The Chittagong University (CU) unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir held a protest march on Wednesday night following the death of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sreebardi upazila unit in Sherpur. Karim was killed in a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters over seating arrangements on an election manifesto stage in the Sherpur-3 constituency. The demonstration began at the university’s Zero Point around 11:30 p.m. and passed through several campus locations before concluding with speeches.

During the rally, CU Shibir secretary Mohammad Parvez accused rival political groups of continuing a pattern of violence similar to earlier political unrest, warning of retaliation if such actions persisted. Office secretary Habibullah Khaled alleged that killings and attacks, including those targeting women, were being carried out under political direction, criticizing national leadership for remaining silent on the incidents.

The protest reflected growing campus-level tensions linked to political violence surrounding the upcoming election, as student groups aligned with national parties responded to the Sherpur incident.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has accused a rival political party of misusing religious sentiments in its election campaign. At a press conference held on Wednesday at the BNP’s Gulshan office, Mahadi Amin, spokesperson for the party’s central election management committee, alleged that the rival party was offering promises of paradise, making voters swear on the Quran, and even proposing cash transfers via mobile payment services in exchange for votes. He described these actions as political hypocrisy and called on all parties to adhere to the electoral code of conduct.

Amin further criticized the rival party’s leader for announcing the establishment of a public university and the upgrade of Bogura municipality to a city corporation, both of which he said were already approved by the government. He also condemned the reported dismissal of a mosque muezzin in Naogaon for supporting BNP’s election symbol, calling it a violation of democratic rights.

Referring to a video from Sylhet, Amin said a candidate’s claim that police would need his permission to enter homes was unconstitutional and demanded appropriate action from authorities.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) stated that the law and order situation is better than expected and that preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum are stronger than in previous years. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon after a divisional meeting on law and order in Sylhet, held at the PTI Auditorium in Subidbazar.

Chowdhury emphasized that all officials involved in election duties are competent and honest, with no political bias. He detailed extensive security measures, including CCTV cameras at every polling center, drones at selected centers, body-worn cameras, dog squads, and the deployment of ten Ansar members per center, three of whom will be armed. Strike forces from the army, navy, air force, RAB, BGB, coast guard, and police, along with mobile teams, will also be on duty.

The meeting was attended by senior administrative and law enforcement officials from Sylhet and neighboring districts, as well as representatives from various security agencies.

The Rajshahi University (RU) unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir held a protest on Wednesday night, January 28, 2026, condemning the killing of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sreebardi upazila unit in Sherpur. The incident occurred during a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters at an election manifesto event in Sherpur-3 constituency. The protest march began at the university’s Zoha Chattar around 11:30 p.m., circled 17 residential halls, and concluded at the starting point.

During the demonstration, participants chanted slogans accusing BNP of political violence and holding its leadership responsible for the killing. RU Shibir office secretary Mujahid Islam denounced the incident, alleging that BNP’s armed groups were behind the attack, and warned that the public would reject such politics in the upcoming February 12 election. Senate member Fahim Reza also condemned the violence, saying the killing marked a return to political bloodshed that many hoped had ended after August 5.

Speakers at the protest called for accountability and urged voters to oppose what they described as BNP’s violent political tactics through the ballot box.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 52 individuals in the capital within the last 24 hours under Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The information was confirmed on Wednesday by DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Muhammad Talebur Rahman. The arrests were made during coordinated drives across multiple police stations in Dhaka.

According to the DMP, the operation involved police from Kotwali, Demra, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Badda, Paltan, Adabar, Bangshal, Chawkbazar, Kalabagan, Jatrabari, Rampura, Gendaria, Darus Salam, Shilpanchal, Shahbagh, Wari, and Uttara West stations. Among those arrested, Hazaribagh police detained 12 people, Mohammadpur six, Jatrabari eight, and Shahbagh five, while other stations reported smaller numbers. All detainees have been sent to court.

The operation is part of an ongoing citywide effort by DMP to conduct targeted raids under the second phase of Operation Devil Hunt, focusing on maintaining law and order in Dhaka.

