A BNP leader in Rangpur’s Badarganj allegedly assaulted a mosque muezzin and two others after they assisted a mobile court during an anti-illegal sand extraction drive. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at Nagerhat area by the Jamunashwari River, where the mobile court seized and disabled dredging equipment. When the court sought local assistance, muezzin Nur Amin and Jamaat leader Tarajul Islam responded, prompting anger from BNP leader Ohidul Islam and his associates.

Witnesses said Ohidul Islam, the union BNP vice-president, led the attack along with several men, beating Nur Amin near Kutubia Dakhil Madrasa and dragging him from a mosque where he sought refuge. On the way to the hospital, Tarajul Islam and Imam Rowshan Ali were also beaten. Locals accused the BNP leader of extortion, land grabbing, and illegal sand trading, saying his behavior worsened after August 5.

Badarganj BNP president Professor Paritosh Chakraborty stated that the party would take organizational action if written complaints were filed. Attempts to reach Ohidul Islam by phone were unsuccessful.

Authorities in Syedpur upazila of Nilphamari district seized 4,505 liters of illegally stored fuel during a late-night operation on April 17, 2026. The mobile court detained seven individuals linked to the case and imposed fines under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. The operation took place near the Messrs Rokeya LPG Gas Filling Station on the city’s bypass road, where the fuel was being prepared for secret transport.

The seized fuel included 3,917 liters of petrol, 338 liters of diesel, and 250 liters of octane. The main accused, Rafiqul Islam, was fined BDT 200,000 with a six-month jail term in default, while six others received fines of BDT 10,000 each or three days’ imprisonment. The confiscated fuel was later sold at government-fixed prices for BDT 493,407, which was deposited into the state treasury.

Officials said the raid followed a tip-off about a syndicate storing and selling fuel at inflated prices. The mobile court stated that strict action would continue against those destabilizing the fuel market.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon announced that the government is working to introduce a retirement allowance to ensure financial security for senior journalists in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Saturday while visiting veteran journalist and former Barishal Press Club president Ismail Hossain Negaban, who is undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical University.

The minister said that although the media is considered the fourth pillar of a modern democratic state, journalists still lack institutional protection, leaving many in uncertainty. He noted that financial security for senior journalists has long been neglected and emphasized that journalism is a respected profession, yet many senior journalists face hardship in their later years. The government’s initiative aims to help them live with dignity.

Swapon added that the government is also working on policies to ensure media freedom and responsibility and to strengthen the Journalist Welfare Trust. During the visit, he handed over a financial assistance cheque of one lakh taka to Negaban on behalf of the trust.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has demanded the unconditional release of activist Hasan Nasim, who was allegedly taken from his home in Agargaon, Dhaka, by individuals identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB) police. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday evening, April 17, when Nasim was picked up without any warrant or specific charges, according to a social media post by his brother, Hasan Noman.

In a statement, DUCSU General Secretary S M Farhad condemned the incident as a violation of constitutional freedom of expression and described such detentions as unacceptable. He linked the event to past instances of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions, calling them shameful for the state. DUCSU warned that attempts to suppress government criticism on social media through fear or abduction would fail, asserting that the current generation remains vocal against injustice and repression.

DUCSU emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and urged authorities to ensure Nasim’s immediate release.

Arms dealer Md. Majedul Haque Helal has confessed in court under Section 164 in connection with the murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi. Police produced Helal before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Saturday after a three-day remand. He voluntarily agreed to give a confessional statement, which was recorded by Magistrate Arifur Rahman following a request from CID Assistant Superintendent Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan. Helal was later sent to jail.

Helal, owner of Hamidul Haque Arms & Co. in Chattogram, was arrested earlier from the same city. Investigators traced the pistol used in Hadi’s killing to his shop, revealing that the weapon had changed hands through several licensed dealers since its import in 2017. Helal’s arms license, originally issued in his father’s name, had expired in 2014 and was not renewed. Police sought his remand to determine how the weapon reached the attackers.

Hadi was shot on December 12 last year in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and later died in Singapore on December 18. The case was later transferred to the CID for further investigation.

