Bus owners and workers in Gazipur Metropolitan held a human chain protest in Tongi on Friday afternoon, demanding an immediate halt to the alleged illegal operation of Victor Classic Transport buses. The demonstration took place on the BRT flyover near Tongi Bazar along the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway, with participation from over a hundred transport owners, drivers, and labor leaders from various city routes.

Speakers at the event claimed that Victor Classic buses are only permitted to operate within Ashulia and Baimail areas of Dhaka district but are illegally running on Gazipur roads with the help of certain officials and influential individuals. They said this unauthorized operation is causing severe financial losses to legitimate local transport businesses and worsening traffic congestion on the highway, increasing passenger suffering.

The protesters urged the administration to take immediate action to stop the unlicensed buses and warned of tougher programs if their demands are ignored.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, several universities across Bangladesh have arranged special bus services to help students travel home safely. However, Rajshahi University (RU) has not introduced any such initiative, leading to frustration and anger among its students. The absence of special transport arrangements has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with students calling it a sign of administrative indifference.

Students alleged that while university buses are often used for private or ceremonial purposes, the administration showed reluctance to allocate them for Eid travel. RU Central Students’ Union (RACSU) General Secretary Salauddin Ammar stated that they had contacted the transport office about launching special buses, but were told that only the vice-chancellor could authorize travel outside Rajshahi. As the vice-chancellor is currently abroad, the plan could not proceed despite RACSU’s offer to cover fuel costs.

Newly appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Abdul Alim said he was unaware of the details and that the matter would be clarified once the vice-chancellor returns. Students believe administrative indecision has worsened their travel difficulties compared to other universities.

A seven-year-old girl was allegedly subjected to an attempted rape in the Hajipara Sunnia Madrasa area of Chattogram’s Double Mooring police station on Friday around noon. Locals caught the accused young man and beat him before police arrived. When officers tried to control the situation, an angry crowd surrounded them, leaving the police trapped for nearly two hours. The child was taken to the One Stop Crisis Center at Chattogram Medical College Hospital in critical condition and is under intensive observation.

According to Double Mooring Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jamal Uddin, the police team reached the scene after receiving the report but faced strong resistance from residents. The accused was later rescued and taken to the police station for questioning. Witnesses said the man tried to drag the child to a secluded spot before locals intervened.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid stated that the case is being investigated seriously, and the victim’s family has been provided with necessary medical and support services.

State Minister for Shipping Md. Rajib Ahsan MP conducted surprise inspections at offices under the Ministry of Shipping in Barishal and Dhaka. During the visits, he found several officials and employees absent without prior permission and others arriving late. Expressing strong dissatisfaction, the minister directed authorities to take administrative action for negligence and breach of discipline.

Following his instructions, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) transferred 13 officials and employees from its Barishal office, including nine from the dredging division, two from the vessel maintenance and operations division, one from the port and transport division, and one from the accounts division. Additionally, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) transferred three officials and employees.

The State Minister instructed all ministry and agency staff to maintain punctuality and perform duties with dedication and responsibility. He also announced that similar surprise inspections would continue to ensure discipline, accountability, and service quality in government offices.

A one-kilometer road construction project in Raiganj, Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram, remains incomplete nearly three years after work began. The project, valued at about one crore taka and scheduled for completion within one and a half years under the rural infrastructure development program, has seen repeated delays. Despite two deadline extensions, around half of the work remains unfinished, while the contractor has reportedly withdrawn 80 percent of the project payment. Locals report severe suffering due to the poor condition of the road.

Field observations revealed the use of substandard materials, including brick debris instead of sand, leaving the road uneven and damaged by rain. Residents allege that the main contractor, Oni Traders, subcontracted the work to local businessmen without proper oversight. The upazila engineer, newly assigned to the area, said he would investigate and take legal action if irregularities are confirmed. The district engineer also promised an inquiry and possible contract cancellation if wrongdoing is found.

