for justice in Palestine.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus unveiled the foundation stone for the “Harmony Center” at the International Buddhist Monastery on Sunday. After visiting the prayer hall, he met with Buddhist community leaders in Merul Badda, where he was welcomed by the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation. Army Chief General Waqar-Uz-Zaman was also present. The monastery plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the cultural and religious heritage of the Buddhist community in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sajjad Ali has reassigned Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) Rezaul Karim Mallik to DMP headquarters. This follows criticism over the controversial arrest of model Meghna Alam under the Special Powers Act. Law Advisor Asif Nazrul commented that the arrest process was flawed, sparking further debate over due process and police overreach.

A court has issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, former UK MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and Azmina Siddiq in a corruption case related to RAJUK plot allocations. Other accused include several top bureaucrats, former RAJUK officials, and engineers. This follows another arrest warrant issued last week against Hasina and 17 others, including Saima Wazed Putul.

At least 45 individuals have been detained after violence erupted in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ). According to industrial police and workers, around 300-400 outsiders stormed two garment factories—Unosco BD Ltd. and Ananta Washing Ltd.—pressuring workers to join an anti-Israel “March for Gaza.” Clashes broke out between factory staff and the intruders, resulting in stone-throwing and vandalism. Police suspect a deeper conspiracy behind the incident.

Sixteen individuals have been sent to jail following an attack on Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in Sunamganj. According to BGB commander Lt. Col. AKM Zakaria Kadir, on March 17 a group of sand smugglers crossed the Bangladesh-India border and began illegal sand extraction. When BGB seized tractors loaded with minerals worth BDT 4 million, the smugglers launched an attack, severely injuring one BGB member. A case was filed against 25 individuals, naming local ringleader Shipon as the main accused.

The International Gateway Operator Forum (IOF), established under the fascist Awami regime, served as a legalized revenue evasion model. The syndicate, led by Awami figure Salman F. Rahman, allegedly siphoned over BDT 600 crore from IOF funds. Though it was meant to streamline international call traffic and curb tax evasion, only seven operators were granted a monopoly—enabling them to control call rates and siphon massive profits without increasing government revenue. Allegations have now been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding this scheme, which was personally approved by Sheikh Hasina in 2014 despite prior objections.

After the original “Portrait of Autocracy” was burned down just before the celebratory procession, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan confirmed that artists have been commissioned again to reconstruct it. “Obstacles and conspiracies are inevitable in such initiatives, but we will face them with faith and perseverance,” he stated. While acknowledging the time and effort required to rebuild the effigy, he expressed confidence in the artists. Cultural Advisor to the procession also saluted the organizers and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.

Speaking from Mexico, Bangladesh’s Ambassador Mushfiqur Fazal described the July Uprising against dictatorship as a beacon of renewed hope. “The government is working with courage and transparency to realize this hope through reforms in the constitution, electoral process, judiciary, police, and anti-corruption efforts,” he said. Fazal emphasized that the dream of an inclusive, democratic Bangladesh remains alive over five decades after independence. He also highlighted March 26 as a day of national pride and referenced the war of liberation not only as a struggle against foreign domination, but also against oppression and injustice. He concluded by mentioning economic progress and plans to strengthen bilateral ties with Mexico on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain emphasized the need for a reliable partner in space technology during a meeting with Turkish Aerospace President Mehmet Demiroğlu. He stated that collaboration between Bangladesh and Turkey in this field could yield mutual benefits. Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam was also present. Both parties agreed to explore investment opportunities and facilitate technology transfer for human resource development in Bangladesh. A high-level Turkish delegation, led by the CEO of Turkish Aerospace, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh soon to discuss further cooperation in space technology.

National University Vice-Chancellor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah has said that wealthy students generally avoid attending National University. Speaking about reforms, he emphasized introducing practical training like outsourcing, cooking, and technical courses, as well as promoting cultural activities such as debates and sports through dedicated funding. Dr. Amanullah also raised concerns over political influence in college governing bodies, stating that if the situation persists, the very need for such bodies could be questioned. He expressed frustration over teachers’ salaries and blamed the decline in Dhaka University’s standards on poor governance and political interference. He also called for new strategies to increase student attendance in classrooms.

The Malaysian Immigration Department detained 148 undocumented immigrants—including Bangladeshis—on Saturday in Johor. Immigration Director Nor Faizal stated that the detainees failed to produce valid travel documents or work permits and were found to have misused their social visit passes. Some claimed their passports and permits were held by their employers. During the raid, an immigration officer sustained serious injuries after being struck by a fleeing foreign worker.

Prominent academic Dr. Salimullah Khan has urged the government to allocate a minimum of 6% of the national income to the education sector. He referenced Sri Lanka’s new government, which has pledged 10% for education, noting that while Bangladesh may not reach that figure, 6% is the least that should be done. Dr. Khan criticized economists like Hossain Zillur Rahman, who argue such funding would be wasted on infrastructure. “Allocate a separate budget for buildings if needed,” he said. “But don’t ignore ongoing educational expenses while talking about democracy—it’s contradictory.”

A young man named Hasan has been arrested by RAB on Friday night in Rupganj, Narayanganj, for allegedly attempting to rape a five-year-old girl. According to RAB-11 Deputy Commander Ishtiaq Ahmed, the incident took place in the Ariabo area of Tarabo Municipality, where Hasan reportedly lured the child with chocolate before attempting the assault. Locals rushed to the scene upon hearing the child’s screams, prompting the suspect to flee. The child’s father later filed a formal complaint at Rupganj Police Station.