In a joint operation by the Coast Guard and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Wednesday night at 8 PM, 16 traffickers disguised as fishermen were arrested with 400,000 yaba tablets in the Lemboarchar sea area. According to a press release from the Mahipur Police Station’s Nizampur Coast Guard on Friday, the traffickers were caught while hiding the yaba inside fishing nets aboard an unnamed trawler. The operation also led to the recovery of three bags containing 300,000 yaba tablets from an abandoned location in the area. The trafficking syndicate has been active in smuggling drugs through sea routes for a long period. However, the authorities were unable to apprehend the masterminds behind the operation. The arrested individuals have been handed over to the police.

Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the National Citizens Party, expressed optimism for a democratic future in Bangladesh. He stated that the youth will lead the country toward a Bangladesh free from extortion and illegal occupations. He assured that, unlike in the past, elections will no longer be held under the cover of night. Masud also pledged that political parties will work together to build a new Bangladesh. Reflecting on the past, he noted the sacrifices made by mothers and sisters during the Liberation War in 1971, while criticizing the rule of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from 1972 to 1975, as well as the oppressive 17 years of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule. Masud condemned the violence under Hasina’s regime, promising a better future for the country.

Arif Sohel, the secretary-general of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, declared that the people of Bengal will no longer accept slavery to any elite group. He emphasized that the people of Bangladesh have never bowed down and have risen up repeatedly, citing 1947 and 1971 as examples. He mentioned that through every struggle, the nation’s identity has evolved. Sohel further stated that during the mass uprising of 2024, the people of Bangladesh will reject any form of subjugation. He also revealed that his organization, Janak, has formed a new political party to advocate for the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

On Friday, a Chhatra League activist was detained by university students while writing “Joy Bangla” on the wall of Jagannath University. The arrested individual has been identified as Rezwanul Kabir Chayon (31). He was apprehended by students at the university’s main gate during the ongoing admission exams. After his detention, Chayon stated, “I only wrote Joy Bangla. I didn’t write it anywhere else on the walls of Jagannath. No one asked me to write it; I did it on my own.” Following the arrest, the university’s proctor assisted in handing him over to the police. Students have accused Chayon of attempting to create unrest and disrupt law and order, in line with the program of the ruling political party.

Tonight, in a political event held on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital, a new political party emerged from the youth who led the people’s uprising. At the inauguration ceremony, Nahid Islam, the convener of the newly formed “National Citizens’ Party” and former Information Adviser, declared, “There will be no place for pro-India or pro-Pakistan political parties in Bangladesh.” Leaders from various parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, attended the event.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has officially recognized 1,401 individuals injured in the recent mass uprising as “July Warriors.” A gazette notification was issued on Thursday listing 493 individuals with critical injuries under Category A and 908 individuals with severe injuries under Category B.

The ministry has also announced plans to publish a Category C list for those with less severe injuries. The gazette includes details such as the injured individuals’ medical case IDs, names, parents’ names, and permanent addresses.

Earlier, on January 15, the government had published a gazette listing 834 people who were martyred in the uprising. These individuals are set to receive financial assistance.

During the inauguration ceremony on Friday afternoon, Hasnat Abdullah, a prominent leader of the “National Citizens’ Party,” stated, “We will rise above divisive politics and introduce a politics of unity.” He emphasized, “After enduring the rule of Awami Jahiliyat for one and a half decades, we are now free. This long period was marked by a culture of impunity. During the Indian aggression, BDR members were killed. A genocide was carried out on our brothers under the cover of darkness at Shapla Chattar.” He added, “We have seen the culture of rigged votes, both at night and during the day. The working class will decide who enters parliament.” Hasnat further pledged, “We promise to build independent and effective institutions. We will not engage in divisive politics but will work towards unity.”

The National Citizens Party, formed under the leadership of young people from the mass uprising, has been officially launched. Former Information Adviser Nahid Islam has been appointed as the convenor of the new party, while Akhtar Hossain has been named the member secretary. The announcement was made at Manik Mia Avenue by Shaheed Mohammad Ismail Hossain Rabbir’s sister, Maim Akhter. Maim shared an emotional note, saying, “In history, we have never seen a sister carrying her brother’s corpse; we carried our brother’s corpse on our shoulders.”

Kamrul Hasan Khokon, former central office secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League and central sub-committee assistant secretary of the Awami League, has been arrested after a video of his controversial statement went viral. In the video, he claimed, “Only 300 votes are cast, but by evening, it becomes 3,000.”

Police arrested him on Thursday from Dhaka. According to Adabor Police Station, the former student leader was taken into custody on Thursday night. Authorities have stated that the case against him is politically motivated and is registered as Case No. 18. His family has reported that Khokon is a stroke patient and also suffers from mental health issues.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered four gold bars weighing approximately 2.335 kg from an abandoned cattle shed near the Damurhuda border in Chuadanga. The estimated market value of the gold is around Tk 3 crore. Reports suggest the bars were meant to be smuggled into India. Upon sensing the presence of law enforcement, suspect Harun (35) fled the scene. A case has been filed at Damurhuda Police Station by BGB member Iqbal Hossain.

A new political party, the National Citizen Party, is being formed under the leadership of young activists from the mass uprising. The leadership of the party was already present on stage at the event. Young leaders Mohammad Nahid Islam, Hasnat Abdullah, Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, Samantha Sharmin, and Akhtar Hossain, among others, were seen on stage. However, no official announcements were made regarding the positions of the new party members. The event began with the screening of two documentaries. This political party is the result of the coordinated efforts of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee.

Leaders from various political parties and diplomats attended the inauguration of the National Citizens Party. BNP leaders Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny arrived at the venue on Manik Mia Avenue. Also present were Miah Golam Parwar, Secretary-General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with politicians Zunayed Saki, Jalaluddin Ahmed, Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Ahmed Ali Kashemi, General Shakhawat Hossain Razi, Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul, and Abdul Mannan. Additionally, Kamran Dangal, the political counselor of the Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka, was also present.

With snatching incidents surging across Dhaka, authorities have identified 432 hotspots across 50 police station areas, where around 1,200 criminals operate day and night. Experts classify these criminals into three groups:
1. Professional Gangs – Operate in designated areas, sometimes selling off zones to other groups.
2. Addiction-Driven Criminals – Engage in snatching to fund drug habits.
3. Thrill Seekers – Individuals stealing expensive phones, laptops, and motorcycles for personal satisfaction.
Law enforcement experts stress that proactive policing is crucial to curbing these crimes.

The National Citizens Party (NCP), formed by student leaders of the July mass uprising, was officially launched today at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. Thousands of supporters from across the country gathered, carrying banners and national flags. The party, founded under the National Citizens Committee and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, appointed Md. Nahid Islam as convener and Akhtar Hossain as member secretary. Security, medical teams, and other facilities were arranged. Nahid Islam resigned from the Interim Government’s Advisory Council to lead the new party.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would be selling U.S. residency via a Gold Card for $5 million, approximately 60 crore Bangladeshi taka. This move could benefit the corrupt oligarchs of the Awami League, who have looted billions and sent the money abroad, seeking refuge in countries like India. Trump also announced plans to offer a Green Card, granting citizenship. There are concerns that this could turn the U.S. into a haven for oligarchs worldwide, potentially making the most powerful and wealthiest country a sanctuary for the corrupt. However, the policy details have not yet been disclosed.