Repeated attempts to contact Oni Traders’ owner were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anwar announced that a permanent embankment will be constructed along the Jamuna River in Tangail to prevent erosion. The initiative, estimated to cost around Tk 50 crore, was revealed during a views-exchange meeting held on Friday, May 22, in the Charpauli area on the riverbank.

The minister stated that river erosion along the Jamuna causes significant damage every year, affecting numerous residents. To address this, the government has undertaken a long-term plan to protect erosion-prone areas of Tangail through the construction of a permanent embankment. The project is expected to begin in the upcoming fiscal year.

Speakers at the meeting, including the State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku and Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, noted that the embankment would help save farmland, homes, and infrastructure from being lost to the river, while also contributing to local economic development.

Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam has acknowledged state failure in preventing road accident deaths. Speaking on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Cumilla District Shilpakala Academy, he said the government accepts responsibility for these fatalities and will remain alert to the needs of affected families. The event distributed compensation checks to victims’ families and promoted road safety awareness.

The minister stated that no state can fully compensate for the loss of loved ones but assured that families of victims will receive priority in employment, education, and services. He also discussed preparations for the upcoming Eid travel rush, describing the safe transport of 15 million people and 10 million sacrificial animals within three days as a major challenge. He expressed hope for smooth travel if citizens cooperate and weather conditions remain stable.

Referring to a recent accident in Cumilla’s Paduar Bazar area, the minister announced plans to upgrade the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway to eight lanes with additional service lanes, and to build underpasses and overpasses to improve safety.

Police in Chapainawabganj recovered the hanging body of Iman Ahmed Payel, a local Chhatra League leader, from his home in Shibganj municipality on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4 p.m., and officers arrived at the scene after being informed by family members. Payel was the son of Silu Moharil from Pithalitla village and served as the joint general secretary of the Shibganj municipal unit of the Chhatra League.

According to family members, Payel had been suffering from depression due to personal and family issues. On Friday, before the Jumu’ah prayer, he reportedly had an argument with his disabled mother and later locked himself in his room, where he was found hanging. Police recovered the body and sent it to Chapainawabganj District Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman of Shibganj Police Station confirmed the recovery and said no complaint had been filed by the family. Legal action will be taken after receiving the autopsy report.

Armed assailants set fire to an excavator and other equipment used in the Pilak canal re-excavation project in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari district. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, and local authorities, including the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mishkatul Tamanna and police, inspected the site the following morning. Police confirmed that the excavator was completely destroyed by fire.

The canal re-excavation is part of the nationwide “Canal Re-excavation Program 2026,” initiated to fulfill Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s election pledge. The Pilak canal project, costing 18 million taka, covers five kilometers, while the Teimatai canal project, costing 15.4 million taka, spans 4.1 kilometers. Earlier this month, local leaders of the regional group UPDF were accused of threatening project workers to halt operations unless extortion demands were met. The two projects had created employment for 773 low-income residents.

UPDF local organizer Durjoy Chakma denied involvement, calling the allegations false and conspiratorial. Police and administrative officials stated that legal action would be taken if formal complaints are filed.

Police in Bhangura upazila of Pabna have arrested two people, a father and son, in connection with an attack on Jamaat-e-Islami leader Zillur Rahman. The detainees, identified as Ainal Hossain, 60, and his son Hafizul Islam, 35, were arrested early Friday, May 22, during a police operation. Authorities said both are involved with the banned Awami League politics. The attack took place on Thursday night around 8:30 p.m. on the Kalinjira Bridge in Khanmarich Union, leaving Rahman critically injured. He is now receiving treatment in the ICU of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Following the incident, a case was filed with Bhangura Police Station accusing 10 named individuals and about 50 unidentified persons of attempted murder. Officer-in-Charge Shafiul Azam stated that the arrested duo were sent to Pabna Jail through court on Friday morning. Police operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

The investigation is continuing as law enforcement seeks to identify and arrest others involved in the violent attack.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP), was attacked in Jhenaidah on Friday afternoon after attending Juma prayers at the Old DC Court Jame Mosque. According to his Facebook post, members of the Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal allegedly launched the assault in the presence of police, throwing eggs and bricks before striking with hockey sticks. Several people were injured, including three with head wounds, and attackers reportedly took mobile phones, cameras, and wallets.