Authorities have partially blocked access to the popular news website BD Today (www.bdtoday.net) without any prior announcement, according to a report published on January 29, 2026. The site, which has been operating for 14 years, is known for publishing content critical of fascism and Indian hegemony. Its publisher expressed anger over the latest restriction, noting that the site is currently inaccessible on mobile devices.

BD Today’s editor, Dr. Mokarram Hossain, told Amar Desh that the portal is legally registered under Bangladesh’s company law and not an unverified outlet. He said discussions with mobile operators revealed that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) had ordered the block. The editorial team strongly protested the move and demanded that access be restored immediately.

Attempts to reach BTRC Vice Chairman Md. Abu Bakar Siddique for comment were unsuccessful, but a senior official from a mobile operator confirmed that the block was implemented under BTRC’s directive.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for visible action from law enforcement following the killing of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat’s Sherpur-3 Sreebardi upazila unit. In a verified Facebook post on Wednesday night, he said the public wants to see how law enforcement performs and what kind of election they deliver to the nation.

According to his statement, the incident occurred during an election manifesto reading event organized by the assistant returning officer of Sherpur-3 constituency. A dispute reportedly broke out when BNP supporters arrived late and argued over seating, leading to a violent clash. Dr. Rahman alleged that BNP activists attacked Jamaat supporters with local weapons, injuring more than 50 people. Three were critically wounded, and Rezaul Karim died on the way to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital around 9 p.m.

Dr. Rahman demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible, warning against any delay. He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and reiterated that the nation would not tolerate negligence in justice.

BNP Standing Committee member and Bhola-3 parliamentary candidate Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed alleged that the Awami League is conspiring from India to create instability in Bangladesh. Speaking on Wednesday morning at a guardians’ assembly at Ha-Meem Residential School and College in Lalmohan, Bhola, he said the Awami League’s 16 years in power were a nightmare period during which the party served Indian interests. He urged voters to respond to these alleged conspiracies through the upcoming national election.

Major Hafiz also criticized the interim government, claiming it had taken no initiative to reform the education system in the past one and a half years. He expressed hope that a newly elected government would prioritize education and work to improve its quality. The event was presided over by the school principal Md. Ruhul Amin and attended by local BNP leaders including Md. Zafar Iqbal, Md. Shafiqul Islam Babul, and Md. Mosharraf Hossain Matin.

Students of Jagannath University (Jabi) held a protest march on Wednesday night, January 28, following the death of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Sherpur’s Sreebardi upazila Jamaat, who was killed in a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters in Sherpur-3 constituency. The procession started from the main gate of the campus, moved through Old Dhaka’s Tatibazar, and ended at Bishwajit Square with speeches demanding justice for the killing.

During the demonstration, students chanted slogans condemning the incident and accusing political opponents of resorting to violence out of fear of losing. Speakers including Ibrahim Khalil, education and research secretary of JAKSU, and leaders of student organizations such as Shahin Mia, Sohag Ahmed, and Sheikh Ferdous, criticized the political violence and called for accountability. They alleged that the killing reflected a return to blood politics ahead of the February 12 election.

Protesters urged authorities to take action against those responsible and warned that continued political violence would be resisted by students. They also called for a shift toward peaceful and responsible politics.

An AI-generated video uploaded on a Facebook page called 'Apa Firbe' falsely depicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meeting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, claiming the U.S. planned to urge Bangladesh to postpone its 13th parliamentary election. Fact-checking confirmed the video was fake. Authorities said the clip was created two weeks earlier by a group aiming to spread confusion nationwide, and similar AI videos and fake photocards have since gone viral on social media.

Experts warned that such misinformation is fueling social unrest and undermining law and order. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has not yet taken steps to curb the spread, while the interim government’s AI policy remains unimplemented. Criminologists and police officials acknowledged the growing problem but cited limited expertise and resources. The Criminal Investigation Department reported no formal complaints yet but said cyber monitoring has been increased.

Fact-checking organizations found AI-generated fake content spreading across political, environmental, and international topics, with election-related misinformation intensifying as the polls approach.

