Maulana Azharul Islam, president of Islami Andolan’s Ward No. 5 and vice-president of the upazila unit in Charfassion, Bhola, has joined Jamaat-e-Islami. The announcement was made on Tuesday night by Zainal Abedin Bhuiyan, a member of the Charfassion municipal Jamaat working committee. According to the report, Azharul Islam completed Jamaat’s membership form on Monday before formally joining the party.

The source states that Maulana Azharul Islam had been active in Islami Andolan politics under the leadership of the Charmonai Pir for a long time, holding various responsibilities in Charfassion. He said he joined Jamaat-e-Islami inspired by the party’s ideology and principles. Maulana Abbas Uddin, secretary of Islami Andolan’s Bhola South district unit, confirmed that Azharul Islam was part of the organization’s previous committee but not the current one.

The development marks a shift in local political alignment in Charfassion, as a senior Islami Andolan leader transitions to Jamaat-e-Islami, potentially influencing future political dynamics in the area.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman posted a message on his Facebook page on Tuesday night calling on all concerned to refrain from any activities that could disrupt the voting environment in Dhaka-15 constituency. He expressed hope that good sense would prevail among those involved.

Earlier, a clash broke out between activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in front of Al Mobarak Mosque in Pirerbag under Mirpur Model Police Station during leaflet distribution for the upcoming national election. At least 16 people were initially reported injured. The army and police quickly arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Following the incident, Jamaat activists held a protest and rally demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the attackers. The procession started in front of Pirerbag Paka Mosque and ended at Barek Molla Mor with a gathering attended by several local Jamaat leaders.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas advised leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) to learn politics and focus on the country’s development. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion meeting held at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka. Abbas said young leaders should avoid wrongdoing and that his party would support them if they engage in positive political activities.

Referring to the post-liberation period, Abbas stated that after the war, his generation returned to studies and work without seeking ministerial positions, unlike what he described as greed among some current leaders. He contrasted the roles of freedom fighters and those who fought to remove oppressive forces, asserting that his generation had also overthrown autocratic regimes in the past.

Abbas further emphasized his lifelong commitment to protecting Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, vowing not to let the country fall into the hands of deceivers or opportunists.

Dhaka city north unit of Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally in Mirpur on Tuesday night demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those who carried out an armed attack on its activists. The rally followed an alleged assault that occurred when Jamaat members were leaving a mosque after Maghrib prayers. Shah Alam Tuhin, a member of the party’s Dhaka north executive committee, accused BNP and Jubo Dal activists of launching the attack and called on authorities to ensure justice.

The protest march began in front of Pirerbag Paka Mosque and ended at Barek Molla Mor with a gathering attended by several local Jamaat leaders. Tuhin alleged that the attackers acted out of political desperation and that law enforcement failed to act impartially. He claimed that even female Jamaat activists were assaulted and criticized the government for not taking effective measures to stop such violence.

Jamaat’s Dhaka north unit announced another protest march for Wednesday morning at Barek Molla Mor to condemn the attack and the reported harassment of female activists.

A Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officer was beaten to death and three others were seriously injured during an operation in the remote jungle area of Chhalimpur in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The incident occurred when RAB members raided the area based on intelligence that a top local criminal, Yasin, and his associates were present near a BNP office. The attackers captured four RAB members, assaulted them, and transported them to Alinagar, where they were beaten repeatedly. One officer, Abdul Motaleb, later died in hospital, while three others remain injured.

BNP leaders denied having any office or activities in Chhalimpur and rejected any involvement in the killing. Local residents said the building previously served as an Awami League office before being taken over by expelled BNP youth leader Rokon Uddin, and later by Yasin’s group. The area has long been a haven for armed groups, with multiple deadly clashes over territorial control.

Authorities announced plans for a large-scale joint operation involving RAB, police, army, and other agencies to dismantle criminal strongholds, recover government land, and bring those responsible for the officer’s killing to justice.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today on whether to frame charges against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT adviser, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The prosecution has accused them of crimes against humanity during the so-called July Revolution, including shutting down the internet and inciting violence. Palak will be produced before the tribunal from prison for the hearing.

