In Rangpur, members of the July fighters and families of martyrs have expressed fear after Awami League leaders and activists, whose activities were previously banned, allegedly began threatening plaintiffs and witnesses following their release on bail. The families claim that these individuals, accused in murder and sedition cases, are moving freely and issuing warnings to those involved in the cases. They also accuse the police of remaining inactive despite repeated complaints.

According to local sources, several Awami League leaders in Gangachara, Pirgacha, and Badarganj upazilas are openly engaging in political activities and intimidating witnesses. Allegations suggest that some police officers and BNP leaders are supporting or overlooking these actions, allowing the accused to operate publicly. Concerns have grown that this situation could lead to serious incidents if arrests are not made.

Police officials, including the Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner and the DIG of Rangpur Range, stated that law enforcement will act according to legal directives and that no offenders will be spared. Civil society representatives and university academics have urged authorities to arrest those involved in the July violence.

The Ministry of Social Welfare has finalized the 'Family Card Piloting Implementation Guideline-2026', which will be officially launched by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman on March 10 at the Karail slum in Dhaka. The program was initially planned for Bogura but was shifted due to the upcoming by-election in Bogura-6. The finalized policy excludes families with government pensioners, car or air-conditioner owners, government employees, and large business owners from eligibility.

According to the guideline, priority will be given to landless and homeless families, households with disabled members, and marginalized groups such as hijra, bede, and ethnic minorities. Eligible women beneficiaries will receive funds directly into their mobile wallets or bank accounts. The existing TCB card will be integrated into a dynamic social registry, enabling access to food aid and future benefits like education stipends and agricultural subsidies.

The pilot project will cover 13 diverse areas with a budget of 21.1 million taka, aiming to reach 6,500 poor families initially and expand to 20 million families. The long-term goal is to transform the Family Card into a universal social ID card by 2030.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to introduce a mobile application called 'Nagarik Seba' aimed at addressing urban issues faced by city residents. According to an invitation letter from the party’s Dhaka Metropolitan North unit, the app will allow users to report problems such as mosquito infestations, waterlogging, garbage accumulation, and damaged roads in their local areas. The launch event is scheduled for Thursday, March 5, at 11 a.m. at a residence on Progoti Sarani’s main road in Dhaka’s J Block, Bajidhara.

The initiative is being organized by Jamaat’s Dhaka Metropolitan North division, with its Ameer, Mohammad Selim Uddin, expected to inaugurate the app. The invitation stated that a dedicated team will work to resolve reported issues promptly through the app. The announcement highlights Jamaat’s effort to engage with urban communities through a digital platform focused on civic problem-solving.

The launch marks a move by the party to use technology for community service and local engagement in Dhaka’s urban management context.

The main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation will be held at the National Eidgah in Dhaka at 8:30 a.m., weather permitting. If weather conditions are unfavorable, the main prayer will take place at 9:00 a.m. at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The Dhaka South City Corporation will oversee overall preparations, following decisions made at an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, on February 24.

The meeting emphasized arrangements for prayer management, security, and public welfare. Separate entrances and seating will be arranged for women on the southern side of the Eidgah. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will nominate an imam, a qari, and a presenter from lists submitted by the ministry. Preparations include leveling the ground, installing tents, ensuring water and sanitation facilities, and deploying medical teams and law enforcement for security.

Government buildings will be illuminated, and special meals will be served in hospitals, prisons, and welfare centers. Underprivileged children will receive free entry to selected parks and museums, while Bangladesh Television and Radio will air special programs.

The Bangladesh government has transferred three senior army officers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on deputation for appointment as ambassadors. The decision was formalized through separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday. The officers are Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan, former Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division; Major General Md Jahangir Alam, former Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI); and Major General Md Nasim Parvez, former Commandant of the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST).

The move follows a recent reshuffle in several key positions within the Bangladesh Army, after which new officers were appointed to replace the three officials now assigned to the Foreign Ministry. The government’s decision reflects an ongoing pattern of appointing senior military officials to diplomatic roles, aligning defense experience with foreign service responsibilities.

