In Syedpur of Nilphamari, unpaid electricity bills in 24 Bihari camps have reached Tk 66 crore as of February 2026, creating a prolonged dispute over who should bear the cost. Despite repeated letters from the local electricity office to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, no resolution has been reached. The ministry has stated it will only pay bills up to 2016, arguing that camp residents are now Bangladeshi citizens and must pay their own bills.

Field visits revealed that while each camp has a government-installed meter, many residents also use direct connections from nearby poles without meters. The camps consume about Tk 50 lakh worth of electricity monthly. Officials warn that continuous power use is maintained to prevent fire hazards from illegal connections.

Local leaders and rights activists attribute the crisis to poor planning and lack of formal integration of the camps into the city structure. They say the government is losing revenue while residents face safety risks. Camp representatives have called for dignified rehabilitation to resolve the issue permanently.

A tube well installation in Dheoban village of Rajnagar upazila, Moulvibazar, was stopped after gas began emerging from the pipe instead of water at a depth of 55 feet. The incident occurred on Saturday at the home of a farmer named Kipend in Ward No. 2 of Panchgaon Union. Workers noticed the unusual emission and informed the homeowner, who then advised relocating the drilling site. However, the same phenomenon occurred again, prompting workers to stop the work and fill the hole with soil.

The unexpected gas release caused concern and curiosity among local residents. Acting chairman of Panchgaon Union Parishad, Jubel Ahmed Russel, visited the site after receiving reports. Following the advice of the upazila executive officer, the drilling work was suspended to avoid potential risks.

Upazila executive officer Bipul Sikder stated that the administration is closely monitoring the situation and has contacted Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX), sending them video footage and photographs for assessment.

Police in Narayanganj have arrested six teenagers accused of murdering 11-year-old Hossain to satisfy a perverse curiosity about experiencing prison life. The killing took place in Fatullah, where the group allegedly planned the act to understand the criminal world. Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman Munshi disclosed the arrests at a press conference on Monday, noting that the main accused, 18-year-old Yasin, has given a confessional statement in court.

According to police, the teenagers used to gather and consume drugs at an abandoned house near Fatullah railway station. Driven by the desire to know what it feels like to go to jail, they decided to kill someone. They lured Hossain, who sold flowers with his father, to an abandoned house in Dapa Idrakpur Bank Colony by offering him marijuana. There, the group stabbed him to death and left the body.

Hossain went missing on April 18, and his decomposed body was recovered on April 23. Police later arrested the suspects and recovered the murder weapon. One more suspect remains at large. Experts have described the incident as a grave warning about rising violent tendencies among youths.

Fuel loading of uranium officially begins today, Tuesday, at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna. The event marks a major milestone as the country’s first nuclear power facility moves toward test production of electricity. The ceremony will be attended by Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam as chief guest, along with ministry officials and Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s Rosatom.

According to a senior official from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh received a license on April 16 to load nuclear fuel after meeting all safety and monitoring requirements set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The fuel loading process for the first unit is expected to take at least 45 days.

The ministry official added that test electricity generation from the first unit could begin in early August, initially supplying 300 megawatts to the national grid. Full-capacity generation of 1,200 megawatts is targeted by January 2027.

Field-level administrative officials across Bangladesh have submitted 1,729 proposals to the Cabinet Division ahead of the upcoming Deputy Commissioners (DC) Conference scheduled for May 3–6 in Dhaka. Among the proposals are calls for constructing the Padma Barrage to protect the southwest region from the effects of India’s Farakka Barrage, improving law enforcement to combat drug trafficking, and ensuring stable fuel and electricity supplies. The Cabinet Division has reviewed the submissions and accepted 498 proposals for discussion at the conference.

The event will be the first DC Conference under the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, following the BNP’s electoral victory on April 17. The government expects the conference to strengthen coordination between central policymakers and field administrators. Discussions will cover 56 ministries and agencies across 34 sessions, focusing on public service delivery, infrastructure, disaster management, poverty reduction, and local governance.

State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari said the government prioritizes integrity, competence, and neutrality in administrative appointments, emphasizing that officials must serve citizens rather than political interests.

Five struggling Islamic banks—Exim, Social Islami, First Security Islami, Union, and Global Islami—were merged under the interim government to form the state-owned Sammilit Islami Bank. However, the bank’s chairman has resigned, and the appointed managing director has not joined. In the two months since the new government took office, no progress has been made on leadership appointments, branch consolidation, or IT integration, leaving depositors anxious about the bank’s future.