The Bangladesh women's futsal team, winners of the inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship, are returning home from Thailand at 6:30 p.m. today. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced plans for a grand reception to honor the champions upon their arrival. The team made history by winning the first-ever SAFF Futsal Championship, defeating the Maldives 14–2 in the final round-robin match last Sunday to remain unbeaten.

Following their victory in the seven-team tournament, players Sabina, Krishna, and Sumaiya are set to receive a celebratory welcome. BFF Vice President Fahad Karim told *Amar Desh* that the federation is preparing the reception according to the players’ preferences. Previous SAFF-winning teams were honored with open-top bus parades, and a similar event may be arranged if the players request it.

The BFF previously organized receptions for the women’s team after their qualification for the Asian Cup. This time, the futsal champions will be celebrated in the same manner, marking another milestone for women’s football in Bangladesh.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders led a midnight protest on January 29, 2026, at Dhaka University, demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sherpur upazila secretary Rezaul Karim. The demonstration began at the Vice-Chancellor’s Chattar and ended at the Raju Memorial Sculpture after marching through campus streets. Students from various residential halls joined the protest, chanting slogans demanding justice and denouncing political violence.

During the rally, DUCSU Vice President Sadiq Kayem accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of engaging in extortion, terrorism, and internal killings, asserting that such “murder plans” would not be allowed to succeed. General Secretary S M Farhad and other DUCSU leaders criticized BNP’s leadership and warned that failure to ensure citizens’ safety during elections would hold the Election Commission accountable. They also urged the interim government to guarantee a free, fair, and peaceful election.

The protest concluded with a collective warning that any attempt to implement violent political plans would be resisted by the “July generation,” reaffirming student commitment to peace and accountability.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman began a three-day election campaign in northern Bangladesh on Thursday, starting with a rally at Rajshahi Madrasa field. According to BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, Rahman is scheduled to address three rallies on the first day — in Rajshahi at noon, in Naogaon’s ATM field at 5:30 p.m., and at Alfatunnesa playground at 7:30 p.m.

His itinerary includes visiting the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed in Pirganj, Rangpur, on January 30, followed by a public rally at Rangpur Eidgah field. On January 31, he will speak at rallies in the BISIC Industrial Park at noon and at Darun Charjana Bypass area on the Dhaka–Tangail highway in the afternoon. Party sources said Rahman will stay two nights at Hotel Naz in Bogura during the trip.

Tarique Rahman previously launched his campaign in Sylhet on January 22, followed by events in Chattogram on January 25 and Mymensingh on January 27, participating in a total of 16 rallies so far.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is returning to Bogura today, Thursday, after 19 years. Party leaders and activists have prepared extensively to welcome him. During the visit, he will tour the ancestral home of late President Ziaur Rahman in Bagbari village of Gabtali upazila and his own electoral constituency. The area is in a festive mood, with the historic ‘Zia Bari’ undergoing renovation and beautification ahead of his arrival.

Preparations are complete at Altafunnesa playground in Bogura-6, where a stage has been built and banners, festoons, and sound systems have been installed. Local BNP leaders said the field work would be completed on time, with arrangements for dust control and power supply. The rally, initially scheduled for January 28, was postponed to January 29 due to flight ticket issues. Tarique Rahman will also attend election programs in three northern districts on the same day.

After the rally, he will stay overnight in Bogura and conduct campaign activities in Bogura-6 the next morning. Security measures have been tightened in Gabtali and Sariakandi as large crowds are expected during his visit.

Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, the BNP-nominated candidate for Sylhet-1 constituency, stated that people’s support for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stems from the leadership and contributions of its founder Ziaur Rahman and former chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He made the remarks on Wednesday night during a speech before inaugurating his main election office with a prayer gathering at Mita Community Center near Allahu Point in Sylhet’s Shahid Eidgah area.

Muktadir said that due to the leadership of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, the BNP enjoys strong public response in its election campaign and that people’s expectations from the party remain high. He urged party members to work collectively to meet those expectations. He also noted that the new office was opened to facilitate election management and emphasized maintaining party discipline at every step.

The inauguration was attended by senior leaders of Sylhet BNP, including acting president Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi, general secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, and many other party officials and activists.