Two people were killed and 10 others injured in a clash between activists of Awami League (AL) and BNP over establishing supremacy in a remote char under Raipura upazila of Narsingdi early Friday. The deceased Amin, 23, son of Khorshed Mia, Bashar, 35, son of Barek Haji, were said to be followers of the AL, with Amin sustaining gunshots. Police and locals said there had long been a dispute between freedom fighter Abdur Salam Mia, also AL president of the ward No-9 unit of Chanpur union, his ally Sohag, joint secretary of the union AL and rival Samsu Member, president of the union BNP. Earlier, Salam and Sohag’s supporters had driven Samsu Member and his followers away from the area when their party was in power. Two killed in separate BNP factional clashes in Rajshahi But following the changeover in the country on August 5 last, Samsu and his group returned home and tensions escalated in the area. Early this morning around 5am, Salam and his followers tried to enter the area but faced a barrier from Samsu Member’s supporters, resulting in a clash between the rivals. The clash left two killed and 10 others injured. Of them, Amin was shot while Bashar was severely wounded by a spear and knife attack. The injured were taken to several hospitals and the bodies were sent to the Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Clashes erupt at Kuet over banning student politics; BGB deployed Narsingdi Superintendent of Police (SP) Md. Abdul Hannan said they heard that two people were killed, forcing them to deploy additional police personnel to ward off any unexpected incident further.

In a bombshell Facebook post late on Thursday night that instantly went viral, Hasnat Abdullah, one of the key leaders of the uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina and now the chief organiser (South) of the newly-formed National Citizens Party (NCP), alleged that under the stewardship of India, a plot is being hatched to rehabilitate the Awami League. In the post, Hasnat divulged details of a key meeting held at the Cantonment on March 11, between himself and two others from NCP with presumably military leadership, where a proposal was put forward to them to bring back the AL to mainstream politics. He wrote: "On 11 March, at 2:30pm, this plan was presented to me and two others at the Cantonment. It was proposed that in exchange for negotiated seat sharing (at the next election), we should accept this offer. We were told that the same proposal was put forward to multiple political parties  — and, subject to certain conditions, they had agreed to the rehabilitation of the Awami League. It was suggested that having multiple opposition parties alongside a weak Awami League would be better than just one opposition party. As a result, over the past two days, you will notice that many politicians in the media have been speaking in favour of the Awami League." He said the move was being orchestrated by India, and the plan was to have ex-MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury, ex-speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and ex-mayor of Dhaka South Fazle Noor Taposh as the faces of what would amount to a ‘Refined Awami League’. Hasnat continued, "We were further told that from April-May onwards, this 'Refined Awami League,' would start admitting to the crimes of the Sheikh family, reject Hasina, and promise to reestablish the Awami League of Bangabandhu in front of the public." Confidence in elections hinges on reforming current administration: Hasnat Abdullah Hasnat said they immediately rejected the proposal and informed their interlocutors that instead of rehabilitating the Awami League, they should be working towards bringing them to justice. "In response, we were told that if we object to the return of the Awami League, we would be responsible for the crisis it creates in the country, and that  'Awami League must come back,'" he continued. Hasnat further wrote, "At one stage of the discussion, I asked, 'How can you forgive a party that has not yet apologised or confessed to its crimes?' Angrily, the other side responded, 'You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years, longer than you’ve been alive. Moreover, without the Awami League, there can be no 'inclusive' election.'" Hasnat said they didn’t compromise, instead telling the other party "There can be no inclusivity with the Awami League. If the Awami League is to return, it will be over our dead bodies. If an attempt is made to bring back the Awami League, you will be responsible for the crisis that will arise." The meeting then wrapped up with the issue left unresolved. Hasnat went on to write that during the July-August movement last year, they also received various proposals but instead of listening to any of them, they put their faith in the people, and with their support, brought about the downfall of Awami League. He said resisting any pressure from the Cantonment, they would like to do so again today, on the question of banning Awami League, on which he said there could be no compromise. "Today, if I again have your support, if I find you by my side on the streets, we will once again be able to reject this Indian conspiracy of rehabilitating the Awami League," he wrote. Hasnat’s post sparked an immediate reaction, as a group of Dhaka University students held  held a procession on the campus in the small hours of Friday, demanding the ban of Awami League. They also announced to reconvene in front of the Raju Sculpture on Friday afternoon to press home their demand. Hasnat reiterates strong stance against media biased towards fascism Meanwhile Jamaat e Islami chief Dr ShafIqur Rahman, in an early morning post on Friday on his verified Facebook page, seemed to add his voice to Hasnat’s in this regard for the first time, with a statement titled “The public will not accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League.” Without calling directly for the Awami League to be banned, he emphasised bringing them to justice as the number one priority in front of the nation right now. He urged all sides to remain united in this goal.

