As part of preparations for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, the Election Commission (EC) held a meeting with heads of missions from 19 OIC countries. Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, along with three election commissioners and the EC secretary, were present. The meeting aimed to update OIC nations on election readiness and seek their cooperation.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the VAT return submission deadline for this month to March 18 due to technical issues. Typically, the deadline is the 16th of every month. The NBR informed customs and VAT offices of this decision on Sunday. Currently, around 325,000 VAT-registered businesses file returns online, while 23% still submit hard copies.

An MRT police sub-inspector and another officer were suspended on Monday for assaulting four DMTC workers. Additionally, a three-member inquiry committee has been formed. Following this decision, metro rail workers withdrew their strike. Authorities assured that swift action would be taken to meet their demands.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated that police officers are frontline defenders of law and order, and neglecting them will hinder national progress. He emphasized that without security, no development plan can succeed. While acknowledging past issues within the police force, he called for their active role in building a ‘New Bangladesh.’ He also urged citizens not to waste the opportunity presented by the July Movement for national reconstruction.

A Dhaka court has sentenced Arshad (22) to life in prison for raping a 7-year-old girl in Abdullahpur 11 years ago. He was also fined Tk 100,000, with an additional one-year imprisonment if unpaid. The court ordered that the fine be recovered from his assets and given to the victim’s family.

English footballer Hamza Choudhury, of Bangladeshi descent, has arrived in the country to play for the national team after 11 years. He landed at Sylhet International Airport on Monday at 10:45 AM. Seven executive members of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) were present at the airport to receive him and his family. After completing immigration formalities, Hamza will travel to his ancestral home in Bahubal, Habiganj.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) held a meeting with heads of missions from 10 OIC member states in Dhaka. Although 19 nations were invited, nine did not attend, including Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, the Maldives, and Oman. Election Commissioner Md. Sanaullah stated that the OIC has pledged full support for a fair election. The EC also requested assistance to enable expatriate Bangladeshis to vote smoothly, emphasizing that proxy voting remains the only alternative.

Shajahan Khan has been placed on a four-day remand in connection with the murder of Rafiq Islam during the mass uprising in Badda. The prosecution sought a five-day remand, while the defense filed for bail. After hearing both sides, the court granted a four-day remand. Rafiq Islam (37) was shot by police and ruling party activists on July 19 in front of Bismillah Residential Hotel while protesting. He later succumbed to his injuries on August 27.

DIG Gazi Jasim Uddin has taken charge as the head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The CID confirmed that Jasim assumed the role on Sunday. Previously, on March 9, CID’s former chief Additional IGP Motiur Rahman Sheikh was transferred to the police headquarters. Jasim will serve as acting CID chief until a permanent appointment is made.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus held a meeting with police officials on Monday at 11:15 AM to discuss the country’s law and order situation. His deputy press secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Mazumdar, stated on Sunday that public concerns over security issues prompted the meeting. A total of 127 senior police officers from across the country attended.

Workers of Lumen Textile in Telipara, Gazipur, blocked the highway on Monday, protesting the delayed payment of their February salaries. This caused a massive traffic jam on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. Meanwhile, in Tongi, workers demonstrated after two garment factories were shut down. The military intervened to clear the roads and restore traffic. Workers complained that salary payments are often delayed, and although wages were due on Sunday, they were not paid.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdullah Al-Mamun has been named a co-defendant alongside Sheikh Hasina in a tribunal case for alleged crimes against humanity in suppressing a mass uprising. Mohammad Tajul Islam stated that student Shaikh Asahabul Yamin was killed during the protests in Savar. The tribunal has ordered three accused to be presented in court. He further added that Hasina was initially the sole defendant, but now Abdullah Al-Mamun has been included, and an arrest warrant has been issued against him.

Police conducted a raid at the residence of former Additional Attorney General Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury in Cumilla. The search, led by a magistrate, found nothing except furniture. Local sources reported that a magistrate arrived at the house with several police vehicles before Iftar. As the main gate was locked, Executive Magistrate Shahin Akhter Shipa supervised police entry. Officers searched the second floor, breaking into a cupboard, but no illegal items were found.

Metro rail employees announced a strike after four DMTC workers were allegedly assaulted by MRT police officers. On Sunday night, they presented six demands, stating they would not operate the metro until their demands were met. However, authorities decided to keep the service running to minimize passenger inconvenience. With ticket counters empty, passengers are traveling without tickets. The workers' demands include justice for the assaulted employees, forming their own armed security force, abolishing the MRT police, ensuring 100% security, and restricting access to paid zones to only authorized personnel.

Hefazat-e-Islam has strongly condemned the attacks on minority Muslims in India during the Holi festival by Hindu extremists. Hefazat leaders accused the Modi government of covering numerous mosques with tarpaulin, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where over a thousand innocent Muslims were arbitrarily arrested under the guise of “peacekeeping.” Reports indicate that fasting Muslims were attacked wherever they were found, and a mosque-goer was beaten to death by Hindu mobs for refusing to participate in Holi celebrations in front of police officials. The organization criticized India for spreading false propaganda about minority rights in Bangladesh while failing to ensure the safety of its own Muslim population. Hefazat leaders warned that if India continues to neglect the security and religious freedom of its Muslim citizens, the country will face inevitable disintegration.