Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has called for an impartial investigation into the killings at Shapla Chattar on 5 May 2013 and for exemplary punishment of those responsible. In a statement issued to the media on Monday marking the anniversary of Shapla Day, he described the incident as a brutal and shameful chapter in the history of the modern nation-state, where unarmed citizens were attacked by state forces.

He alleged that the operation was carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government out of hostility toward Islam, madrasa education, and Islamic movements. According to him, the incident deepened authoritarian rule in the country, and many Islami Andolan leaders and activists suffered as a result. He also urged a reassessment of the roles of political organizations, intellectuals, and the media following the 2013 events.

The Charmonai Pir further demanded that those killed and injured at Shapla Chattar be recognized as national heroes, that related cases be withdrawn, and that compensation be provided to victims and their families.

Authorities in Rangamati imposed Section 144 following violent clashes between two rival groups of the district Chhatra Dal. The confrontation erupted on Monday afternoon when leaders excluded from the newly announced district committee staged a sit-in for the second consecutive day in front of the BNP office. They blocked the main road and set fires during their protest. At the same time, supporters of the new committee, led by its president Oli Ahad and general secretary Roni, brought out a celebratory procession, leading to heightened tension.

The excluded faction occupied the district office premises from noon until 3 p.m., while supporters of the new committee gathered in several parts of the town to welcome their leaders. Around 3 p.m., the new committee’s supporters reportedly chased away the protesters and took control of the BNP office. The situation turned tense across nearby areas, prompting the deployment of additional police at sensitive points, including the district BNP office.

Traffic in the Banarupa area came to a halt amid public panic until the army intervened to disperse both groups and restore order. Police officials later confirmed that the situation was under control.

Bangladesh Khelafat Chhatra Majlis is organizing a documentary and document-based exhibition centered on the events of May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar. The exhibition will be held for the first time on May 5 and 6 at the Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Exhibition Gallery of the Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka. It will feature photographs, eyewitness accounts, official documents, news reports, and memorials of those who lost their lives. The program will also include a documentary screening and a short discussion session.

According to the organizers, the exhibition will be inaugurated at 3 p.m. on May 5 by Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. Other attendees will include Member of Parliament Mufti Mohammadullah, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, NCP chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari, and Inqilab Monch member secretary Abdullah Jaber. Families of victims and injured individuals are also expected to attend the opening ceremony.

The event marks the first organized effort by the group to publicly present documentary evidence and testimonies related to the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that an independent media is one of the main instruments for ensuring accountability in a democratic system. Speaking as the chief guest at the Jahangirnagar University Journalists’ Association’s new committee handover ceremony on Monday, he emphasized that a government elected by the people must remain accountable to them, and a strong, independent media helps reinforce that responsibility.

The minister stated that journalism is not merely a profession but is deeply connected to patriotism, humanity, and social responsibility. He congratulated young journalists for choosing this challenging field and cautioned that media should never become a propaganda tool for any vested interest group. He added that journalists must speak for the people, not act as public relations agents for individuals or organizations.

Swapan also called for research into how media has sometimes been used against public interest and urged journalists to evaluate their own roles. He stressed that no professional identity should place anyone above the law and expressed hope that young journalists’ creativity and critical thinking would strengthen the media in the future.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam announced that Bangladesh aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national GDP from the current 3 percent to between 6 and 7 percent. She made the announcement on Monday at the District Commissioners’ Conference 2026 held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, where she and State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat attended as special guests.

Afroza Khanam stated that there are 1,742 tourist spots across the country, indicating that every district has tourism potential. She said a master plan is being prepared to develop the tourism sector and called for the active involvement of district administrators. The minister also urged the culture minister to focus on developing the Baliati and Teota Zamindar Houses in Manikganj to attract more visitors.

State Minister Millat emphasized that local administrators can be catalysts for change by promoting clean, safe, and creative tourism initiatives that strengthen district economies and enhance Bangladesh’s global tourism image.