Earlier, defense lawyers Liton Ahmed and Munjur Alam argued that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence and sought discharge for their clients. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim countered that the charges were based on credible evidence and requested the court to proceed with the trial. The prosecution has brought three charges, including allegations of incitement through social media posts, ordering internet shutdowns, and aiding killings in Dhaka and Uttara.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam read out the charges on January 11 and formally requested the tribunal to frame charges against both accused. The tribunal’s decision today will determine whether the trial moves forward.

Bangladesh’s young generation, credited with toppling former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, is now expected to play a decisive role in the country’s upcoming national election on February 12. The vote, described by European Union observers as the “biggest democratic process in 2026, anywhere,” will be the first since the July 2024 uprising that forced Hasina to flee to India after a violent crackdown left up to 1,400 people dead. Many first-time voters, such as 27-year-old Rafiul Alam from Dhaka, say they are eager to participate after years of political disillusionment.

According to the Election Commission, nearly 56 million of Bangladesh’s 127 million registered voters are aged between 18 and 37, representing about 44 percent of the electorate. Analysts say this group’s shared distrust of institutions and demand for accountability could redefine the political landscape. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has barred the Awami League from contesting, leaving the field to two main coalitions led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.

However, divisions have emerged within youth-led movements such as the National Citizen Party, whose alliance with Jamaat has drawn criticism from protest leaders. Women’s representation also remains low, with only 4.24 percent of candidates being female, raising concerns about the depth of political reform.

Two Awami League leaders, Azam Pasha Chowdhury Rumel and Advocate Saif Uddin Ahmed, allegedly arranged a family gathering known as a 'beyakhana' inside the women’s lockup of the Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Monday, January 19. The event reportedly took place with the cooperation of on-duty police officers while both leaders were brought to court for hearings. A video of the incident has surfaced, showing family members present inside the restricted area.

According to court sources, both leaders are long-term detainees in Noakhali District Jail facing multiple murder and explosives-related cases. The gathering followed the recent marriage between Rumel’s daughter and Ahmed’s son, which took place on December 30. Police officials confirmed that the lockup is normally used for female detainees’ basic needs, not for family events.

Following reports of the incident, a three-member investigation committee was formed under Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Abu Tayeb Md Arif Hossain. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days, after which internal disciplinary action may be taken.

Thirty-six Bangladeshi nationals who spent between Tk 40 lakh and Tk 80 lakh each to reach the United States were deported and returned home empty-handed. They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday at noon aboard a special US military flight as part of Washington’s anti-illegal immigration drive. The group included one woman, and their return was confirmed by a BRAC Migration Program press release.

According to BRAC, most of the deportees had initially traveled legally to Brazil with clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) before attempting to enter the US illegally through Mexico. Their asylum applications were later rejected after lengthy legal proceedings. BRAC’s Migration and Youth Platform Associate Director Shariful Hasan said the organization provided emergency support and transportation assistance upon their arrival.

Hasan questioned whether the government’s approval for sending workers to Brazil was being misused as a transit route to the US. He urged accountability for the agencies involved and called for greater caution before issuing new approvals, noting that 1,320 Bangladeshis went to Brazil in 2025, including 951 from Noakhali.

Starting January 25, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will impose fines and possible jail terms for honking in and around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, violators may face a maximum fine of 10,000 taka or up to three months in jail. The enforcement will cover the airport area and a 1.5-kilometer stretch from Scholastica School to Hotel Le Méridien.

The DMP has declared the airport zone, along with Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan, as silent areas where honking is a punishable offense. The initiative aims to reduce noise pollution in these designated zones. The police announcement specifies that the rule will be strictly implemented from January 25.

To ensure compliance, special mobile courts will be operated jointly by the Department of Environment, BRTA, Civil Aviation Authority, Dhaka North City Corporation, and DMP magistrates, as stated in the police notice.

