Police in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar arrested Jamaat-e-Islami leader Khizir Ahmed on Friday night from Alveen Restaurant in Barlekha Bazar. Authorities said he was wanted in a murder case filed during the previous Awami League government. The case dates back to February 28, 2013, when violence erupted after Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee was sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Crimes Tribunal. One Jamaat activist, Lokman Ahmed, was killed in the clashes, and police later filed a murder case naming Khizir Ahmed and others.

Khizir’s brother, Tarek Ahmed, claimed the arrest was based on a politically motivated case, saying his brother had been living in Qatar for years and regularly visited Bangladesh. Former Barlekha upazila Jamaat chief Emadul Islam also criticized the arrest, calling it harassment and expressing disappointment that police acted on a 13-year-old warrant. Several locals echoed similar sentiments, describing the arrest as unjust.

Barlekha police officer-in-charge Moniruzzaman Khan confirmed the arrest, stating that Khizir Ahmed was sent to jail under a court-issued warrant in case number GR 62/2013.

Two murders within two months in South Gobindarkhil area of Patiya, Chattogram, have triggered widespread fear among residents. The killings of businessman Abul Kashem and child Jahan have raised serious concerns about law and order. While police have solved the child murder case, the main suspect in Kashem’s murder remains at large, leaving the victim’s family anxious. Over the past three months, incidents of murder, robbery, theft, drug trade, and abduction have reportedly increased across Patiya.

Local residents have expressed alarm over the deteriorating security situation and urged authorities to take urgent action. Several violent incidents occurred in June, including the discovery of an unidentified body, public assaults, and the killing of Pankaj Shil. A journalist was also attacked in front of police, and a shrine’s donation box was stolen, further heightening public concern.

Patiya Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Ziaul Haque stated that multiple teams are working to maintain order and combat drugs. He said community and beat policing will be strengthened soon, and arrests have been made in the Pankaj Shil and Jahan murder cases.

Water levels in the Teesta River continued to rise on Sunday due to heavy upstream flow from India, causing anxiety among residents along the riverbanks in Lalmonirhat. At noon, the river was flowing 15 centimeters below the danger level at the Teesta Barrage point, and authorities warned that it could cross the threshold at any time. To manage the situation, 44 sluice gates of the barrage have been opened, and officials are monitoring the water flow continuously.

According to the Water Development Board, both the Teesta and Dharla rivers are still below danger levels, but preparations are in place for any emergency. The control room reported that within the next 72 hours, Teesta’s water might flow above the danger mark, potentially causing short-term flooding in low-lying areas. Heavy rainfall in India’s Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts has worsened the situation, even though there has been little rain in Bangladesh’s Teesta basin.

Earlier, the Water Resources Minister had assured that the Teesta Master Plan was progressing toward implementation, but the current water rise has renewed public concern in the region.

In Shariatpur, a new controversy has emerged following several flash processions by Awami League activists. Leaders and members of the party’s affiliated organizations, including Jubo League and Chhatra League, have been accused of putting up posters and festoons across various areas of Sadar upazila ahead of the party’s 77th founding anniversary. A video showing the poster campaign went viral on social media, drawing widespread local attention.

According to local sources, the posters were placed in Angaria Union to mark the anniversary on June 23 and to demand the release of detained party activists. The video reportedly shows local Jubo League leader Saiful Islam Molla leading the campaign, with participation from members of the banned Chhatra League. Posters were allegedly placed on public buildings, including the Angaria police outpost and the union council office, prompting administrative discussions.

Police said they are investigating the matter after seeing the video online. The officer in charge of Palong Model Police Station stated that the person named in the posters is currently abroad, while the individual seen posting them is not a resident of the district. Authorities have pledged legal action if wrongdoing is confirmed.

Doctors in Cumilla held a human chain and protest rally demanding safety at workplaces following an attack on Dr. Zubair. The demonstration, organized by the Bangladesh Private Medical Practitioners Association (BPMPA) Cumilla branch, took place on Saturday in front of the Cumilla Press Club. Over two hundred doctors from various government and private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers participated, condemning repeated incidents of assault and harassment against medical professionals.