The interim government will form a high-powered committee soon to investigate and prepare a white paper on corruption and irregularities in the ICT sector during the Awami League regime, said CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday. “We’re planning to prepare a white paper. There is a plan to form a high-powered committee within the two or one days…. this committee will present a white paper within two months,” he said. Shafiqul Alam disclosed this plan at a press briefing at Foreign Service Academy in the capital. He said the media ran many reports over a huge corruption and irregularities took place in the ICT Ministry and the name of digitalisation and Digital Bangladesh.    Bangladesh’s ICT sector suffered heavy losses for prolonged internet shutdown in 2024 Alam said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus wanted a white paper to be prepared on corruption and irregularities in the ICT and digitalization sector. “It’s a decision of the interim government,” said the press secretary. CA’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar was present at the briefing.

The women who actively participated in the July movement on Sunday demanded that Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League be banned, accusing them of committing mass killings during the uprising. They also called for a swift trial of those responsible. The demand was made at a rally held under the banner of 'Women of July' in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh in the capital. The event was organised to push for the trial of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League for the alleged killing of students and civilians during the July-August uprising. Starting from 2 pm, female leaders from various universities, participants in the July Movement, and families of martyrs gathered at Shahbagh. Sadia Farzana Dinar, Women’s Cell Secretary of the National Citizens’ Committee, moderated the programme, while speakers included the committee’s convener Nasiruddin Patwari, member secretary Akhtar Hossain, spokesperson Samantha Sharmin, and members Sarwar Tushar, Salehuddin Sifat, Dr. Mahmud Mitu, Arpita Shyama Dev, Tajnubha Jabin, Umama Fatema, Nusrat Tabassum, Tuhin Khan and Akram Hossain. The organisers emphasised the pioneering role of women in the July movement, noting that they broke the locks of halls and took to the streets. Arrange election to thwart Hasina’s “dangerous plan”: Rizvi Recalling how women stood in front of prison vans to protect their fellow activists, they lamented that despite their contributions, women continue to face neglect and humiliation. They stressed that women must be encouraged to enter politics and shape the country’s history. Nusrat Tabassum, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, highlighted the extensive participation of women in the July Movement. “But after July, I keep hearing questions about where the women of July have gone. Women still face social bullying about their image and bodies,” she said. She accused Sheikh Hasina of making women’s participation in Bangladeshi politics increasingly difficult, stating that disappearances, murders, and the establishment of secret torture cells like Ayanaghor over the past 16 years have undermined trust in women's leadership. “We are all suffering the consequences of Sheikh Hasina’s sins. If we want to bring women back into politics, the first step is to ensure Sheikh Hasina’s trial,” she added. Arpita Shyama Das, a participant in the movement, said that the women’s march in July had its roots in the 2018 quota reform movement and reached its culmination in 2024. “In this movement, women have stood against autocratic forces with sticks in their hands. Their contribution has become symbolic—not only do women know how to protest, but they can also lead,” she said. National Citizens’ Committee spokesperson Samantha Sharmin pointed to Bangladesh’s 53-year history of struggle, stressing that women have played a role at every stage. “In the political party that emerges after July, we want to see women’s leadership at the local level. Women must be ensured a place in policymaking,” she said. Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizens’ Committee, acknowledged the widespread participation in the uprising. He highlighted the role of women in supporting the movement, from active participation to providing food and tending to the wounded. “If those responsible for the barbaric massacre in July are not brought to justice, ensuring safety for anyone in this country will be impossible,” he said, adding that justice must be established and Awami League politics must be banned.

Former Awami League MP  from Sirajganj-6 (Shahjadpur) constituency Chayan Islam has been arrested from a residence of his relative in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur, said police on Monday morning. Chayan’s wife and an associate were also detained from the house and taken to the police station.  Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sreepur police station Joynal Abedin Mondol said being tipped-off they came to know that the former MP was hiding in the house in Tepir Bagan village. Graft case: Ex-AL MP gets 4 years jail in Jashore Police arrested him from the house with the help of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and BNP activists around 12:30am on Sunday, he said.   The former lawmaker had been hiding in the house for around the past two months, the OC said, adding that they took his wife and an associate under their custody.

