Army was ‘compelled to use force’ to stop mob violence, says ISPR
Army was ‘compelled to use force’ to stop mob violence, says ISPRThe Army was drawn into clashes between the Jatiya Party and the Gono Odhikar Parishad in Dhaka after police sought their support, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). In a statement on Saturday, the military's media wing reported that troops were “compelled to use force to prevent mob violence” after “all efforts at peaceful resolution were ignored”. But some activists, it said, attempted to escalate the unrest through “mob violence”, including torchlight processions, stone-throwing, and attempts to set fire to property around 9pm. Reaffirming its stance, the military added: “The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against mob violence. The Bangladesh Army echoes this decision and remains ready to take a firm stand to ensure public safety, law and order, and peace.”
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 20:12 UTC
Madushanka’s hat-trick heroics see Sri Lanka hold off hosts Zimbabwe
Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka took a last-over hat-trick to steer the tourists to a dramatic seven-run victory over Zimbabwe in their first One-Day International at the Harare Sports Club on Friday. He conceded only two runs off the last three balls to ensure a narrow win as Zimbabwe finished on 291-8 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 298-6. Sri Lanka, who were put in to bat, piled on the runs near the end of their innings as Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendes led a recovery after they were reduced to 161-5 with 13 overs remaining. The Sri Lanka speedster ended with figures of 4-62. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine was ruled out of the series after a calf tear on Thursday, with Williams taking over as skipper.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 17:31 UTC
Election Commissioner Anwarul cautions officers over ‘data misuse, biased actions’
Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker has cautioned staff against leaking data or engaging in political bias, warning that every move is being watched. The warning was issued on Friday during the inauguration of a training programme at the Electoral Training Institute in Dhaka. Pointing to the combined experience of the five election commissioners, the former senior bureaucrat said they have successfully served in top positions across the secretariat, field administration, judiciary, armed forces, and ministries. Anwarul admitted the commission has previously faced “embarrassment” due to internal leaks and called for a renewed commitment to confidentiality. Leaders of the NCP have accused the Election Commission of operating as a “party office” and of pushing forward the agenda of a particular political party.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 16:53 UTC
Bangladeshi journalists stage silent human chains over killings of peers in Palestine
Journalists across Bangladesh have formed simultaneous “silent human chains” to protest against the killing of reporters in Palestine, including Gaza. From 4pm on Friday, journalists and media workers in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi and Barishal stood shoulder-to-shoulder for more than half an hour in a show of solidarity with colleagues reporting amid the violence in Palestine. Organisers said, since Israel’s aggression began two years ago, at least 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza, with media workers repeatedly targeted during military operations. The protest also mourned at least five journalists killed in an Israeli strike on a hospital in Khan Younis on Aug 25. The statement reaffirmed press freedom and called on the international community to take urgent steps to protect journalists in conflict areas.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 16:51 UTC
Pakistan says floods made worse by Indian action
A public park is submerged, following monsoon rains and rising water level in the Ravi River in Lahore, Pakistan Aug 29, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar SoomroA public park is submerged, following monsoon rains and rising water level in the Ravi River in Lahore, Pakistan Aug 29, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar SoomroFlooding in Pakistan from water flowing downstream from India was made worse by New Delhi’s suspension of a river-sharing treaty and the collapse of the gates on an Indian barrage, Pakistani officials said on Friday. Torrential monsoon rains ravaged neighboring adversaries India and Pakistan this week, with further heavy downpours forecast for this weekend. Pakistani officials said that this damage unleashed an uncontrolled flow across the border, flooding some parts of Lahore on Friday.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 16:34 UTC
Bangla Academy Writers’ Club locked, faces ‘takeover attempt’ before opening
The newly constructed Writers’ Club at Bangla Academy has been locked and sealed just days before its official inauguration amid allegations that a life member attempted to seize control of the space. Academy staff told bdnews24.com that Akbar Ali Siraji, a life member, attempted several times to create a disturbance at the academy following the July Uprising. Following the incident, the Bangla Academy issued a formal letter to Siraji, demanding a written explanation within five days. Your actions are disrupting the normal functioning of the academy.”“These activities are against the interests and ideals of Bangla Academy and will be presented to the Executive Council for further consideration,” it added. Several academy staff told bdnews24.com that following the July Uprising, Siraji repeatedly attempted to create “mobs” at the academy and tried to secure unlawful privileges through intimidation.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 15:13 UTC
JaSaD slates arrests of 16 citizens at DRU on ‘false terror charges’, demands release
JaSaD slates arrests of 16 citizens at DRU on ‘false terror charges’, demands releaseThe Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) has protested the arrest of its leader Abdullahil Kayum and 15 others during a discussion at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), after which they were sent to jail. In a statement on Friday, the party alleged the detentions were based on “false charges” under the Anti-Terrorism Act. “Voices in favour of democracy and the Liberation War are now facing repression, which is extremely worrying,” JaSaD said. The case stems from clashes surrounding a roundtable organised by Mancha 71 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), focusing on the Liberation War and the Constitution. Recounting the incident, freedom fighter Golam Mostafa said: “I came not on party lines, but because all freedom fighters had been invited.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 15:13 UTC
