BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that attempts are being made to distort the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. He made the remarks on Tuesday, February 3, during a campaign rally at Jongolkata in Chakaria’s Konakhali Union, organized by the Matamuhuri organizational unit of BNP in support of the party’s election symbol.

Ahmed criticized Jamaat-e-Islami, saying those who opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 are now trying to rewrite the Liberation War narrative. He referred to a recent statement by Jamaat’s Ameer, which he described as misleading and false regarding the declaration of independence. Ahmed accused Jamaat of trying to present itself as a pro-Liberation force by recruiting a freedom fighter and using that association for political gain.

He further condemned Jamaat’s recent comments about working women, calling them insulting and harmful to women’s employment. Local BNP leaders, including district and upazila organizers, were present at the event.

The interim government of Bangladesh has issued a new ordinance transferring all existing private Export Processing Zones (EPZs) under the direct control of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). The 'Bangladesh Private Export Processing Zone (Repeal) Ordinance, 2026' was published in the official gazette by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The announcement was confirmed by the ministry’s public relations officer, Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim.

Under the new ordinance, the 1996 law governing private EPZs has been repealed, and all such zones will now be recognized as private economic zones under the Bangladesh Economic Zones Act, 2010. Existing licenses will remain valid, and bonded and concessional facilities will continue. The ordinance also dissolves the former Governor Board and Executive Cell, transferring their staff to BEZA while retaining their employment conditions. Ongoing legal proceedings involving the dissolved bodies will now fall under BEZA’s jurisdiction.

The government stated that the 1996 law was originally enacted to promote private investment and export trade but has now been repealed considering current needs. The ordinance takes immediate effect.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has pledged to provide free Wi-Fi and various facilities for students across Bangladesh if his party wins the upcoming election. The announcement was conveyed by Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam, chief coordinator of BNP’s election management committee for Dhaka-17, during a digital Wi-Fi inauguration event at Government Titumir College on Tuesday. The event included a discussion between BNP leaders, teachers, and students of the college.

Abdus Salam said the initiative reflects Rahman’s vision to make digital connectivity accessible to all students, regardless of religion or background, to help them access global information, pursue higher education abroad, and find employment opportunities. He emphasized that the digital era demands modern systems and that free Wi-Fi would be a major benefit for financially constrained students. Salam also urged students to practice clean politics, avoid negative political behavior, and promote BNP’s ideals of inclusivity and development.

The event was attended by college faculty, BNP election coordinators, and student leaders, who also commemorated July revolution martyrs with the inauguration of a digital memorial.

The BCB Wheelchair Cricket Tournament 2026 concluded on February 3 at the Gulshan Youth Club ground in Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Physically Challenged Wing to form a national wheelchair cricket team. Four teams—Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, and Surma—competed in the two-day event held on February 2–3. In the final, Jamuna defeated Surma by nine wickets to claim the championship. Surma scored 87 runs for three wickets, while Jamuna chased down the target with 89 runs for one wicket.

Raihan Hossain Raja was named Man of the Match for his 55-run innings. Raju Mia earned both the Man of the Tournament and Best Bowler awards, while Julhas was recognized as the Best Batsman. The closing and award ceremony was attended by BCB Director and singer Asif Akbar as chief guest, along with officials from Gulshan Youth Club and sports journalists.

The tournament is regarded as a milestone in identifying wheelchair cricket talent and advancing the formation of Bangladesh’s national wheelchair cricket team.

Students of Narsingdi Polytechnic Institute staged a protest on Tuesday by blocking the Dhaka–Sylhet highway near the Police Lines area in Sahepratap, Narsingdi. The demonstration was organized to press for a four-point demand, which the students had announced on social media the previous night. They placed tree trunks and benches across the road, halting all vehicular movement on both sides of the highway.

The blockade caused a severe traffic jam stretching about five kilometers, leaving commuters, long-distance passengers, and ambulances stranded for hours. Local residents reported widespread suffering due to the gridlock. Police officials arrived at the scene and attempted to negotiate with the students to restore normal traffic flow.

