Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that public expectations from engineers are very high and urged them to take a more active, responsible, and effective role in the country’s development and the creation of a new Bangladesh. He made these remarks on Saturday at the Engineers Institution Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Ramna, Dhaka, during a reception marking the 78th founding anniversary of the institution, also known as Engineers Day.

The event, presided over by Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Riju), honored several engineers and members of parliament, including Sanjida Islam (Tuli), Moinul Islam Khan (Shanto), and Md. Ashraf Uddin (Bokul), for their contributions in various sectors. The minister emphasized that IEB is not only a professional organization but also a key contributor to Bangladesh’s progress and development.

He further stated that after the July uprising, a new sense of building a new Bangladesh has emerged among the people and called for unity to achieve that goal. The event was attended by engineers, professionals, and distinguished guests from different sectors.

Former interim government adviser and National Citizens Party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has publicly challenged the current State Minister for Local Government, Mir Shahe Alam, to disclose specific files where alleged irregularities occurred. The challenge was issued during a live broadcast on Asif Mahmud’s verified Facebook page on Saturday night, following allegations made by the minister. In his statement, Asif Mahmud said the minister’s claims required clarification and urged that any relevant files be made public for transparency.

Mir Shahe Alam had earlier alleged that during the interim government period, Asif Mahmud approved a project file without the secretary’s signature. He also announced that an investigation covering the period from 2009 to 2026 had been ordered, with a report due within 60 working days. The minister cited irregularities in Pirojpur development projects, claiming that Tk 6,000 crore had been withdrawn without work being completed, leading to a halt in all local projects for two years.

The minister added that field inspections would soon begin in Pirojpur to restart suspended projects and address corruption in road and bridge construction across several districts.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, has called Indian hegemony a threat to South Asian security and urged Bangladesh’s people, political parties, and government to unite against it. Speaking on Saturday at a seminar titled “Persecution of Muslims in India: Politics, Identity and Minority Rights Conflict,” organized by Friends of Humanity at the National Press Club, he called for a nationwide boycott of Indian products, including cattle, and for citizens to protest against Indian dominance.

Rahman alleged that India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates were jointly acting against Muslims worldwide. He criticized the silence of Bangladeshi political parties on India’s influence, saying only the NCP had spoken out. He also urged the government to raise issues of Muslim persecution and human rights violations in India at international forums beyond the OIC.

Other speakers, including academics and political figures, condemned human rights abuses in India and called for international awareness. They emphasized unity among Muslims and active resistance to religious persecution.

Two alleged yaba traders were detained and beaten by locals in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali before being handed over to police. The incident occurred on Friday night in the Chatkhil market area when residents reportedly caught the suspects selling yaba tablets. The detainees were identified as Md. Chayon, 22, son of Jamal Hossain Mona, and Md. Faiyaz, 23, son of Omar Faruk, both from the same locality.

According to local sources, Chayon had multiple criminal cases against him, including allegations of extortion and involvement in drug trafficking. After the mob apprehended the two men, they were turned over to Chatkhil police. Officer-in-Charge Abdul Monnaf confirmed that a case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act against both detainees.

Police stated that the two accused were sent to jail through the court on Saturday morning following their arrest and case registration.

Tension erupted at the Tin Bigha corridor border area in Patgram, Lalmonirhat, after India’s Border Security Force (BSF) attempted to erect a bamboo fence. In response, a flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and BSF commanders was held on Saturday morning inside India, at the BSF conference room near the corridor road. The meeting ran from 11:00 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. and was led by senior officers from both sides.

During the meeting, BSF accused Bangladeshi citizens of damaging crops on Indian land. BGB expressed regret over the incident and assured that any Bangladeshi entering Indian territory would face legal action. BGB also reiterated that any border fencing must be built at least 150 yards inside Indian territory. The talks followed Friday’s incident when BSF personnel and Indian workers began measuring land and placing bamboo poles within 10 to 20 yards of the zero line, prompting BGB to demand a halt.

BGB officials later stated that BSF was clearly informed that no future work near the zero line should occur without formal meetings and higher-level approval.

NCC Bank PLC organized a free eye treatment camp in Chhagalnaiya upazila of Feni to mark its 33rd founding anniversary. Conducted under the NCC Bank Foundation with support from Bangladesh Eye Trust Hospital, the camp was held at the premises of Moulvi Shamsul Karim College. A total of 1,125 underprivileged patients received free medical consultations, medicines, and eyeglasses. The event was inaugurated by NCC Bank Chairman Md. Nurun Newaz Selim, with senior bank officials and local dignitaries in attendance.

