Addressing Abdul Kader, a candidate for Dhaka University Vice President, Bangladesh Nationalist Student Party (JSD) President Rakibul Islam assured: “Kader, I promise that the BNP student wing will stand firmly with you against the descendants of Rajakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams, InshaAllah.”

Rakib also highlighted the exposure of certain militant networks within rival student groups. He said, “Leaders and operatives trained for cyberbullying are systematically targeting not only conscious women leaders but anyone with opposing views. These individuals must be identified and held accountable. Over time, justice will be ensured.”

Earlier, Kader described his struggle for safety: “I do not need to win DU elections; I just want to survive. Since speaking about the Rajakars, harassment has escalated daily. I cannot sleep, and even my family faces threats.”

UN Resident Coordinator Gwenn Lewis met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to discuss ongoing reforms and development priorities. Lewis praised strong UN-interim government collaboration and reiterated full UN support for the general elections in February, calling them vital for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. They also reviewed preparations for the upcoming UN General Assembly and the end-of-month Rohingya conference, expressing concern over declining humanitarian aid. Yunus emphasized the urgent need for sustainable international support for the Rohingya.

DU vice-presidential candidate Abdul Kader wrote that he does not seek victory; he just wants to survive. He described escalating threats and harassment, saying they have caused sleepless nights and physical trembling. Kader criticized online propaganda and appeals targeting his family, warning of continued trauma if the harassment persists.

Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser, has inaugurated passport services at the Citizen Service Center in Gulshan.

According to Special Assistant Faez Ahmad Tayyeb, this marks the first time in Bangladesh that passport applications and renewals are being offered outside traditional passport offices — through citizen service hubs driven by private entrepreneurship.

By the end of this month, 10 pilot citizen service centers will be operational simultaneously in key areas including Gulshan-1, Uttara Sector 6, Nilkhet, Ramna, Mohammadpur, and Banasree. Already, centers in Gulshan-1, Uttara, and Nilkhet are fully functional.

Currently, the citizen service program is running pilot and learning operations with over 400 government services, spanning passport issuance, driving licenses, birth and death registration, national ID, and land record documentation — across government offices, upazila parishads, and district councils.

Plans are also underway to establish a National API Connectivity Hub through Citizen Service, integrating services from all government offices to provide a one-stop, hassle-free experience. This will be Bangladesh’s first-ever Citizen Service Connectivity Hub, consolidating essential public services under one platform.

The Election Commission (EC) has finalized and published the gazette after redefining parliamentary constituency boundaries, including Brahmanbaria-2. The updated constituency now incorporates two additional unions from Bijoynagar—Budhanti and Chandura—alongside Ashuganj and Sarail.

BNP leader Rumin Farhana expressed satisfaction with the revised boundaries, noting that the newly added areas were historically part of Brahmanbaria-2. “Reverting these areas back to Brahmanbaria-2 restores electoral balance. Based on voter population, geography, and accessibility, there is no reason for them to belong to any other constituency,” she said. However, Harshpur Union, which was supposed to be included, did not appear in the final gazette.

Several high-ranking officials, judges, military officers, and their spouses, previously barred from renewing passports after the government change in August, have received no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Home Ministry. Some are accused in July killings, under international crimes investigations, or facing anti-corruption probes. Many have already received passports, with reports suggesting some may have left the country. The sudden easing of restrictions has raised questions about political favoritism, despite officials noting that those under investigation will still face immigration checks.

The Dhaka University administration announced that all campus entrances will be closed to the public from 8 PM on September 8 until 6 AM on September 10 for the DUCSU elections. Students, faculty, and staff with valid DU ID cards can access the campus. Family members may enter with a copy of their relative’s ID. Only university-stickered and emergency service vehicles will be allowed; others require a security pass from the Proctor’s Office.

Masud Alam, Deputy Police Commissioner of the Ramna Division, reported that several former law enforcement officers are committing robbery while impersonating members of the Detective Branch (DB) or other units. “Last night, based on confidential intelligence, seven fake DB members were arrested near Golap Shah Mazar while preparing for a robbery,” he said. The police recovered vehicles and equipment used in the planned crime. Alam noted that the suspects had previously carried out crimes under the guise of DB officers. The police are investigating the root of these impersonations and advised citizens to contact local police stations if they encounter suspicious incidents.