As of the time of reporting, no official announcement had been made regarding the withdrawal of the blockade, and discussions between police and students were ongoing.

An indefinite strike has been declared at Chattogram Port demanding cancellation of the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and withdrawal of mass transfer orders for employees. The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon by Md. Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Port Protection Struggle Council, who stated that the strike would continue until their demands are met. Another coordinator, Md. Humayun Kabir, said the movement would persist as long as the government does not withdraw from the lease process.

The strike follows three consecutive days of partial work stoppages and a 24-hour program earlier on Tuesday. Port operations have come to a standstill, halting import deliveries, container handling, and cargo vehicle movement, though lighter vessel unloading at outer anchorage remains normal. Leaders and activists from the Nationalist Workers Party and SKOP are participating in the protest.

Port authorities have transferred at least 16 employees, including Humayun Kabir, to other ports for participating in the movement. The ongoing disruption has raised concern among business communities and stakeholders over the paralysis of the country’s main seaport.

A mobile court in Valuka upazila of Mymensingh sentenced six BNP leaders, including a former general secretary, to 15 days of simple imprisonment for violating the electoral code of conduct. The joint forces detained them around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday from the Bogajan Rahatul Jannat Women’s Madrasa area in Meduari Union. They were accused of distributing money among voters on behalf of BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol candidate Fakhruddin Ahmed Bacchu.

According to the report, an army patrol team conducted a raid after receiving information that a group of 25 to 30 people was distributing cash to voters. Seven individuals were detained, and after verifying the allegations, Executive Magistrate A.B.M. Kawsar Zaman led the mobile court that sentenced six of them to jail. One minor was released to his mother after signing a bond. Officials including Assistant Returning Officer and UNO Firoz Hossain, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Iqbala Hossain, and Valuka Police OC Muhammad Zahidul Islam were present during the operation.

Authorities also seized a microbus, cash, and a ledger containing details of money distribution plans across neighborhoods.

Syed Sofiqul Islam, convener of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) election liaison committee, said on Monday that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would not receive votes from the public, expatriates, or young voters due to its past record of corruption. Speaking at a press conference in support of the upcoming referendum’s “Yes” campaign, he warned that expatriates might stop sending remittances if BNP returned to power.

At the same event, Sofiqul Islam alleged that the official X account of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, had been hacked using an email linked to the President’s office, calling it a shameful act. He also claimed attempts were made to hack the social media accounts of Rashed Pradhan and accused BNP activists of such behavior. He urged the interim government, Election Commission, and law enforcement agencies to take immediate action against violence to ensure a safe electoral environment.

He further called on citizens to vote “Yes” in the February 12, 2026 referendum to constitutionally recognize the July Revolution Charter, aiming to establish accountability and prevent future corruption and authoritarianism.

A total of 146 polling centers have been set up in the Gaibandha-3 (Palashbari-Sadullapur) constituency for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, with 56 of them identified as risky. The constituency, comprising 19 unions from Palashbari and Sadullapur upazilas, has 506,185 registered voters. Sadullapur has 75 polling centers, 46 of which are marked risky, while Palashbari has 71 centers, with 10 considered risky.

According to Palashbari Police Officer-in-Charge Sarayer Alam Khan, law enforcement agencies are on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents around the risky centers. Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Jaber Ahmed stated that administrative measures are ongoing to ensure a free, fair, and acceptable election. He emphasized that immediate action will be taken wherever necessary to maintain neutrality.

Officials noted growing voter enthusiasm in the area and expressed optimism that the election in Palashbari would be peaceful and orderly under adequate security arrangements.

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), challenging the candidacy of Dr. M A Kayum, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Dhaka-11 constituency. The petition alleged dual citizenship and concealment of information. The order was delivered on Tuesday afternoon by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan.

