Despite the fall of fascism, the whereabouts of student leader Saifur Rahman Sajib (40) remain unknown. Sajib was abducted on February 18, 2015, from the Kuril Bishwa Road by members of RAB-1, and he has not been heard from since. His mother and wife continue to await his return, and they find solace in their son Rizwan. The family has visited the police, DGFI, and RAB offices, but to no avail. His mother shared that they continue to live in the same rented house, hoping that Sajib will return and find them there.

On Friday morning, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. During the visit, he engaged in discussions with community leaders, including Imams and Rohingya parents, on community-based protection and peace. Grandi also participated in activities at Extension 4 and West 1 Rohingya camps. After the visit, the delegation headed towards Cox’s Bazar, where the High Commissioner will meet with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner and the District Commissioner. Grandi is expected to return to Dhaka by air later in the evening after the meetings.

In an incident that occurred on Thursday in Kashiani, Gopalganj, locals beat up Bulbul Mollah (50), a furniture businessman, after he was accused of attempting to rape a 9-year-old girl. A video of the incident went viral on Facebook. Locals reported that a month ago, Bulbul Mollah sexually harassed the girl on the roof of his house. The girl’s family had initially kept quiet out of shame, but on the day of the incident, Bulbul tried to lure the girl with the promise of showing a cat. When he attempted to rape her, the girl screamed, and locals arrived to rescue her, beating Bulbul in the process.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has welcomed the National Citizens Party. Jamaat’s Secretary-General Miah Golam Parwar expressed hope that there will be an open channel for dialogue with the new party. When asked about the possibility of forming an alliance or engaging in discussions, Parwar stated that the door for dialogue will always be open, and that possibility exists with the new party as well.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has assured that the market issues, including the oil crisis, will be resolved within the next seven days. He further stated that there will be no food shortages during this Ramadan. Prices of essential items, including dates, will drop within seven days. He emphasized that sufficient stock of all essential items has been secured for the month of Ramadan, and no market-related issues are anticipated. The adviser also instructed tannery owners to take all necessary steps to combat environmental pollution.

The Police Headquarters reported that, as part of the nationwide “Operation Devil Hunt,” law enforcement agencies have arrested 618 individuals today. An additional 786 individuals wanted in connection with other cases were also apprehended. In total, 1,404 people were arrested across the country. The interim government launched the operation on February 8 to maintain law and order and to bring criminals under legal action.

At 3 AM on Friday, the army conducted an operation in Mohammadpur and arrested Parvez, a notorious drug dealer, also known as Dealer Parvez. During the arrest, 1,500 Yaba pills, four passports, nine mobile phones, 18 SIM cards, and 1.8 million BDT in cash from drug sales were recovered. Parvez is known as an associate of top drug dealers Sohel (Bunia Sohel) and Chua Selim from the Geneva Camp and is a major drug dealer in the Mohammadpur area. He has been handed over to the Mohammadpur police station.

On Friday afternoon, a Bangladesh Airlines flight heading to Bangkok had to return to Dhaka due to a cabin pressure issue in Myanmar’s airspace. The number of passengers on board is yet to be confirmed. Oxygen masks automatically deployed as the cabin pressure dropped, with overhead masks descending for all passengers. The flight, BG-388, was operated using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. After landing, all passengers were safely escorted to the terminal, where another flight was arranged for them. Airport authorities confirmed that the passengers were safe.

In his inaugural speech at the launch event of the National Citizens’ Party, General Secretary Akhtar Hossain called for prayers, asking for divine guidance for the youth of Bangladesh who have taken up significant responsibilities. He said, “May the Almighty grant us the strength to fulfill our duties.” He also expressed hope for a future where Bangladesh is governed by a new constitution, and concluded his speech by calling for constituent assembly elections. Following his address, Nahid Islam, the party’s convener, read out the official declaration of the National Citizens’ Party.

On the night of February 5, 10 students were expelled by the authorities of Chittagong University for attempting to break the symbol of the boat (Nauka) at Sheikh Hasina Hall and obstructing female students. Recently, screenshots of a conversation between two assistant proctors and the students have been leaked. The individuals involved are Professor Dr. Md. Korban Ali and Md. Nurul Hamid. Dr. Korban Ali sent the names, photos, subjects, and academic years of three students present that night via WhatsApp. Nurul Hamid, in a strict directive, insisted that at least a preliminary punishment, including expulsion from the hall, be ensured for the students. This information has been confirmed. Proctor Nurul Hamid also supported the incident, describing the students’ actions and justifying their actions.

At 9:30 AM on Friday, garment workers from the Denim Processing Plant in Chandina, Comilla, blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway demanding unpaid wages. The blockade caused a traffic jam for about an hour. The workers were later assured by local administration and BNP leaders that their demands would be addressed, and they cleared the road by 10:45 AM. The workers reported that they have not received two months’ salary, with some owed up to 40,000 BDT. Only 6,000 BDT was paid this month. Mohammad Atikul Alam Shaon, the convenor of the local BNP, stated that blocking the highway over trivial issues had become a habit, and the workers left after receiving assurances.

Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Interim Government’s Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Ministry of Industry, visited the grave of Shaheed Goush Uddin in Golapganj, Sylhet, who was killed by police gunfire during the 2024 uprising. During his visit, Khan met with the martyr’s family members and paid his respects. He was accompanied by local administrative officials, including the Upazila Executive Officer of Fenchuganj, Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, and Golapganj’s Upazila Executive Officer Milton Chandra Pal, along with Assistant Commissioner (Land) Faisal Mahmud Fuad, Circle ASP Mohammad Shah Alam, and local coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

In a joint operation by the Coast Guard and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Wednesday night at 8 PM, 16 traffickers disguised as fishermen were arrested with 400,000 yaba tablets in the Lemboarchar sea area. According to a press release from the Mahipur Police Station’s Nizampur Coast Guard on Friday, the traffickers were caught while hiding the yaba inside fishing nets aboard an unnamed trawler. The operation also led to the recovery of three bags containing 300,000 yaba tablets from an abandoned location in the area. The trafficking syndicate has been active in smuggling drugs through sea routes for a long period. However, the authorities were unable to apprehend the masterminds behind the operation. The arrested individuals have been handed over to the police.

Under a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza, the world’s longest-serving political prisoner was released from an Israeli jail on Thursday after 44 years. A key figure in the prisoner movement, he was arrested in 1978 and sentenced to life imprisonment for attacking an Israeli target. Although he was freed in a 2011 prisoner swap, Israel rearrested him on June 18, 2014, sentencing him to 30 months in prison. After completing that sentence, Israel reinstated an additional 18 years to his original life term. Even when his brother passed away, he was not allowed to attend the funeral.

Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the National Citizens Party, expressed optimism for a democratic future in Bangladesh. He stated that the youth will lead the country toward a Bangladesh free from extortion and illegal occupations. He assured that, unlike in the past, elections will no longer be held under the cover of night. Masud also pledged that political parties will work together to build a new Bangladesh. Reflecting on the past, he noted the sacrifices made by mothers and sisters during the Liberation War in 1971, while criticizing the rule of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from 1972 to 1975, as well as the oppressive 17 years of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule. Masud condemned the violence under Hasina’s regime, promising a better future for the country.