Tourist turnout in Kuakata, Patuakhali, remained below expectations on the second day of Eid-ul-Azha, despite extensive preparations by local businesses. Hotel and motel owners had cleaned facilities, offered special discounts, and readied themselves for an anticipated influx of 300,000 to 400,000 visitors. However, field observations on Friday showed the beach areas, including Zero Point and Gangamati, were largely empty, with most visitors being local day-trippers returning home by evening.

Small traders in hotels, shell markets, and handicraft stalls reported sluggish sales due to the lack of tourists. Business owners attributed the downturn to the country’s overall economic situation and high inflation, which they said forced many families to cut travel budgets. Hotel managers reported low booking rates, with only 20–30 percent occupancy in top-tier hotels and 10–20 percent in mid-range ones.

Tourism leaders expressed hope that visitor numbers might rise later in the week, though they warned that continued low turnout could make it difficult to recover earlier losses. Police authorities confirmed enhanced security measures across the beach and nearby attractions.

After the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, Dhaka is still experiencing a festive calm as many residents have yet to return from their hometowns. On Friday, May 29, 2026, the capital saw little pressure of returning workers, while many others were still leaving for villages. The usual traffic congestion, car horns, and bustling crowds were notably absent, leaving the city unusually quiet.

Although a few shops in neighborhoods and shopping malls have reopened, most remain closed. Residents expressed relief at the ease of movement through the city’s empty streets. One resident from Mohammadpur noted that the lack of traffic and noise made travel peaceful and quick across the capital.

The relaxed atmosphere reflects the lingering holiday spirit, with Dhaka’s streets offering a rare sense of calm before normal activity resumes in the coming days.

Chattogram City was declared free of sacrificial animal waste within six hours on Thursday, according to Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain. Speaking at the Dampara control room, he said the cleanup operation began at 9 a.m. and was closely supervised throughout the day. A total of 3,200 workers used 379 vehicles, including dump trucks, compactors, and payloaders, to collect waste from neighborhoods. Water and bleaching powder were applied immediately after waste removal to ensure cleanliness at sacrifice sites.

The mayor added that residents could report any remaining waste to the Dampara control room for prompt action. He also noted that special measures were taken for areas where animal sacrifices traditionally occur later in the afternoon. The operation was attended by acting chief executive officer and secretary Md. Ashraful Amin, chief cleanliness officer Commander Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, and chief engineer Anisur Rahman.

The initiative reflects the city corporation’s effort to maintain hygiene and public satisfaction during the Eid-ul-Azha festival.

BTV Chattogram Center organized a daylong special program to commemorate the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder and Bir Uttam Ziaur Rahman. According to a press release signed by the center’s General Manager Md. Imam Hossain on May 26, the schedule includes several special broadcasts highlighting Ziaur Rahman’s life and contributions.

The programs feature a documentary titled “Swadhinatar Ghoshok Zia,” a discussion session “Mrityunjayi Swadhinatar Ghoshok” with State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin and senior journalist Shah Newaz, as well as poetry recitations and a musical show “Komol Theke Shahid Zia.” A special magazine program “Amra Komol Kurri” and a graphics video featuring Ziaur Rahman’s notable quotes will also be aired.

Md. Imam Hossain stated that the state-run channel designed these diverse programs to present the multifaceted life and work of the late president to audiences of all ages, including the younger generation.

On the second day of Eid-ul-Azha, large numbers of people continued leaving Dhaka for their hometowns. Since Friday morning, major bus terminals and counters have seen heavy crowds as many who could not travel earlier or secure tickets set out to join loved ones. Passengers were also seen boarding buses from various roadside points beyond designated terminals, while the capital appeared quieter and less congested amid the holiday atmosphere.

Some travelers said they spent the first day of Eid in Dhaka with family and were now heading to villages to meet relatives and enjoy the remaining holidays. Meanwhile, the city’s air quality showed signs of improvement as the day progressed. According to data from Switzerland-based monitoring organization IQAir, Dhaka’s air was initially rated unhealthy for sensitive groups early in the morning but improved later in the day.

The quieter streets and better air quality offered a brief respite for residents who remained in the capital during the holiday period.

Thirty-six Bangladeshi youths returned home on Thursday evening after serving 17 months in an Indian jail. They were handed over by Indian authorities through the Petrapole checkpoint under the repatriation law. The returnees are from various districts including Bogura, Khulna, Natore, Chattogram, Dhaka, and Cumilla. They were received by Bangladeshi police and the human rights organization Justice and Care for further legal assistance.

