The Hajj journey for 1,358 Bangladeshi pilgrims remains uncertain as 20 Hajj agencies have yet to arrange housing in Makkah and Madinah, despite the deadline expiring. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has instructed the agencies to complete the process by 8 PM Monday. Previously, agencies were supposed to finalize all service contracts by February 14, a deadline extended to April 3. With regular housing permits closed as of Sunday, only limited hotel bookings remain possible—and even those may be halted at any moment.

At least 50 people, including an Additional Superintendent of Police, were injured in violent clashes between residents of Badarpasha and West Rajoir villages in Madaripur. The conflict, rooted in a longstanding feud, erupted Sunday evening around 6 PM and lasted until 10 PM. Shops and police vehicles were vandalized and set on fire, while crude bombs were detonated during the unrest. In response, the local administration imposed Section 144 from 1 PM to 1 AM Monday. Police have filed a case naming 60 individuals and accusing another 2,000 unknown persons.

In a major development, Rangamati’s Additional Police Superintendent Anirban Chowdhury and Narsingdi’s Senior Assistant Commissioner Md. Saiful Islam have been arrested in connection with a warrant issued in a genocide case from Narsingdi. Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim of the International Crimes Tribunal confirmed the arrests on Monday. Both officials have been ordered to be sent to prison. Anirban Chowdhury was taken into custody for questioning from the Rangamati SP’s office on Sunday. The case relates to the killing of 10th-grade student Tahmid Bhuiyan in police firing on July 18, during which another person also died when protesters marched with his body.

Kazi Fazle Elahi, Vice-President of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at Government Mujib College in Companiganj, Noakhali, was severely injured after being attacked by fellow party leaders. Elahi had recently resigned in protest over the inclusion of ruling party affiliates and teenage gang members in the new JCD committee. He was allegedly assaulted by JCD President Zahidul Islam Saimun, General Secretary Arup Majumdar, and others in two separate attacks. Elahi has since filed a case against the attackers, naming 25-30 people including Saimun, Arup, Akib, and Shanto.

Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan hailed the nationwide celebration of Bengali New Year, emphasizing the role of unity in post-fascist Bangladesh. “From the hills to the plains, there is a festive mood. Entrepreneurs are pushing the country towards another industrial revolution,” he said. He highlighted the global demand for Bangladeshi garments, handicrafts, and food products, noting that local fairs like the Bangla Academy event will help boost exports. Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki added, “We have entered a new Bangladesh post-August 5. Today’s rally symbolizes national unity.” Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque noted that celebrating Pahela Baishakh as part of national culture is a positive initiative.

Photos of two Awami League leaders—Vice Presidents Babu Swapan Roy and Golam Mohiuddin—participating in a Bengali New Year rally organized by the administration of Khetlal Upazila, Joypurhat, have gone viral on Facebook. The presence of political figures in a government-organized event has sparked widespread criticism. The rally was attended by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Asif Al Zinath, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Zinath Ara, Agriculture Officer Zahidul Islam, OC Dipendranath Singh, and other government officials.

The body of 12-year-old madrasa student Md. Rabbi Matbor, killed in police firing during the July-August uprising, was reburied in his family graveyard in Bashbaria village, Golachipa, Patuakhali, on Monday—nine months after his death. A court-ordered autopsy was performed prior to reburial. Rabbi, a student of Talimul Islam Madrasa in Mirpur, Dhaka, had memorized ten chapters of the Quran. Originally buried in Mirpur due to obstruction from authorities, his remains have now finally returned home.

A police team conducting a raid on an illegal casino in Sreepur, Gazipur, was attacked by gamblers, injuring seven officers including the Officer-in-Charge of Joydebpur Police Station. The raid led to the arrest of seven individuals including the alleged ringleader, Mosharraf Hossain. Other detainees include Selim Mia, Abu Bakkar Siddique, Nazmul Hossain, Abdur Rahman, Rubel Mia, and Sohel Rana. Additional police units were deployed from Sreepur to rescue the injured.

Police have arrested Shamim Dewan in Tongibari, Munshiganj, for allegedly raping a seventh-grade student on her way home from private tuition. The arrest was made Monday at his residence in Outshahi village. According to police, the incident occurred on Saturday when the victim was forcibly taken to an abandoned building and assaulted. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing her screams, prompting Shamim to flee. He is now in custody.

Police have arrested Md. Javed Hossain, a senior officer at Janata Bank’s Suchipara branch in Shahrasti, Chandpur, on charges of embezzling Tk 8.4 million. He was sent to court on Monday. The bank had earlier filed a complaint alleging illegal transfers between multiple accounts. Javed Hossain is a resident of Kumedpur village in Laxmipur Sadar upazila. Authorities confirmed that the case will soon be handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for further investigation.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir has accused the interim government of being fearful of democratic political leadership. “Some elements within the government are actively working to depoliticize the nation, and student leaders like the martyred Wasim Akram stand in their way,” he said. Nasir criticized the government’s selective remembrance of the July uprising, saying, “While Shaheed Abu Saeed and Mir Mughda are remembered, Wasim Akram, who died at the same time, is ignored.” He added, “Wasim Akram’s sacrifice is an integral part of our fight to restore democracy. As long as the spirit of democracy lives in people’s hearts, Wasim Akram will remain immortal.”

Two Deputy Assistant Secretaries from the U.S. State Department are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka early Wednesday for a three-day official visit. This marks the first visit of a Trump-era U.S. delegation to Bangladesh and will cover a wide range of issues including democratic reforms, the Rohingya crisis, U.S. tariffs, and regional geopolitics involving Myanmar. Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, is expected to meet top officials of the interim government to discuss U.S. support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. She may also meet with leaders from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, other political parties, and civil society representatives. The evolving situation in Myanmar is seen as a significant factor in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, making this visit particularly important.

Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) has temporarily suspended 37 students following a review of incidents on February 18–19. A special syndicate meeting held on February 19 had formed a probe committee. Details of the disciplinary action and dormitory reopening were outlined in a university press release. Dormitories will reopen on May 2.

TikTok personality Toha Hossain has been arrested in Mirpur for allegedly promoting online gambling platforms. Police are also searching for his wife, Hur-e-Jannat. A cybercrime case was filed on Monday at Mirpur Model Police Station under the Cyber Security Act. According to the complaint, Toha lured youth into gambling with promises of high profits from small investments, leading many to financial ruin and criminal behavior.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam shared a delightful anecdote on Facebook, writing: “While recording Chief Adviser Yunus’s New Year address on a shaded lawn by the Jamuna, a cuckoo flew in and began singing from a nearby tree. Sir smiled and said, ‘Looks like we won’t need any background music!’ The cuckoo kept singing throughout the 3.5-minute speech.” In his address, the Chief Adviser extended New Year wishes to the nation and called for renewed energy to move forward.