Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Reiterating his party’s demand, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called on the interim government to hold the general election by December. Tarique, who is in London, was virtually addressing a discussion to mark the 18th founding anniversary of the National People’s Party (NPP), held on Sunday at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka’s Kakrail. He said: “Political parties have again demanded a clear, specific date for the national election after meeting with the head of the interim government. The BNP insists that the national election must be held by December.” “Threats and intimidation cannot silence the voice of the people. Citizens must continue to engage in constructive criticism of the government. Every individual must remain vocal in demanding their rightful entitlements,” he added. Expressing hope for a free and fair national election under the interim government, he said: “The people of this country want to see, without delay, a free and fair national election under the leadership of this government.” The BNP acting chief continued: “Whether the government is an elected one, an interim one, or a caretaker one, citizens must continue their constructive criticism. The people of this country are not subjects of government mercy. “The government is bound to accept the people’s legitimate demands. There is no room for ego or grudges on the government’s part.” Highlighting the lack of accountability, transparency, and political uncertainty, Tarique said that although there may not be a crisis concerning the moral or political legitimacy of this interim government, which was formed through the sacrifices of countless martyrs, it is not accountable to the people. He added that since the government lacks accountability, it is morally necessary for it to present a clear, defined plan to the public. “No plan can be effective or sustainable if the people are kept in the dark and political parties are left in uncertainty.” He noted a stagnation in both domestic and foreign investment, saying an atmosphere of uncertainty in the political and economic landscape is creating unease among various professional groups. Tarique added: “As a result, people from different walks of life are taking to the streets every day with various demands. Sadly, at this moment, no one is there to listen to them.” The BNP leader stressed the need for constitutional and legal reforms to block the return of fascism, saying: “Let it be the goal of every political party that supports Bangladesh and democracy to ensure that the fallen, fugitive fascism never returns in any form or manner.” He added: “To prevent fascism and bring qualitative changes to the state, government, and politics, essential reforms are necessary. Depending on the needs of the time, there is no alternative to constitutional or legal reforms, or both.” He further said: “There is no such thing as ‘too few’ or ‘too many’ reforms. State and political reform must be an ongoing process.” BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that there is no animosity between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the interim government.

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Senior law enforcement officials met with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan on Sunday regarding the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a student at DU`s Institute of Education and Research, saying police will soon submit their investigation report. Present at the meeting were DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Masud Alam, Assistant Police Commissioner (Patrol) Md Amzad Hossain, and Shahbagh police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khalid Mansur.

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Leaders of eight political parties and organizations on Sunday pressed the interim government for a specific roadmap for the general election, reforms, and justice, during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, who in turn emphasized the need for national unity to overcome current political challenges. Some 20 of them participated in a meeting with the chief adviser at his official residence, Jamuna, in two rounds. The Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party demanded that Yunus give a roadmap on three issues: the election, reforms and the trial of those behind the July killings. Secretary General Mojibur Rahman Monju said: “We asked the chief adviser today to announce a roadmap, especially on the election, reforms and justice.” He said: “We think the election can be held by February 5. Preparations can be made accordingly.” According to him, Yunus does not see the possibility of holding the national election anytime soon as the governing machinery is not fully operational. He made these statements to the media after the meeting. Monju said: “We wanted to know whether the chief adviser actually wanted to resign or not.

