Seven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Khagrachhari to maintain law and order. Earlier on Saturday, the district administration imposed Section 144 in the town and municipal areas, banning gatherings until further notice. The move followed daylong road blockades by Jumma student and citizen groups, demanding justice for Tuesday’s reported rape incident and an end to sexual violence in the hills. The blockade left around 2,000 tourists stranded in Sajek and another 1,000 stuck in Khagrachhari on their way to the popular hill destination. The army has since begun efforts to ensure safe passage for the tourists back to their destinations.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said that his party will never compromise on Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. Speaking at a rally, Taher declared: “Some try to scare us by saying that if we come to power, India will invade. I pray they do invade. Once they do, the false stigma placed upon us in 1971 will disappear, and we will have the chance to prove ourselves as true freedom fighters. At least five million youths will wage a war of independence against India.” Taher elaborated that one group would launch guerrilla attacks while the other would spread out across the region, igniting a full-scale resistance. He also linked the idea to prophetic traditions of battle. Criticizing the Awami League, Taher claimed the ruling party would never fight India but rather assist them. “When the time comes, the organized force will be us. Then we will be the true liberation fighters, and no one will be able to devour Bangladesh,” he said.

Environmental lawyer and adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that protecting nature is the key to transforming Bangladesh into a premier destination for domestic and international tourists. Speaking at an event marking World Tourism Day 2025, she stressed the importance of sustainable urban planning, clean environments, waste management, and preservation of cultural heritage to advance the tourism sector. Highlighting Bangladesh’s natural treasures—Sylhet’s tea gardens, Cox’s Bazar’s beaches, the Sundarbans mangroves, and hill waterfalls—Rizwana noted, “These are priceless assets. Only by protecting them can we ensure sustainable tourism.”

BNP leaders held a meeting with a visiting European Parliamentary delegation to discuss the country’s political climate ahead of the upcoming general election. BNP representatives emphasized the need for a free, fair, and participatory election, ensuring equal opportunity for all political parties. The delegation included election monitoring and follow-up experts Ricardo Celleri, Mete Bakken, and Manuel Wali. BNP’s side was represented by senior leaders Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Ismail Jobiullah, and Shama Obaid.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah reiterated that no biased directives would come from the Commission. He noted that one of the root causes of July’s uprising was the collapse of the electoral system, and stressed the need to move away from “sham elections.” Sanaullah called for greater grassroots awareness to protect democratic integrity. Echoing previous concerns, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed again pointed out that AI misuse and ensuring expatriate voting remain the biggest challenges for the upcoming election.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin assured that the Election Commission will not issue instructions favoring any side and will operate strictly in line with the law. He emphasized that the Commission is determined to hold a historic and credible election in February, despite visible and invisible challenges. Commissioner Anwarul Islam added, “The backbone of the Commission remains strong. We will conduct the vote with utmost professionalism.” Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the upcoming polls would be more challenging than any in the past, particularly in preventing AI misuse and facilitating voting for expatriates.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed satisfaction with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s address at the UN General Assembly. Fakhrul highlighted that Yunus gave a “clear and powerful” message about holding national elections in February 2026, removing all doubts. “We are convinced the election will take place. For the first time, opposition parties were brought into the government’s international narrative, showcasing national unity,” Fakhrul said. He added that BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman fully supported this inclusive effort.

Controversy erupted at the mausoleum of former President Ziaur Rahman when Dr. Sabrina, accused of having links with the Awami League, faced protests from BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal. A video circulating on social media shows activists confronting her, demanding she leave the premises. Sabrina insisted she had never raised slogans in favor of Sheikh Hasina, rejecting the allegations. However, Chhatra Dal leaders argued she was not authorized to attend. Despite initially refusing to leave, Sabrina eventually departed the site by car, saying, “Zia’s shrine belongs to everyone.”

Authorities in Ladakh have tightened security after the arrest of renowned environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk under India’s National Security Act. Wangchuk, who was leading a hunger strike demanding full statehood for Ladakh, was detained on Friday. Heavy security measures were imposed across Leh and adjoining areas this morning. The protest movement, largely led by the youth, has drawn comparisons to political uprisings in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Tensions escalated last Wednesday when clashes left four people dead and at least 50 injured.

The Khagrachhari district administration has enforced Section 144 in Sadar and municipal areas to maintain law and order. Earlier in the day, Jumma students and locals blockaded major roads, demanding justice and punishment for perpetrators of sexual violence in the hills. The blockade left nearly 3,000 tourists stranded in Sajek and Khagrachhari. The army later attempted to safely escort tourists out of the troubled areas. Protesters also staged demonstrations by burning tires and picketing at Chengi Bridge, Chengi Square, and Mahajan Para.

Economist Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya criticized the interim government for not establishing a Human Rights Commission, calling it a major setback. He said that since July, Bangladesh has witnessed growing insecurity and violations of human rights, making the need for such a commission more urgent than ever. He pointed out that there has been no Human Rights Commission for the past year, and previous commissions lacked authority and effectiveness. Other speakers added that workers’ rights remain absent in the commission’s agenda, while divisions between hill and plain communities have been deepened. They called for greater clarity in the commission’s recruitment and standard-setting processes.

BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has declared that the era of conventional politics in Bangladesh is over. Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the Zia Swimming Carnival, he emphasized that the July uprising has brought about a psychological shift among the people—something future politics must embrace. He stressed that just as democracy is needed in politics and economics, sports too should be democratized to ensure equal opportunities for all. Khosru further said, “Public expectations from politics are changing. The people want to see BNP as a truly ideological and principled political party.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman pledged that if his party comes to power, citizens will not need to protest in the streets to have their demands met. He promised that within five years, even if a “bullet train of development” cannot be achieved, an “express train of development” will be delivered. He criticized past governments for failing to create opportunities for the youth and vowed to rebuild Bangladesh with public cooperation. Rahman also condemned the current education system, arguing that policymakers send their children abroad while ordinary students suffer in a flawed system.

Fire Service and Civil Defence officer Khondokar Jannatul Naeem (37) has died from injuries sustained in last week’s devastating chemical factory fire in Tongi. He passed away Saturday morning while undergoing treatment at the National Burn Institute. Naeem had suffered 42% burns on his body while battling the fire on September 22. With his death, the toll from the incident has risen to three.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has expressed interest in signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh and linking the economic zones of both countries. In a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus on Friday, Tobgay proposed connecting Bhutan’s “Gelephu Mindfulness City” with the special economic zone allocated for Bhutanese investors in Kurigram. He also highlighted opportunities in hydropower exports, pharmaceuticals, fiber-optic connectivity, and religious tourism. Chief Adviser Yunus welcomed the proposal and invited Tobgay to visit Bangladesh, which he plans to do before the upcoming national elections in February.