The merger was initiated under the 2025 Bank Resolution Ordinance, with the government contributing Tk 20,000 crore in capital and depositors receiving Tk 15,000 crore in shares. Yet, a recent legal amendment allowing former owners to regain control has reignited depositor unrest. Administrators report stalled operations, rising withdrawal pressure, and a lack of clear direction from Bangladesh Bank. Governor Mostakur Rahman has acknowledged that the government has not reached a final decision on the banks’ fate.

Experts warn that prolonged indecision could worsen financial instability. They stress that any move to return ownership to previous controllers must ensure accountability for past mismanagement and protect depositor confidence.

Five children have drowned in separate incidents over four days in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, causing widespread grief and alarm among residents. The latest death occurred on Monday afternoon in Baraidala Union, where six-year-old Humayra fell into a pond near her home. Earlier, four other children aged between three and nine died in similar accidents in different areas of the upazila.

Local residents said most rural homes are surrounded by open ponds and water bodies without protective fencing, posing serious risks to children. Health officials noted that drowning is one of the leading causes of death among Bangladeshi children aged one to ten, particularly in rural areas where ponds and ditches are common near homes. Sitakunda Health Officer Dr. Altaf Hossain described the deaths as preventable and called for awareness campaigns and coordinated efforts among local departments.

Public health experts recommended institutional measures such as swimming lessons in primary schools, community daycare centers, and local water safety programs. Residents urged authorities to treat the issue as a public safety emergency to prevent further tragedies.

A brief uproar erupted in Bangladesh’s National Parliament on Monday evening after a BNP lawmaker described the July Charter as 'unnecessary'. The incident occurred before the Maghrib prayer break during discussions on the motion of thanks to the President’s address. BNP MP Manjurul Karim remarked that the opposition had been debating an 'unnecessary July Charter' since the first day of the current parliament.

Following his comment, Jamaat-e-Islami MP Nurul Islam Bulbul raised a point of order, arguing that the current government was formed in continuation of the July uprising and that calling July 'unnecessary' was unacceptable. As members began shouting, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed intervened, reminding MPs that differing opinions were part of democracy and urging them to respect freedom of speech and maintain decorum.

After the prayer break, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said he had spoken with Manjurul Karim, who clarified that he meant 'unnecessary debate', not that the July Charter itself was unnecessary. The Deputy Speaker later stated that the matter would be reviewed and appropriate action taken.

Five days after bus fares were raised following a fuel price hike, bus operations in Dhaka have yet to return to normal. The shortage began when a fuel crisis hit the country due to the Iran war, leading to fewer buses on major city routes such as Gulistan–Mirpur, Rampura, and Satrasta. As a result, passengers are facing long waits and overcrowded buses, particularly during office hours.

Bus conductors said they spend long hours in line to refuel, reducing the number of daily trips. Some owners are also avoiding operating buses lacking proper documents or fitness certificates under the new government. Although fares were officially increased last Thursday, most city buses are still charging old rates, as conductors have not received updated fare charts. Transport workers expressed dissatisfaction with the new fare structure, and owners have yet to issue final instructions.

On long-distance routes, the new fares have been implemented, but passengers reported being charged 50 to 150 taka more than the approved rates. The Passengers’ Welfare Association confirmed receiving growing complaints about overcharging on several inter-district routes.

The Migrant Welfare Network (MWN) has submitted a memorandum to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment demanding compensation, rehabilitation, justice, and accountability for hundreds of Bangladeshi workers who returned from Malaysia after facing abuse and fraud. The memorandum was handed over on Monday during a meeting with the expatriates’ welfare minister.

According to returning workers, they had spent between 500,000 and 550,000 taka to go to Malaysia in 2023 and were employed by companies such as Mediseram and Kawaguchi. They alleged that the companies withheld salaries for over five to six months, confiscated passports, and subjected them to forced labor and physical abuse. The minister reportedly assured them that the responsible recruitment agencies would be summoned and that compensation and blacklisting issues would be addressed.

The workers’ demands include immediate payment of due wages, full compensation under international standards, return of seized passports, cancellation of blacklists, effective rehabilitation programs, and legal action against exploitative agencies. They also called for zero-cost safe migration, reform of complaint mechanisms, and inclusion of workers in migration policy-making.

