A fuel shortage has triggered significant price hikes in essential commodities across Dhaka, creating instability in the city’s markets. Prices of vegetables, fish, eggs, and certain types of chicken have surged sharply, while beef and mutton prices remain stable. At Karwan Bazar, most vegetables are selling above Tk 80 per kilogram, with some items like kakrol and drumsticks reaching Tk 140. Hilsa fish prices have soared ahead of Pahela Baishakh, with large sizes selling up to Tk 3,500 per kilogram. Open soybean and palm oil prices have also risen by Tk 10 per liter, and LPG cylinder prices have increased beyond the government’s fixed rate.

Traders attribute the price surge to reduced supply and higher transportation costs caused by the ongoing fuel crisis. Sellers report that local and Sonali chicken prices have increased by up to Tk 100 per kilogram compared to pre-Eid levels, while egg prices have risen by Tk 10 per dozen within a week. The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has blamed weak government monitoring and opportunistic traders for worsening the situation.

Market participants warn that if the fuel shortage continues, prices of daily essentials could rise further in the coming days.

A seven-year-old student named Md. Sifat died when an old wall collapsed at Kashiful Ulum Madrasa in Debidwar, Cumilla, on Monday evening, April 13, 2026. The incident occurred while the madrasa was removing an old wall inside its premises. Locals said the wall suddenly fell on Sifat, who was seriously injured and later declared dead at Debidwar Upazila Health Complex.

According to local sources, the madrasa authorities allegedly engaged students instead of professional workers to carry out the risky demolition work. The accident has sparked widespread grief and anger in the area, with residents accusing the madrasa management of negligence and mismanagement. Many have questioned the legality and morality of assigning such hazardous tasks to children.

Debidwar Police confirmed that a team was sent to the hospital after receiving the report of the death. The body was recovered and brought to the police station, and a decision on autopsy will be made after consultation with the superintendent of police.

The traditional Baishakhi procession marking Bangla New Year 1433 began on Tuesday morning from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University. The event, themed “Harmony of the New Year, Revival of Democracy,” drew spontaneous participation from teachers, students, and people from all walks of life. The day’s festivities started at dawn at Ramna Batamul with a cultural program featuring 22 songs, concluding with the national anthem before preparations for the procession began.

The procession started from the north gate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, passing Shahbagh, Raju Sculpture, Doel Chattar, and Bangla Academy before returning to the campus. Five main motifs—rooster, elephant, dove, dotara, and horse—symbolized renewal, strength, peace, cultural roots, and rural simplicity. Participants voiced calls for cultural unity and protested attacks on Baul artists, turning the event into a vibrant celebration.

Authorities implemented strict security measures across the campus, including police, RAB, DB, and SWAT presence, identity checks, and CCTV monitoring to ensure safety during the festivities.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division has issued special traffic instructions for Pahela Baishakh celebrations on April 14, 2026. From 5 a.m. until further notice, 14 diversion points will be enforced around Ramna Park, Ramna Batamul, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University, and adjacent areas. The DMP Acting Commissioner Md. Sarwar stated that several major intersections, including Banglamotor, Hotel Intercontinental, Kakrail Church, High Court (West), and Nilkhet, will be closed or diverted to manage festival traffic.

To reduce congestion, DMP advised alternative routes for vehicles heading toward Mirpur-Farmgate, Golap Shah Mazar-High Court, and Science Lab areas. Specific parking zones have been designated, including Navy Gap to Holy Family Hospital, Matsya Bhaban to Segunbagicha, and Abdul Gani Road. Some areas are reserved for law enforcement vehicles only.

The DMP urged city residents to follow the traffic guidelines and celebrate the Bengali New Year in a festive and orderly manner.

Fatema Akter, the five-months-pregnant wife of deceased expatriate Suman Hawlader, has appealed for urgent government intervention to secure her husband’s body, rightful compensation, and protection from fraud. She made the appeal during a press conference at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s body handover gate in Dhaka on Monday.

Her four demands include legal access to her husband’s body, ensuring all due compensation and insurance benefits are provided in her name as the lawful wife and mother of the unborn child, investigation into alleged falsified documents claiming Suman was unmarried, and humanitarian support to guarantee her and her unborn child’s safety. Fatema said her husband, who had worked in Malaysia for several years, died of a stroke on March 25.

