The government must remove all illegal structures along the Basia river and punish the perpetrators for grabbing and polluting the waterbody, said Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) President Sultana Kamal yesterday.

With traffic rules being violated blatantly and little efforts to reduce fatalities, the country witnessed six road accidents in yesterday and another the day before, killing 12 persons and injuring seven, report our correspondents.

Twenty-four Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested from the Bay of Bengal on charges of fishing illegally inside Bangladesh’s maritime boundary in Chattogram, said police.

Bangladesh Publisher and Book-sellers’ Association yesterday said they will keep their bookshops across the country closed on February 24, protesting the government initiative of stopping publication and circulation of “guide books”.

At least 10 BNP leaders and activists, including its senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, were injured in the city’s Mirpur area yesterday, as police charged batons on a procession demanding release of Khaleda Zia.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday claimed to have arrested a close aide of a top-listed fugitive criminal.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday vowed to build the Bangalee as a dignified nation with economic emancipation freeing it from hunger and poverty and ensuring tech-based knowledge.

Mohammad Badrul Ahsan will live forever in the hearts of readers through his unmatched columns, speakers said yesterday at a memorial meeting.

Bangladesh Cancer Aid Trust (BANCAT) arranged an event called “Ribbon of Love” in Dhaka recently, to raise awareness against the disease, says a press release.

Today is the 43rd death anniversary of Bangladesh Navy’s freedom fighter Lt AM Ataul Haque.

To raise awareness among tourists to save biodiversity of the world’s longest sea beach, a campaign has been launched in Cox’s Bazar.

Speakers here in a memorial programme yesterday (Saturday) said Shamsunnahar Rahman Paran, the late founder of Ghashful, dedicated her life to establish a society based on equality and humanity.

Rab claimed to have arrested four members of a kidnapping gang from Narsingdi yesterday.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) claims to have arrested Mazharul Islam alias Shakil, a close aide of top-listed criminal Zeesan Ahmed, from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area.

Lt Col Hasinur Rahman, a former commanding officer of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), returns home over 18 months after he went missing.

A former professor of Khulna University died under a train as he was trying to get on the moving carriage at Khulna Railway Station this morning.

The fervour of International Mother Language Day spreads beyond borders. To mark the day, Bangladesh missions in a number of countries hosted programmes on the theme of the Language Movement, attended by various luminaries and important state figures.

Bangladeshi and Indian nationals yesterday observed International Mother Language Day jointly by holding programmes at zero line along the border of Benapole.

“Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushey February Ami Ki Bhulitey Pari…”

BNP yesterday vowed to “bring back democracy” in the country and free their party chief Khaleda Zia from jail.