United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will exchange Eid greetings with diplomats, academics and people from all walks of life on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. The greeting exchange programme will begin at the State Guest House Jamuna at 10am, the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said on Wednesday. “The Prime Minister will offer Eid prayers at the National Eidgah. He will then go to Jamuna at 10am where he will first exchange greetings with diplomats,” he said. He said the Prime Minister will later exchange Eid greetings with members of the cabinet, Members of Parliament, distinguished citizens, academics, religious scholars, cultural personalities and senior government and private officials as well as people from all sections of society. After the programme, the Prime Minister will visit Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with his family members to pay respects at the graves of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. National Eidgah set for main Eid congregation, 5 at Baitul Mukarram Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on either on Friday or Saturday, depending on the moon sighting. This will be Tarique Rahman’s first Eid celebration in the country in over one and a half decades. He had spent the past 17 years celebrating Eid in London before returning to the country with his family on December 25 last year. He assumed office as Prime Minister after being elected in the 13th national election on February 12.

The interim government on Thursday said that law enforcement agencies did not fire any shots during the protest march organised by Inqilab Moncho near the state guest house Jamuna, demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. In a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the government said that despite a ban on all forms of protests, rallies and gatherings in and around Jamuna and adjacent areas, law enforcers initially did not use any force against the protesters who began their march on Friday afternoon. The statement said the situation escalated when protesters broke through police barricades and attempted to advance towards Jamuna. At one stage, some protesters climbed onto a water cannon, prompting law enforcement agencies to intervene to bring the situation under control. To disperse the crowd, sound grenades and water cannons were used. The government firmly stated that no bullets were fired at any point during the incident. It said that the restrictions around Jamuna have been imposed to maintain public order and ensure the security of the Chief Adviser. In this context, police acted in a lawful and procedural manner to disperse the protesters. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police also confirmed that no lethal weapons were used during the operation. Nearly 40 injured as security forces crackdown on Inqilab Moncho march towards Jamuna According to information received from doctors on duty at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a total of 23 people, including Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, received medical treatment following the incident. However, doctors confirmed that none of the injured had sustained gunshot wounds. The government reiterated its firm commitment to ensuring justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. It said the legal aspects of conducting an investigation under the United Nations are being reviewed thoroughly and an official letter will be sent to the relevant UN body on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Rejecting allegations of excessive use of force against protesters, the government urged all concerned to exercise patience, restraint and responsibility during this sensitive political period ahead of the upcoming election. It also called upon citizens to cooperate in ensuring a peaceful, fair, inclusive and credible election, describing the forthcoming polls as a historic milestone in the country’s democratic journey.