In a press conference on Friday, the Nationalist Student Party (JSD) rejected allegations made by Sarjish Alam, the spokesperson of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), regarding the North South University student protests. The student group called the accusations ‘baseless and fabricated.’ They also questioned the funding sources of the NCP, citing concerns over financial support from wealthy individuals and the Student Shibir’s iftar funds. The student group condemned Alam’s post, which labeled North South University students as ‘terrorists, criminals, and beggars,’ and warned that blaming the student group for internal party disputes was a deliberate lie.

Speaking to worshippers after Friday prayers at Khilgaon Chourasta Jame Mosque in Dhaka, BNP leader Mirza Abbas declared that no criminal would be spared, regardless of their affiliation.

“If the police release any extortionist upon someone’s request, I will personally recommend action against that officer to the higher authorities,” he stated. Abbas emphasized that extortionists and terrorists must be resisted, regardless of their political alignment.

He further warned that if any BNP leader lobbies for the release of extortionists and criminals, they too must be handed over to the law. “During autocratic rule, no one could raise their voice in protest, which emboldened those in power. We must resist extortionists,” he asserted.

On Friday afternoon, NCP Convenor Nahid Islam stated that the identities of ‘Anti-Discrimination’ or ‘Coordinator’ no longer exist. He urged legal action against anyone misusing these identities for wrongdoing.

Nahid mentioned that the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is no longer in its previous state; instead, a student organization has emerged from it. Addressing a Reuters interview, he clarified that some statements were misquoted. “I had mentioned that our financial support mainly comes from well-off individuals and well-wishers in society. We are moving towards a crowdfunding approach,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the rising incidents of violence against women, including rape and harassment, across different parts of the country. The National Citizens’ Party strongly condemns these incidents.

Police arrested Rishad Hasan Prince, a former central committee member of the banned student wing and ex-vice president of Barguna District Student League, in Barguna Municipality on Friday. He was later presented in court under a special powers act case filed by a youth wing leader, and the court ordered his imprisonment. Barguna Sadar police station officer-in-charge Dewan Jaglul Hasan confirmed that Rishad was arrested based on intelligence reports.

The central committee of the student wing expelled Gazipur district leader Ramiz Uddin Saikat (30) following allegations of assaulting a businessman in Sreepur on Friday. According to reports, the businessman, Enamul Haque Munshi, refused to give Saikat a watermelon without payment, leading to the altercation. While Saikat denied the allegations, claiming that false information was spread against him, eyewitnesses stated that he assaulted Munshi after being refused free goods. Saikat, a former joint general secretary of the district student wing, maintained that the businessman was overpricing the watermelons and attacked him when he protested.

Sarjis Alam clarified that he does not hold the entire student front responsible for the attack on him in Bashundhara Residential Area. He specifically accused Ahmed Shakil, a central committee member of the student wing, of intentionally creating a tense and uncomfortable situation. Sarjis stated, “My stance is clear—the attack is not the fault of the entire Bangladesh Student Front, but rather an individual, Shakil. Since he is an official member of the organization, the student front should conduct a proper investigation and take disciplinary action against him.”

NCP convener Nahid Islam refuted allegations that his party is involved in delaying the elections. In an interview, he stated that after Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power, Bangladesh continues to struggle with law and order issues, making it difficult to organize elections under the current circumstances. He criticized political parties for their lack of commitment to reforms and the people’s uprising. Emphasizing NCP’s goal to emerge as a positive force, he expressed hope for maintaining the party’s strength for a century. “No one anticipated an uprising, but I sincerely hope and believe that we are on the path to victory,” Nahid added.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticized India for constantly discussing Bangladesh in its diplomatic engagements. He pointed out that India has held discussions about Bangladesh with the United States and the United Kingdom, questioning why Bangladesh is a frequent topic in such talks. “Does Bangladesh not have its own government? This is a sovereign country, separate from its neighboring states. Who gave you the right to discuss Bangladesh with other nations?” he asked. Rizvi further alleged that India has turned into a political safe haven for Sheikh Hasina’s allies, helping to transform Bangladesh into a submissive state under her rule.

The Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Council (BDSC) has announced a protest march to condemn Hizbut Tahrir’s efforts to destabilize the country through open activities. The protest also aims to highlight the failure of state security forces to prevent the group’s operations. The march will begin at 7:00 PM from the Raju Sculpture following Iftar on Friday. Earlier, Hizbut Tahrir had initiated their ‘March for Khilafah’ program from the northern gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Friday prayers. The law enforcement agencies dispersed the gathering with sound grenades and tear gas shortly after the march began, arresting several individuals in the process.

With Eid approaching, shoppers are crowding Jamuna Future Park, South Asia’s largest mall, to buy trendy outfits. Popular brands like Hur and Metro Fashion report high demand for Indo-Western and Kashmiri attire. The mall offers a variety of products, from clothing to cosmetics, making it a top shopping destination. A special campaign by Jamuna Group allows buyers to win prizes for purchases over Tk 2,000. Shopping continues late into the night, adding excitement to the festive season.

The Bangladesh Army has uncovered a secret hideout belonging to the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Kaptai, Rangamati. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a raid was conducted on Friday, leading to the seizure of weapons and other military-grade equipment. While returning from the operation, UPDF members attempted to block the army’s path using women and children, but they retreated upon noticing a large presence of security forces. Authorities have urged local residents to remain vigilant.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah urged Islamic scholars to remain vocal against India’s misinformation campaigns to protect national achievements. Speaking at a discussion organized by the Allama Sayeedi Foundation on Friday (March 7), he warned that without strong resistance, all progress could be undone. As a key organizer in the southern region, Hasnat emphasized that various propaganda efforts are being spread abroad, and it is crucial for everyone to be cautious and proactive in countering them. He further asserted that India’s conspiracies persist and urged for a continued struggle against them.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has voiced concern over the rising incidents of violence against women in Bangladesh. He emphasized that while women have made significant contributions to national progress, they continue to face harassment, assault, and even murder in educational institutions and workplaces. He blamed the ruling government for failing to take strict action against perpetrators, leading to increased impunity. He urged authorities to ensure justice and safeguard women’s constitutional rights.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has published an updated list of “July Warriors,” adding 1,242 new names under the ‘Category G’ classification. The gazette includes their medical case IDs, names, parents’ names, and permanent addresses. Among the newly added individuals, 534 are from the Mymensingh division, and 708 are from the Sylhet division. The previous day, a gazette was issued for 772 injured fighters from Barishal under the same category. The government has classified July uprising victims into categories ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘G’ for different levels of assistance. Earlier, on January 15, a list of 834 martyrs from the uprising was officially published.

A mobile court conducting an eviction drive at “Famous Bricks,” an illegal brick kiln in Dumki, Patuakhali, was attacked on Thursday. According to officials, when the team attempted to demolish the kiln, individuals linked to its owners assaulted three to four members of the administration. Meanwhile, the brick kiln’s owner, Md. Qayum, alleged that officials demanded money before the operation, and upon refusal, proceeded with the demolition.