Security personnel at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) detained five individuals on Saturday evening for carrying sharp weapons and drug paraphernalia. The arrested suspects are Rifat Islam (28), Rajib (16), Md. Kawsar Mia (17), Md. Naim (14), and Shamin (13). Assistant Proctor Anisur Rahman Mazumder confirmed the arrests, stating that the police camp’s sub-inspector has been instructed to hand them over to the Kotwali police station for further action.

Former Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque is accused of issuing thousands of fake freedom fighter certificates in exchange for money. BNP leader and former MP Hasan Uddin Sarkar, along with other war veterans, claim Mozammel fraudulently added his name to the list. Allegations include hijacking historical achievements and tampering with war records. The Liberation War Ministry has identified 11,000 fake certificates, with more under investigation. Critics demand an official list of genuine freedom fighters and the removal of frauds.

Eighty students from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) have set off for Dhaka in two buses at 8 AM to meet Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus regarding their six-point demand, including the removal and replacement of the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The students, wearing red cloths tied around their heads and eyes, expressed concerns over extreme insecurity. They stated that after submitting a memorandum to the Chief Adviser, they will not return to campus but will stay in a safer location and continue their movement online. Despite sending their demands via email three days ago, they have received no response from the government. They are also outraged that an unidentified case was filed instead of directly naming the accused individuals.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has intensified intelligence operations across the country to combat theft, robbery, murder, and armed looting, said Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman. During a late-night patrol inspection at 2 AM on Saturday, he stated that RAB is actively preventing destabilization attempts by vested interests aiming to spread fear and unrest. He also revealed that additional patrols are being deployed in high-risk areas and that several gang leaders in Mohammadpur have already been arrested.

A severe funding crisis has halted government incentives for leather and garment exports, while tax revenues continue to decline. Amid this turmoil, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has withheld loan disbursements until at least June. The government faces financial strain due to subsidies in electricity, fertilizer, food, and LNG sectors, while foreign debt and interest payments have also surged. Economic uncertainty is mounting, with inflation rising, foreign reserves dwindling, and exchange rates becoming unstable. The IMF has conditioned the loan on subsidy reductions, but the government remains reluctant to comply.

Chittagong University has decided to rename six of its facilities, including three residential halls. The new names are as follows:
• Shahid Farhad Hossain Hall (formerly Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall)
• Shahid Hridoy Tarua Building (formerly Abu Yusuf Building)
• Bijoy 24 Hall (formerly Janonetri Sheikh Hasina Hall)
• Nawab Faizunnesa Hall (formerly Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall)
• July Revolution Park (formerly Bangabandhu Udyan)
• Chittagong University Gymnasium (formerly Sheikh Kamal Gymnasium)

Additionally, the decision to cancel the academic certificate of master’s student Afsana Enayet Emi has been suspended, though her permanent expulsion remains in effect. A committee has been formed to review the statements of two other expelled students.

Students staging a sit-in at Dhaka University’s Raju Sculpture have declared Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her party Awami League, and its allies as fascist, releasing a list of their ministers, advisers, and MPs. They demand their arrest and sentencing from 7 to 14 years, along with a ban on their electoral participation. The protest, which began on February 13, has shifted to an indefinite sit-in. Protesters also presented a five-point demand, including banning the Awami League and confiscating its assets.

A pedestrian, Md. Akhtar Hossain (52), was killed after being struck by a falling brick from an under-construction building in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The incident occurred around 6 PM on Saturday in the Madhya Kunipara area under the Tejgaon Industrial Police Station. Akhtar Hossain, a father of two, was on his way to offer Maghrib prayers when a brick fell from the fifth-floor rooftop of the building during rainfall, causing severe head injuries. He was first taken to Samorita Hospital and later transferred to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 8 PM, where doctors declared him dead.

On Saturday evening, retired military officers held a discussion with the National Citizens’ Committee. A former army officer stated that families of retired military personnel collectively hold over 10 million votes. “In the upcoming election, these 10 million votes will be our reserve,” he claimed, adding that they have already aligned with ‘Janak’ on this matter. Many BNP members have also joined their cause. Nasiruddin Patwari emphasized, “We must unite and fight with the next ballot in mind.” Addressing student organizations, he cautioned, “Move carefully, or you will end up like the Chhatra League.” Meanwhile, Sargis Alam urged former military officers to protest against injustice wherever it occurs.

BNP’s Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moin Khan has assured that his party will establish the rights of every worker if they come to power. Speaking at a meeting of the BNP-affiliated labor wing on Saturday, he urged CNG auto-rickshaw drivers to maintain discipline on the roads while serving people. During the discussion, the labor group presented 12 demands, of which Dr. Moin Khan endorsed 10. He stated, “If we assume power through a fair election, fulfilling your rightful demands will be our first priority.” Speakers at the event also called for an end to double penalties on all legal fines and proposed setting a fixed fine of 1,000 Taka per case, among other demands.

Advisor Asif Nazrul is deeply missing his writing days. In a long Facebook post, he expressed, “My advisor life has taken away my sleep, left me disheartened, and shaken my trust in people to some extent.” He further wrote, “At the end of January last year, my novel Ami Abu Bakr was published. It went into ten reprints within a month. I wrote it with great courage—it highlights the brutal oppression faced by students in universities under the pretext of Jamaat-Shibir-Razakar labels.” Many advised him to be cautious after the book’s release. Later, as July arrived with changes and responsibilities, he wrote another book, Sheikh Hasinar Antimkal (The Final Days of Sheikh Hasina). He shared the good news that the second edition of this book has already sold out.

The BNP in Narayanganj’s Rupganj upazila organized a rally to push for the implementation of its 31-point agenda aimed at reforming the state structure. The gathering took place at the RAJUK field, where speakers emphasized the need to eliminate discrimination and build a positive and inclusive nation to honor the sacrifices of martyrs. They called for resisting communal incitement, ensuring legal action against extremists, and safeguarding the country’s hard-earned independence from conspiracies. The speakers also stressed the importance of curbing violence, vandalism, extortion, and land grabbing to maintain peace and stability. The rally concluded with a call for unity in implementing the 31-point reform plan presented by BNP leader Tarique Rahman.

At the beginning of January, director Alok Hasan announced a new film titled Togor, featuring Ador Azad and actress Dighi. However, recent updates reveal that Dighi has been dropped from the project. In the motion poster, actress Puja Cherry has replaced her. Addressing the change, the director stated that he had multiple reasons for replacing Dighi but chose not to disclose them. He added that Puja Cherry is a perfect fit for the role. Cherry mentioned that she initially declined the offer but later agreed after the director convinced her.

After visiting the former residence of deposed leader Sheikh Hasina, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam posted on social media, describing Gonobhaban as a “deserted graveyard of arrogance and power.” He stated, “I visited the once-magnificent ‘Gonobhaban’ to collect evidence. Just like tyrants such as Nimrod, Pharaoh, Marcos, or Bashar al-Assad, Sheikh Hasina had to flee her luxurious palace.” The post included images of scattered documents and garbage, with graffiti on the walls demanding justice. Tajul Islam questioned whether future autocrats would learn from this downfall.

On Saturday, the Discrimination Resistance Student Movement expelled its Rangpur district organizer, Tanzim Alam Tasin, after a leaked phone call revealed his involvement in a plot to assassinate the district’s convenor and secretary. The district secretary expressed shock over the revelation but stated that the movement would not be deterred. The district convenor remarked that he was speechless, recalling how they had fought together in the July Revolution and worked tirelessly for Bangladesh’s future. He added that while the discovery was unsettling, the organization had taken necessary disciplinary action.