Author: Desk Report

In response to the recent attack on students at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement organized a protest march and rally at Dhaka University (DU) on Tuesday evening. The demonstration, which began at 8:00 p.m. in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture, moved through the VC’s office area before returning to the sculpture for a brief gathering. During the rally, Zakir Hossain Monju, the convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement from private universities, addressed the crowd, warning that if any group attempts to imitate the actions of Chhatra League…

At least 40 people were injured in violent clashes between the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and the Anti-discrimination Student Movement at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) on Tuesday. The confrontation stemmed from opposing views over the university’s ban on student politics. The altercations, which began in the afternoon, continued into the evening, leaving many students injured. KUET has had a ban on student politics since August 5, following the fall of the Awami League government. According to sources on campus, the JCD distributed leaflets on Monday calling for the resumption of student politics at the university.…

The Teesta River Protection Movement Committee has launched a massive march demanding the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan and fair distribution of water resources under the slogan “Wake Up, Save Teesta.” The march has seen active participation from leaders and workers of BNP and its allied organizations, as well as people from all walks of life living along the banks of the Teesta. The rally began at around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, with events kicking off simultaneously at 11 points across five northern districts. The march started at Teesta Bridge in Lalmonirhat and is set…

The Election Commission (EC) has announced new measures to prevent potential data leaks from its National Identity (NID) database, stating that it will no longer provide direct access to personal data during NID verification services for firms. ASM Humayun Kabir, Director General of the EC’s NID Registration Wing, confirmed the change on Monday, explaining that firms will now receive only a “matched” or “unmatched” response, without access to detailed personal information. Speaking to reporters at his office, Humayun Kabir explained that 182 firms currently use the EC’s data server for NID verification services. Previously, these firms had access to…

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has firmly stated that India must ensure Bangladesh receives its fair share of water from the Teesta River for a strong and friendly relationship between the two countries. Addressing a large rally on the banks of the Teesta River in Kaunia upazila, Rangpur, on February 17, Fakhrul emphasized that Bangladesh’s interim government must adopt a more assertive stance to secure the country’s rightful share of Teesta water. He criticized the previous Awami League government for failing to raise the issue effectively with India, blaming their lack of action for the ongoing water…

In an effort to avert potential power shortages during the upcoming Ramadan and summer months, Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan urged both public and private offices, mosques, and households to set air conditioner temperatures at 25°C. Speaking at a press briefing following the second day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference in Dhaka on February 17, the adviser emphasized that this measure is crucial to ensure a stable power supply. He warned that a special monitoring team would be deployed to enforce compliance, with legal action, including power disconnections, possible for those who fail to follow…

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked the first on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 276 at 9:10am on Monday morning (February 17, 2025). Today’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, referring to an alarming health risk to residents, according to the AQI index. India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore and Nepal’s Kathmandu cities occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 229, 197 and 191, respectively. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is…

Syeda Monalisa Islam, the wife of former Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain, has been arrested, police said. Law enforcement officials carried out a raid at a residence in Eskaton, Dhaka, and took her into custody, confirmed Sheikh Mejbah Uddin, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Meherpur Sadar Police Station. Syeda Monalisa faces three charges, including involvement in an attack on anti-discrimination students and the public in Meherpur during July-August uprising. Police arrested Farhad from Dhaka’s Eskaton area on September 14. A number of cases have been filed against Farhad in Dhaka and Meherpur district after the fall of the…

A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for journalist couple Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa in connection with the murder of Anwar Hossain Patwary during an anti-discrimination movement at Mirpur’s Gol Chattar. The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate GM Farhan Ishtiaq on Monday, February 17. The couple was presented before the court, where the investigation officer of the case, CID Inspector Nasir Uddin Sarkar, requested a five-day remand for them. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi, representing the state, argued in favor of the remand. After hearing the arguments, the court approved the remand. According…

Students at Chittagong University (CU) held a human chain protest on Sunday, demanding the withdrawal of suspense orders for 10 students and condemning the inappropriate remarks made by the university’s proctor. The protest took place at the university’s Shaheed Minar at noon, where several students voiced their concerns. Yasin Arafat, a student from the Philosophy Department, stated, “A politically motivated group has vandalized the women’s residential hall yard, and the administration showed no concern for that. Instead, they focused on why the women were blocking the entry. This clearly shows that this administration is misogynistic and politically biased.…