Zahid Hasan Tapu, 35, of Bhimnagar village in Rajbari’s Baliakandi upazila, grew up amid extreme hardship – so much so that he had to drop out of school in eighth grade.

Students of Chittagong University yesterday padlocked the university’s administrative building, demanding resignation of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Shamim Uddin Khan over his remarks about the martyred intellectuals of 1971.

4 firefighting units managed to contain the fire after about 45 minutes

The 250-bed Bagerhat District Hospital, the only major public healthcare facility for nearly 20 lakh people in the district, is struggling to provide critical services, as its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has remained non-operational for nearly 11 months, while expensive diagnostic equipment lies unused.

Seed planting in major potato-producing districts was largely completed by November 30

Rab arrests suspect Kabir in Dhaka, investigation underway

Journalist Anis Alamgir was arrested and put on remand in an anti-terrorism case yesterday, a day after he was picked up from Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area.

Ducsu Vice President Abu Shadik Kayem yesterday demanded the resignation of the home, law, and foreign affairs advisers if their three demands, including the arrest of those involved in the attempted assassination of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, are not met immediately.

The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal yesterday filed an appeal with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, seeking to enhance the life sentences of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to capital punishment.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has demanded an explanation from Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin over his remarks regarding the shooting of Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho.

The shooting of Dhaka-8 aspiring candidate Sharif Osman Hadi was part of a conspiracy to disrupt the upcoming election, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman said yesterday.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she has been receiving treatment for the last 22 days.

The Editors’ Council has strongly condemned the arrest of journalist Anis Alamgir, saying it triggers memories of state repression against journalists during the past autocratic regime.

Speakers at an all-party resistance rally yesterday expressed outrage over the shooting of Dhaka-8 independent aspirant Sharif Osman Hadi, terming it part of a broader conspiracy to destabilise the country.

In a major development, the government has issued policy guidelines on granting firearm licences and appointing retainers (persons to carry firearms) to individuals who are politically important and candidates contesting the national election.

The shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi was part of a broader conspiracy to disrupt the upcoming national election, create division among political parties, and undermine candidates’ morale, according to a case filed with Paltan Police Station in this regard.

Remark aimed to dispel any anticipation of election disruption, it says

November 13, 1971, Bhurungamari, Kurigram. The day before, the Mukti Bahini captured Pateshwari and positioned themselves at Baghbandha under the leadership of EPR Nayek Ukya Ching Marma. Sensing their presence, the Pakistan forces opened heavy fire, but the freedom fighters remained unflinching.

The tide of war had turned by mid-December in 1971. The promise of freedom was no longer a dream. It had hardened into tangible certainty.

Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad yesterday placed a five-point demand before the government, calling for the resignation of senior officials, accountability for killings allegedly involving India’s Border Security Force (BSF), and restrictions on political participation ahead of the next parliamentary election.