Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 52 individuals in the capital within the last 24 hours under Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The information was confirmed on Wednesday by DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Muhammad Talebur Rahman. The arrests were made during coordinated drives across multiple police stations in Dhaka.

According to the DMP, the operation involved police from Kotwali, Demra, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Badda, Paltan, Adabar, Bangshal, Chawkbazar, Kalabagan, Jatrabari, Rampura, Gendaria, Darus Salam, Shilpanchal, Shahbagh, Wari, and Uttara West stations. Among those arrested, Hazaribagh police detained 12 people, Mohammadpur six, Jatrabari eight, and Shahbagh five, while other stations reported smaller numbers. All detainees have been sent to court.

The operation is part of an ongoing citywide effort by DMP to conduct targeted raids under the second phase of Operation Devil Hunt, focusing on maintaining law and order in Dhaka.

Authorities have partially blocked access to the popular news website BD Today (www.bdtoday.net) without any prior announcement, according to a report published on January 29, 2026. The site, which has been operating for 14 years, is known for publishing content critical of fascism and Indian hegemony. Its publisher expressed anger over the latest restriction, noting that the site is currently inaccessible on mobile devices.

BD Today’s editor, Dr. Mokarram Hossain, told Amar Desh that the portal is legally registered under Bangladesh’s company law and not an unverified outlet. He said discussions with mobile operators revealed that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) had ordered the block. The editorial team strongly protested the move and demanded that access be restored immediately.

Attempts to reach BTRC Vice Chairman Md. Abu Bakar Siddique for comment were unsuccessful, but a senior official from a mobile operator confirmed that the block was implemented under BTRC’s directive.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for visible action from law enforcement following the killing of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat’s Sherpur-3 Sreebardi upazila unit. In a verified Facebook post on Wednesday night, he said the public wants to see how law enforcement performs and what kind of election they deliver to the nation.

According to his statement, the incident occurred during an election manifesto reading event organized by the assistant returning officer of Sherpur-3 constituency. A dispute reportedly broke out when BNP supporters arrived late and argued over seating, leading to a violent clash. Dr. Rahman alleged that BNP activists attacked Jamaat supporters with local weapons, injuring more than 50 people. Three were critically wounded, and Rezaul Karim died on the way to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital around 9 p.m.

Dr. Rahman demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible, warning against any delay. He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and reiterated that the nation would not tolerate negligence in justice.

BNP Standing Committee member and Bhola-3 parliamentary candidate Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed alleged that the Awami League is conspiring from India to create instability in Bangladesh. Speaking on Wednesday morning at a guardians’ assembly at Ha-Meem Residential School and College in Lalmohan, Bhola, he said the Awami League’s 16 years in power were a nightmare period during which the party served Indian interests. He urged voters to respond to these alleged conspiracies through the upcoming national election.

Major Hafiz also criticized the interim government, claiming it had taken no initiative to reform the education system in the past one and a half years. He expressed hope that a newly elected government would prioritize education and work to improve its quality. The event was presided over by the school principal Md. Ruhul Amin and attended by local BNP leaders including Md. Zafar Iqbal, Md. Shafiqul Islam Babul, and Md. Mosharraf Hossain Matin.

Students of Jagannath University (Jabi) held a protest march on Wednesday night, January 28, following the death of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Sherpur’s Sreebardi upazila Jamaat, who was killed in a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters in Sherpur-3 constituency. The procession started from the main gate of the campus, moved through Old Dhaka’s Tatibazar, and ended at Bishwajit Square with speeches demanding justice for the killing.

During the demonstration, students chanted slogans condemning the incident and accusing political opponents of resorting to violence out of fear of losing. Speakers including Ibrahim Khalil, education and research secretary of JAKSU, and leaders of student organizations such as Shahin Mia, Sohag Ahmed, and Sheikh Ferdous, criticized the political violence and called for accountability. They alleged that the killing reflected a return to blood politics ahead of the February 12 election.

Protesters urged authorities to take action against those responsible and warned that continued political violence would be resisted by students. They also called for a shift toward peaceful and responsible politics.