Speakers at the event included BPMPA Cumilla branch president Dr. Nazrul Islam Shahin, general secretary Dr. Russel Ahmed Chowdhury, and several senior medical leaders from local institutions. They called for a fair investigation into the attack on Dr. Zubair, immediate identification and prosecution of those involved, and effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Participants emphasized the urgent need for legal and administrative steps to ensure doctors’ security and a safe professional environment across the district.

Residents of Jamalpur’s Bakshiganj and Dewanganj border areas are spending sleepless nights guarding the frontier to prevent any push-in incidents. Groups of young men stand watch at night with flashlights and bamboo sticks, exchanging information via mobile phones. Even during the day, they remain on alert as tension along the border with India’s Meghalaya and Assam continues. The atmosphere in these villages resembles a state of constant vigilance, with hundreds gathering within minutes whenever rumors or signs of unusual activity appear.

Most locals depend on farming, day labor, fishing, or small businesses, but their livelihoods are being disrupted by the need to patrol the border. Many report physical and mental exhaustion from balancing work and night watch duties. Families, especially women and children, are living in anxiety as men spend nights guarding and rush to the border during the day when alerts arise.

Local youths are voluntarily collecting and sharing information with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) when they notice suspicious movements. The prolonged tension has reduced productivity and affected normal life across the border villages.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam warned that if the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) does not immediately abandon what he called a 'politics of murder,' the people will drive them out of the country as they did with the Awami League. He made the remarks on Sunday night at a protest rally in Dhaka organized by Shibir’s city unit, following the killing of union president Saifullah in Gaibandha. The rally began at the Central Shaheed Minar and ended at Shahbagh.

During his speech, Nurul Islam condemned the killing, accusing BNP and its youth wing of carrying out a cowardly and brutal attack. He demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible, warning that students would launch a strong movement if justice was not served. Other Shibir leaders, including central office secretary Azizur Rahman Azad, also criticized BNP and the administration, alleging widespread corruption and violence.

Speakers at the rally expressed condolences for Saifullah’s death and urged the government to ensure justice for the killing.

The market for polao rice in Bangladesh has become highly unstable, with prices rising sharply over the past month. Despite adequate supply, the price of various types of polao rice has increased by up to Tk 30 per kilogram and Tk 900 to Tk 2,000 per sack. Retailers and consumers have expressed frustration, blaming corporate groups and mill owners for creating an artificial crisis to raise prices. Traders reported that transportation and utility cost hikes have also contributed to the surge.

Corporate company owners have denied the allegations, attributing the price increase to reduced production caused by crop disease and higher fuel and electricity costs. Nabil Group’s managing director said some traders are exporting polao rice, suggesting that exports should be halted to stabilize the domestic market. Market visits in Dhaka revealed that both wholesale and retail prices have risen significantly, with branded rice reaching up to Tk 190 per kilogram.

Consumer rights advocates described the price hike as abnormal and criticized weak market monitoring. They noted that despite government tax reductions on essentials, consumers have not benefited, leaving middle- and lower-income groups under severe pressure.

Leaders and activists of the banned Awami League organized a flash procession in Barishal city on Sunday afternoon to mark the party’s 77th founding anniversary. The event took place in the Bogura Road area under the banner of the Barishal Metropolitan Awami League and moved through several city streets. Participants carried banners featuring former Barishal City Corporation mayor and the party’s metropolitan general secretary Sadiq Abdullah, chanting slogans celebrating the anniversary and expressing support for Sheikh Hasina.

According to the report, there was no visible police patrol during the procession, allowing the participants to disperse quickly after the march. Soon after the event, police from Kotwali Police Station launched a large-scale operation across the city. Similar drives were also initiated in the areas under Kaunia, Airport, and Bandar police stations, as confirmed by local police sources.

The incident reflects renewed attempts by the banned Awami League to organize publicly despite restrictions, prompting immediate law enforcement action in Barishal.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former Member of Parliament Mia Golam Porwar expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of five Bangladeshi youths from Sylhet in a road accident in Qatar. In a statement issued to the media on June 21, he said the accident occurred around noon local time in the Sanaiya area, killing six people including the five Bangladeshis. He offered prayers for the deceased and conveyed condolences to their bereaved families.

