In the past 24 hours, law enforcement authorities have arrested 16 individuals associated with the Awami League and the banned organization Chhatra League from various police station areas in the city. According to the CMP Public Relations Department, the arrests were made during a special operation conducted since Thursday afternoon. CMP Deputy Commissioner Mahmudah Begum stated that the individuals were apprehended under the Special Powers Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act for their involvement in attacks on student protests against discrimination. They have been sent to court for legal proceedings. The arrested individuals are: 1. Akhtar Hossain alias (48) 2. Bijoy De (25) 3. Md. Siddiq Munshi (41) 4. Javed Uddin Chowdhury alias Saju (39) 5. Sheikh Russell (40) 6. Ratan Ghosh (48) 7. Dr. Kathak Das (40) 8. Md. Nazmul Hasan (19) 9. Sushanto Das Debu (25) 10. Sourav Kumar De alias Basu (45) 11. Md. Hiron Mia (68) 12. Md. Parvez Khan Prince (34) 13. Md. Safi Alam Soudagar (40) 14. Sheikh Abdul Shukkur (58) 15. Riazul Islam (21) 16. Golam Nabi alias Imon (36).

A Bangladeshi farmer, Barikul Islam (36), was killed by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) while irrigating farmland inside Bangladesh at the Shibganj border in Chapainawabganj. The incident occurred early Friday, about 250 yards inside Bangladesh’s territory. BSF members from Bajitpur Camp in Murshidabad chased several farmers; while others escaped, Barikul was caught, beaten to death, and his body was dumped inside India. His family is seeking help from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to retrieve the body. BGB has started investigating the incident.

Malaysian authorities have detained 116 undocumented migrants, including 74 Bangladeshis, in a crackdown on illegal immigration. The arrests took place in Negeri Sembilan’s Seremban district at a construction site. Immigration officials verified the documents of 180 foreign workers, arresting 116 individuals for various immigration violations. Among the detainees are 9 Pakistanis, 15 Indonesians, 5 Indians, 2 Myanmar nationals, 74 Bangladeshis, and 11 Chinese nationals. Those arrested, aged between 20 and 55, have been placed in the Lenggeng Immigration Depot pending further legal proceedings.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent remarks were made in her personal capacity and do not align with India’s official stance. He made this clarification following the summoning of the Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh on February 7. Jaiswal reaffirmed that India seeks a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. However, he expressed disappointment that official statements from Bangladeshi authorities often portray India in a negative light. He emphasized that Hasina’s statements were made in her individual capacity and do not represent India’s role in bilateral relations.

A fire broke out at a cotton factory and four adjacent pharmacies in Burihat Bazaar, Rangpur. The incident occurred when a crane carrying construction materials for a nearby four-story building made contact with an electrical wire, sparking the fire. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the cotton factory and causing loud explosions. Factory owner Masud reported that everything inside was completely destroyed. Fire service personnel responded promptly and called for reinforcements from Rangpur Sadar Fire Station. After two and a half hours of effort, firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze. No casualties have been reported so far.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam has issued an apology on Facebook for his previous remarks about BBC Bangla. He stated that he wishes to correct his statement, acknowledging that during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, the BBC had published interviews with Tarique Rahman despite restrictions. While he had accused BBC Bangla of being biased toward the ruling Awami League and Sheikh Hasina, he now retracts his remarks and apologizes. He admitted to perceiving a lack of objectivity in some reports but acknowledged that BBC Bangla strives to present factual accounts of events in Bangladesh. Earlier, he had controversially claimed that the BBC had become a staunch supporter of Sheikh Hasina.