Protesters set fire to Dhanmondi-32 house again at around 12:30 pm today (Thursday) following the demolition of the main building. The fire quickly spread to the adjacent building on the right, prompting urgent evacuation efforts as the flames continued to engulf the collapsed structure. Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered beneath the site, chanting slogans such as “Naraye Takbir,” “Chi Chi Hasina, lojjay bachi na,” and “Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka, Dhaka.” Meanwhile the crowd continued to demolish the remaining parts of the historic house at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka following a night of vandalism and attack on it. The demolition began at around 11:30pm on Wednesday, nearly two and a half hours after the house was set on fire around 9pm. Dhanmondi 32 residence being demolished with bulldozer Witnesses said an angry mob gathered at the site, chanting slogans against the Awami League and its leader deposed ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. A UNB correspondent visiting the scene saw people dismantling parts of the structure and collecting bricks, doors, and windows. Some in the crowd vowed to remain at the site until the house was completely destroyed. Tensions escalated when two individuals, including a middle aged woman, were reportedly beaten after they chanted "Joy Bangla," the protesters claimed.

The residences of former minister Amir Hossain Amu and former chief whip Abul Hasanat Abdullah were demolished by protesters  in Barishal early Thursday.  Sheikh Mujib's mural demolished in Sylhet At around 12:45am, a group of demonstrators used a bulldozer to bring down Hasanat Abdullah’s house on Kali Bari Road before moving to Amir Hossain Amu’s residence on Bogura Road. The protesters broke through the entrance and almost razed the structure to the ground. 

The interim government appears to be a continuation of the previous Awami League administration as it refuses to cancel controversial deals signed under the Speedy Increase of Power and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010, has said Prof Anu Muhammad, leader of the National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas, Mineral Resources and Power-Port. Speaking at a seminar on Wednesday at DRU on coal-fired power plants, he said the government upheld past agreements despite repealing the Special Act. "This shows the government stance remains unchanged," he said. He also criticised the recent long-term LNG import contract with a US company, signed without any tender, questioning how such a deal could be justified. Awami League orchestrated BDR massacre for political gain: Shahidul Alam Though the government claims it is a non-binding agreement, he warned that lobbyists would push for its implementation. The seminar, titled "Coal-fired Power Plants – What is the Experience?", was organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA). Presenting on the state and future of coal-fired power plants, Prof Nazrul Islam highlighted their potential long-term impacts. Speaking on the occasion, Prof MM Akash warned that the government’s plan to increase gas prices to Tk 72 per unit for consumers using additional gas would negatively impact industries. "We need quality energy at an affordable cost, which can be achieved by exploring local gas resources," he added. Awami League has no chance in upcoming elections: Jamaat Ameer Mohammed Mukteruzzaman, Principal Specialist at the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), said his study on the Rampal coal-fired power plant found that the plant’s management had not fully complied with regulations, despite efforts to do so. Sabur Rana, a resident of Rampal, said that the plant’s impact is already evident, with declining fish production in nearby rivers and increasing health issues due to emissions. He stressed the need for strong public pressure to phase out coal power plants.  