Mancha 71 fracas: Why Latif Siddique refused to seek bail
Former textiles and jute minister Abdul Latif Siddique has refused to seek bail after his arrest in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, following a "mob attack" on him and other freedom fighters at an event in Dhaka. Defence lawyer Saiful Islam said Latif repeatedly refused to sign the power of attorney required for a bail application. The other detainees include several academics, journalists, and freedom fighters, aged between their 30s and 80s. The event, titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh”, was organised by the platform Mancha 71. Recounting the incident, freedom fighter Golam Mostafa said: “I came not on party lines, but because all freedom fighters had been invited.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 15:04 UTC
Coastguards detain 122 Bangladeshis for fishing inside Myanmar waters
Coastguards have detained 122 fishermen and boatmen, including 93 Rohingya, on charges of crossing the Naf River to fish inside Myanmar waters. Teknaf coastguards’ Lt Commander Salahuddin Rashid Tanvir said the arrests followed Friday morning raids in areas of Cox’s Bazar district’s Teknaf municipality bordering the river. He said the stretch of Rakhine State opposite Teknaf is now under the Arakan Army’s control, and Bangladeshi fishermen are “often seized as soon as they cross the zero line”. Trawler owners said between Aug 5 to 28, the Arakan Army allegedly captured 63 fishermen and seized 10 trawlers. Since December 2024, 267 Bangladeshi fishermen have been abducted across the Naf and the Bay of Bengal, of whom 189 have returned.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 14:50 UTC
Conflicting figures emerge over fishermen ‘abducted by Arakan Army’ in Cox’s Bazar
The number of Bangladeshi fishermen reportedly abducted by the ‘Arakan Army’ near the Naf River estuary in Teknaf continues to rise, with multiple sources providing conflicting accounts. The Teknaf Upazila administration claims the figure stands at 58, while the local trawler owners’ association puts the number at 57. “Informal” communication is reportedly ongoing with the Arakan Army in an effort to bring the abducted men back, BGB officials said. “The Arakan Army chased the boat with speedboats and took everyone. That is when the Arakan Army takes them,” he said.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 13:04 UTC
Rohingya crisis is the biggest problem for Bangladesh right now: foreign affairs advisor
The Rohingya crisis is the biggest problem facing Bangladesh right now, says Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs advisor to the interim government. In this context, the Rohingya crisis is now the biggest problem from Bangladesh's perspective." But now, it has definitely become a complete problem.”The advisor warned that it could evolve into a regional crisis in the future. It will be a regional problem. When they do that, it will be a big problem for Bangladesh as well as a big problem in this part of Asia.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 12:47 UTC
Dhaka University teacher denounces ‘false’ terror charges, demands justice
“We were attacked by a mob and then arrested instead of those who carried out the assault,” Karzon told the court. The event, titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh”, was organised by the platform Mancha 71. Speaking out against the denial of constitutional safeguards to the accused, Karzon said: “We were not given the right to appoint our lawyers, nor informed of the charges in proper time. “For speaking about the Liberation War and the Constitution, they were mobbed, humiliated and then falsely accused,” said lawyer Farzana Yasmin Rakhi. `WE ARE VICTIMS`As he was being led away to prison, Karzon told reporters he feared for their lives.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 12:17 UTC
Dhaka University teacher denounces 'false' terror charges, demands justice
“We were attacked by a mob and then arrested instead of those who carried out the assault,” Prof Karzon told the court. They were subsequently sent to jail by the court in response to a police petition to keep them in custody. The arrests stem from an incident on Thursday, when Latif Siddique and other veterans of the 1971 Liberation War came under attack during a roundtable discussion at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. The event, titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh”, was organised by the platform Mancha 71. “For speaking about the Liberation War and the Constitution, they were mobbed, humiliated and then falsely accused,” said lawyer Farzana Yasmin Rakhi.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 12:13 UTC
Latif Siddique, 15 others sent to jail in terrorism case
Source: CollectedA Dhaka court has denied bail to former jute and textiles minister Abdul Latif Siddique and 15 others, ordering them to be sent to jail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. They were arrested on Thursday following clashes during an event organised by Mancha 71 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). Police later filed a case accusing the 16 of involvement in a “mob attack” during the roundtable discussion, which was attended by freedom fighters, politicians and academics. Later, 14 people, including Latif and Dhaka University law professor Hafizur Rahman Karzon, were detained, and police announced that a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act had been filed against them. Videos circulating online showed men shouting slogans around Latif, including, “Catch everyWitnesses described how several dozen men surrounded participants before the arrival of the event`s chief guest, former Gono Forum president Kamal Hossain.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 10:34 UTC
Bangladesh reschedules date for Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi holiday
Source: CollectedThe Bangladesh government has rescheduled the date for the public holiday of Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi, the day on which Muslim devotees mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notice in this regard on Thursday, reports bdnews24.com. Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi falls on day 12 of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. Bangladesh marks the occasion as a public holiday. Accordingly, Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept 6.
Source:bd News24
August 29, 2025 09:06 UTC