The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) pushed 16 Bangladeshi nationals into Bangladesh territory through the Shitlmath border in Naogaon early Friday.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained them shortly after and confirmed they were Bangladeshi citizens from Pabna. The group included seven men, four women, and five children. They have been handed over to Patnitala police for legal action.

Police have filed a case against 2,200 people in connection with the violent attacks and arson at four shrines in Cumilla’s Homna upazila.

The unrest erupted after a Facebook post allegedly insulting religion went viral on Wednesday. Although a follow-up apology was posted from the same account, tensions escalated, leading to a protest under the banner of “Touhidi Janata.”

That night, police detained the accused individual, Mohsin. But by Thursday, mobs vandalized and set fire to four shrines. The army was eventually deployed to bring the situation under control.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman has warned that no matter what political parties say in the media, a fair election cannot take place without their genuine commitment.

Speaking on Thursday, he said, “If the mindset is only to win by any means, fair elections are impossible.”

He added that decades of entrenched partisan politics have crippled the country’s institutions, and it is unrealistic to expect reforms within just a year or two. Though several commissions were formed under the interim government to propose reforms, their recommendations have seen no real progress.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman also lamented the absence of anti-discrimination values in politics and bureaucracy, urging that a proper environment must be created to ensure voter confidence and participation.

BNP leader A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain has said that as the election draws closer, many are launching movements and programs demanding proportional representation (PR). However, he stressed that PR is not an effective step to strengthen democracy.

“People may demand PR as part of their democratic rights. But treating it as something that must happen is an undemocratic mindset. No idea can be truly democratic if it is imposed,” Zahid said.

He further warned that pushing for PR in the name of the people, even when the public does not demand it, only paves the way for authoritarianism and attempts to delay elections. “Trying to pass off a party agenda as the people’s demand will not succeed. The general public themselves will resist it,” he added.

Bangladesh has secured re-election to the Administrative Council of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), earning 97 votes out of 157 during the council’s session in Dubai. The country ranked ninth among ten elected members, securing a four-year term for the second consecutive time.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus congratulated the Bangladesh delegation for their success, noting that despite limited in-person participation in the past term, coordinated diplomatic efforts helped overcome challenges to re-election.

A BNP leader in Cox’s Bazar has sparked outrage after allegedly extorting Tk 200,000 from an Awami League woman leader, swearing on the Holy Quran to “protect” her. A video of the incident involving Nuruddin Khan, general secretary of Ward 1 (East) BNP, has gone viral.

The victim, Rozina Akhter, said she initially believed Khan would help her but was later threatened with murder and arson if she refused to pay more money.

Khan, who faces long-standing allegations of human trafficking, attacks on police, and extortion, denied the charges, claiming he is a community arbitrator and the victim of conspiracy. However, BNP insiders admitted that the incident has embarrassed party members nationwide.

Several Awami League activists have been arrested in connection with the recent attack and vandalism at the Bangladesh Consulate in New York.

Press Minister Golam Mortuza, based at the Bangladesh Embassy, confirmed that the consulate has formally reported the incident to U.S. authorities, including police and the Secret Service, with video evidence identifying the attackers.

He emphasized that while freedom of expression is valued, violent actions cannot be tolerated. Investigations are ongoing, and U.S. agencies will share findings with the consulate and embassy before any charges are filed. Mortuza dismissed claims of compromise with Awami League, calling them baseless.

Newly appointed Dutch Ambassador Boris van Bommel paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. During the meeting, Yunus confirmed preparations for holding national elections in early February, ensuring they are free, fair, and peaceful.

Ambassador van Bommel reaffirmed the Netherlands’ support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition, noting that an EU pre-election observation mission is set to arrive this week.

Yunus also highlighted Bangladesh’s gains from Dutch expertise in flood management and coastal protection. The ambassador expressed interest in Bangladesh’s progress in social business and microfinance. Yunus further urged enhanced Dutch assistance for over one million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, stressing that the upcoming UN conference must mobilize global support for humanitarian relief.