An SSC examinee named Tahmina Akter from Charakhali village in Indurkani Sadar Union, Jianagar upazila of Pirojpur, went to the local police station on Saturday to prevent her forced marriage. She sought police protection to avoid being married off before her upcoming SSC examinations. Tahmina, a student of Jianagar Government Setara Smriti Secondary Girls’ School, took shelter at the police station to stop what she described as a child marriage attempt by her family.

Local sources said her father, farmer Alam Hawlader, decided to marry her off due to financial hardship and the cost of her education. Tahmina stated that her father, brother, and sister-in-law were pressuring her to marry, but she wanted to continue her studies and sit for the SSC exams. Her classmates described her as a bright student and expressed hope that she would be able to continue her education.

Police Sub-Inspector Saidur Rahman confirmed that the girl was returned to her family after they signed a written pledge, witnessed by local elders, promising not to proceed with the marriage.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed strict security measures ahead of the 2026 SSC, Dakhil, and Vocational examinations scheduled to begin on April 21. According to a public notice signed by Acting Commissioner Md. Sarwar, entry of anyone other than examinees and authorized personnel will be prohibited within 200 yards of all examination centers in the capital.

The DMP stated that the restriction is being enforced under the powers granted by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance to ensure that the examinations are conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner. The order will remain effective on examination days during the test hours.

Authorities said the decision aims to prevent any form of disturbance near the centers and to allow students to take their exams without disruption.

A powerful nor'wester storm struck Taraganj upazila in Rangpur on Saturday night, causing extensive damage across several unions. Beginning around 8 p.m. and lasting for three hours, the storm brought strong winds, lightning, and heavy rain that uprooted hundreds of trees and damaged numerous houses. Electricity supply was cut off in many areas, plunging residents into hardship.

According to local sources, the hardest-hit areas were Haryarkuthi, Alampur, and Kursha unions. Tin roofs were blown away, mud houses collapsed, and many families were forced to spend the night under the open sky. In Ward 8 of Kursha Union, more than 20 houses were reported destroyed. Fallen trees and branches blocked major roads, temporarily halting traffic until local residents, representatives, and administration teams began clearing operations.

Officials from Taraganj Palli Bidyut Samiti-2 confirmed that multiple power lines were severed when trees fell on them, causing widespread outages. The upazila executive officer and local representatives visited the affected areas to assess the damage.

A police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) named Md Imran Hasan was beaten by locals in Faridpur’s Saltha upazila after allegedly being caught in the house of a drug case suspect’s wife late at night. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Friday, April 17, in Bolivodradia village under Ramkantapur Union. Imran, who serves as an assistant beat officer in the same union, was later rescued by police and admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital.

According to the suspect’s family, Imran had developed an illicit relationship with the wife of Mehedi Hasan, who faces a narcotics case. Locals claimed to have found contraceptives in Imran’s pocket and circulated a video of the incident on social media. Imran, however, stated that he had gone there to arrest the accused. The local police officer-in-charge said legal action is underway and that the reasons for Imran’s late-night visit without uniform are under investigation.

Authorities are now probing the circumstances of the incident and the conduct of the police officer involved.

Bangladesh on April 18 observed Borai Bari Day, commemorating the 2001 border battle in Roumari upazila of Kurigram, where the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) repelled an incursion by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The clash began around 4 a.m. when about 400 Indian commandos, soldiers, and BSF personnel crossed the border fence into Bangladesh. Local farmer Minhaj Uddin alerted the BDR, prompting a rapid response. Fighting intensified after reinforcements arrived under Lt. Col. Zaman, lasting two days and resulting in the deaths of three BDR soldiers and 16 BSF members, with two BSF personnel captured alive.

The confrontation followed a long-standing dispute over the Padua area, which had been under BSF control since the 1971 Liberation War. After BDR retook Padua on April 15, 2001, BSF launched the Borai Bari attack three days later. The battle caused civilian casualties and forced about 40,000 villagers from 25 border villages to flee temporarily.

Even after 25 years, residents recall the fear and destruction but regard the event as a symbol of Bangladesh’s courage and sacrifice at the frontier.

A warrant-listed suspect was allegedly injured due to police assault during his arrest in Bakerganj, Barishal, on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. in the Katharpul area of Ward 4 under the municipal authority. The injured youth, Rezaul Hawlader, 22, from Khas Maheshpur village in Niamati Union, was taken to the Upazila Health Complex for initial treatment before being sent to court in Barishal.

