Following the large-scale plundering at Sadapathor, illegal stone extraction has now spread to Jaflong in Sylhet — not only during the day but also under the cover of night. Large boulders have already been removed from the Zero Point area, damaging both the beauty of the tourist hotspot and the environment. Visitors have expressed outrage, while authorities claim patrols have been increased to curb the theft. Sadapathor itself has been left almost barren due to open looting.

Dhaka — The Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (JAGPA) has sent a formal letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face trial over her alleged role in the July massacre.

The letter, submitted in both English and Bengali on Wednesday afternoon to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, was signed by Rashed Pradhan. As no High Commission official came forward to receive it, the letter was handed over through Additional Deputy Police Commissioner of the Diplomatic Security Division, Talat Mahmud.

In the letter, JAGPA accused Delhi of granting asylum to Hasina and condemned India’s “aggressive interference” in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. It also extended early greetings to the people of India on the eve of their 78th Independence Day before launching into sharp criticism:

“During the 1971 Liberation War, India looted resources from Bangladesh worth nearly USD 4 billion. From the beginning, India sought to treat Bangladesh as a tributary state, undermining our sovereignty and independence.”

The letter further accused India of exploiting Bangladesh while denying it its rightful shares of resources, contrasting this with Bangladesh’s generosity towards its neighbour. The party demanded that Sheikh Hasina be sent back to Bangladesh to face justice.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into large-scale illegal stone extraction from the Sadapathor tourist site in Sylhet. A nine-member ACC team visited the area on Wednesday, collecting evidence and speaking with locals. Police and administrative officials are also inspecting the site. Environmentalists and traders claim around 15 million cubic feet of stone worth over Tk 200 crore have been looted in the past year. ACC officials say a detailed report will be prepared, and action will be taken against those found guilty.

A court has withdrawn the temporary injunction on Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader’s political activities after senior co-chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, the plaintiff, dropped the case. The suit had alleged that Quader’s appointment as chairman in 2019 violated party rules and that he unlawfully approved a new constitution later that year. The dispute deepened after the removal of 10 presidium members from all party posts in June 2025, leading to the lawsuit filed in July.

Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) has reduced the prices of 33 essential medicines by 10–50% by dismantling market syndicates and downsizing unskilled staff, said Managing Director Samad Mridha. He revealed that the previous government had nearly 2,000 more employees than needed, most of them unskilled, with 722 already laid off and overtime halted. Cost-cutting measures have enabled significant price drops for drugs including omeprazole capsules, ketorolac injections, ondansetron injections, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime. Montelukast tablets were reduced from Tk 10.67 to Tk 5. Prices of 22 of the 32 medicines supplied to rural clinics have also been cut.

Jamaat-e-Islami staged demonstrations demanding legal status for the “July National Declaration” and “July National Charter” and holding the next national elections under their framework. Party leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher warned that if elections are orchestrated under foreign influence, the people will resist with their lives and blood. He accused certain groups of creating confusion over electoral reforms to sabotage the polls and insisted that elections must be arranged after formalizing the July documents.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has launched a website inviting public opinion and evaluations of its activities.

According to a statement, anyone can submit their feedback via the platform, as the group seeks to assess its role in developing honest, skilled, and patriotic citizens.

“We believe your expectations and suggestions will play a vital role in shaping our journey,” the statement read. The feedback form is accessible at: https://prospect.shibir.org.bd

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has left Kuala Lumpur for Dhaka following a three-day official visit. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the Bangladesh Biman flight carrying Yunus and his delegation departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 7:30 PM local time. Yunus visited Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, engaging in high-level meetings and a bilateral discussion with the Malaysian premier during his stay.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused the government of jeopardizing Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry through opaque and one-sided policies.

In a statement, Fakhrul said no new drug registrations have been issued in nearly two years, and medicine prices have not been adjusted for an extended period — putting the country at risk of losing its TRIPS waiver benefits when Bangladesh graduates to middle-income status on November 24, 2026.

He criticized the exclusion of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries representatives from key drug regulation committees, calling it against the sector’s interests.

Fakhrul urged swift action to protect the industry, taking into account the post-LDC graduation scenario, and highlighted the BNP government’s past role in strengthening the sector.

Distinguished academic and theorist Professor Jatin Sarkar passed away on Wednesday at 2:45 PM in the ICU of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. He was 90. Sarkar had been under treatment for the past two and a half months after suffering a right femoral neck fracture in a fall on June 5. His son-in-law Rajib Sarkar confirmed the news of his passing. His younger brother, Professor Matindra Sarkar, said the body is being brought to his home in Netrokona, where people from all walks of life will pay their respects before the final rites. Professor Sarkar was a recipient of the Bangla Academy Literary Award.

The International Crimes Tribunal has scheduled August 21 to deliver its order on framing charges in the Ashulia case, in which six people were killed and their bodies burned during the 1971 Liberation War.

Earlier on Wednesday, police brought the accused to court in a prison van. On July 28, the tribunal appointed two state-funded lawyers for absconding defendants.

The prosecution formally submitted charges against 16 people on July 2, prompting the tribunal to issue arrest warrants for eight fugitives.

Advisor Asif Nazrul announced that Malaysia has agreed in principle to introduce a Graduate Pass Visa for Bangladeshi students studying there.

Following a productive meeting with Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, Nazrul said both sides must complete certain formalities before the policy is implemented.

Currently, around 10,000 Bangladeshi students are enrolled in Malaysian universities but lack the post-study employment opportunities available to students from other countries. If enacted, the visa will open the Malaysian job market to them.

Professor Muhammad Yunus also urged Malaysian authorities to officially recognize Bangladeshi degrees. In a separate meeting, the Malaysian Education Minister expressed strong interest in Yunus’s “Three Zero” campaign — aiming for zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions.

Attorney General M. Asaduzzaman has claimed that the High Court’s verdict on setting a minimum age for recognition as a freedom fighter was politically biased.

During Wednesday’s appellate hearing, the Attorney General argued that the case has stalled the verification process for freedom fighters. Previously, the minimum age was set at 12 years and 6 months, but a High Court ruling declared the related gazette and legal provision invalid after a petition challenged their legality.

The state later appealed, leading the Appellate Division to stay the High Court’s verdict.

Tangail’s joint forces have arrested 34 individuals, including Asgar Ali, president of the Sadar Upazila BNP, during a late-night raid at the so-called “Shatabdi Club” gambling den.

The operation, conducted early Tuesday night, recovered Tk 149,410 in cash, various gambling materials, and two empty liquor bottles.

Confirming the incident, Tangail Sadar Police Station OC Tanvir Ahmed said the detainees were handed over to police for legal action. A case is being prepared, and the accused will be presented before the court following formal charges.

Teachers from MPO-listed private educational institutions have given the interim government a one-month deadline to announce steps towards nationalizing their jobs.
Speaking at a rally at the National Press Club on Wednesday afternoon after meeting the education adviser, leaders of the Nationalization-Seeking Teachers’ Alliance warned that if “visible and logical” progress is not made, they will launch a full-day work stoppage across all educational institutions on September 15.