In a significant political development, 40 members of the AB Party, led by Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury, have rejoined Jamaat-e-Islami in Birampur, Dinajpur, after five years. Among them was Arafat Al Abir, a member of the BNP student wing’s convening committee.

Speaking at the rejoining ceremony, Chowdhury recalled the political repression he faced under the Awami League government in 2020 while with Jamaat. He said disagreements with some leaders led him to join AB Party, but he later found the party lacking in spirit and ideology. “The ideals and activities of Jamaat once again inspired me. That is why I am returning, along with 40 colleagues,” he declared.

Mahalaya, the auspicious start of Durga Puja, will be observed on September 21. This year, no official public holiday has been declared for Mahalaya, though many take optional leave on the day.

An analysis of the government holiday calendar shows that public servants will enjoy a four-day break during the main festival, as October 1 (Mahanabami) has been declared a special holiday, followed by the October 2 holiday for Vijaya Dashami.

Primary schools will remain closed from September 28 to October 7, with the preceding weekend extending the break to 11 days. Secondary schools and colleges will be closed from September 26 to October 7, totaling 12 days. Madrasas will begin their vacation on September 30, resuming classes on October 5, with Fatheha-e-Yazdaham included in the schedule. Technical institutions, however, will observe only a two-day Puja holiday on October 1–2, followed by the weekend.

Authorities in Natore have suspended all medical services at a private hospital following preliminary evidence of malpractice. Civil Surgeon Dr. Muktadir Arefin confirmed the order against Al-Hera Hospital & Diagnostic Center, owned by Dr. Shamim Uddin.

The case came to light when Manik Mia, a garment worker from Narayanpur, was admitted for abdominal pain on July 27. Dr. Shamim performed an appendectomy the same day, but the patient’s condition worsened over the following week. He was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College, where doctors identified faulty treatment.

Manik Mia, now struggling with mounting medical expenses, alleged threats from Dr. Shamim’s side after raising complaints. In response, leaders of the Natore Clinic Owners’ Association have extended Tk 10,000 in assistance to the patient’s family.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has emphasized that Bangladesh and China will move forward hand in hand, strengthening their strategic cooperative partnership. In a video message marking China’s 76th founding anniversary and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic ties, Yunus extended warm congratulations and expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing trust and support for Bangladesh.

He praised China’s achievements under the Communist Party’s leadership in areas such as economic development, technological innovation, poverty alleviation, and public service.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen recalled China’s sacrifices in safeguarding global peace eight decades ago and its transformation into a major power. Highlighting President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, Yao said the initiative has garnered broad international support, including from Bangladesh, reinforcing multilateral cooperation. He affirmed that China is ready to support Bangladesh’s modernization journey and write a “new chapter” in building a China-Bangladesh community of shared future.

A joint force rescued 66 trafficking victims—including 23 women and 21 children—from a remote hill camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The operation, conducted from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday in Kachhapia area, found both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi citizens who were held captive for trafficking purposes.
Authorities confirmed that details will be shared in a press briefing later today.

RAB has arrested Mushfiq Uddin Togor (50), one of the prime accused in the 2002 murder of BUET student Sabekun Nahar Soni.
He was captured from Azimpur on Thursday with a revolver and 156 rounds of ammunition.
Soni, a 1999 batch student of chemical engineering, was killed on June 8, 2002, when she was caught in the crossfire during a clash between two factions of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal on the BUET campus.
RAB will brief the media with further details today.

A rice distribution program for poor families in Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria, descended into controversy after sacks marked with political slogans were discovered.
Each of the 60 ultra-poor families was supposed to receive 30 kg of rice under the government’s VGF program. However, sacks carried the inscription: “Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh—Hunger Will Be Eradicated.”
Annoyed by the irregularities, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rajib Chowdhury walked out without inaugurating the event, later directing the union chairman to investigate.