Eight members of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police were injured while trying to prevent protesting BUET students from marching toward the Jamuna area. The injured officers were admitted to Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital, with two in critical condition. Additionally, three journalists were reportedly hurt during the clash.
Earlier in the afternoon, engineering students had gathered at the university’s Gol Chattar as part of their pre-announced “Long March to Dhaka” program, pressing three specific demands. When students attempted to march toward Jamuna, they clashed with police, who used batons, tear gas, sound grenades, and water cannons to disperse the crowd.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has admitted that, despite decades of resilience, a growing sense of despair now shadows him as he witnesses the moral decay around him.

“I have never been disheartened in politics—I have always given people courage. But lately, despair has been following me everywhere. Because wherever I look, I see corruption and moral decline,” Fakhrul said.

He pointed to rampant corruption in offices and institutions, where ordinary people are being deprived of basic services. “Sadly, even political leaders have become entangled in this corruption, causing greater damage to the nation,” he lamented.

Fakhrul stressed that the expected moral transformation of society has not occurred, urging everyone to rise to the occasion to save the country. He also warned that efforts are underway to erase the memory of 1971.

“The Liberation War cannot be forgotten. Those who aided Pakistan back then are the very people making grand speeches today. The nation must remain vigilant,” he cautioned.

NCP leader Sargis Alam has condemned the police crackdown on BUET students protesting for their legitimate demands, accusing the administration of crossing a dangerous line.

“This administration must explain where it gets the audacity to unleash police violence and shed the blood of BUET students who are fighting for a just cause,” Sargis wrote.

Reaffirming his stance against all forms of quota-based privileges, Sargis expressed solidarity with the protesting students. He also denounced those responsible for the attacks, calling the assault on students “shameful and unacceptable.”

Bangladesh is pushing for significant reforms in its energy and infrastructure sectors to boost economic stability. Policymakers highlighted sustained GDP growth, lower inflation, record remittances, and a stable currency. Key initiatives include 32 investment reforms, multimodal transport planning, renewable energy incentives, increased LNG imports, and EV charging infrastructure development. BIDA is upgrading its services and establishing international economic zones, while solar programs and battery storage systems aim to stabilize the grid. These steps signal a long-term strategic vision for sustainable growth.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali described the police action against engineering students outside the InterContinental Hotel as “disturbing.” Speaking briefly with students at Shahbagh around 10:15 PM on Wednesday, he said, “As the DMP Commissioner, I am deeply sorry and regretful for the unfortunate incident that took place outside the hotel.”
He confirmed that a committee would be formed the following day to investigate the matter. Regarding the earlier incident in Rangpur, the commissioner stated that he had already been in touch with the Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner. A General Diary (GD) has been filed in that case, and authorities have assured that the accused will be apprehended. Meanwhile, students demanded the resignation of Ramna Zone DC Masud Alam.

Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan has described the recent clash between engineering students and police as “unfortunate,” adding that the police will issue a formal apology.

“The students’ demands are primarily related to jobs and the recruitment process. These issues involve multiple stakeholders, and decisions must be taken after thorough discussion,” Fauzul told reporters after a meeting attended by the Environmental Adviser as well.

The nearly hour-long meeting, however, ended without a concrete resolution, leaving the engineering students frustrated. Protesters at Shahbagh vowed not to leave the streets until their demands are addressed, declaring they will continue their sit-in until a favorable outcome is reached.

Renovation work on the staircase leading to the Chandranath Hill temple in Sitakunda, Chattogram, will begin soon. The temple, located 1,200 feet above ground, will have its stairs upgraded, according to Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser. Any attempts to disrupt religious harmony will not be tolerated. Coordination with local officials is ongoing to resolve issues quickly. Additionally, permanent railway land has been allocated for Hindu religious institutions in Khilkhet.