Organizers announced that selected patients requiring cataract surgery would receive free transportation to Dhaka, accommodation, meals, phaco machine operations, post-surgery medicines, and sunglasses. Munshi Rafiqul Alam Majnu welcomed the initiative, noting that it would benefit the poor and reduce blindness risks in Feni district.

Chairman Selim emphasized that NCC Bank’s activities extend beyond profit-making, focusing on education, health, and welfare for disadvantaged communities. Managing Director M. Shamsul Arefin added that the initiative continues the bank’s CSR efforts, including winter clothing distribution, scholarships, and livelihood support for climate-vulnerable groups.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has completed the DNA test in the case of seven-year-old Ramisa, who was raped and murdered in Mirpur’s Pallabi area of Dhaka. On Saturday, the CID handed over the DNA report to the investigating officer handling the case.

Earlier, on May 20, the main accused, Sohel Rana, confessed to the crime before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Aminul Islam Junaid’s court. Following the confession, the court ordered his imprisonment. On the same day, another magistrate, Md. Ashraful Haque, sent Sohel’s wife, Swapna Akter, to jail after her arrest.

According to Sohel Rana’s statement, the incident occurred on the morning of May 19 when Ramisa left her home. He forcibly took her inside a room, assaulted her in the bathroom, and she lost consciousness. The child’s mother began searching for her around that time. The DNA report is expected to play a key role in the ongoing investigation.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the perpetrator of the Ramisa murder case will face the maximum punishment within one month. He made the declaration on Saturday afternoon while addressing the 127th birth anniversary celebration of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Trishal, Mymensingh. The prime minister emphasized that his government will not tolerate any form of violence against children or women and that swift justice will serve as a deterrent to future crimes.

Rahman described the incident as evidence of a severe decline in the nation’s moral values, blaming years of “fascist rule” for damaging the judiciary, state institutions, and social ethics. He called for the establishment of the rule of law and a transformation in political culture to build a humane and secure state. The prime minister also warned that certain groups were attempting to create unrest over the child murder case by blocking roads and inciting violence.

He cautioned that such disorder could disrupt government development programs, including canal re-excavation, family and farmer card initiatives, and school uniform distribution for children.

A farmer named Mohabbat Kha, aged 36, died after being struck by lightning while working in a paddy yard in Bahadurpur village under Austagram upazila of Kishoreganj on Saturday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. His wife and another woman were seriously injured in the same incident. Locals said Mohabbat was stacking paddy quickly as the sky darkened and rain seemed imminent when a sudden lightning bolt hit him directly, killing him on the spot.

The deceased was the son of Jamrut Kha and father of three children. His wife, Ruma Begum, 34, suffered burns on her right hand, while another woman, Marjina, 50, sustained severe burns on both legs. Locals took the injured to Austagram Upazila Health Complex, where they are receiving treatment. The sudden death has cast a shadow of grief over the family and the local community.

Austagram Upazila Disaster Management Officer Md. Majnu Mia confirmed the incident and said the government will provide Tk 25,000 in immediate financial assistance to the victim’s family.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) conducted raids in Dhaka’s Rampura and Khilgaon areas on Saturday, taking legal action against two companies for producing and marketing food items without proper licenses. During the operation, La-Organic was fined 100,000 taka for manufacturing and selling products such as laccha semai, butter, honey, turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, and ghee without BSTI certification. Approximately 600 kilograms of laccha semai and 20 kilograms of butter were seized from the company.

In a separate action, BSTI sealed Prakriti Food, located in Rampura Bazar, for marketing “Cerelax” products without a license or packaging registration. Goods worth around 500,000 taka were confiscated and destroyed. The mobile court was led by Executive Magistrate Lutfunnesa Khanam, with BSTI officials and the Armed Police Battalion-11 assisting in the operation.

BSTI stated that such drives will continue to ensure safe and quality products for consumers and to prevent illegal production and marketing.

Workers and employees of the Barapukuria coal mine in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, observed a two-hour work stoppage on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., demanding payment of their pending coal face bonus. The protest took place in the corridor of the mine’s administrative building. Union leaders including Farizar Rahman Topu, Raihanul Islam, and Ashraful Islam addressed the gathering, stating that although they have received face bonuses regularly since 2015, the bonus for the recently completed 1406 coal face has not been paid.

