Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of yaba tablets worth Tk 12 million in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The operation took place at the Marichya checkpoint, where officers stopped a passenger CNG-run auto-rickshaw and detained its driver, Md Rubel, aged 25. During a detailed search, BGB personnel found 40,000 yaba pills hidden under the driver’s seat.

According to BGB sources, the search was conducted under the direction of Lt. Col. Kazi Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, commander of the Ramu Battalion (30 BGB), and led by Assistant Director Md Kabir Hossain. The driver initially denied carrying drugs but was later arrested after the narcotics were discovered. Rubel is a resident of Khutakhali village in Hwaikyang Union under Teknaf Police Station.

BGB stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and drug trafficking and that similar anti-narcotics operations will continue in the future.

Bangladesh Bank has resumed buying US dollars from commercial banks after a six-week pause. On Wednesday, the central bank purchased USD 70 million from one bank at a rate of Tk 122.75 per dollar. The last purchase took place on March 2, when USD 25 million was bought from two banks. Since July of the current fiscal year, the central bank has purchased a total of USD 5.56 billion. Officials said the recent purchase followed a decline in dollar demand as banks cleared earlier dues amid easing market pressure.

The central bank attributed the earlier market volatility to concerns over the Iran conflict, which had prompted banks to prepay foreign obligations. With remittance inflows rising—USD 1.6 billion in the first 14 days of April, up 25% year-on-year—dollar supply has improved. Bangladesh Bank has also set maximum buying rates for interbank and exchange house transactions to curb excessive pricing.

Officials stated that the bank is buying dollars to prevent an abnormal fall in the exchange rate, which could hurt remittance and export earnings. The country’s foreign exchange reserves now stand at USD 34.87 billion, or USD 30.20 billion under IMF’s BPM6 method.

The Bangladesh Bar Council has announced the postponement of its upcoming election, which was scheduled for May 19. The decision was made unanimously at an emergency meeting held on the night of April 15 at the Bar Council building. The council cited the ongoing nationwide energy crisis as the main reason for the postponement, noting that the situation could severely disrupt election campaigns across the country.

According to the official statement, the energy shortage has made it difficult for candidates contesting for seven general and seven regional seats to conduct their campaigns effectively. Several bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, Dhaka Bar Association, and Chattogram District Bar Association, had requested the council to delay the election. Taking these appeals into account, the council decided to suspend the previously set schedule.

The May 19 election date had been fixed earlier on April 2 under the chairmanship of Attorney General and Bar Council Chairman Barrister Md. Ruhul Quddus Kajol, with senior committee representatives in attendance.

The National Citizens Party (NCP), a youth-led political organization, is expanding its ranks as several prominent figures from the anti-discrimination and anti-fascist July uprising prepare to join. According to party sources, discussions with leaders from United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), AB Party, and other July movement platforms have advanced significantly. The NCP aims to unite pro-July forces to pressure the ruling party and position itself as a major alternative political power in Bangladesh.

Senior NCP leaders confirmed ongoing talks with academics, business figures, and civil society representatives, some of whom are expected to join soon. The party is also in contact with disaffected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) members, including children of senior leaders, who are reportedly considering joining. NCP leaders argue that unity among July forces is essential to safeguard democratic reforms and counter what they describe as a reversal of reform commitments by the current BNP-led government.

A general meeting is expected later in April to finalize decisions on new memberships, committee expansion, and future programs. The NCP plans to strengthen its organization while supporting broader opposition unity initiatives.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized a fishing boat carrying a large quantity of cement allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar. The operation took place on Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026, at the Sarikait Gachtali Ghat area in Sandwip, Chattogram. According to the Coast Guard headquarters, the raid was conducted based on secret information, leading to the recovery of 660 sacks of cement valued at approximately 363,000 taka.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the Coast Guard’s media officer, stated that the cement was being transported illegally to evade government duties. The suspected traffickers fled upon noticing the presence of Coast Guard personnel, and no arrests were made during the operation. The fishing boat used in the smuggling attempt was seized.