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday published the final gazette after redefining boundaries for 300 parliamentary seats. The changes include the addition of one seat in Gazipur (Gazipur-6) and the removal of one in Bagerhat (Bagerhat-4), with Morolganj and Sharankhola upazilas merged into Bagerhat-3.

Jamaat leader Mia Golam Porwar said BNP resists proportional representation because it considers itself the dominant party. He emphasized that the upcoming election cannot be fair without the legal basis of the July charter. About 70% of Bangladeshis support proportional representation, he noted.

Porwar added, “We will respect whatever verdict the public gives in the referendum. If the people oppose, Jamaat will withdraw its PR demand.” He also highlighted structural reforms to curb corruption, pointing out that political pressure often weakens the Election Commission.

RAB-7 has arrested Hannan, one of the accused in the clash between Chittagong University students and local residents. Authorities said Hannan, listed as the 56th accused in the university administration’s case, is a former member of Fatepur Union Parishad and an associate of local Jubo League leader Hanif and the banned organization’s Hatkhazari Upazila vice president, Iqbal.

Following their directives, Hannan allegedly led an attack on university students. He was apprehended on Thursday evening in Hatkhazari through a technology-assisted operation.

The Democratic Rights Committee has accused the interim government of either indifference or outright support in allowing mobocracy to dominate the country. In a statement marking one year since the July uprising, the platform alleged that the interim administration has effectively reinstated Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The statement declared: “Fascism fell at the cost of workers’ blood. Yet, following the uprising, the first extra-judicial killing was that of a worker. On September 2, joint forces killed worker Md. Habib Islam. We, on behalf of the Democratic Rights Committee, strongly condemn this brutal act.”

The committee also cited other incidents of mob violence and state complicity:

In Rangpur’s Taraganj, two van drivers, Ruplal Das and Pradip Das, were beaten to death.

In Gangachara, false allegations of blasphemy were used to justify violent attacks, looting, and arson against religious minority homes. While attackers roamed free, police arrested a man for nothing more than a Facebook post, effectively endorsing mob aggression.

In Dhaka, a discussion meeting on the Liberation War came under mob attack. Instead of detaining the perpetrators, police arrested 16 participants — including freedom fighters, university professors, and journalists — and later charged them under anti-terrorism laws.

The statement highlighted several similar cases, underscoring a growing trend of mob-driven justice and political repression.

The Democratic Rights Committee is comprised of noted intellectuals and activists, including Sirajul Islam, Anu Muhammad, and Salimullah Khan.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Tauhid Hossain stated that BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarek Rahman is free to return to Bangladesh whenever he wishes. “So far, he has not applied for a passport or any travel documents at the Bangladesh mission in London,” Hossain said. He added that the government will take appropriate action if Tarek submits an application, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot act proactively on its own.

On election observation, the adviser mentioned that the European Union has expressed interest, but the Election Commission will decide on the matter. Regarding the positions of friendly nations and development partners on participatory elections, any comment at this stage would be speculative. Hossain also noted that India has previously received a single letter requesting the return of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; any further communication will be announced officially.

Rashed Khan refuted reports claiming that Nurul Haq Nur, president of the Ganadhikar Parishad, has recovered from injuries sustained in a recent attack. “Attempts are being made to show him as healthy,” Rashed said at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He added that Nur’s nose is still bleeding, and he has sustained a head injury. Once his condition stabilizes, he could be sent abroad for treatment next week. On September 2, the Chief Advisor ordered Nur’s transfer abroad for advanced medical care. Additionally, a one-member judicial investigation committee, led by Justice Md. Ali Reza, has been formed to investigate the attack.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince criticized the Election Commission’s backward steps, comparing them to “a ghost stepping backward.” He claimed that increasing deposit and election expenses is an attempt to turn the electoral process into a playground for the wealthy. “This is not why we staged a mass uprising,” he said, referring to the 54 years of mismanagement by past governments. Prince lamented that the wealth generated by Bangladesh’s working people has been looted by corrupt political elites, preventing the establishment of lasting democracy. He described the ruling elite as authoritarian, family-centric, and despotic. “Time and again, we have fought for victory with our own blood. This uprising aimed at democracy and equality. Today, democracy is under threat, and mob violence is making life unbearable,” he said. Prince called on citizens to unite under the Communist Party’s red flag to build a democratic, secular, and egalitarian Bangladesh.