Speaking via video message at the inauguration of the week-long 7th National Comdeca event at Hardpoint in Sirajganj on Thursday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus highlighted the significance of the public uprising in July and August, stating that it has paved the way for a new Bangladesh.

He urged everyone to remain vigilant to prevent any recurrence of dictatorship and to shape the country into one that benefits future generations. Recalling his days as a scout, Yunus encouraged participants to engage in public welfare activities such as improving public health and sanitation. He assured that the Bangladesh government would continue to support the scout movement in these endeavors.

Editor of Amar Desh, Mahmudur Rahman, urged people to support the youth of the July Revolution instead of criticizing them. Speaking at an AB Party event on International Mother Language Day, he emphasized that young people will make mistakes but can learn quickly. He highlighted that historical revolutions took time for nations to rebuild and expressed confidence in Bangladesh’s youth. He also warned against external dominance and fascism, stressing that unity is key to the country’s progress and sovereignty.

During a meeting with the Election Commission, leaders of the Gana Odhikar Parishad demanded that the Awami League and its allies be disqualified from contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections. They also suggested holding limited-scale local government elections before the national polls.

Speaking to the media, party president Nurul Haque Nur called for scrutiny of “phantom political parties” and their exclusion from the electoral process. He emphasized the need for a competent administration to oversee the elections, questioning how a fair election could be conducted under the same administration that has been accused of rigging polls for the past 16 years. He urged the Election Commission to ensure that election-related officials remain free from partisan influence.

Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has emphasized the need to document and preserve records of the past 15 years of human rights violations and atrocities committed by the League government, including incidents during the recent mass uprising.

He warned that failure to remember the past could pave the way for another oppressive regime in the future.

Alam also claimed that $234 billion had been siphoned out of the country, referring to a United Nations report covering events from July 1 to August 5. He urged everyone to read and translate the report widely.

Highlighting the period from 2009 to 2024, he stressed the importance of never forgetting history, warning that forgetting past oppression only strengthens authoritarian regimes.

Once again, Myanmar’s armed rebel group, the Arakan Army, has abducted 19 fishermen along with four fishing boats from the Naf River while they were returning to Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

This incident comes after six Bangladeshi fishermen were taken from the Naf River estuary on February 19, who are yet to be released. The Boat Owners’ Association President, Abdul Jalil, confirmed the incident, stating that the fishermen are now in a state of panic. He urged the government’s intervention to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local administration have assured that efforts are underway to bring the abducted fishermen back.

Today, Bangladesh commemorates Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day, honoring the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. On this day, Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar, and Shafiur sacrificed their lives for the recognition of Bengali as a state language. The nation pays tribute at Shaheed Minars, with thousands walking barefoot to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. The government has declared a public holiday and arranged official programs, including hoisting the national flag at half-mast, to mark this historic day of sacrifice and linguistic pride.

Malaysian immigration police have arrested 46 foreign nationals involved in an online fraud syndicate. Among them are Bangladeshis, though the exact number has not yet been disclosed.

According to Operations Director-General Jafri Taha, the raid took place at 11:30 AM local time on Wednesday. Those arrested include citizens of China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand. The syndicate lured victims by offering fraudulent investment opportunities in gold, property, luxury yachts, stock trading, and foreign currencies.

Authorities revealed that members of the gang earned between 2,500 and 3,500 Malaysian Ringgit per day from their scams. Investigations are ongoing.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has strongly condemned what they claim to be false accusations linking them to a recent incident at Sylhet’s MC College. In a joint statement, Shibir’s Central President Jahidul Islam and Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam rejected the allegations.

They clarified that Shibir activists were engaged in organizing their book fair stall throughout the day. The incident in question involved a Talimiya activist and a former Chhatra League-affiliated group, who allegedly confronted and assaulted him in his dormitory room. Shibir leaders asserted that their organization had no involvement in the altercation and denounced the attempt to blame them.

Amid growing public concerns, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali has claimed that the country’s law and order situation is now stable.

Speaking to the media, he said, “The law and order situation is very good, InshaAllah. Other than a few isolated incidents, there are no major issues.” He downplayed crime rates, stating that except for mobile snatching, no significant crimes exist.

However, a recent incident contradicts this claim. On Monday night, a speeding motorcycle hit a rickshaw, leading to a confrontation when another motorbike-riding couple protested. The altercation escalated, resulting in threats and a clash. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. The commissioner reassured that criminals outside of jail are now cornered, and the Central Shaheed Minar remains secure.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Shafiqur Rahman, has demanded the release of party leader ATM Azharul Islam. In a dramatic announcement, he declared that if Azharul Islam is not freed, he will present himself for arrest at the court premises.

In a Facebook post, Shafiqur Rahman stated, “You must have noticed that ATM Azharul Islam remains imprisoned as a victim of fascist oppression. While other national leaders have been released, he continues to face discrimination and injustice.” He further added, “With ATM Azhar behind bars, I cannot remain free!”

Jamaat’s Ameer has announced that he will voluntarily appear at the court premises on the 25th to be arrested.

The International Crimes Tribunal has set April 28 as the deadline for submitting the investigation report against dismissed army officer Ziaul Ahsan, who faces allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The decision was made on Thursday after eight accused were presented before the court, following a prosecution request.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam stated that evidence, including discharge certificates, medical reports, and bullets recovered from the bodies of victims, has been collected from various government and private hospitals. The investigation report will also include forensic analysis and relevant video footage.

Meanwhile, the defense has submitted a petition requesting copies of a UN report and legal books. However, the prosecution objected, stating that the stage for self-defense has not yet been reached in the legal proceedings.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced protests against an alleged attack by Shibir activists on a student at Sylhet’s MC College. The protest march and rally will be held at 8 PM on Thursday at Raju Memorial Sculpture, Dhaka University. The announcement came through the movement’s verified Facebook page at 5 PM. The injured student, Mizanur Rahman Riyad, claimed that Shibir activists assaulted him over a Facebook comment. Riyad, an active member of Islami Chhatra Talamiz, stated that the attackers were known to him.

At a global summit in Marrakesh, Morocco, adviser Adilur Rahman Khan assured that Bangladesh will introduce a Road Safety Act by 2027. Sources from the Secretariat revealed that the government has already initiated steps toward this goal. Additionally, a National Road Safety Plan is in place, aiming to reduce road accidents by 50% by 2030. The government also announced plans to establish a central database system by 2026, which will collect, store, and analyze road accident-related data to improve safety measures.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) have arrested 29 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, for allegedly planning and instigating unrest in 16 different police station areas. The arrests were made in a series of operations from Tuesday night to Wednesday night. According to a press release from the CMP’s public relations office, the detainees were involved in various cases, including attacks on Anti-Discrimination Student Movement activists, offenses under the Special Powers Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Penal Code. They have been sent to jail following court proceedings.

In Fatikchhari, Chattogram, extortionists led by one Belal Driver assaulted and broke the leg of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Yunus Mia Suman (48), allegedly for testifying in a case filed by the administration. Locals rescued Yunus and admitted him to a private hospital before transferring him to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Belal Driver (54) had previously served a one-month jail sentence handed down by a mobile court under the supervision of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) on January 16, following extortion charges. Reports indicate that Yunus was a witness in that case, which led to the attack by Belal, who is known for his political ties with BNP.