Agriculture Advisor Jahangir Alam has announced that the government will introduce a Farmland Protection Act to ensure agricultural land is not diverted to other sectors.
Speaking at a cold storage handover ceremony in Singair on Wednesday, he said middlemen often reap more profits from crops than farmers, using the money to build buildings while farmers remain in shabby homes.
“The responsibility to break this syndicate falls on all of us,” he stressed. He further declared that if agricultural land is used for road construction, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) will be required to pay three times the compensation. Officials failing to carry out their duties properly will face departmental action, he warned.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused certain political parties of “making desperate pleas for PR benefits,” while also alleging that the Awami League is preparing to set up party offices in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Speaking at a workers’ conference in Dewanganj, Rizvi claimed that industrialist S. Alam Group had given Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tk 2,500 crore and offered another Tk 2,000 crore, funds he alleged would be used to “fuel sabotage in the country.”
He urged the government to hold a national election before Ramadan and restore power to the people. Earlier in the day, the families of martyrs and injured from the Jamalpur mass uprising were provided with medical support and electric rickshaws.

BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman has called on the government to both investigate the recent police assault on engineering students and accept their justified demands.
While expressing solidarity with the ongoing student movement, the VC also appealed to students to return to their homes.
Meanwhile, students at Shahbagh rejected the government’s committee and announced a five-point demand in the afternoon. They declared they would continue their sit-in until advisors themselves arrive in person to negotiate. “Police action cannot suppress the movement,” the students said, demanding that those responsible for the assault be arrested and dismissed from service. Protesters also held a symbolic absentee funeral prayer, declaring that the engineering sector had been “pushed to its death.”

DIG Mohammad Shafiqul Islam has been appointed as the Additional Police Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB).
A member of the 18th BCS Police cadre, Shafiqul Islam previously served as DIG of the Highway Police. The DB chief’s position had remained vacant since April 13, when his predecessor, Rezaul Karim Mallik, was removed from the post. After four months of vacancy, Shafiqul Islam has now officially taken charge of the influential law enforcement unit.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman has made a striking statement, saying even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina now supports the caretaker government system, despite its earlier abolition.

Speaking in court, he recalled that the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court had struck down the 13th constitutional amendment, which had allowed caretaker administrations.

He argued for its reinstatement, saying:

“If caretaker government returns, no more mothers will lose their sons, no more brothers will lose brothers, no more blood will be spilled for voting rights.”

In a sharp remark aimed at the ruling party, he added:

“The Awami League once said power could never be handed to an unelected government. Yet they themselves ruled without election. Now, it is like a ghost chanting God’s name—Sheikh Hasina, too, wants a caretaker government.”

Government advisors sat down with 11 representatives of the protesting engineering university students at Rail Bhaban on Wednesday evening, shortly after 7:15 PM.
Meanwhile, demonstrators at Shahbagh have vowed not to leave the streets until their demands are fully met. Earlier in the day, the government formed an eight-member committee to review the validity of BSc engineering graduates’ demands and provide recommendations. However, students rejected the committee outright, instead putting forward five specific demands of their own.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has revealed that the demand for cash in the country is rising by nearly 10% each year, costing the government around Tk 20,000 crore annually in printing and distribution.

Highlighting the need for digital alternatives, he said:

“A smartphone is now essential for financial transactions, bill payments, and online services.”

The central bank is working to introduce affordable smartphones priced between Tk 6,000–7,000 to ensure universal access to digital financial services.

Dr. Mansur also called for lowering internet costs and improving service quality to accelerate digital adoption.

On housing, he emphasized:

Millions of new homes are still needed across the country.

Urban migration is irreversible, making affordable housing projects urgent.

Banks could utilize their idle land by partnering with developers.

Violent clashes broke out between BUET students and police in Dhaka, leaving several students and officers injured.

Commenting on the incident, Ramna Division DC Masud Alam said:

“We never told them to leave Shahbagh, one of the most critical intersections. The ministry was positive, and a gazette notification had already been issued—exactly what they wanted.”

According to him, student leaders had earlier agreed to stay at Shahbagh for no more than 30 minutes, threatening to march to the Secretariat if their demands were not met. But suddenly, protesters broke blockades and ran toward the Chief Adviser’s residence near InterContinental.

Police initially tried to disperse them peacefully but eventually used water cannons after protesters hurled stones.

Masud claimed:

Some students carried “hexa-type knives”, injuring multiple officers.

Protesters threw bricks extensively.

Once they reached the Chief Adviser’s residence, police had no choice but to respond:

“If we cannot ensure security there, then we don’t deserve these uniforms.”