The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association has criticized certain proposals in the Public Administration Reform Commission’s report, claiming they threaten judicial independence. One such proposal suggests appointing district commissioners as district magistrates with the authority to receive complaints under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) and delegate investigations to local officials. Supporters argue this would expedite minor case resolutions and reduce court congestion. However, the Judicial Service Association has deemed the proposal unconstitutional and contradictory to the landmark Masdar case verdict, citing concerns over judicial independence. Despite this criticism, the commission’s broader recommendations for judicial reform have been praised.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal has announced that multiple investigation reports on the mass killings and crimes against humanity committed in July and August to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement will be completed within this month. He expressed hope that trials would proceed swiftly once the reports are ready, ensuring justice and deterring future atrocities. He stated that the accused are attempting to discredit the judicial process using financial influence, but the trials will adhere to international standards and be conducted expeditiously. So far, over 300 complaints have been filed, 110 arrest warrants issued, and 35 suspects are currently in custody.

After extensive interrogation, Bangladeshi actress and singer Meher Afroz Shawon and actress Sohana Saba have been released from DB custody. The matter was confirmed by Deputy Police Commissioner Mohammad Talebur Rahman of DMP’s Media & Public Relations Division on Friday afternoon. DB officials stated that they were questioned regarding allegations of an anti-state conspiracy. Shawon and Saba’s names emerged as attendees—both physically and virtually—at a controversial meeting held at Hotel Park in Kolkata on January 15. Following this revelation, they were taken into custody for interrogation.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has been accused of beating a Bangladeshi national, Barikul Islam (39), to death at the Shibganj border in Chapainawabganj. Barikul and five others had gone to irrigate their fields early in the morning when BSF personnel from Bajitpur Camp, Murshidabad, chased them. While the others managed to escape, Barikul was caught and allegedly beaten to death before his body was left on the riverbank. His family claims he was deliberately killed and has demanded the swift return of his body. However, Lieutenant Colonel Moniruzzaman, commander of the 53rd Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion, stated that they have not received any official information regarding the incident and that the victim’s family has not yet contacted them.

Mahmudur Rahman Masum, the founding convener of the Comilla University branch of Chhatra League, was beaten by protesting students and handed over to the police around 10 AM on Friday. Masum is accused of orchestrating an attack on students during an anti-discrimination protest near the Ansar Camp on July 29. He faces multiple legal charges. Inspector Mohinul Islam of Kotwali Police Station confirmed that Masum was involved in the attack on student protesters and is now in police custody, awaiting legal proceedings. Notably, Masum currently serves as the organizational secretary of the Awami League’s volunteer wing.

Bangladeshi actresses Meher Afroz Shawon and Sohana Saba were taken to the Detective Branch (DB) office for questioning on the morning of February 7. According to DB sources, both actresses are suspected of involvement in an anti-state conspiracy. Investigators are interrogating them on various matters, and no decisions will be made regarding their status until the questioning concludes. The police detained them on Thursday night. Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Thursday evening, agitated students set fire to Shawon’s father’s house.

Following student protests at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), the administration has expelled 18 Chhatra League leaders from their dormitories. The students were accused of: • Violence against anti-discrimination student activists • Engaging in terror activities on campus In addition to expelling the 18 leaders, the administration issued show-cause notices to three more students. Yesterday, students locked the administrative building for six hours, demanding the removal of a professor accused of consuming alcohol in a dormitory. CUET’s student coordination body welcomed the decision, calling it the first visible action after six months of protests.

On Thursday night, angry protestors vandalized the residence of former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Murad Hasan, in Sarishabari, Jamalpur. Protestor also torched a private car before moving on to attack the home of Rafiqul Islam, former Upazila chairman and Awami League leader. Murad Hasan, who served as state minister from 2018, was a controversial figure due to his remarks on: • Removing “Bismillah” from the constitution • Calling for the posthumous trial of former President Ziaur Rahman • Making derogatory comments about Zaimah Rahman His leaked phone conversation with actress Mahiya Mahi led to his resignation from the ministry.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that former party leader Ghulam Azam died due to persecution by the Awami League government. Speaking at a rally in Narayanganj, he referred to a 72-foot-long banner that had previously banned Azam’s entry, allegedly put up by Shamim Osman, a prominent Awami League leader. “A godfather once hung a 72-foot banner barring Ghulam Azam from entry. Where is that godfather now?” he questioned, adding, “Arrogance like this is never good.”