The protesters said that while Petrobangla’s board meeting on May 20 approved bonuses for company officials, the workers’ bonuses were not approved. They warned that if the bonus was not paid by Sunday, they would hold Eid prayers and continue their protest at the mine gate. Later, union representatives met twice with the mine’s Managing Director, Engineer Md. Shah Alam, who expressed support for their demand and assured that efforts were underway to release the payment.

According to mine officials, the delay occurred due to procedural complexities requiring ministerial approval. The mine currently employs 1,058 workers and employees under contractor XMC-CMC, and about one crore taka is needed to pay each worker a bonus of 7,000–8,000 taka.

Four people were injured, including one with a gunshot wound, during a violent clash between two rival groups in Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. in Chhatarpara village of Aria Union. The injured were identified as Bokul, Suman, Akaili, and Kodbhanu. Police confirmed that the situation is now under control.

According to police and local sources, the conflict stemmed from a long-standing dispute over land ownership and local dominance between the Malitha and Mondol families. The violence began when members of the Malitha family locked a water pump house used by Abdul Hannan’s son, Kornel, from the Mondol family, and attempted to vandalize their home. When Kornel and his supporters resisted, both sides engaged in chasing, stone-throwing, and eventually gunfire, leaving Bokul seriously injured.

Police said no cases have yet been filed and no arrests made in connection with the incident. The injured are receiving treatment at Daulatpur Upazila Health Complex and Kushtia General Hospital.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch arrested two alleged associates of the so-called ‘Boro Sajjad’ and ‘Raihan’ criminal groups during a raid in Chandgaon on Friday night. The operation, conducted at 11:35 p.m. on Golam Ali Nazir Road based on secret information, led to the recovery of two foreign pistols, 30 rounds of live ammunition, and several cartridges. The detainees were identified as Md. Shubho (22) of Adhar Manik area and Md. Suman (33) of Kadolpur Shamsher Para area. Police said both admitted to possessing the weapons during initial questioning.

According to police, the two men had long been involved in armed activities for the ‘Boro Sajjad’ and ‘Raihan’ groups and were accused in multiple criminal cases across Chattogram. Investigators also linked them to recent extortion-related shootings at the homes of Smart Group executives in Chandanpura and to the killing of a youth named Raju in Roufabad under Bayezid Bostami police station.

However, Sajjad Ali Khan denied any connection, claiming police routinely associate his name with arrests. Legal proceedings are underway at Chandgaon police station, and the two also face separate murder cases in Raozan.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie stated that he found no decency in the remarks made by Nasiruddin Patwari. He made this comment on Saturday at a discussion titled 'Public Engagement in River Management' organized by Nongor Trust at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka.

The minister said that from the very beginning, the Prime Minister has been working continuously, while opposition leaders have been mocking and showing non-cooperation. He emphasized that politics should maintain decency and discipline, and that indecent behavior must be accounted for. Referring to Patwari’s recent visit to Jhenaidah, he questioned the political conduct and discipline reflected in Patwari’s statements, which he said included comments about the Prime Minister and her family.

Annie further remarked that those currently in the opposition have a history in student politics that the nation should analyze. He urged reflection on their past actions and stated that there is still time to move forward responsibly.

Bangladesh Chhatra Dal has filed a counter case against 22 leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Jhenaidah. The case was lodged on Saturday at Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station by district Chhatra Dal vice-president Enamul Kabir. NCP’s central joint general secretary Tarekul Islam Tarek Reza was named as the main accused, along with 22 others and 50 to 60 unidentified individuals.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon near the Old DC Court Jame Mosque in Jhenaidah municipality. Enamul Kabir alleged that NCP’s central chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari made defamatory remarks about BNP chairman and the prime minister, as well as the law minister, during a speech. The complaint also claimed that several Chhatra Dal leaders, including Shahid Ahmed, Hridoy Hossain, and Nayon Howlader, were severely injured after being attacked with pistol butts, sharp weapons, and bricks.

Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Asaduzzaman confirmed that a regular case has been registered and police operations are ongoing to arrest the accused. The counter case came 24 hours after NCP had filed a case against 115 Chhatra Dal leaders and activists.