Further details regarding their specific ambassadorial postings or timelines were not disclosed in the official notifications.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could place significant pressure on Bangladesh’s economy. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur on Wednesday, March 4, he said Dhaka had urged Washington to pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis as quickly as possible.

The minister said two Bangladeshi nationals had been killed and seven injured in the conflict, adding that an extended or expanded war could worsen the situation. He emphasized that countries like Bangladesh would find it difficult to bear the economic consequences of such a prolonged conflict. The discussion also covered trade issues, the repatriation of undocumented Bangladeshis from the United States, and bilateral relations, which both sides described as positive and expected to strengthen further.

Rahman added that Bangladesh and the United States reached agreement on the Rohingya issue during the talks, reaffirming Dhaka’s commitment to conduct foreign policy based on national interest while maintaining balanced relations with all countries.

Fourteen fishermen abducted nearly three weeks ago in the Sundarbans have been released after paying ransoms ranging from 70,000 to 80,000 taka each. They returned to their respective fishing islands on March 3. The freed fishermen worked under four fish traders from Narikelbaria and Shelar Char. However, twelve fishermen belonging to two other traders, Rafiqul and Khalek of Alorkol, remain captive.

The abductions occurred on February 12 and 16, when two separate pirate groups led by Karim Sharif and by Jahangir and Suman attacked fishing trawlers in the eastern Sundarbans and the Bay of Bengal. According to an audio message from fish trader Arif Hossain Mithu, the bandits released fourteen fishermen after receiving ransom payments but continue to hold twelve others.

Forest Ranger Milton Roy stated that the pirates have threatened to launch further abductions if their extortion demands are not met. Despite ongoing joint operations led by the Coast Guard to eliminate piracy in the Sundarbans, the Sharankhola Range remains largely unaffected, prompting calls for immediate action in the area.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan disclosed details of his and his family’s bank accounts at a press conference held Wednesday night at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. He stated that he has two accounts totaling Tk 988,000, while his father has five accounts with Tk 547,711 combined, along with an outstanding service loan of Tk 629,746. His mother and wife hold smaller balances. Mahmud said all his income came through the government’s iBAS++ system during his 16-month tenure as an interim government adviser.

He revealed that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) had sought information on his accounts among 56 individuals, but only his details were publicized. Mahmud alleged that a specific group was spreading propaganda against him after reports surfaced about his possible candidacy for Dhaka South City Corporation mayor. He described the disclosure of confidential letters to journalists as deliberate and politically motivated.

Mahmud also addressed corruption allegations and clarified that claims of a Tk 1,000 crore scandal were baseless. He urged the media to ensure objectivity and transparency in reporting.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque has called on major corporate organizations in Bangladesh to assist in developing underperforming sports federations and promoting talented athletes on the global stage. He made the appeal on Wednesday during a special meeting with top corporate representatives at the National Sports Council conference room.

During the meeting, the minister outlined the government’s long-term plans for transforming the country’s sports infrastructure. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has prioritized sports at the national level and initiated programs to identify talent from the grassroots. Haque emphasized that collaboration between the government and corporate houses could elevate Bangladesh’s sports sector to new international heights.

He further stated that, in line with the election manifesto, new playgrounds will be built between every two wards in Dhaka, including walkways for senior citizens. Plans also include renovating rural fields and constructing modern indoor-equipped “sports villages” in all 64 districts. The minister added that the government will support the expansion of futsal facilities and aims to establish a self-sustaining “sports industry” to produce and export international-standard sports goods, creating employment opportunities.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Md. Nahid Islam has warned that Bangladesh may again face the threat of one-party authoritarian rule. Speaking on Wednesday at the Sylhet divisional iftar and prayer gathering of the National Citizen Party (NCP) at Hill View Convention Center, he accused the administration and institutions of being politicized.

Citing examples such as appointments at Bangladesh Bank, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and BSS, Nahid Islam said the country must prepare for another struggle but avoid past mistakes. He reflected on earlier mass uprisings, saying that errors made after those movements had led to the current national situation.