The Bangladesh government has decided to modify the police uniform, retaining the previous shirt design while changing the trouser color to khaki. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced the decision on Monday, May 4, 2026, after the first meeting of the National Committee on Coordination, Management, and Law and Order concerning forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingya) at the Secretariat.

The minister explained that the decision followed feedback from across the country and within the police force, where the existing uniform was found to be unsatisfactory and not widely accepted. Responding to a request from the police, the ministry aimed to restore a more traditional and acceptable uniform. The old shirt design used for both metropolitan and national police will remain, while khaki trousers will replace the previous ones.

Ahmed added that the new uniform will take some time to be implemented due to production and preparation requirements. Although not yet officially launched, the government has finalized the decision and announced it publicly.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman will travel to Beijing on Tuesday for an official visit from May 5 to 7, confirmed by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This marks his first visit to China since the BNP government took office following the February elections. The information was reported by China’s state media outlet Global Times.

During the visit, the two countries are expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, including global affairs, the energy crisis, development projects, trade, investment, water management cooperation, defense assistance, and the Rohingya issue. The Bangladeshi minister will also meet China’s Minister of Development and senior leaders of the Communist Party of China.

China is one of Bangladesh’s largest development partners, giving the visit special significance. Discussions may include progress on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, supported by Chinese technical and financial assistance, as well as a possible future visit by Bangladesh’s Prime Minister to China. The Foreign Minister will be accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to simplify the project approval process to attract both domestic and foreign investors. He also assured necessary support for those willing to invest in long-closed state-owned mills and factories. The directive came during a meeting held on Monday at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, focusing on the current status and future plans for closed textile and jute mills under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.

During the meeting, an official noted that lengthy approval times and complex inter-departmental permissions discourage investors. In response, the Prime Minister instructed that unnecessary ministerial or departmental approvals be removed from the process. He emphasized that the government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment and that reducing bureaucratic hurdles is essential to achieving this goal.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the need to make loan access easier for private investors interested in reviving closed state-owned factories and directed relevant ministers to take prompt and effective measures in this regard.

The government will provide financial assistance to farmers affected by recent heavy rainfall in the haor regions. Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that each affected farmer will receive at least Tk 7,500. He made the statement on Monday after the third session of the second day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Earlier, sessions were held with the ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, and Food.

The minister said field-level agricultural officers are preparing lists of affected farmers, categorizing them for assistance that will continue from May to July. He added that the amount could increase depending on the extent of damage. The Agriculture and Disaster Management ministries are jointly compiling the lists, and funds will come from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and the Disaster Management Ministry. Rashid noted that while full compensation may not be possible, the aid aims to ease the farmers’ distress.

He also mentioned that there is no shortage of sacrificial animals in the country, border markets have been closed, and imports of cattle have been restricted. Additionally, the issue of low potato prices was discussed, with plans to expand export-oriented potato cultivation for products like French fries and chips.

Widespread load-shedding in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola has caused severe disruption to students, businesses, and residents. The outages have affected ongoing SSC, Dakhil, and equivalent examinations, with power cuts even during exam hours. Evening blackouts have made it difficult for students to study, and candles are reportedly unavailable in local markets.

Residents complain that electricity often disappears even before clouds appear in the sky. On Saturday, power was out for 17 consecutive hours, and on Sunday for seven hours. The outages have halted operations in offices, banks, and businesses, while household appliances such as refrigerators and computers are being damaged. Business owners report that their work has nearly stopped, yet they still struggle to pay electricity bills on time.

The general manager of Bhola Palli Bidyut Samiti (Banglabazar) attributed the disruptions to storms and issues in the national grid line. The situation has also affected internet and mobile networks, leaving the area in near paralysis.

Members of Jamalpur 35 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered 71 bottles of Indian liquor during an anti-drug operation near the Roumari Banglabazar border outpost on Sunday afternoon. The operation took place close to border pillar 1065 in the Charfulbari area. No arrests were made during the raid, and the seizure was later confirmed through a press release issued by the BGB.