According to the returnees, they were taken to India by traffickers with false promises of garment jobs and were later arrested for illegal entry. Following court proceedings, they were imprisoned in Chennai Central Jail before being repatriated through legal channels. Some of them alleged that money had been taken from them at different times with false assurances of early release.

Justice and Care’s field officer Shariful Islam said the youths were victims of fraud and have now returned home on their own responsibility. Police at Benapole Port Station confirmed that necessary legal support was provided to all 36 returnees.

Residents of Raipur in Lakshmipur blocked the Raipur-Chandpur highway on Thursday demanding uninterrupted electricity supply. The protest took place in the Gachirhat area of Charpata Union, halting traffic for about an hour. Locals said several areas of the upazila have been facing severe load shedding for days, with electricity available only four to six hours a day. Many residents reported food spoilage due to prolonged power cuts, even during Eid-ul-Azha.

During the protest, local Member of Parliament Abul Khayer Bhuiyan was stuck on the highway and later spoke with the demonstrators. After he assured them of a quick resolution, the blockade was lifted. Later that night, an emergency meeting was held at the upazila executive officer’s office, where officials instructed relevant departments to take immediate steps to restore normal power supply.

Officials said the disruption followed a recent storm that damaged multiple power lines, poles, and transformers, leaving rural areas still without full electricity restoration.

At least 22 people were killed in road accidents across 12 districts of Bangladesh on Eid day, according to local reports. The highest number of casualties occurred in Gopalganj, where six people, including three members of the same family, died after a bus overturned following a collision with a motorcycle. Fatal incidents were also reported in Natore, Chattogram, Dinajpur, Patuakhali, Faridpur, Tangail, Gaibandha, Narayanganj, Narail, and Madaripur.

In Gopalganj, witnesses blamed reckless driving and excessive speed for the crash, which prompted rescue operations by the fire service, police, and residents. Local authorities, including the district commissioner and police superintendent, visited the site and assured financial assistance to the victims’ families. Other districts reported multiple accidents involving buses, motorcycles, and autorickshaws, many occurring amid heavy traffic during the Eid holiday.

The incidents highlight ongoing road safety concerns during major holidays, as thousands travel across the country. Authorities have not yet released a consolidated national report on the total number of accidents or injuries.

A severe slump has hit the sacrificial animal hide market in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur, where thousands of unsold hides now lie abandoned along roadsides due to the absence of fair prices. The Kursha market, once bustling during Eid, has turned stagnant amid a shortage of buyers, leaving seasonal traders, farmers, and small sellers facing heavy losses.

Local traders report that good-quality cowhides are selling for only 300 to 350 taka, while lower-quality or damaged hides fetch between 100 and 150 taka. Compared with last year, prices have dropped sharply, creating a major imbalance between buyers and sellers. Across five unions of Taraganj, hides have been left piled up in courtyards, mosque grounds, and near shops, raising environmental and health concerns.

Traders expressed frustration, saying they had purchased hides with high expectations but now face losses even at purchase prices. Many fear that if the situation continues, sustaining their businesses will become increasingly difficult.

Seasonal leather traders in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria are struggling to sell sacrificial animal hides after purchasing them from households during the recent Eid season. On Thursday, May 28, hundreds of traders were seen waiting late into the night beside roads with piles of raw hides but without any buyers. Despite the government’s decision to raise the price of salted cowhide outside Dhaka by two taka to 60 taka per square foot, traders said the increase had no impact in rural areas.

Local traders expressed frustration over the lack of wholesale buyers and government support for preservation. One trader said they had not received any salt to store the hides and might have to discard them if unsold overnight. Others alleged that syndicates among wholesalers were destroying the leather trade, leaving small seasonal traders in financial distress.

Some traders reported buying hides for 200–300 taka each but being forced to sell at nearly the same price, resulting in losses after a full day’s labor.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain inaugurated a leaflet distribution campaign on dengue and measles awareness in Dinajpur. The initiative was organized by the Dinajpur district branch of Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 8 p.m. in front of the minister’s residence in Nawabganj upazila. The event was part of a public awareness program marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of the late President Ziaur Rahman.