Porwar stated that all the victims were residents of Kanaighat upazila in Sylhet. The deceased were identified as Mostak Ahmad, Jubayer Ahmad, Jasim Uddin, Jibal Ahmad, and Kadir Ahmad. He noted that the expatriates had contributed to the national economy through remittances and supported their families’ livelihoods.

The Jamaat leader urged the government to take immediate steps to repatriate the bodies and provide financial assistance to the affected families.

Police have arrested Jahangir Mia, the prime suspect in a double murder case linked to violent clashes between two villages in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj. The arrest took place early Sunday, June 21, in the Dhaka airport area. The case stems from a June 15 confrontation between residents of Adityapur and Abdafouzda villages that left two men dead.

According to local and police sources, the initial three-hour clash was followed by renewed violence at Dubai Bazar, where Jahangir, his brother Shahjahan, and several influential locals allegedly launched a sudden attack. Day laborer Selu Mia was killed on the spot, while volunteer group member Helal Mia later died at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital after being transferred from the local health complex.

Families of the victims claim the two men were unarmed and killed without provocation, demanding swift justice. Bahubal police said Jahangir was detained based on secret information and presented before court after preliminary questioning. Police operations to capture other suspects continue, with additional forces deployed to prevent further unrest.

A short spell of heavy rain measuring 58 millimeters on Sunday evening submerged large parts of Dhaka, causing severe waterlogging and traffic congestion. The rainfall began around 5 p.m. and continued intermittently into the night, disrupting movement across major roads such as Green Road, New Market, Malibagh, Mirpur, and Karwan Bazar. Commuters faced long delays, while vehicles broke down in flooded streets. The downpour, though initially bringing relief from days of sweltering heat, quickly turned into widespread inconvenience for city dwellers.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the rainfall qualifies as heavy precipitation, with the highest recorded in Nilphamari’s Dimla at 87 millimeters. The department attributed the weather to an active southwest monsoon and forecast further heavy to very heavy rainfall in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. Dhaka North and South City Corporations deployed rapid response teams to drain water, with over 5,000 workers engaged in cleanup operations.

Meteorologists noted that the rain helped reduce humidity and temperature, offering temporary relief, though more rainfall is expected in the coming days.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of the BNP, organized a rally in Dhaka on Sunday evening to welcome Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first foreign trip. The procession was led by JCD central vice president Manjurul Alam Riad and joint general secretary Faruk Hossain. Leaders, activists, and supporters from various units of the organization joined the event.

Participants chanted slogans expressing support for BNP chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and called for the success of his foreign visit. They also voiced warnings against what they described as conspiracies by the banned Awami League and its student wing. The rally began at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan and concluded in front of the National Press Club.

The event reflected the JCD’s public show of support for the new prime minister’s international engagement and its continued opposition stance toward rival political groups.

A boatman was killed after being struck by lightning in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. in Ulabaira Char Haor under the Sadar Union. The deceased was identified as Babul Sarkar, 45, son of Kachu Mia from Naraj village in Mohanganj upazila of Netrokona. He was operating a steel-bodied boat at the time of the incident.

According to local sources and the upazila administration, Babul Sarkar and several passengers were returning home from Ashuganj after selling paddy. When rain and lightning began, the passengers took shelter under the boat’s deck, but Babul remained on top as he was steering. A sudden lightning strike hit him, causing fatal injuries, and he died on the spot. The passengers later found him lifeless after noticing unusual boat movement.

Nikli Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosammat Rehana Majumdar Mukti confirmed the incident and said necessary measures were being taken regarding the matter.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned the killing of Saifullah Bari, president of a local Islami Chhatra Shibir unit, in Gaibandha’s Bonarpara area. According to a statement issued on Sunday by Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar, Bari was allegedly attacked and beaten to death in broad daylight by former Jubo Dal leader Mukul, his brother Polash, and others using sharp weapons and iron rods.

Porwar described the incident as a planned and barbaric act stemming from a dispute over the formation of a primary school managing committee. He urged law enforcement agencies to arrest all those involved, including the main suspects Mukul and Polash, and to ensure exemplary punishment. He also called on authorities to prevent any political influence from obstructing the investigation.

The statement added that Bari’s friend Salauddin was critically injured in the attack and is receiving treatment at Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Porwar expressed condolences to Bari’s family and prayed for the recovery of the injured.