An AI-generated video uploaded on a Facebook page called 'Apa Firbe' falsely depicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meeting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, claiming the U.S. planned to urge Bangladesh to postpone its 13th parliamentary election. Fact-checking confirmed the video was fake. Authorities said the clip was created two weeks earlier by a group aiming to spread confusion nationwide, and similar AI videos and fake photocards have since gone viral on social media.

Experts warned that such misinformation is fueling social unrest and undermining law and order. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has not yet taken steps to curb the spread, while the interim government’s AI policy remains unimplemented. Criminologists and police officials acknowledged the growing problem but cited limited expertise and resources. The Criminal Investigation Department reported no formal complaints yet but said cyber monitoring has been increased.

Fact-checking organizations found AI-generated fake content spreading across political, environmental, and international topics, with election-related misinformation intensifying as the polls approach.

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after Bangladesh was excluded from the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had requested to play its matches in Sri Lanka citing security concerns about traveling to India, but the ICC rejected the proposal and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland. The decision, reportedly influenced by India, has sparked widespread criticism across the cricket world, including within India itself.

In an interview with Telecom Asia, Mani said cricket has lost direction under the ICC’s current structure and called for immediate constitutional reforms to ensure independent and neutral board directors. He blamed political interference and administrative weakness for the current instability. Mani also questioned BCCI’s handling of player safety, citing Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL as an example, and described Bangladesh’s security concerns as legitimate.

He further argued that the ICC should follow FIFA or Olympic models, requiring host nations to guarantee visas and security for all teams or lose hosting rights.

The Bangladesh women's futsal team, winners of the inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship, are returning home from Thailand at 6:30 p.m. today. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced plans for a grand reception to honor the champions upon their arrival. The team made history by winning the first-ever SAFF Futsal Championship, defeating the Maldives 14–2 in the final round-robin match last Sunday to remain unbeaten.

Following their victory in the seven-team tournament, players Sabina, Krishna, and Sumaiya are set to receive a celebratory welcome. BFF Vice President Fahad Karim told *Amar Desh* that the federation is preparing the reception according to the players’ preferences. Previous SAFF-winning teams were honored with open-top bus parades, and a similar event may be arranged if the players request it.

The BFF previously organized receptions for the women’s team after their qualification for the Asian Cup. This time, the futsal champions will be celebrated in the same manner, marking another milestone for women’s football in Bangladesh.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders led a midnight protest on January 29, 2026, at Dhaka University, demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sherpur upazila secretary Rezaul Karim. The demonstration began at the Vice-Chancellor’s Chattar and ended at the Raju Memorial Sculpture after marching through campus streets. Students from various residential halls joined the protest, chanting slogans demanding justice and denouncing political violence.

During the rally, DUCSU Vice President Sadiq Kayem accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of engaging in extortion, terrorism, and internal killings, asserting that such “murder plans” would not be allowed to succeed. General Secretary S M Farhad and other DUCSU leaders criticized BNP’s leadership and warned that failure to ensure citizens’ safety during elections would hold the Election Commission accountable. They also urged the interim government to guarantee a free, fair, and peaceful election.

The protest concluded with a collective warning that any attempt to implement violent political plans would be resisted by the “July generation,” reaffirming student commitment to peace and accountability.

New Zealand defeated India by 50 runs in the fourth T20 match of the series held in Visakhapatnam. Despite a powerful batting display from Shivam Dube, who scored 65 runs off 23 balls with seven sixes and three fours, India were bowled out for 165 runs while chasing a target of 216. Dube’s 15-ball fifty and an over yielding 28 runs off Ish Sodhi were not enough to secure victory. Rinku Singh added 39 runs and Sanju Samson contributed 24 for India.

Earlier, New Zealand’s openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert gave their team a strong start with a 100-run partnership, scoring 44 and 62 respectively. Daryl Mitchell remained unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls, helping New Zealand post 215 for 7 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each for India. Mitchell Santner claimed three wickets for 26 runs, while Jacob Duffy took two for 33.