She alleged that her father-in-law seized her gold jewelry and submitted false information to Suman’s employer in Malaysia. Fatema and her brother Abdul Kuddus also claimed they are facing threats from relatives and urged government authorities to ensure their safety and rights.

Twenty platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across key areas of Dhaka to strengthen overall security during the celebration of Bangla New Year 1433. The deployment was confirmed on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, by BGB’s Public Relations Officer Md. Shariful Islam. The move aims to ensure a safe and festive environment for citizens participating in the New Year festivities.

BGB personnel are stationed at major locations including Ramna Batamul and its surrounding areas, Hotel Intercontinental, Kakrail, Matsya Bhaban, Engineers Institution gate, Doel Chattar, Shahbagh National Museum, Shaheed Zia Shishu Park, the Chhayanaut venue at Ramna Batamul, Ramna stage, and Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi. The deployment is part of coordinated efforts with other law enforcement agencies to maintain order and public safety.

BGB has urged all citizens to celebrate the New Year peacefully and responsibly, emphasizing the importance of maintaining discipline and security throughout the festivities.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman extended greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Bengali-speaking communities worldwide on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh 1433. In a verified Facebook post on Monday evening, he urged citizens to rise above narrow interests and embrace human welfare. He described the Bengali New Year as a symbol of national identity and cultural continuity, emphasizing its deep ties with agriculture and nature.

Rahman noted that the new democratic government, formed after the February 12 national election, has begun implementing programs to improve citizens’ lives. These include the launch of family cards, sports cards, canal excavation projects, and financial aid for religious leaders of all faiths. He announced the start of the “Farmer Card” program on the first day of the new year, expressing hope that it would transform the agricultural economy.

He concluded by calling for unity, compassion, and mutual respect amid global crises, wishing happiness, peace, and prosperity for all in the Bengali New Year 1433.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that the digital sector remains one of the top priorities of the current government. Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the three-day Broadband Expo 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, he noted that the sector lacks an incentive-based tax structure necessary to attract investment. The event was organized by the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB).

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad stated that over the next five years, the government will focus on three key areas: ensuring universal connectivity, implementing a ‘One Citizen, One Digital Identity’ system, and building an AI-driven digital wallet ecosystem. He added that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will take steps to implement active sharing in the telecom sector.

Additional Secretary Zahidul Islam said initiatives will be taken to address issues related to ISP license renewal and active sharing. ISPAB President Mohammad Aminul Hakim highlighted that only 30 percent of ISP networks are currently utilized, and active sharing could significantly reduce unused capacity.

A rural doctor in Banaripara upazila of Barishal was allegedly assaulted by a local labor party leader after refusing to pay a demanded extortion amount. The incident occurred on Sunday night, April 12, in Bisharkandi Union. The victim, Nasir Uddin Milon, owner of Nahar Medical Hall, was reportedly attacked by Jiya Sardar, president of the local labor wing, and his associates after he declined to pay Tk 50,000. Milon was first taken to Banaripara Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal due to his critical condition.

According to the complaint, Milon had previously been forced to pay smaller sums multiple times over the past two years. Local student leader Wasim Sajjad confirmed preliminary evidence supporting the allegation and said legal action against the accused was being initiated. However, Jiya Sardar denied the charges, claiming the dispute arose from alleged malpractice by the doctor that left a patient seriously ill. The incident has sparked anger and concern among residents, who have called for a fair investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Police officials could not be reached for comment as the officer-in-charge’s phone remained switched off.

The Department of Narcotics Control arrested two local political leaders in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur on Monday morning, April 13, 2026. The detainees, identified as Al Amin Shilu, convener of Adra Union Jubo Dal, and Ayub Ali, member of Hazarabari Municipal Jubo League, were caught in the Brahmanpara area with 3,600 yaba pills, Tk 135,000 in drug sale proceeds, and two mobile phones. A case was filed at Melandah Police Station the same night under the Narcotics Control Act.

According to the department’s deputy director, the operation was conducted by a team from the Jamalpur office. Local residents alleged that after the arrests, some BNP leaders tried to secure the release of the detainees, who had reportedly been involved in drug trading for a long time. Residents expressed relief following the arrests, saying the two had used political influence to continue their activities unchecked.

