Dhaka University professor Adib Shahriar Zaman was assaulted on Friday afternoon after protesting against a bus that was unnecessarily stopped for an extended period to pick up passengers. The incident occurred on a road opposite Bangla School in Mirpur 11. According to the professor, the driver and conductor of Mirpur Super Link (Bus No. 36) attacked him in public. In response, university students took at least five buses of the same company to the campus, vowing not to release them until the accused driver and conductor were identified.

A case has been filed in Sunamganj District and Sessions Judge Court against 16 individuals, including a former Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and a Water Development Board official, for corruption in the construction of an embankment meant to protect crops in Haor. The plaintiff, Pataki Ranjan Das, alleged that irregularities in the project led to the submersion of farmers' only boro rice crop. Expressing concern for his own farmland, he stated that he filed the case in the interest of Haor’s farmers.

Speaking virtually at the biennial conference of the Sri Sri Janmashtami Celebration Council Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman emphasized that without the rule of law, neither the majority nor the minority is safe. He stated that only a system based on justice can ensure security for all. He urged vigilance against the political exploitation of religious communities, asserting that most attacks on minorities in Bangladesh were not driven by religion but by political motives, greed, and personal gains.

Renowned theatre personality Syed Jamil Ahmed has announced his resignation as Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. He made this announcement during an event at the academy on Friday evening. Jamil Ahmed cited various obstructions from the ministry and the academy as reasons for his decision, stating that he was unable to work under such circumstances. He had assumed the role on September 10 last year.

Kabaddi is not just Bangladesh's national sport for no reason. Nepal had no chance against the home team in the five-match series, which Bangladesh won 4-1. In the final match, Nepal was defeated by a margin of 45-27 points. Bangladesh had already secured the series in the fourth match at Paltan Maidan with a 3-1 lead. The players celebrated their victory by crushing Nepal by 18 points. Captain Mizanur Rahman was named both the match and series MVP, while Nepal’s captain Roka Magar was the best raider. Bangladesh’s Roman and Nasir were jointly awarded Best Catcher.

Protestors at Rajju Bhaskar have accused the Awami League of conspiring to destabilize the nation’s democratic transition by spreading propaganda against the Bangladesh Army. They warned that before the aspirations of the July Revolution are fulfilled, the Awami League might attempt to rehabilitate itself by creating a rift between the military and the public, leading to possible fascist actions and Indian aggression. Citing the army’s role, they claimed that the fascist government had attempted to suppress students and the public through indiscriminate killings. When the army refused to follow orders to kill students and civilians, a revolution led by the army and the public emerged after 49 years. The protestors have called for the army’s participation in the new political arrangement, demanding recognition for their contributions.

On Friday, the press secretary of the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, stated that the year 2013 was a year of forced disappearances and murders for the Awami League, aimed at ensuring a smooth election in 2014. He said that the exact number of deaths during Hefazat’s rally at Shapla Chattar is still unknown. He added that both the government and Hefazat should investigate the facts surrounding the injured and deceased. Shafiqul Alam further accused the Awami League of maintaining power through a culture of fear, created by politics of murder. He recalled his journalistic experience during the violent night, mentioning that many bullet-riddled bodies were found in Barakah, Islami Hospital, and Siddhirganj hospitals, but the government refused to acknowledge them.

Despite the fall of fascism, the whereabouts of student leader Saifur Rahman Sajib (40) remain unknown. Sajib was abducted on February 18, 2015, from the Kuril Bishwa Road by members of RAB-1, and he has not been heard from since. His mother and wife continue to await his return, and they find solace in their son Rizwan. The family has visited the police, DGFI, and RAB offices, but to no avail. His mother shared that they continue to live in the same rented house, hoping that Sajib will return and find them there.

On Friday morning, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. During the visit, he engaged in discussions with community leaders, including Imams and Rohingya parents, on community-based protection and peace. Grandi also participated in activities at Extension 4 and West 1 Rohingya camps. After the visit, the delegation headed towards Cox’s Bazar, where the High Commissioner will meet with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner and the District Commissioner. Grandi is expected to return to Dhaka by air later in the evening after the meetings.

In an incident that occurred on Thursday in Kashiani, Gopalganj, locals beat up Bulbul Mollah (50), a furniture businessman, after he was accused of attempting to rape a 9-year-old girl. A video of the incident went viral on Facebook. Locals reported that a month ago, Bulbul Mollah sexually harassed the girl on the roof of his house. The girl’s family had initially kept quiet out of shame, but on the day of the incident, Bulbul tried to lure the girl with the promise of showing a cat. When he attempted to rape her, the girl screamed, and locals arrived to rescue her, beating Bulbul in the process.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has welcomed the National Citizens Party. Jamaat’s Secretary-General Miah Golam Parwar expressed hope that there will be an open channel for dialogue with the new party. When asked about the possibility of forming an alliance or engaging in discussions, Parwar stated that the door for dialogue will always be open, and that possibility exists with the new party as well.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has assured that the market issues, including the oil crisis, will be resolved within the next seven days. He further stated that there will be no food shortages during this Ramadan. Prices of essential items, including dates, will drop within seven days. He emphasized that sufficient stock of all essential items has been secured for the month of Ramadan, and no market-related issues are anticipated. The adviser also instructed tannery owners to take all necessary steps to combat environmental pollution.

The Police Headquarters reported that, as part of the nationwide “Operation Devil Hunt,” law enforcement agencies have arrested 618 individuals today. An additional 786 individuals wanted in connection with other cases were also apprehended. In total, 1,404 people were arrested across the country. The interim government launched the operation on February 8 to maintain law and order and to bring criminals under legal action.

At 3 AM on Friday, the army conducted an operation in Mohammadpur and arrested Parvez, a notorious drug dealer, also known as Dealer Parvez. During the arrest, 1,500 Yaba pills, four passports, nine mobile phones, 18 SIM cards, and 1.8 million BDT in cash from drug sales were recovered. Parvez is known as an associate of top drug dealers Sohel (Bunia Sohel) and Chua Selim from the Geneva Camp and is a major drug dealer in the Mohammadpur area. He has been handed over to the Mohammadpur police station.

On Friday afternoon, a Bangladesh Airlines flight heading to Bangkok had to return to Dhaka due to a cabin pressure issue in Myanmar’s airspace. The number of passengers on board is yet to be confirmed. Oxygen masks automatically deployed as the cabin pressure dropped, with overhead masks descending for all passengers. The flight, BG-388, was operated using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. After landing, all passengers were safely escorted to the terminal, where another flight was arranged for them. Airport authorities confirmed that the passengers were safe.