Despite the defeat, India lead the series 3–1. Tim Seifert was named Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman began a three-day election campaign in northern Bangladesh on Thursday, starting with a rally at Rajshahi Madrasa field. According to BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, Rahman is scheduled to address three rallies on the first day — in Rajshahi at noon, in Naogaon’s ATM field at 5:30 p.m., and at Alfatunnesa playground at 7:30 p.m.

His itinerary includes visiting the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed in Pirganj, Rangpur, on January 30, followed by a public rally at Rangpur Eidgah field. On January 31, he will speak at rallies in the BISIC Industrial Park at noon and at Darun Charjana Bypass area on the Dhaka–Tangail highway in the afternoon. Party sources said Rahman will stay two nights at Hotel Naz in Bogura during the trip.

Tarique Rahman previously launched his campaign in Sylhet on January 22, followed by events in Chattogram on January 25 and Mymensingh on January 27, participating in a total of 16 rallies so far.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is returning to Bogura today, Thursday, after 19 years. Party leaders and activists have prepared extensively to welcome him. During the visit, he will tour the ancestral home of late President Ziaur Rahman in Bagbari village of Gabtali upazila and his own electoral constituency. The area is in a festive mood, with the historic ‘Zia Bari’ undergoing renovation and beautification ahead of his arrival.

Preparations are complete at Altafunnesa playground in Bogura-6, where a stage has been built and banners, festoons, and sound systems have been installed. Local BNP leaders said the field work would be completed on time, with arrangements for dust control and power supply. The rally, initially scheduled for January 28, was postponed to January 29 due to flight ticket issues. Tarique Rahman will also attend election programs in three northern districts on the same day.

After the rally, he will stay overnight in Bogura and conduct campaign activities in Bogura-6 the next morning. Security measures have been tightened in Gabtali and Sariakandi as large crowds are expected during his visit.

Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, the BNP-nominated candidate for Sylhet-1 constituency, stated that people’s support for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stems from the leadership and contributions of its founder Ziaur Rahman and former chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He made the remarks on Wednesday night during a speech before inaugurating his main election office with a prayer gathering at Mita Community Center near Allahu Point in Sylhet’s Shahid Eidgah area.

Muktadir said that due to the leadership of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, the BNP enjoys strong public response in its election campaign and that people’s expectations from the party remain high. He urged party members to work collectively to meet those expectations. He also noted that the new office was opened to facilitate election management and emphasized maintaining party discipline at every step.

The inauguration was attended by senior leaders of Sylhet BNP, including acting president Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi, general secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, and many other party officials and activists.

BNP-nominated Member of Parliament candidate Saeed Al Noman has declared that ensuring world-class employment opportunities and improved civic amenities are among his main goals. Speaking on Wednesday, January 28, during election campaigning and street meetings in various areas of Chattogram’s Pahartali, he emphasized protecting basic rights, creating jobs, and making public services more accessible for local residents.

Noman noted that although Chattogram is the country’s economic powerhouse, many residents still suffer from unemployment and lack of civic facilities. He pledged to focus on job creation for youth, support for small and medium entrepreneurs, and the establishment of modern civic services if elected.

He further stated that a practical and long-term development plan would be implemented to improve education, healthcare, communication, and a safe living environment. Noman described politics as a responsibility to serve people rather than a means to gain power. Local leaders, dignitaries, and a large number of residents attended the campaign events.

Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh and BNP-supported candidate for Dhaka-12, declared his participation in a major struggle against extortion, terrorism, drugs, and corruption. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a street rally in Tejgaon Industrial Area as part of his election campaign. Haque urged voters to unite on February 12 and support the ‘Kodal’ symbol to end criminal activities in the constituency.

He alleged that the country had been turned into a place of plunder and repression over the past 17 years, where citizens were deprived of their voting rights and state machinery was used to maintain power. Haque said that people had to reclaim their right to vote through sacrifice and bloodshed, and the upcoming election should restore democratic political leadership in national governance.

Haque also criticized certain vested groups for acting in self-interest, asserting that their conspiracies would fail because the people would reject them. He expressed confidence that voters in Dhaka-12 would elect him by a large margin.