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the Awami League can no longer participate in politics under its existing name, as the people of Bangladesh have rejected its "fascist" rule through the mass uprising in July. Speaking at a discussion on Wednesday, he also called for the trial of the Awami League for its involvement in mass killings and crimes against humanity. The Anchalik Sampadak Parishad organised the event titled "National Unity and Current Reality" at the Jatiya Press Club. “We want to make it clear that the people of Bangladesh have rejected the fascist politics of the Awami League through the uprising of students and the masses, driving them out of the country. We are now raising the demand that the Awami League can no longer do politics in Bangladesh in the name of Awami League,” the BNP leader said. He criticised the interim government for its failure to take necessary steps for the trial of the Awami League. “We demand the trial of the Awami League as a political organisation for mass killings and crimes against humanity,” Salahuddin said. He also said it should be determined through the judicial process whether the Awami League should be allowed to engage in politics in Bangladesh, or not. The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh want the Awami League's fascist politics to be eliminated from the country. “You (govt) can take steps in this regard.” BNP proposes NHS-style universal health system for Bangladesh “On the one hand, you want to ban the Awami League, yet on the other hand, you won’t prosecute them, and further, you use the police to obstruct their political programmes. These are contradictions, and it is not right,” he observed. Salahuddin said they support the government’s action of not allowing the Awami League to take to the streets to carry out political activities. “But how long will you stop them on the streets using the police? You say you don’t want the Awami League in the election and that the party should not be allowed to do politics, but what steps are you taking? Are you taking any legal action against them? No.” Under Article 47 of the Constitution, he said, the government can prosecute the Awami League as a political organisation and initiate legal proceedings against it for mass killings and crimes against humanity. Accordingly, the BNP leader said the country’s people and their party demanded an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act. “This government had taken steps to amend the ordinance and law, but suddenly, at a meeting of the advisory council, it was decided that this cannot be done. Why?” He said the government can promulgate an ordinance if necessary for the trial of the Awami League. BNP slams LPG price hike as ‘illogical, anti-people’ Salahuddin said some are suggesting that the International Criminal Tribunal may give an observation regarding the Awami League’s politics during the trial proceedings against the party leaders. “That would be a very weak observation. Even then, you will have to issue an administrative order and make laws based on that observation. But you can take that step now (through an ordinance),” he said. The BNP leader said he is not certain whether the judicial reform commission formed by the government will provide any recommendations in this regard. “But I have doubts whether the judicial system of Bangladesh can be completely independent while keeping the night-time judges in place.” He warned the government that it will never succeed by keeping the ghosts of fascism and the cohorts of the Awami League in important positions across various offices, ministries, administrations, and the judiciary. “So, whether it is the judiciary, administration, or elections, you need to clean up the fascists everywhere. Through democratic reform, we want to establish a constitutional political government, and for that, priority must be given to election-related reforms,” Salahuddin said. He urged the government to identify election-related reforms that can be implemented in the short term. “Then discuss them with all stakeholders, including political parties, and make the necessary legal amendments. If institutional reforms are needed after the legal amendments, you can also do it...we know how much time it will take for that.” The BNP leader said the Election Commission has nearly completed the preparation of the voter list, which will be finalised by March 2. “Following that, objections will be heard in a continuous process, expected to be completed within two months… Delimitation will be completed on time, and other electoral activities won’t require much, except for legal reforms. So if you adopt any strategy to buy more time, the nation will not accept it.” He called upon the government to come up with an electoral roadmap through discussions with the relevant stakeholders. “People will accept that electoral roadmap if it seems reasonable.”

The interim government on Wednesday said Bangladesh Awami League would not be allowed to hold any protest programmes until its leadership is brought to justice and held accountable. “Many, including Awami League’s top leadership, are involved in entire July killings. Such a big killing has happened in Bangladesh’s history before our eyes. They must face the trial first. Our position is very clear,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing. Govt won’t let AL to hold protests unless it apologises: Press Secretary Alam referred to page number 17 of the Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) report on the July Uprising, saying officers had told them that Sheikh Hasina "directly ordered enforced disappearances and killings." Responding to a question, he said even those from the Awami League who are clean or who are not involved in the killings are not seen to be remorseful or have not apologised. No one from the Awami League has come and said that they do not accept Hasina's leadership or that they want clean leadership, he added. Alam said those responsible for the killings have no regret, rather they are telling more lies. “'Until the Awami League apologises, until their top leadership is brought to justice, until they are held accountable, they will not be allowed to hold any protest programme.” Since assuming office in early August, the interim government has upheld the principles of freedom of assembly and organisation, ensuring that no lawful protest has been banned or restricted, he said in a Facebook post from his verified account. Bangladesh's 'tone' at BGB-BSF conference to be different: Home Adviser Highlighting this commitment, a recent report indicated that at least 136 protests have taken place in Dhaka over the past five and a half months, some of which have led to significant traffic congestion, he said, adding that the interim government has refrained from imposing any bans on these demonstrations. In his Facebook comment, Alam posed a question, “Will any country in the world allow murderers and corrupt figures to return to power?” He said no country allows a return to normal activities without accountability and the people of Bangladesh will give a strong response to any protest or gathering by these “murderers”. “The interim government represents the people of Bangladesh. We will not allow any attempt to push the country towards violence. If anyone dares to hold illegal protests under the banner of Awami League, he/she will have to face the law,” Alam said.