Ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election, law enforcement agencies have reported a surge in illegal firearms entering the country through at least 18 border points, including Teknaf, Benapole, Chapainawabganj, Kushtia, Dinajpur, and Meherpur. Intelligence sources indicate that organized crime groups, some allegedly backed by political figures, are stockpiling modern weapons to influence electoral outcomes and create instability. Over 1,300 firearms looted during the July uprising remain missing, and more than 75 gangs are believed to possess automatic foreign weapons. Despite recent recoveries by RAB and BGB, police have made limited progress in tracing missing arms. Security officials warn that some gangs maintain covert links with political leaders and foreign intelligence agencies. Authorities have intensified patrols, checkpoints, and surveillance nationwide, but challenges persist due to political patronage, weak intelligence coordination, and slow judicial processes. Police have vowed strict action against any group attempting to use violence or intimidation during the election period.

A private car caught fire while moving near the Kurmitola Army Golf Club in Dhaka on Monday morning, November 24. According to the Fire Service, the Kurmitola Fire Station received the alert around 10:40 a.m., and a team promptly reached the scene to bring the blaze under control. The car was reportedly heading toward Uttara when smoke began to emerge from the engine, prompting the driver to pull over immediately. Police officers present at the site assisted in managing the situation before the fire service arrived. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or casualties occurred in the incident. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but officials suspect an engine malfunction might have triggered it. Traffic in the area was briefly disrupted during the firefighting operation but later returned to normal.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has reaffirmed that the written examinations for the 47th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) will commence on November 27, 2024, as previously announced. The decision follows weeks of protests by job seekers demanding a postponement, citing insufficient preparation time. Demonstrations included railway blockades in Rajshahi and Mymensingh, hunger strike threats, and social media campaigns. PSC stated that the exam schedule was officially declared on June 3, giving candidates ample time since the preliminary results were published on September 19, shortlisting 10,644 candidates. The commission emphasized that BCS preparation requires long-term study and discipline, rejecting claims of inadequate time. It also noted that delaying exams would disrupt its planned roadmap for clearing examination backlogs. The written tests will be held from November 27 to December 18 across eight divisional cities, with some subject-specific exams taking place only in Dhaka. PSC urged all candidates to attend as per the announced schedule.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is holding a meeting this afternoon with secretaries from various ministries and departments to discuss the formulation of a new government pay structure. The meeting, chaired by Zakir Ahmed Khan, head of the 2025 Pay Commission, aims to review salaries, allowances, and benefits across government, semi-government, autonomous, and state-owned institutions. Sources indicate that about half of the draft process for the new pay scale has been completed, following consultations with employee organizations. The secretaries’ meeting will focus on the proposed structure, its potential implementation timeline, and related benefits. Employee leaders have urged the commission to submit its final recommendations by November 30, warning of strong protests if the deadline is missed. A large rally in Dhaka is planned for December 5 to press for the implementation of the new pay scale.

A viral video showing alleged gangster 'Dakat Alam' walking with armed associates, including one carrying an AK-47-style rifle, has triggered panic across Kadalpur Union in Raozan, Chattogram. Locals claim Alam, once linked to an Awami League MP and now reportedly aligned with a BNP leader, commands a 22-member armed group equipped with illegal weapons, bulletproof vests, and CCTV surveillance covering a five-kilometer area. Residents accuse the gang of extortion, drug trafficking, and using minors to hide weapons. Police say they are investigating the video and monitoring seven active criminal groups in the region. Alam denies the allegations, calling the video fabricated. Authorities have vowed to act regardless of political affiliations. Since August 2024, at least 14 murders have occurred in Raozan, mostly tied to political rivalry and territorial disputes, deepening public concerns over law and order in the area.

The Directorate of Education and Engineering in Bangladesh has instructed all educational institutions to submit detailed reports on damages caused by the November 21 earthquake, which measured 5.7 on the Richter scale and originated near Narsingdi. A circular signed by Chief Engineer (acting) Md. Tarek Anwar Jahedi on November 23 directed secondary, higher, technical, and madrasa institutions to send scanned and soft copies of damage assessments by November 24. Government primary schools have also been asked to submit similar reports by November 27, including district and upazila names, number of damaged rooms, and estimated losses. The directive follows media reports indicating that several schools and colleges across multiple districts suffered structural damage during the tremor. Authorities aim to compile a comprehensive database to guide necessary repair and safety measures in affected educational facilities.

The National Identity (NID) correction service in Bangladesh was abruptly suspended on Monday, November 24, without prior notice, leading to widespread public inconvenience. Although the Election Commission had earlier announced that NID corrections would remain open until 4 p.m. that day, the service was unexpectedly halted before noon. Officials had previously stated that all correction activities would be suspended after 4 p.m. to prepare the voter list for the upcoming national elections. Additionally, NID migration services were also suspended until further notice. The Election Commission said further details would be communicated through an official circular. The sudden and unannounced halt left many citizens frustrated, particularly those who had traveled to service centers expecting to complete their NID corrections before the announced deadline.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim marked his 100th Test appearance in style as Bangladesh defeated Ireland by 217 runs in the Dhaka Test. The veteran cricketer, who also earned the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten half-century, received multiple honors from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association, and other organizations. His achievement has inspired several Bangladeshi pacers to aim for the rare milestone of playing 100 Tests, a significant challenge in the country’s cricketing context. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto praised Mushfiqur’s dedication and leadership, noting his influence on younger players. At 38, Mushfiqur expressed his desire to continue contributing to the national team and guiding the next generation. Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie also lauded Mushfiqur’s longevity, remarking on the contrast between Bangladesh’s progress and Ireland’s limited Test schedule.

