In a continued crackdown under ‘Operation Devil Hunt,’ Gazipur police arrested 81 individuals—69 from the metropolitan area and 12 in the district. Police Commissioner Dr. Nazmul Karim Khan stated that these arrests followed the attack on students at AKM Mozammel Haque’s residence. Over the past four days, authorities have detained a total of 335 individuals: 16 on Saturday, 65 on Sunday, 100 on Monday night, 73 on Monday daytime, and 81 on Tuesday. Police claim that those arrested are affiliates of the ruling party, involved in suppressing dissent.

Bangladesh has resumed full electricity imports from India’s Adani Power after previously reducing supply due to disputes over the 1,600 MW power plant agreement. According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, the contract, signed in 2017 under the then Sheikh Hasina-led government, was a 25-year deal with Adani Power. Since then, Bangladesh has been importing electricity from Adani’s $2 billion power plant in Jharkhand. The plant, consisting of two 800 MW units, enjoys an exclusive supply deal with Bangladesh.

Former members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), who were dismissed after the 2009 Pilkhana mutiny, staged a protest at Shaheed Minar demanding reinstatement, compensation, and state benefits. The “Justice for BDR” movement, organized by the BDR Welfare Council, called for the release of those they claim were wrongfully imprisoned in the mutiny trials. Protesters also rejected what they termed as a “conspiratorial investigation and fabricated verdicts.” Among their demands are the reinstatement of the BDR name, an independent investigation to identify the true masterminds, and the declaration of a national day in remembrance of the fallen soldiers of the Pilkhana massacre.

Thirteen years have passed since the brutal murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, yet justice remains elusive. The investigation report has been postponed 115 times, and four different agencies have taken over the case. A high-powered task force, led by the PBI chief, has been formed to expedite the probe. Allegations suggest that for six years, no investigation was conducted before the case was handed over to the PBI. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which previously handled the case, only sought extensions without making progress. Meanwhile, Sagar and Runi’s family continues to wait in exhaustion. The couple was murdered on February 11, 2012. However, the interim government has now pledged to accelerate the judicial process.

The families of the martyrs of the July uprising will receive a one-time financial grant, a monthly allowance, and employment opportunities for one able-bodied family member. However, these jobs will not be granted under any quota system, clarified Adviser Nahid Islam in a Facebook post on Monday night. He stated that these jobs, whether in government or private sectors, will be based on merit. Recognizing the lifelong impact on the injured, he emphasized the government's commitment to their rehabilitation, stating that it is both a duty and a promise.

A list of 84 police officers has been finalized for arrest following allegations that former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed incited police personnel against the government. The police headquarters has approved the list, and international arrest notices are being issued through Interpol for officers who have fled the country. The Bangladesh Retired Police Officers Welfare Association has condemned Benazir’s remarks, labeling them as conspiratorial and insulting. The association also criticized the former IGP’s alleged corruption, blaming it for damaging the police force’s integrity.

Despite no official election date being set, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has begun preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections. The party has preliminarily announced 100 potential MP candidates across 21 districts. However, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman clarified that these are not final candidates but a shortlist, with official nominations to be announced later. He also emphasized the need for electoral reforms to ensure a fair election, warning that without such measures, the election could turn into a political genocide.

The first meeting of the National Consensus Commission will be held on February 15, as announced by Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus’ press secretary, Shafiqul Alam. The meeting will be chaired by the Chief Adviser and attended by various political parties and allies of the July uprising. The decision on whether subsequent meetings will be joint or separate will be made during the session. Notably, BNP met with the Chief Adviser yesterday.

The Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) has opposed the recent high court ruling that allocated a 25% quota for other cadres in the promotion to deputy secretary positions. Previously, there was no fixed quota for such promotions. BASA insists that administrative cadre officers naturally deserve these positions and calls for maintaining the existing structure, which currently allocates 75% to the administrative cadre and 25% to others. Meanwhile, the Public Administration Reform Commission has proposed a 50-50 division between administrative and other cadres, sparking further debate.

A massive fire broke out at a plastic factory in Shyampur, causing significant damage. Firefighters rushed to the scene and managed to bring the blaze under control after hours of effort. No casualties have been reported so far, but authorities are assessing the extent of the damage. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

The deadlock in Bangladesh women’s football persists as Sabina Khatun and her team refuse to train under coach Butler, while the coach is prepared to form a team without them. In this situation, the rebel players might be excluded from their contracts with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). Former national men's football team captain Aminul Haque has warned that if Sabina and 18 other players leave the camp, it will be an irreplaceable loss for Bangladeshi football. He urged BFF to address the issue seriously and take action against those responsible for the crisis while ensuring the players remain on the team.

In a statement issued on Monday, Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus condemned the mob attack at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Describing the fair as a vital cultural event for writers and readers, he stated that such incidents undermine free cultural expression and dishonor the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. The statement directed the police and the Bangla Academy to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators face legal action. Additionally, security agencies have been instructed to take stronger measures to prevent mob violence in the future.

As part of "Operation Devil Hunt," police have arrested six Awami League leaders in Sunamganj, including two Union Parishad Chairmen. The detainees are Saktar Mia (Chairman, Shalla Union Parishad), Bishwajit Chowdhury Nantu (Chairman, Bahara Union Parishad), Jalil Mia (President, Ward Awami League, Tahirpur Upazila), Kawsar Ahmed (Former Organizing Secretary, Banned Chhatra League, Dirai Government College Branch), Jamal Ahmed (Joint Convener, Banned Chhatra League, Chhatak Upazila), and Shafiqul Islam (Member, Doarabazar Upazila Awami League Convening Committee). Police stated that they were arrested for involvement in sabotage and anti-state conspiracies.

A businessman from Shimulia village in Baliati Union, Manikganj, has been kidnapped, with the abductors demanding an 800,000 Taka ransom. According to his family, he was abducted on Saturday evening while carrying 150,000 Taka in cash. After failing to return home, a general diary (GD) was filed with the local police. The victim’s wife reported that the kidnappers made three phone calls on Sunday, threatening to kill him if police or journalists were informed. The officer-in-charge of the police station assured that modern technology is being used to locate and rescue the victim.

On Sunday night, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) installed CCTV cameras at the zero line of the Bashjani border in Kurigram, prompting strong protests from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). On Monday morning, local residents discovered the cameras aimed at Bangladesh’s territory after attending Fajr prayers. Upon notification, BGB officials held a 90-minute discussion with BSF, demanding immediate removal of the cameras. Despite multiple discussions between the two forces, BSF had not removed the cameras as of Monday evening. Locals expressed security concerns, particularly as a mosque near the border is currently undergoing reconstruction.