Rezaul’s mother, Shilpi Begum, accused Sub-Inspector (SI) Sabita Rani of detaining and beating her son without cause. She said a dowry case filed by Rezaul’s wife had led to a court warrant, which the family was unaware of. Witness Tara Banu confirmed seeing SI Sabita slap Rezaul during the arrest, while his sister Dalim Begum alleged human rights violations. Medical officer Miraj Uddin Ahmed reported visible injuries on Rezaul’s chest and legs.

SI Sabita denied any assault, claiming she acted lawfully under the warrant. The Bakerganj police officer-in-charge stated that if any misconduct occurred, it would be investigated upon receiving a formal complaint.

Bangladesh National Parliament Whip and Natore-2 Member of Parliament Advocate M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu stated that late President Ziaur Rahman had initiated a canal excavation program nearly fifty years ago to address climate challenges. He said that Ziaur Rahman’s son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has now revived the initiative to benefit the people by restarting canal excavation across the country. Dulu made these remarks on Saturday afternoon at a ceremony marking the re-excavation of the Helencha canal in Halsha Union of Natore Sadar.

Dulu emphasized that Bangladesh’s people depend on agriculture and that the nation’s survival relies on farmers. He credited Ziaur Rahman for transforming the country from producing one crop to three crops annually. The new canal excavation program, he said, aims to preserve water during droughts and improve farmers’ livelihoods. The event was chaired by Additional District Magistrate Arif Hossain and attended by several local officials and BNP leaders.

According to Dulu, the ongoing canal re-excavation will help store water and bring lasting benefits to the agricultural sector.

The Mymensingh Medical College administration has formed a three-member investigation committee following a violent clash between two factions of the Chhatra Dal at the college hostel on Friday evening. The committee, headed by Professor Seheli Jannat Sultana with Professor Shamimul Masud Ahmed and Professor Mohammad Rafiqul Haque as members, has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days. To maintain order, the academic council held an emergency meeting and suspended all classes and examinations for seven days, also directing students to vacate the hostel.

College Principal Professor Dr. Md. Nazmul Alam Khan confirmed that injured student Mir Hamidur was flown to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital for advanced treatment, where his condition remains critical. Police have arrested Nafiu Islam, a member of the Nure Zawad Rutap group, in connection with the incident. The Kotwali Model Police Station officer-in-charge stated that the situation is now under control with additional police deployed in the area.

The campus remains tense following the incident, with students reportedly in a state of fear.

Legendary Bangladeshi actor Humayun Faridi was posthumously honored by Jahangirnagar University, his beloved alma mater, during the opening session of the three-day Jahangirnagar Film Festival 2026. The event took place at the university’s Zahir Raihan Auditorium, where the award recognized his outstanding contributions to film and performing arts.

Organized by Bangla Theatre, the festival ran from April 14 to 16 and featured film screenings, discussions, and recognition of distinguished figures in cinema. On the closing day, special honors were presented in 18 categories, including awards for Shahiduzzaman Selim, Abu Rizwan Eureka, and Avanti Sithi for their contributions to Bangladeshi film.

Faridi, who completed both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in economics at Jahangirnagar University, began his acting journey on this campus through theatre. His career spanned stage, television, and film, with iconic performances such as his role in the drama “Sangsaptak.” He passed away on February 13, 2012.

Members of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) in Barishal district seized a pickup truck loaded with diesel, petrol, and octane that was being stored illegally in Gournadi upazila. The operation took place on Saturday afternoon at the warehouse of a local businessman, Abdur Rahman, in the Sarikal port area. The seized fuel, collected from the Meghna depot in Barishal, included 2,400 liters of diesel, 600 liters of octane, and 200 liters of petrol.

According to sources, the NSI team acted on a tip-off about fuel smuggling and caught the vehicle while the fuel was being unloaded for illegal storage. Abdur Rahman allegedly used a license from Khan Enterprise to collect the fuel unlawfully and had previously sold such fuel at inflated prices. He reportedly ran an electronics shop in Sarikal port where he sold fuel without a valid license.

Authorities said that legal action against those involved in the illegal storage is being processed through a mobile court.