Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized strengthening the institutional capacity of village courts and recruiting women in the village police to ensure justice at the grassroots level and make local governance more effective. The minister made the remarks during a meeting with a UNDP delegation at the Secretariat on Monday, attended by Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne and other members.

The meeting discussed the current activities and progress of the Village Court Project, focusing on enhancing its institutional capacity to deliver quick, low-cost justice for rural communities. The minister noted that village courts have long played a vital role in resolving local disputes and reducing pressure on formal courts.

He highlighted that women’s participation in local governance, particularly through recruitment in the village police, would make the system more transparent, efficient, and responsive to public needs. Both the government and UNDP expressed optimism about strengthening cooperation to improve village court effectiveness, ensure rural justice, and promote women’s empowerment.

ATM Azharul Islam MP, Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, alleged that the government has begun moving toward a one-party system just two months after assuming power. Speaking as chief guest at a candidate introduction meeting of the Bangladesh Lawyers Council–supported 'Green Panel' for the Supreme Court Bar Association election, he said the government has failed to honor the July Charter despite pledging to implement it fully. He criticized the government for not allowing ruling party MPs to take oath in the Constitutional Reform Council and accused it of betraying the student and public movement that brought it to power.

Azharul Islam also criticized a government minister for acting as if he alone runs the administration and understands the constitution. He claimed that the Supreme Court has been used to commit injustices against Jamaat-e-Islami and described the executions of its top leaders as judicial killings. He urged lawyers to stand for justice and support the Green Panel in the upcoming Supreme Court Bar Association election.

The event was held at the Freedom Fighters Hall of the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka and was attended by senior lawyers and panel candidates.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a circular permitting the transfer of visa bond or security deposit funds abroad through local banks. The directive, released on Monday, aims to simplify the process for Bangladeshi citizens who must deposit refundable security amounts as part of foreign visa applications. Under the new rules, banks can send the required funds on behalf of applicants when such deposits are mandatory for visa issuance.

The central bank stated that the initiative is intended to reduce difficulties faced by applicants and make the visa application process more convenient. Banks are now authorized to issue international or virtual cards preloaded with the necessary funds, while existing international cardholders can reload their cards within the travel quota. The funds, however, may only be used for visa bond or related security deposit payments.

According to industry observers cited in the circular, the new policy will make visa procedures faster and easier for Bangladeshi applicants, particularly in countries that require financial guarantees or refundable deposits.

A group of outsiders attacked a sit-in organized by BNP-backed teachers at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) on Monday in front of the university’s administrative building. Following the incident, leaders and activists of the university’s student wing of the BNP staged a protest on campus, demanding punishment for those involved in the attack.

Professor Dr. Atikul Rahman, Dean of the PGS faculty and one of the victims, said the teachers were protesting against what they described as the arbitrary actions of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam. He alleged that the vice-chancellor makes decisions with a select group of preferred teachers and had recently issued show-cause letters to five teachers of the NSVM faculty without justification. The sit-in was organized in protest of these actions when the attack occurred.

Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam, speaking from Dhaka, said a group was trying to destabilize the campus in his absence. He announced plans to form an investigation committee upon his return to the university.

Bangladesh Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain has directed authorities to conduct operations to detain brokers operating inside hospitals. He issued the order during an inspection of Barishal Sadar Hospital and other facilities on Monday morning. The minister also suspended an employee for absence, expressed dissatisfaction over the state of outpatient services, and instructed hospital authorities to maintain cleanliness within 24 hours.

During his visit, the minister said that those who have received the measles vaccine will develop immunity within four weeks, after which the situation is expected to normalize. He noted that the government aims to ensure healthcare for all and plans to fully open the Barishal Children’s Hospital within three to four months. He added that the measles outbreak worsened because the vaccination schedule was disrupted after 2020, but new vaccine supplies have now reduced patient numbers.

The minister inspected Barishal Sadar Hospital, the Children’s Hospital in Amanatganj, and Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital as part of his visit.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central international secretary Sadiq Kayem presented a commemorative painting to former interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The artwork honors July martyr Nafiz. Kayem shared the news on Facebook on Monday afternoon, noting that the meeting aimed to invite Dr. Yunus as a guest to the upcoming Second International Conference on the July Revolution.

During the meeting, Dr. Yunus congratulated Kayem on his upcoming marriage and expressed appreciation for the initiatives of young people. Kayem said he briefed Dr. Yunus on DUCSU’s activities and plans related to the July Conference, emphasizing efforts to advance the country through the spirit of July. He also conveyed gratitude on behalf of citizens for Yunus’s leadership during the post–August 5 crisis period.

Kayem added that he sought Dr. Yunus’s continued guidance and cooperation in realizing the vision of a reformed and inclusive Bangladesh as envisioned by the public.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to Mahbubul Alam Hanif, the suspended Joint General Secretary of the Awami League and former Member of Parliament for Kushtia-3, and his wife, Fouzia Alam. The order was issued on Monday, May 11, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Hanif is accused of acquiring assets worth Tk 27.39 crore beyond known income sources and conducting suspicious transactions totaling Tk 86.66 crore through 18 bank accounts. The ACC also alleged that Hanif and his wife jointly amassed Tk 4.69 crore in unexplained wealth and carried out transactions worth Tk 33.13 crore through 16 bank accounts. The court ordered the seizure of their tax documents to facilitate proper investigation of the two separate cases filed by the ACC.

The court’s directive aims to support ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and money laundering activities involving the couple.