The Coast Guard confirmed that legal proceedings regarding the seized items are underway. Authorities also emphasized that similar operations will continue to prevent smuggling and illegal trade along maritime and coastal routes.

Police in Dhaka have arrested a suspected mugger accused of robbing passengers on moving vehicles in the city’s Jatrabari area. The detainee, identified as Md. Aminul Islam, 24, was apprehended on Wednesday night, April 15, following a targeted operation. The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Media and Public Relations Division, signed by Deputy Commissioner N M Nasir Uddin.

According to Jatrabari police sources, Aminul Islam was captured around 7:30 p.m. based on secret intelligence and with the help of technology. Authorities reported that he has multiple cases of robbery and mugging filed against him at Jatrabari Police Station. Preliminary interrogation revealed that he had been involved in robbing passengers on moving buses, microbuses, and other vehicles in the area for a long time.

Police stated that legal proceedings are underway against the arrested suspect.

The government of Bangladesh has imposed a 58-day ban on fishing in the country's maritime territory of the Bay of Bengal, effective from Wednesday until June 11. As a result, around 64,000 registered fishermen across seven upazilas of Bhola district have become temporarily unemployed. The restriction aims to protect fish resources during the breeding season. Each registered fisherman is set to receive 77 kilograms of rice during the ban period, distributed at a rate of 40 kilograms per month.

According to the district fisheries office, trawlers are returning from the sea to local docks, and rice distribution will begin once they arrive. Some fishermen have complained about irregularities and delays in previous relief distributions. Local officials assured that rice allocations have already reached union councils and will be distributed on time. Ice factory and fuel sellers have also been instructed not to supply trawlers during the ban.

Bhola’s district administration said it will monitor fair distribution and request NGOs to suspend loan installments for fishermen during the two-month fishing ban.

The ‘Boishakhi Entrepreneur Fair 1433’ at the University of Chittagong campus featured a mix of traditional Bangladeshi products and imported Chinese items. The two-day event, organized by the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CHAKSU), took place at the university’s Buddijibi Chattar and drew a large number of visitors. The fair was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan, with 75 stalls participating.

Among the highlights, the ‘Karukuti’ stall attracted attention with eco-friendly jute bags, floor mats, betel-nut shell plates, and shoes made from cooling mats. The marketing manager said their products are registered under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation and the Ministry of Jute. Another stall, ‘Gift Basket by Kaniz Girls Priority,’ sold Chinese skincare products, jewelry, and artificial nails, drawing crowds of female students. Participants expressed satisfaction with sales and enthusiasm for future ventures.

Organizers stated that the fair aims to encourage student entrepreneurship and promote local products. Awards will be given to the top three stalls based on product quality and presentation after the event concludes.

The Saidpur municipal branch of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a prayer event on Wednesday at the Upazila Model Mosque auditorium for students appearing in the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. Former central executive council member Abul Kalam Azad attended as the chief guest and emphasized that hard work, discipline, and faith in Allah are key to success. He urged students to build their future with moral and ideological strength.

The event was presided over by Fahim Muntasir, president of the Saidpur municipal branch, with Sirajul Islam Sohag, office secretary of the Nilphamari town branch, as special guest. Around 150 students from various educational institutions participated in the program. After the prayer, educational materials were distributed among the examinees.

According to the organizers, such events play an important role in motivating students mentally and praying for their success in upcoming examinations.

The Bangladesh Madrasa Education Directorate has issued instructions to all madrasa principals to implement a 180-day action plan aligned with the government’s election manifesto. The directive, announced in a letter sent on Wednesday, requires each institution to execute the plan and submit an implementation report via email to the Directorate’s Director General at planning.madrasah@gmail.com.

According to the letter, the action plan includes four key programs: Learning with Happiness (joyful education), prioritizing health and nutrition, launching free Wi-Fi, and implementing the One Child, One Tree initiative. These programs are part of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division’s broader effort to fulfill commitments made in the government’s manifesto.

The Directorate emphasized that all madrasa heads must strictly follow the instructions and ensure timely submission of progress reports to support the national education reform agenda.