Following the incident, the district Jubo Dal expelled Al Amin Shilu from his position as Adra Union convener after the drug-related arrest, according to the organization’s member secretary.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced that pedestrians who cross roads without using zebra crossings, foot overbridges, or underpasses will face jail or fines. The public notice, signed by Acting Commissioner Md. Sarwar and issued on April 12, 2026, aims to ensure safe and orderly movement in the capital. Under the Road Transport Act 2018, violators may face up to one month in jail, a fine of up to Tk 10,000, or both.

The notice also outlines penalties for other traffic violations, including fines for unauthorized passenger or goods loading and penalties for driving against traffic or creating road obstructions. The DMP stated that the government has initiated a plan to bring major intersections under traffic signal management. Signal lights have already been installed at several key crossings in coordination with the Dhaka North and South City Corporations.

Temporary signal lights have also been set up at additional intersections, and six more crossings will soon be operational. The DMP warned that pedestrians ignoring designated crossings may face on-the-spot punishment or video-based prosecution under the Road Transport Act.

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqul Rahman has extended greetings to Bangladeshis at home and abroad on the occasion of the Bengali New Year. In a statement released to the media on Monday, he conveyed his wishes, noting that the arrival of the new year marks a historic moment of change for the nation.

In his message, Dr. Rahman emphasized the importance of continuing an uncompromising struggle to free the country from fascism through united efforts. He called for collective action to build a just, economically free, and humane society, expressing hope that divine guidance would assist in achieving these goals.

The statement framed the New Year as both a time for celebration and a renewed commitment to national transformation and justice.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has announced plans to develop northern Bangladesh as the country’s main agro-processing hub. On Monday, April 13, he held three rounds of meetings with 16 leading business figures to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sector. Entrepreneurs from fruit, dairy, food and beverage, and poultry industries attended the discussions, focusing on investment needs and government support for establishing industries in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting was attended by his economic adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and top executives from major companies including Pran-RFL, Transcom, Nabil Group, Square, Akij, Kazi Farms, BRAC Enterprises, and Paragon. Business leaders highlighted issues such as gas supply shortages, limited radiation testing for agricultural exports, and the need for cold storage facilities. The Prime Minister reportedly instructed immediate action on some matters and assured tax holidays and infrastructure support for investments in the region.

A follow-up meeting is planned within six months to review progress. Stakeholders expect the initiative to boost employment and attract significant investment in northern Bangladesh’s agro-processing sector.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly criticized the government’s inclusion of a provision in the Bank Resolution Act 2026 that allows former shareholders of weak banks to regain ownership without accountability. In a statement issued on Monday, April 13, TIB described the move as a ‘suicidal’ initiative that effectively rehabilitates identified looters and risks turning the banking sector back into a haven for corruption and plunder.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the new law replaces earlier accountability measures from the 2025 ordinance with immunity for those responsible for bank failures. He argued that the decision rewards wrongdoers instead of ensuring justice and reflects a continuation of authoritarian practices in the financial sector. The statement also questioned the feasibility of repayment terms offered to former owners and the Bangladesh Bank’s ability to enforce them.

TIB warned that restoring ownership without proper legal accountability will prevent any qualitative reform in the sector and contradicts the ruling party’s electoral commitments. The organization urged the government to reconsider what it termed a self-destructive and interest-driven decision.

Bangladesh’s Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has urged Japan to take initiatives for automobile manufacturing in Bangladesh. The call was made on Monday, April 13, during a courtesy meeting with Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi at the minister’s office in Motijheel, Dhaka. The minister highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two nations and Japan’s significant role in Bangladesh’s industrial and socioeconomic development.

During the meeting, the minister emphasized cooperation based on mutual interests and referred to existing memorandums of understanding between Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation and Japanese companies Mitsubishi and Toyota. He invited Japan to move forward with automobile production projects under these agreements. In response, the ambassador said work on the matter is underway and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s economic progress.

The Japanese ambassador also welcomed Bangladesh’s proposal to establish a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) for ship recycling in Sitakunda, Chattogram, and said feasibility studies would begin soon. Senior officials from the Ministry of Industries and the Japanese Embassy attended the meeting.