Several local medical professionals and DAB leaders attended the inauguration, including Dr. Hafizul Islam, Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque Zia, Professor Dr. Sheikh Sadek Ali, Dr. Nurul Islam, Dr. Nur Alam Jamiul, Dr. Shafiul Islam, Dr. Shah Adiluzzaman Tarek, and Dr. Golam Rabbani. According to DAB Dinajpur’s member secretary, additional welfare activities will be held on May 30, including a tree plantation program, a special meal for orphans, and a prayer gathering at Dinajpur Medical College Central Mosque.

These initiatives aim to promote public health awareness and commemorate the late president’s contribution through community welfare programs.

Several Qawmi, Hafezia, and orphanage-based madrasas in Sitakunda have collected sacrificial animal hides during Eid-ul-Azha, but are now struggling to sell them due to falling market prices, rising preservation costs, labor shortages, and lack of buyers. Many administrators said the hides, once a source of support for orphans and poor students, have become a financial burden. Some institutions fear the hides may rot if unsold.

According to madrasa officials, each hide costs between Tk 130 and Tk 350 to collect and preserve, while market prices are often equal to or lower than these costs. One madrasa reported selling hides at Tk 200 each after failing to attract city buyers. The Sitakunda administration distributed 25 tons of salt to four madrasas to aid preservation, but manpower shortages limited its use.

Stakeholders noted that hide sales are a key annual income source for madrasas and orphanages, funding food, clothing, and education for orphans. They urged government action to ensure fair prices, proper collection, and coordination with tanneries to prevent future losses.

A court in Cyprus has seized a property owned by Bangladeshi businessman Mohammad Saiful Alam, known as S Alam, and his wife as part of an ongoing investigation into bank fraud and money laundering. The Nicosia District Court issued the order on May 19 following a request from the Cypriot anti-money laundering unit MOKAS, acting under a mutual legal assistance process initiated by Bangladeshi authorities. The seized asset is a two-storey residential building located in Parekklisia.

According to documents submitted to Cypriot authorities, Bangladeshi investigators are examining allegations of fraudulent lending, illegal asset accumulation, and money laundering linked to a network of companies and financial transactions between 2009 and 2024. S Alam, founder and chairman of the S Alam Group, obtained Cypriot citizenship in 2016 through the now-defunct “Golden Passport” program.

A day after the seizure order, a Bangladeshi court sentenced Saiful, ten relatives, and associates to five months in jail over a loan case involving about 6 million euros from Islami Bank. Authorities in Dhaka allege that companies linked to him defaulted on large loans and transferred funds abroad through entities registered in Cyprus, the British Virgin Islands, and Jersey.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed optimism that the government can build the 'desired Bangladesh' with cooperation from all citizens. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at a luncheon with officers and soldiers at Dhaka Cantonment, organized by the 'Mritunjayi 25' East Bengal Regiment on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. The prime minister emphasized that every citizen has a duty to fulfill their responsibilities sincerely to achieve national goals.

During his speech, Rahman recalled his childhood memories in Dhaka Cantonment, describing familiar places and experiences from the 1970s. He shared personal reflections about growing up in the area and expressed gratitude to soldiers who continue to serve the nation, even during holidays. He also praised army personnel for rescuing journalists during a recent fire incident at two newspaper offices.

Rahman concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring education, healthcare, and safety for all citizens, stressing that collective effort is essential to realize the vision of a prosperous and secure Bangladesh.

In Parshuram upazila of Feni, seasonal traders faced severe losses as sacrificial cowhides were sold at extremely low prices, ranging from Tk 50 to Tk 200, during Eid-ul-Azha on Thursday evening. Many small traders gathered at the local cattle market to sell hides but found buyers unwilling to pay beyond Tk 200. According to the local livestock office, around seven thousand cows, goats, and buffaloes were sacrificed in the area, leaving both donors and traders frustrated over the poor returns.

Several traders described their losses, including a 70-year-old man who bought a hide for Tk 500 but could not sell it for more than Tk 200, and another who sold four hides for Tk 550 after paying market tolls. Despite the government’s fixed rate of Tk 57–62 per square foot for salted cowhide outside Dhaka and Tk 25–30 for goat hides, buyers were largely absent. Many donors instead gave hides to local madrasas and orphanages as charity.

Parshuram municipal administrator and assistant commissioner (land) SM Shafayat Akhtar Noor said the issue of low prices had been reported to higher authorities for further action.