The event was attended by senior NCP leaders including Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, Advocate Tarikul Islam, and Abu Bakr Majumdar, as well as representatives from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other parties of the eleven-party alliance.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has issued a new circular mandating all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous employees to remain in their respective offices from 9:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. The circular, signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, was released on Wednesday and aims to ensure public service efficiency and discipline in official work. Offices are instructed to schedule other programs so that this mandatory attendance period is not disrupted.

According to the circular, the rule will not apply to teachers and faculty members of educational or training institutions who do not hold administrative responsibilities. It will also be exempt for those performing roster duties in hospitals, prisons, media organizations, or security-related institutions. Additionally, personnel directly engaged in emergency public services and law enforcement officers working in the field are excluded from the requirement.

The circular further states that employees cannot leave their workplaces during office hours without permission, except for VIP protocol duties, major emergencies, important meetings with development partners or diplomatic missions, or approved official travel. The directive takes immediate effect.

Iran’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, said Tehran expects Bangladesh, as a member of the OIC and NAM, to directly condemn aggressors attacking Iran. Speaking at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, he emphasized that Muslim nations should show solidarity when another Muslim country is under attack. He also confirmed that Bangladeshi students in Iran have been moved to safe locations and that the Bangladeshi Embassy in Tehran remains in regular contact with Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

The ambassador asserted that Iran possesses sufficient drones, missiles, and military strength to sustain a long-term conflict without external logistical support. He described the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei as a cowardly act planned by the United States and Israel, while denying any intelligence failure within Iran. He added that Iran would never initiate aggression against Israel but would resist any attack to the last drop of blood.

Jahanabadi further explained that a three-member committee currently oversees Iran’s leadership, with the Experts Council responsible for selecting a new leader soon.

A man named Babu Sheikh, aged 50, has confessed to attempting to kill seven-year-old Jannatul Naima Ira by slitting her throat in Sitakunda, Chattogram. He gave his statement under Section 164 before Chattogram Court-1 on Wednesday afternoon, confirmed the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Md. Kamruzzaman. The incident, which occurred on Monday at Chandranath Hill, sparked widespread discussion across the country.

Investigators said Babu Sheikh lured Ira with food and took her to a remote spot about 1,250 feet up the hill, where he tortured her and attempted to kill her by slitting her throat. The child fought for her life for two days before dying on Tuesday. A video circulated that day showed the accused walking with Ira toward the hill, leading police to arrest him that night.

District Police Superintendent Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan stated that the incident likely stemmed from a family dispute. Police recovered chocolates, a blood-stained dress, and the knife used in the attack. Authorities are investigating whether others were involved.

The Bangladesh government is preparing to extend the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays by one additional day to ease public travel before the festival. According to official sources, March 18 may be declared a public holiday through an executive order, making March 16 the final working day for government employees before the Eid break. The proposal is expected to be approved at the next cabinet meeting.

The official holiday list already includes March 19 to 23 for Eid-ul-Fitr, and March 17 is a public holiday for Shab-e-Qadr. If March 18 is confirmed as an additional holiday, government employees will enjoy a continuous seven-day break from March 17 to 23. Offices will reopen on March 24 and 25, followed by another general holiday on March 26 for Independence Day.

With the weekly holidays on March 27 and 28, government officials will effectively have another three consecutive days off after the Eid holidays, extending the overall period of leave for many employees.

Opposition Chief Whip and NCP convener Nahid Islam announced that he will raise questions in the national parliament regarding alleged politicization across six city corporations and various government offices. Speaking as the chief guest at the party’s divisional iftar gathering in Sylhet on March 4, he said the issue would be addressed firmly from a position of parliamentary accountability. He also urged party members to prepare for the upcoming local government elections, emphasizing the need for full organizational strength.

At the same event, NCP’s chief organizer Nasiruddin Patowary vowed not to compromise on justice for the murder of Hadi and called for an end to extortion, terrorism, and corruption. He also criticized partisan appointments in the administration and highlighted the poor condition of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway. Northern organizer Sarjis Alam stated that the party accepted the election results but warned against any manipulation in future local polls, threatening strong resistance if such attempts occur.

Central leaders added that if demands for implementing the “July Charter” ordinance and impeaching the president are not met, the party will take to the streets.