Following the court’s decision, lawyers confirmed that there is no legal barrier for Dr. Kayum to contest in the Dhaka-11 election. The dismissal of the writ effectively upholds the validity of his nomination, allowing him to continue his campaign without judicial obstruction.

The ruling resolves one of several legal challenges surrounding BNP candidates ahead of the election, clarifying the status of Dr. Kayum’s eligibility in the Dhaka-11 constituency.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) may announce its manifesto for the 13th parliamentary election on January 6, Friday, according to Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of the party’s election management committee. He made the statement on Tuesday at the BNP election management committee office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Mahdi Amin said the party’s election manifesto is almost ready, with only one plan remaining to be completed. Once that is finalized, the manifesto could be announced on January 6. The announcement is expected to outline the BNP’s priorities and commitments ahead of the upcoming national election.

The statement indicates that the BNP is in the final stages of preparing its election platform, signaling an intensifying focus on campaign readiness as the election approaches.

A fire broke out early Tuesday around 5:00 a.m. at the election campaign camp of BNP-nominated candidate Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf in the Faridpur-3 constituency. The incident occurred near the Tetultala bus stand in Mrigi area of Kanaipur Union under Faridpur Sadar upazila. The camp had been set up by Farhad, president of the BNP’s Ward No. 4 unit in Kanaipur Union. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

The blaze partially damaged a campaign banner, a table, and decorative cloths. Raja Sheikh, vice-president of the same ward unit, noticed the fire after morning prayers and, with local residents, quickly brought it under control. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shahidul Islam of Faridpur Kotwali Police Station confirmed the incident, stating that police visited the site and would take legal action upon receiving a formal complaint.

Authorities have not yet identified who was responsible for setting the fire, and an investigation is expected to follow once a complaint is filed.

District police in Lakshmipur have identified 215 of the 496 polling centers across four parliamentary constituencies as highly important or high-risk, and 198 as important. To ensure security during the upcoming election, CCTV cameras have already been installed at 218 centers, including all 215 high-risk ones. The initiative was confirmed by Additional Superintendent of Police Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi.

According to police sources, the centers have been categorized as highly important, important, or general based on law and order considerations. The highest number of high-risk centers is in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila. The district administration stated that installing CCTV cameras is part of a broader effort to ensure full security on election day. Additional Deputy Commissioner Mezbaul Alam Bhuiyan said the remaining centers will receive cameras once funds are available.

Police officials added that extra law enforcement personnel will be deployed at high-risk and important centers, with body-worn cameras and real-time monitoring from the district control room to maintain oversight.

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has warned that any member of the law enforcement agencies found involved with any individual, party, or political agenda during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election will face departmental and strict legal action. He issued the warning on Tuesday, February 3, during the Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal Award ceremony at the Coast Guard headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The adviser emphasized that the government will show zero tolerance regarding the neutrality of Coast Guard members in performing their duties during the election and referendum. He praised the Coast Guard for its contributions in ensuring coastal and inland waterway security, preventing illegal fishing, arms and drug trafficking, human trafficking, robbery, and piracy. He also commended their role in disaster response, rescue operations, and humanitarian assistance, including efforts during cyclones, floods, and the Rohingya crisis.

According to the adviser, 3,585 Coast Guard members are among nearly 900,000 law enforcement personnel deployed nationwide to ensure a free, fair, peaceful, and neutral election on February 12. Forty Coast Guard members received medals for their exemplary service at the event.

The prosecution has formally filed charges against Bangladesh Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and former Food Minister Kamrul Islam for alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during the July uprising. The charges were submitted on Tuesday afternoon at the International Crimes Tribunal, confirmed by prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim.

According to the prosecution, Menon and Kamrul are accused of involvement in two killings that occurred during the July uprising. Both political figures have been in custody since August 5, 2024, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

The tribunal’s acceptance of the formal charges marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the July uprising incidents, though further details on the next phase of proceedings were not provided in the report.