A Dhaka court has rescheduled the charge-framing hearing against former National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Matiur Rahman to July 5 in a case over alleged illegal wealth accumulation. The decision was made by Divisional Special Judge Begum Shamima Afroz after defense lawyers sought more time. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) lawyer Mir Ahmed Ali Salam confirmed the new date.

According to the ACC charge sheet, Matiur Rahman is accused of concealing information about assets worth Tk 1.24 crore and acquiring Tk 5.40 crore in wealth beyond known income sources through misuse of power, bribery, and corruption. The case gained public attention after a 2024 incident involving his son, who reportedly bought a goat for Tk 15 lakh ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, sparking widespread discussion on social media.

The court’s next hearing on July 5 will determine whether formal charges will be framed against Rahman in the corruption case.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has issued an urgent directive to ensure cleanliness across all government primary schools in Bangladesh. On Monday, May 11, district primary education officers were instructed to take necessary measures to maintain hygiene and order in school premises.

According to the directive, recent inspections by higher authorities revealed various irregularities and mismanagement in cleanliness at several government primary schools. These shortcomings were said to have created negative public perceptions and disrupted the proper learning environment. To address this, the ministry emphasized the need for regular cleaning and maintenance of school grounds and facilities.

The directive also called for routine cleaning of school rooftops and removal of weeds growing on building cornices to maintain the overall condition of school infrastructure.

A Jamaat-e-Islami activist was shot in front of his home in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali on Sunday night. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. in Ayubpur village under Amanullahpur Union. The victim, 24-year-old Mainul Islam alias Mahin, was talking with friends when four to five masked assailants arrived in two CNG-run autorickshaws and opened fire, hitting him in the right knee. Locals rescued him and took him to Noakhali General Hospital, and he was later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Local Jamaat leaders alleged that the attack might have been politically motivated and demanded immediate arrest of those responsible. They also claimed that there were attempts to destabilize the western part of Begumganj. Police, however, said preliminary information suggested the injured man was not actively involved in any political organization. Officers recovered an empty cartridge from the scene and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the attackers.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the motive and apprehend the suspects.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain, declared that he would not tolerate any persecution of minorities in the country and would resign from his post if necessary. He made the statement on Monday during a dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF), responding to questions about the government’s stance on recent incidents of violence against Muslims in West Bengal, India.

The minister said India is a democratic nation and a large country, expressing hope that its government would ensure safety and inclusion for minorities. He emphasized that events in India should not influence Bangladesh and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting all religious communities. He added that the Prime Minister is aware of the issue. Hossain also alleged that a deep conspiracy is being carried out against the BNP government and urged vigilance against those seeking instability.

He further highlighted the media’s role in promoting democracy, combating misinformation, and supporting government initiatives, including welfare programs and Hajj management improvements.

Police in Sunamganj arrested three individuals during an attempted robbery at Lalpur Bridge in Gaurarang Union on Monday morning. The arrests took place around 10 a.m., and officers recovered bullets, a sharp knife, and 200 grams of chili powder from the suspects. The detainees were identified as Enamul Haque Badsha, Shamimur Islam Shimul, and Niktara Begum.

According to police, Enamul Haque Badsha, son of Abdul Mosabbir from Arfin Nagar, is a key accused in a Dhaka Uttara Bank robbery case and faces 18 separate cases. The attempted robbery occurred when Shahid Mia of Miar Char village was returning home after withdrawing money from a bank. Locals and traffic sergeant Monirul Islam intervened to protect him, after which police led by Sub-Inspectors Ashraf and Zahir arrested the suspects and took them to the station. They were later sent to court.

The police operation prevented the robbery and led to the capture of a suspect with a long criminal record, according to the report.

An elderly man was killed in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj late Sunday night, reportedly due to previous enmity. According to police and local residents, assailants broke into the house of Sobahan Pramanik in Dattapara Elongjani village under Lahiri Mohanpur Union and hacked him to death before fleeing. His wife, Shefali Khatun, was also attacked and injured and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Locals detained one suspect and handed him over to police.

Officer-in-Charge Moktaruzzaman of Ullapara Model Police Station said the body was recovered and sent for autopsy. He stated that the exact motive behind the killing remains unclear. Police have launched an investigation to identify those involved and determine the cause of the murder.

Authorities are continuing inquiries to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack and confirm whether the killing was directly linked to prior disputes.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, stated on Monday, May 11, that he would resign from his post if the safety of religious minorities in the country cannot be guaranteed. Speaking at a meeting with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) in Dhaka, he emphasized that no opportunity would be given for minority persecution and that communal harmony must be protected.

Kaikobad also said that the government would request India to stop attacks on minority Muslims in West Bengal, adding that Bangladesh respects India for upholding democracy. He noted that such incidents in India should not be allowed to occur in Bangladesh and reiterated his commitment to prevent any injustice or oppression against minorities.

Addressing political issues, the minister remarked that a good opposition party is a blessing but criticized the opposition for attempting to embarrass the government instead of offering constructive criticism.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said the current government is operating under the pressure of massive foreign debt, money laundering, and incomplete mega projects. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon after inaugurating a tree plantation program and laying the foundation stone for the Padma Bridge Museum at the Jajira end in Shariatpur.

The minister stated that around Tk 30 lakh crore had been laundered abroad and more than Tk 20 lakh crore in foreign debt had been left behind. He added that despite huge spending on 16 mega projects, many remain unfinished, with some contractors abandoning work and some projects halted, creating complications in implementing development activities.

Sheikh Robiul Alam also mentioned that long-standing corruption and irregularities have caused a trust deficit among international donor agencies. Organizations that previously supported large projects are now showing reluctance to cooperate, he said.