The government of Bangladesh has approved a special allocation of Tk 71.98 crore to install CCTV cameras at 21,946 highly important and high-risk polling centers across the country ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The announcement was made by Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, following the 119th meeting of the National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization (NIKAR) held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

According to Majumder, out of approximately 42,000 polling centers nationwide, 6,552 already have CCTV cameras, while new installations are underway at the rest. Each high-risk center will receive at least six cameras under the special allocation, while other centers will be covered through local administrative and city corporation funding. The installation process has started in all districts, with Gazipur district nearing completion. Additionally, 299 polling centers without electricity will be equipped with solar power or generator backup to ensure uninterrupted power supply on election day.

The briefing also discussed improving law enforcement in Dhaka amid rapid urban growth and reviewed possible administrative restructuring of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, though no final decision was reached.

Mehedi Hasan Himel, convener of Jagannath University (JNU) Chhatra Dal, issued a stern warning on Tuesday evening, January 20, through a Facebook post emphasizing politeness, tolerance, and healthy student politics. He stated that while his organization had long endured controversial activities from other student groups with patience, any further crossing of limits would lead to severe consequences. Himel warned that those who overstep boundaries would not be able to stay anywhere in Dhaka, neither on campus nor at home.

In his post, Himel described Jagannath University as an emotional space for Chhatra Dal, founded by Begum Khaleda Zia, and said the group had shown restraint to maintain a peaceful educational environment. His remarks came after Ibrahim Khalil, organizational secretary of JNU Shibir, accused the authorities of halting the Shaksu election to arrange a BNP rally in Sylhet and called for a blockade in protest. That statement sparked criticism among Chhatra Dal activists nationwide.

Himel further warned that any organization under the influence of Chhatra League making provocative comments would not be spared, triggering renewed debate in campus politics.

The ‘Vote Rickshaw’ campaign was inaugurated in Sylhet as part of nationwide publicity for the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. The event, organized by the Sylhet District Information Office, was virtually inaugurated by Md. Abdul Jalil, Director General of the Department of Mass Communication, at the Sadar Upazila Parishad premises on Tuesday. The initiative is being implemented under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the support of the Department of Mass Communication.

According to officials, the campaign aims to raise public awareness about the referendum and encourage voter participation. Abdul Jalil stated that the program will expand across all eight divisions, 64 districts, 495 upazilas, and 4,579 unions nationwide. Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Khoshnur Rubaiyat emphasized that the dual voting process—covering both the national election and the referendum—requires citizens to be well-informed. The referendum seeks to ensure the proper implementation of the July Charter based on public opinion.

In Sylhet, the campaign will run across 13 upazilas and 106 unions until February 9, with participation from local officials and media representatives.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that shipbuilding companies can regularize their defaulted loans by depositing three percent of the outstanding amount. The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a circular on Tuesday outlining the terms. The loans can be repaid over a maximum of ten years, including a two-year grace period during which only interest must be paid monthly or quarterly. Companies must apply by June 30 of this year, and banks are required to resolve applications within sixty days.

The circular explains that the global economic downturn, geopolitical instability, and military unrest in Europe have disrupted supply chains, severely affecting both export-oriented and domestic shipbuilding industries. To sustain this promising export sector and facilitate loan recovery, Bangladesh Bank introduced special rescheduling and restructuring facilities. Previously rescheduled loans may also receive up to two additional years of repayment time with a two percent down payment.

Banks must verify through special inspections that borrowers were genuinely affected by uncontrollable circumstances. Islamic banks are instructed to implement the policy in accordance with Shariah principles.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser on Shipping and Labour and Employment, has called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming Referendum 2026, describing it as a historic opportunity in Bangladesh’s democratic journey. Speaking on Tuesday, January 20, at a campaign discussion organized by the Panchagarh District Administration at the Panchagarh Government Auditorium, he said the referendum would allow people to directly express their opinions on key state matters and strengthen participatory, transparent, and accountable governance.

He emphasized that the referendum is not merely a formal process but a reflection of the people’s sovereign power. Hossain warned that if the 'No' side wins, the nation could lose the opportunity gained through the July mass uprising. He urged citizens to vote 'Yes' to ensure true empowerment and liberation from past autocratic practices.

The adviser also stressed the importance of public awareness and responsible, fact-based campaigning to ensure the referendum’s success. He assured that the process would follow a clear legal and constitutional framework with transparency and neutrality at every stage.