Three people, including two members of the same family, were hacked to death in the Khushi Bazar area of Gadadhardangi village under Aliyabad Union in Faridpur Sadar upazila on Monday night around 9:30 pm. The accused, identified as 28-year-old Akash, allegedly used a sharp axe and spade in the attack before fleeing the scene. The victims were Rahila Begum, 50, Amena Begum, 75, and neighbor Kabul Chowdhury, 45. Another person, Riaz Molla, 45, was injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

According to police, two of the victims were the suspect’s grandmother and aunt, while the neighbor was killed while trying to intervene. Following the incident, senior police officials, including Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Shamsul Azam, visited the site. Faridpur Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Shahidul Islam confirmed the incident and said legal proceedings are underway.

As of the latest update, the suspect remains at large, and police operations to apprehend him are ongoing.

During the first innings break in Chattogram, chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon discussed the upcoming Test series and confirmed that four players—Zakir Ali Anik, Hasan Murad, Hasan Mahmud, and Khaled Ahmed—were left out for tactical reasons. Zakir was dropped due to poor form, while Hasan Mahmud was not fully fit after injury. Despite strong performances, Hasan Murad and Khaled Ahmed were omitted based on team strategy.

Bashar explained that the selection panel considered Pakistan’s left-handed batting lineup and opted for off-spinner Nayeem Hasan instead of Murad. Khaled was replaced as selectors preferred wicket-taking bowlers like Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Ebadot Hossain. Bashar emphasized that players should not take the omissions negatively and that explanations would be given personally.

The new squad includes Amit Hasan as a backup wicketkeeper and Tanzid Hasan Tamim, known for his aggressive batting. Bashar said the selectors aim to give new players long-term opportunities, signaling a shift toward fresh planning in Bangladesh’s Test setup.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) rescued 69 Rohingya, including women and children, from a human trafficking attempt to Malaysia through the sea route in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The operation took place early Monday, April 27, 2026, when BGB’s Teknaf-2 Battalion surrounded a suspected hideout near Maheshkhali Para. Three traffickers were detained during the raid, while several others managed to escape.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman, all rescued individuals are Myanmar nationals residing in Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. The search of the hideout led to the recovery of five men, twenty women, and thirty-three children, along with an autorickshaw and two empty gas cylinders used in the trafficking operation. Later that day, BGB conducted a separate operation in Nazir Para, detaining eleven more Rohingya, including women and children.

BGB stated that Rohingya with valid camp identification cards will be returned to their respective camps, while those without cards will be pushed back to Myanmar. The detained traffickers are being processed for legal action through Teknaf police.

Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku announced that the government has set a target to generate 10,000 megawatts of solar power within the next five years to address the country’s electricity shortage. He made the statement on Monday at the Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in Dhaka’s Gulshan. The minister said unused government land will be identified and allocated for large-scale solar projects through inter-ministerial coordination, including land along the Jamuna River.

He added that unused land owned by agencies such as the railway will be brought under investment, and a committee has been formed to implement major projects under public-private partnerships. The minister acknowledged that private power producers’ dues, dollar shortages, and high fuel import costs have worsened the power situation, though some improvement in load-shedding is expected in the coming weeks. BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud bin Harun said new guidelines will allow private investors to use government land for 15 to 20 years, with a pilot project already underway in Feni’s Sonagazi.

CPD Research Director Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem emphasized that renewable energy is essential for energy security as fossil fuel-based economies face growing uncertainty. He noted that over $9 billion in investment will be needed to achieve the 10,000 MW green power goal by 2030.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan has declared that there will be no compromise on the quality of ongoing development works. Speaking on April 25 in Mirpur’s Ward 5 and Ward 3 during the inauguration of road and drainage improvement projects, he said all contractors must strictly follow tender conditions and complete work within the stipulated time. DNCC officials will regularly monitor progress, and he himself will inspect if necessary.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque, present as chief guest, assured residents of Bawnia Bandh area that the government is working to resolve land ownership, cremation ground, water, and gas issues. He urged patience as gas supply improvements will take time.

Under the projects, 7.88 kilometers of roads and equivalent drainage lines will be built in Ward 5, and 330 meters of road and drainage lines in Ward 3, using RCC pipelines of specified diameters. The administrator emphasized public cooperation and warned against illegal truck parking on main roads.