Following the incident, NCP leader Sarjis Alam claimed on Facebook that Chhatra Dal activists carried out the sudden attack, leaving several people bloodied and hospitalized. Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah also alleged in a Facebook post that BNP-linked assailants attacked Patwari and other NCP leaders in Jhenaidah.

The posts reflect growing tension between political groups in the area, though no official statement from law enforcement was mentioned in the source.

A member of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), identified as Imon Acharya, was killed in Sylhet after being stabbed by a mugger who was fleeing from police pursuit. The incident occurred on Friday morning in the Topkhana area of Sylhet city. Imon Acharya, who was in plain clothes and present in the area for personal reasons, attempted to help police apprehend the suspect. During the struggle, the mugger stabbed him in the left side of his chest.

He was taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in critical condition, where he died around 1:30 p.m. while receiving treatment. The incident was confirmed by Additional Superintendent of Police and RAB-9 media officer K.M. Shahidul Islam Sohag.

Following the attack, police successfully detained the mugger involved in the stabbing, according to the RAB official.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP), was attacked by activists of the Chhatra Dal in Jhenaidah on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in front of the Old Collectorate Mosque in the city, where eggs were thrown at him and a physical assault took place. Witnesses said Patwari was leaving the mosque after Friday prayers when Islami University Chhatra Dal convener Sahed Ahmed approached him for a conversation, during which several activists attacked from behind. Some local NCP supporters were injured in the incident.

Following the attack, NCP leaders organized a protest procession in Jhenaidah. During the demonstration, they demanded the resignation of the home and law ministers and called for the immediate arrest of those involved in the assault.

The report did not mention any official response from the authorities or from the Chhatra Dal leadership regarding the incident.

A police officer named Ariful Islam was found hanging in a room at the Bogura Police Lines on Friday morning. He served as an assistant sub-inspector in the wireless branch. Police believe he may have taken his own life late Thursday night. The deceased, aged 40, was from Padmabil Ghoria village in Naldanga upazila of Natore. The incident was confirmed by Bogura Superintendent of Police Mirza Sayem Mahmud.

According to police sources, Ariful shared a room with colleagues and was last seen around 1 a.m. on Thursday night. When he was not found in the morning, colleagues discovered a nearby workshop room locked from inside and saw his body hanging from a ceiling fan through the window. The superintendent of police visited the scene, and a magistrate prepared an inquest report before the body was sent to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Police said Ariful’s wife and children live in their village home, and no family disputes were reported. Preliminary findings suggest financial stress from debt may have led to the incident.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-11 has arrested the prime suspect, Abdur Rahim, aged 29, in connection with the attempted robbery and throat-slitting attack on an autorickshaw driver in Fatullah, Narayanganj. Rahim, son of Nasir Uddin from Kamaldi area under Matlab South police station in Cumilla, was detained early Friday around 2 a.m. from the Deobhog area. A knife allegedly used in the crime was also recovered from his possession.

According to RAB, the incident occurred on Thursday, May 21, around noon in the Kashipur Banglabazar area of Fatullah. Two men, posing as passengers, boarded the autorickshaw of driver Aminul Islam and later tried to snatch the vehicle at a secluded spot. When Aminul resisted, one of the attackers struck him in the neck with a sharp knife, severely injuring him. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing his screams, and the assailants fled. The injured driver was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Following the attack, RAB-11 intensified surveillance and launched an operation to identify and capture those involved, leading to Rahim’s arrest.