After the ban on the activities of the murderer Hasina`s Awami League, Hasina`s son Joy is busy getting American citizenship, and a kind of relief has started to return to the public mind after the secret escape of the joker President Abdul Hamid and the arrest of Ivy-Mumtaz. Besides, during the dictatorial era of the murderer Hasina, local Awami goons made the lives of ordinary people miserable. After the arrest of some of these panicked people, the people of the area are distributing sweets. One such panic is Hanif member, a member of Ward No. 1 of Shakta Union in Keraniganj and an identified land grabber fascist Hasina government Awami leader. The learned court sent Hanif member, a friend of the Awami League, to Keraniganj Central Jail after showing him the case of extortion, vandalism and land grabbing. It was learned on the spot that on May 5, at approximately 9 am, Hanif Member and his thugs vandalized Fazlul Haque`s house in Arshinagar area under Ward No. 1 of Shakta Union in Keraniganj and tried to seize land. At that time, when Fazlul Haque called on the triple line, the police came, rescued Fazlul Haque`s tenant and admitted him to the medical center, and after the police investigation, a case was filed at Keraniganj Model Police Station on May 6, 2025. Evading the eyes of the police, Hanif Member and his associates sought bail through the court. The Honorable learned court, after hearing the lawyers of both sides, ordered Hanif Member to be sent to Keraniganj Central Jail. As this news spread in the area, the locals of Keraniganj Sakta Union and Ward No. 1 celebrated and distributed sweets. After making inquiries in the Ward No. 1 area, it was learned that no one dared to say anything against him because he had good relations with local influential people. When people protested against him, people in Balurchar, Madhyarchar, and Waspur were subjected to senseless torture. Hanif Member is now a living terror in Keraniganj. The injured Laiju Akhter said that if they protested against him, they were subjected to torture. In 2018, the terrorists of Hanif Member, led by him, vandalized, looted, and burned my house on false charges. After seven long years, I returned to my home. Since the influential people and the police were on his side, he beat whoever he wanted and set fire to the house. He beat me unnecessarily. My husband was also beaten up because he protested. Now the people of Keraniganj are terrified of him. Although he is a disciple of Charmonai Huzur and the leader of the Keraniganj Islamic Movement, his behavior is the opposite. Meanwhile, the locals have complained that forcibly occupying land, building shops, and attacking ordinary people are Hanif Member`s daily companions. No one dares to say anything against him because of his good relations with local influential people. When they protest against him, people of Balurchar, Madhyachar, Waspur face unspeakable torture. Sekandar Ali, a resident of Balurchar area, said that not only Laiju, but also Hanif Member beats up anyone he wants without any reason. No one dares to protest against him. In this regard, Anwar Hossain Dablu, in-charge of Keraniganj Model Police Station, said that he was arrested on May 5, 2025, in a case of extortion, vandalism and land grabbing.

SAT Desk Pakistan returned a captured border guard to India on Wednesday, in a fresh sign of detente after a ceasefire ended four days of conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals. The guard was captured a day after an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir which killed 26 people and sparked tit-for-tat missile, drone and fighter jet attacks. No group claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack but India blamed Pakistan for backing it. Islamabad rejects the accusations and has called for an independent probe. "Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since 23 April 2025, was handed over to India," India`s Border Security Force said in a statement. The handover was "conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols," it added. Shaw`s wife Rajani had earlier told the Indian Express newspaper that she was confident he would come back. ‘I had lost hope’ "I had lost all hope," Rajani Shaw, who is pregnant, said. "But after the ceasefire, I became a bit positive, and I have full faith in God that my husband will return safely." On Tuesday, Pakistan`s army announced a new death toll from the fighting, saying India`s "unprovoked and reprehensible dastardly attacks" killed 40 civilians, including seven women and 15 children, and 11 military service members. India has said that 15 civilians and five soldiers died. Despite mutual claims on initial violations, the ceasefire still appeared to be holding on Wednesday. The flare-up in violence was the worst since the rivals` last open conflict in 1999 and sparked global shudders that it could spiral into full-blown war. The Pakistani military has said it downed five Indian jets, but has not admitted losing any aircraft of its own. India has not disclosed losing any aircraft. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a televised address to the nation Monday that Pakistan has chosen to attack rather than help it fight “terrorism.” "If another terrorist attack against India is carried out, a strong response will be given," he said. Modi wrote on X Tuesday that he had met with service members involved in the conflict. "It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomize courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation," he said. Pakistan`s foreign ministry said in a statement that it rejected Modi`s "provocative and inflammatory assertions" and his "propensity to fabricate misleading narratives to justify aggression." "Make no mistake, we will closely monitor India`s actions and behaviour in this regard in the coming days. We also urge the international community to do the same," it added. Militants have stepped up operations in the Indian side of Kashmir since 2019, when Modi`s Hindu nationalist government revoked the region`s limited autonomy and imposed direct rule from New Delhi. Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both countries, which have fought several wars over the territory since their 1947 independence from British rule.