Organized crime networks in Bangladesh have become increasingly active ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram. Recent killings, including those of top criminals Tariq Saif Mamun and political activist Golam Kibria, highlight the resurgence of underworld gangs armed with modern weapons and supported by virtual command centers abroad. Intelligence sources report that some gangs maintain covert ties with political leaders and foreign intelligence operatives, allegedly aiming to destabilize law and order before the polls. The Mirpur-based 'Four Star' gang has emerged as a new force under political patronage, while older figures like Imon, Jisan, and Killer Abbas are reactivating their networks through encrypted communication and remittance channels. Law enforcement agencies, including the DMP and RAB, are attempting to curb the violence but face challenges due to political protection and the flow of illegal arms through border routes. Security agencies have urged urgent, coordinated action to prevent gang influence from undermining voter confidence and election integrity.

Newly appointed Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Touhiduzzaman Pavel described the upcoming national and referendum elections as a 'century-defining' event that will determine Bangladesh’s direction for the next hundred years. Speaking at a meeting with local journalists, he emphasized his top priority is to ensure a free, fair, and neutral election process. Drawing an analogy, he compared his role to a football team captain who coordinates and guides rather than commands. Pavel reaffirmed that the district administration, a 250-year-old institution, belongs to the people and will continue to serve them with honesty, competence, and justice. He also announced approval of nine development projects, including the expansion of the district hospital, and vowed to combat drug abuse and improve governance. The DC sought cooperation from journalists to promote transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

Bangladesh’s largest mobile operator, Grameenphone, has reportedly dismissed around 3,360 permanent Bangladeshi employees over the past 13 years, reducing the local workforce to about 1,640. Former employees allege that the company has systematically replaced Bangladeshi workers with Indian nationals and outsourced key operations to Indian-owned firms Genex and Withpro. Several top management positions, including CTO, CIO, and CPO, are currently held by Indian citizens, raising concerns about data security, service quality, and financial irregularities. Dismissed workers claim they were labeled as politically affiliated, unfit, or union members and that their dues remain unpaid despite legal battles and protests. Grameenphone denies the allegations, asserting that all dismissals followed legal procedures and that all dues were settled. The company maintains that its recruitment follows global standards and that ongoing disputes are under judicial review. Labor activists continue to demand payment of outstanding benefits and accuse the firm of violating labor laws and court orders.

Nasim Rana Masud, CEO of Rajshahi-based IT firm Techflix and a former psychology student at the University of Rajshahi, has been honored with the 'Nepal International Excellence Award 2025' for his outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s IT sector. The award was presented in Kathmandu at an event jointly organized by the South Asian Social Cultural Forum and the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Council. The ceremony, themed 'Our Role in the Development of Asia’s Trade and Tourism Industry,' recognized professionals from across South Asia for their socio-economic and professional excellence. Distinguished guests included leaders from Nepal’s academia, tourism, and business sectors. Expressing his gratitude, Nasim said the award symbolizes not only recognition but also a greater sense of responsibility toward his country’s development. The event emphasized regional cooperation, development strategies, and future planning for South Asia’s growth.

Badiul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council, stated that the Pay Commission could submit its recommendations for a new pay scale by November 30. Speaking on November 23, he emphasized that government employees are eagerly awaiting the new pay structure and warned that failure to meet the deadline could trigger widespread protests. Kabir noted that employees are united and ready to launch programs if their demands are not met. The council has given the commission until the end of November to finalize at least a summary of its report. Meanwhile, sources indicate that the Pay Commission has completed about 50 percent of its work and plans to gather opinions from secretaries next week before finalizing the report. The final recommendations are expected by the end of December. A major rally is scheduled for December 5 if the deadline is missed.

Bangladesh’s Legal Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that judicial reforms, including the introduction of e-family courts, are expected to reduce the number of pending cases by 50 percent over the next five years. Speaking at the inauguration of the e-family court system at the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on November 24, he said that reforms have taken place not only in the constitution but across multiple sectors, with 21 specific reforms implemented within the Ministry of Law alone. The e-family court initiative, launched as a pilot project in Dhaka and Chattogram, will allow litigants to file and process cases entirely online. Dr. Nazrul emphasized that reforms must be realistic and balanced to avoid weakening state institutions. The event was also attended by Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and ICT Adviser Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb. The initiative aims to modernize the justice system and improve accessibility for citizens.

In Bogura, Bangladesh, police arrested Riazul Islam Nafiz for allegedly killing his wife, Afia Akter Swapna, three months after their love marriage. The couple had married against family consent and were living in a rented house in the Kaipara area. According to relatives, Nafiz’s family demanded a dowry of 500,000 taka and a motorcycle from Afia’s family to accept the marriage, leading to ongoing disputes. On Sunday evening, neighbors heard a heated argument between the couple, followed by silence. When locals entered the house, they found Afia unconscious, reportedly strangled to death. Police detained Nafiz at the scene and sent the body for autopsy at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Bogura Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Hasan Basir stated that the cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem report, and an investigation is underway into all aspects of the incident.