The body of Asiya, a child who was brutally assaulted and killed while visiting her sister’s home, has been taken to Magura. Her funeral was completed on Thursday evening. A military helicopter transported her remains to Magura before iftar, and her janaza (funeral prayer) was held at Nomani Maidan at 7 PM. Following the prayer, her coffin was carried by Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer (Southern Region) of the National Citizens’ Party, and Sarjis Alam, Chief Organizer (Northern Region).

In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, at least 1,015 individuals were detained as a preventive measure during Holi celebrations, and nearly a dozen mosques were covered with tarps. This included the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, among others that are the subject of Hindu nationalist group campaigns. Opposition parties and Muslim organizations have criticized these actions as a manifestation of the government’s biased policies. They allege that top administration officials and BJP leaders are inciting communal tensions by advising Muslims to stay indoors on Holi.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has arrived in Dhaka on a four-day visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. He was welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday evening by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tauhid Hossain. This marks his second visit to Bangladesh. Discussions during the visit will primarily focus on the Rohingya refugee crisis, with human rights issues also expected to be a key topic. On Friday morning, he will first meet Foreign Affairs Adviser and Special Representative Khalilur Rahman. Later, he will hold a meeting with the Chief Adviser at his office. The Secretary-General is also scheduled to visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and join an iftar gathering.

IGP Baharul Alam raised a critical question, asking, “Why should police officers have political loyalty as government employees?” He emphasized that the police force should not be aligned with any political party, whether it is Awami League or BNP. He pointed out that the excessive zeal and political loyalty of certain senior officers and members have tarnished the reputation of the police force. “Many of our brothers lost their lives while following orders from senior officers. The responsibility lies with the one who issued the orders, not with those who had to follow them,” he said. He insisted that those in positions of responsibility must face punishment, while those who were compelled to obey should receive justice from the courts.

Khelafat Majlis leader Maulana Mamunul Haque, NCP Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah, and NCP Chief Organizer (North) Sarjis Alam have arrived in Magura to attend the funeral of eight-year-old Aasiya, who died after being raped and brutally assaulted. The funeral is scheduled to take place at 7 PM at Nomani Maidan, Magura. Aasiya was visiting her sister’s house in Magura when she was raped on March 6. The perpetrators also attempted to strangle her to death. After days of treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka, she succumbed to her injuries on Thursday.

The interim government has decided to move forward with Bangladesh’s transition from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a developing nation by 2026, reversing earlier considerations of delaying the process. The Chief Adviser has directed authorities to begin preparations to tackle the challenges associated with this transition. Bangladesh is officially set to graduate from the LDC category on November 24, 2026. Following the recent political shift, the interim government had previously expressed concerns over alleged statistical manipulation during the League’s tenure, raising doubts about whether Bangladesh would achieve developing country status as planned. However, with the latest decision, preparations for the transition are now a priority.

The government has decided to recruit 2,000 doctors through a special BCS exam to address the shortage of doctors in hospitals, announced Professor Syedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Health. He mentioned that doctors, who had long been deprived under the previous government, went on strike on Wednesday demanding better salaries and allowances due to accumulated frustration. A proposal has been made to raise the age limit for the BCS exam from 32 to 34 years. Efforts will be made soon to fulfill their demands through decisions. The Health Protection Law will be brought to the advisory council’s meeting in the next two to three weeks for the safety of doctors and patients, he added.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s adviser, Rana Sanaullah, has accused India of orchestrating the Balochistan train attack, claiming the attacks are being carried out from Afghanistan. He also stated that India supports both the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The rescue operation to free hostages ended successfully, with 33 militants killed. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry further claimed that India supports the terrorists involved in the attack. The militants had already killed 21 passengers before the operation began.

Bangladesh feels deeply ashamed and apologizes to Sister Aciya after the tragic death of a child sexual assault victim in Magura. Hasnat Abdullah, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party, called for the rapists’ death penalty to set an example in the country’s judicial history. The child, who suffered abuse while visiting her sister’s house, passed away on March 13, 2025, despite medical efforts. The Bangladesh Army extended condolences to the grieving family and pledged support.

The Indian government has introduced the Immigration Control and Foreigners Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha to curb illegal immigration. The proposed law stipulates a five-year prison sentence and a fine of ₹500,000 for unauthorized entry into India. The bill explicitly states that no foreigner posing a threat to India’s sovereignty will be permitted entry or residence. Immigration officers will have the authority to arrest suspects without a warrant for violations of immigration laws. Additionally, educational institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes will be required to report foreign nationals residing on their premises. Forgery of documents will carry a prison term of two to seven years and a fine ranging from ₹100,000 to ₹1,000,000.

Golam Mohiuddin and his family members have reportedly conducted transactions exceeding 1 billion BDT through 12 bank accounts. Among these transactions, deposits amounting to 489.3 million BDT and withdrawals of 482.7 million BDT were recorded, with a remaining balance of only 3.3 million BDT. Despite accumulating 542.9 million BDT across these accounts, no legitimate sources of income—beyond his legal profession—could be identified. Investigations have also revealed that Mohiuddin has purchased 770 decimals of land in Izdia and Bhabanipur unions. Additionally, he has acquired large properties, including land and flats, through fraudulent loans and illegal means by showcasing fake development projects.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed deep sorrow over the death of child Afsia, a victim of rape in Magura. In a post on his verified Facebook page, he called for the swift punishment of the perpetrators within 90 days and urged the nation to unite in denouncing rapists. Dr. Rahman also prayed for strength for Afsia’s family and all those grieving her loss. He emphasized the need for both individual and institutional efforts to combat such heinous crimes.

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Alexander G. Khokhin, paid a courtesy visit to Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office in Dhaka. Following the meeting, Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher noted that this was the first time a Russian ambassador had officially visited their headquarters. Taher highlighted two key takeaways from the meeting. First, Russia has assured increased financial cooperation and investment in Bangladesh. Second, Russia will maintain regular communication and engagement with Jamaat-e-Islami. During the discussion, Jamaat leaders also expressed gratitude for Russia’s support during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed his condolences over the death of child Ashia, who was brutally tortured in Magura. In a statement of grief, Mirza Fakhrul said, “The cruelty of some monsters in Magura was inflicted on an innocent child like Ashia, leaving her with deep wounds. She struggled on a hospital bed, fighting for her life, and passed away, leaving us in shame and sorrow. Words cannot express the emotions this incident evokes.” Fakhrul also said, “I pray for the peace of her soul and offer my condolences to the grieving family. May they find the strength to overcome this sorrow. At the same time, I demand exemplary punishment for these perpetrators.”

The trial for the rape and murder of 8-year-old Asia from Magura will begin within the next seven days, according to legal adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul. He stated, “We have already arranged to receive the post-mortem report today. Asia’s body will be flown by helicopter to Magura for burial, where government adviser Farida Akhter will be present with the family until the burial.” Dr. Nazrul also confirmed that DNA samples have been collected and expressed hope of receiving the report within five days. Furthermore, statements from 12-13 individuals have been recorded under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code.