According to BGB sources, the operation was conducted based on their own intelligence information. It is believed that the smugglers fled the scene after sensing the presence of the patrol team. The seized liquor was found abandoned at the site.

Lieutenant Colonel Hasanur Rahman, commanding officer of Jamalpur 35 BGB, stated that regular patrols and anti-drug drives are ongoing along the border, emphasizing the force’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.

The construction of the 20-kilometer regional highway between Nabinagar and Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria remains unfinished after eight years. Approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2017, the project began on July 1, 2018, but only partial work has been completed. Heavy rainfall has worsened the condition of the unfinished road, creating large potholes and causing severe public suffering. The project’s term, set to expire in June this year, has been proposed for a two-year extension.

According to the Brahmanbaria Roads Department, land acquisition has become the main obstacle. Construction has stalled in several areas, including Krishnanagar, Birgaon, and Lalpur, where houses still occupy the road alignment. Landowners have refused to vacate their properties due to unpaid compensation. The acquisition process, covering 53 acres and 17.45 decimals of land with an estimated cost of Tk 296.62 crore, began in the 2022–23 fiscal year but remains entangled in legal disputes.

Local MP Advocate Abdul Mannan stated that efforts are underway to resolve the land acquisition complexities to expedite completion of the highway.

Multiple media outlets have reported allegations of extortion, irregularities, and abuse of power against A.H.M. Lutful Kabir, officer-in-charge of the Mongla River Police outpost in Bagerhat. Despite these reports, there has been little visible progress in the investigation, prompting concerns about its slow pace. Local residents claim that the situation on the ground remains unchanged even after repeated media coverage.

Local businessman Md. Rafiqul Islam said irregular money collection continues at the port area, causing hardship for small traders. River transport worker Alomgir Hossain added that workers face constant pressure while working at the dock, making their jobs increasingly difficult.

Inspector A.H.M. Lutful Kabir denied all allegations, calling them baseless and motivated, and stated that he performs his duties according to the law. He added that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face action. Khulna regional police superintendent Manjur Morshed confirmed that the matter is under investigation and departmental action will follow if the allegations are proven true.

The final list of candidates for the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association Election 2026–27 has been officially released. According to the announcement, three candidates will contest for president, four for vice president, seven for secretary, two for treasurer, five for joint secretary, and nineteen for member positions. The Election Commission has barred any candidates affiliated with the banned Awami League from participating, leaving primarily two panels in the race. The election is scheduled to take place on May 13 and 14.

The nationalist lawyers’ forum-backed Blue Panel has nominated senior lawyer Mahbubuddin Khokon for president, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Lawyers Council has fielded senior lawyer Abdul Baten for the same post. Other key candidates include Mohammad Ali and Barrister Maksud Ullah for secretary, and Advocate Ziaur Rahman for treasurer from the Blue Panel. The Lawyers Council has also announced candidates for all major positions.

Senior lawyer Mohammad Hossain Lipu of the NCP-backed National Lawyers Alliance withdrew his nomination for secretary, citing objections to the election commission’s composition. The Supreme Court Bar election is regarded as one of the most prestigious and politically significant events in Bangladesh’s legal community.

Nurul Islam, the Member of Parliament for Bhola-4, has initiated steps to bring the 20-bed Saudi Hospital in Dakshin Aicha, Charfassion, under the government revenue sector. On April 30, he submitted an application to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare requesting the hospital’s inclusion in the revenue budget to ensure its full operation.

According to the application, the hospital was built in 1998 with funding from the Saudi government to provide healthcare to residents of the remote area. Despite having a modern building and equipment, the facility has remained largely non-functional for 26 years due to shortages of staff and medicine. As a result, local residents must travel about 30 kilometers to the upazila headquarters for treatment, which is both difficult and costly. Locals have long demanded that the hospital be brought under the revenue sector and staffed adequately.

Helal Uddin Tipu, a member of the district BNP convening committee, expressed optimism that the authorities would act promptly to implement this public-interest initiative.