Severe power shortages have crippled daily life in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet, where around 200,000 residents are enduring frequent and prolonged load-shedding. The outages, lasting several hours at a time, have left large parts of the area without electricity. According to the local power office, daytime demand stands at 10 to 12 megawatts, but supply is limited to only 4 to 5 megawatts. At night, demand rises to 16 to 17 megawatts, yet supply remains far below requirement.

Residents complain that despite government directives for uninterrupted electricity, the situation has worsened, with power cuts occurring even without storms or visible technical faults. On Wednesday, electricity was out for nearly four hours in the afternoon, returning briefly before another outage in the evening. The disruptions have severely affected education, with students struggling to prepare for ongoing and upcoming exams, and businesses facing major losses during the busy Eid season.

Officials attribute the crisis to national grid load management issues, while locals question the feasibility of the government’s promise of continuous power supply.

A landmine explosion occurred near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, injuring a 26-year-old Rohingya man named Mohammad Yunus. The blast, which took place on Wednesday morning near border pillar BRM-19 inside Myanmar territory, severed his right leg. He was rescued in critical condition and admitted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.

According to local sources, the border area is considered highly dangerous due to landmines reportedly planted by the Arakan Army. Over the past 17 days, at least four Rohingya individuals have lost their legs in similar explosions along the Balukhali and Palongkhali border zones. Locals said occasional explosions are heard, and many people still venture into the area for fishing or livelihood, increasing the risk of accidents.

The commanding officer of the Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB) confirmed that the explosion occurred inside Myanmar and said border patrols and surveillance have been intensified. Residents have been warned to avoid high-risk areas.

Pirojpur-1 Member of Parliament Masud Saeedi inaugurated a canal re-excavation project in Jianagar upazila of Pirojpur on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The work began at the Saidkhali sluice gate in Balipara Union and will extend to the house of Kalaiya Shahjahan Hawlader. The initiative is part of a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation program aimed at improving water management in agricultural regions.

During the event, MP Saeedi emphasized that resolving water scarcity is essential for building a prosperous agricultural nation. He recalled the image of late President Ziaur Rahman working with a spade as an inspiration for patriotic service. Upazila BNP President Farid Ahmed noted that the government plans to excavate and re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years as part of its election commitments.

Local residents expressed optimism that the re-excavation will ease water shortages and boost yields of seasonal crops such as rice, melons, and watermelons.

Police in Bhangura, Pabna, arrested Suman Babu, a 37-year-old joint secretary of the Upazila Volunteer League and member of the 'Joy Bangla Brigade', on Wednesday afternoon from his home. The arrest was made in connection with a sedition case alleging his involvement in anti-state activities and a plan to overthrow the interim government. The case was filed earlier under CR-222/25 at Ramna Police Station in Dhaka.

According to police sources, the case was originally lodged on March 27, 2025, by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md. Enamul Haque against 73 individuals, including a fugitive former prime minister. Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiul Azam confirmed the arrest and stated that a warrant had been issued against Suman Babu.

Following his arrest, Suman Babu was sent to Pabna District Jail through the court. No further details on the court proceedings or other accused individuals were provided in the report.

At a meeting in Segunbagicha on Wednesday, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, senior joint secretary of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, said the country’s economic condition has become dire, with several banks reportedly bankrupt. He criticized the interim government for taking what he called reckless decisions to implement its manifesto using 400 billion taka from reserves. He urged the government not to push the economy to the brink through initiatives like agricultural and family cards.

Rahman alleged that dishonest traders have established dominance in the market, causing essential commodity prices to rise sharply through syndicates. He warned that low-income families are struggling to meet basic needs and that without effective government action, ordinary people might be forced to protest again. Other party leaders, including Shah Ifthekhar Tariq and Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, also spoke at the event, criticizing the government’s handling of economic and political issues.

Speakers further accused the interim government of colluding with foreign powers to suppress Islamist political forces and manipulating election outcomes, urging immediate corrective measures to restore public trust.