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الوسم: Bangladesh

  • Bangladesh Picks Veteran Alamgir as New President

    Bangladesh Picks Veteran Alamgir as New President

    Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), delivers a speech during a press conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 14, 2026.— Reuters

    – Alamgir, 78, won the parliamentary vote against Oli Ahmed.
    – He is anticipated to take the oath of office on Friday evening.
    – Shahabuddin stepped down from his leading position due to health issues.

    DHAKA: Longtime BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected as Bangladesh’s new president on Thursday, marking a significant political milestone as the opposition figure assumes the head of state role following a major political shift.

    The BNP regained power in February after the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in 2024. Although the presidency in Bangladesh is mainly a ceremonial position, Alamgir will serve as the nation’s figurehead and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Real executive power, however, remains with the prime minister and cabinet in this South Asian country with a population of around 173 million.

    In the parliamentary election, Alamgir, 78, defeated Oli Ahmed, a retired army colonel and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, who was also the candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led opposition alliance. The Chief Election Commissioner, AMM Nasir Uddin, announced Alamgir as the winner with 255 votes to Ahmed’s 88.

    The BNP and its allies command a two-thirds majority in parliament after their victory on February 12, which marked the party’s return to power after years in opposition. This election also positioned Tarique Rahman as the prime minister.

    The recent presidential election was triggered by Shahabuddin’s resignation last month due to health reasons, ahead of completing his five-year term. Shahabuddin, a former Awami League politician and close associate of Sheikh Hasina, was elected president in 2023 amid the peak of her party’s influence.

    Sheikh Hasina has been in India since fleeing Bangladesh following a mass uprising that ousted her government in August 2024. She has expressed her intention to return to Bangladesh in December.

    Alamgir has been one of BNP’s most longstanding figures, serving as secretary-general from 2016 until his nomination for the presidency. Throughout Hasina’s tenure, he became a prominent opposition voice, facing repeated arrests and legal charges.

    He started his career as a teacher after earning a degree in economics from the University of Dhaka. Joining the BNP in the early 1990s, he steadily rose through the ranks to become one of the party’s most recognizable national leaders.

    His political journey includes holding various ministerial positions, most recently as Minister of Local Government before accepting his presidential nomination. His inauguration is expected to take place on Friday evening.

  • Bangladesh: PM Won’t Visit India Until Hasina Extradited

    Bangladesh: PM Won’t Visit India Until Hasina Extradited

    Bangladesh announced on Sunday that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not travel to India until New Delhi hands over Sheikh Hasina, the former Bangladeshi prime minister who fled during the uprising in 2024. Relations between the two countries have been tense since protests that ousted Hasina’s government and caused her to seek refuge in neighboring India, where she remains.

    Hasina faces a death sentence in Bangladesh after being convicted of crimes against humanity, and Dhaka has repeatedly requested her extradition. When asked about a potential visit by Rahman to India next week, a foreign ministry spokesperson, AKM Shahidul Karim, downplayed the speculation, emphasizing the need to create a favorable environment. He stated, “We believe that for the visit to happen, a proper environment must be established. To achieve this, we have urged Indian authorities to expedite the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives.”

    India has responded that Bangladesh’s extradition request is currently under review. Rahman assumed office in February and has since traveled to Malaysia and China — a departure from the tradition of Bangladeshi leaders first visiting India abroad. Last week, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met with Rahman, fueling speculation about a possible breakthrough.

    Diplomatic contacts between Bangladesh and India have increased recently over the prospect of Rahman’s visit. Karim noted, “However, the process has been hindered by Sheikh Hasina’s open engagement with the media, despite her being convicted of crimes against humanity.” Hasina, a former pro-democracy leader, has been criticized for growing increasingly autocratic during her 15 years in power. She recently declared her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, even if it means facing imprisonment.

    The government emphasized its commitment to a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy focusing on sovereignty and non-interference, while also aiming to strengthen relations with India and other nations.

  • Eight Dead in Bangladesh Shipbreaking Yard Gas Leak: Police

    Eight Dead in Bangladesh Shipbreaking Yard Gas Leak: Police

    Toxic gases escaped from a vessel at a shipbreaking yard in Bangladesh on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least eight workers, with five others reported missing, according to police sources.

    Eyewitnesses recounted hearing screams from inside the facility in the southeastern port city of Chittagong before some victims were rushed to hospitals by nearby workers.

    Senior police officer Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury confirmed the death toll, stating that authorities are actively searching for the missing workers.

    “A committee has been established to investigate this incident, and an audit of the shipbreaking yard has been ordered,” Chowdhury told AFP.

    The shipbreaking yard, Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard and Recycling Factory, which previously acquired a vessel used to transport liquefied natural gas, has been classified as an environmentally compliant, “green” facility, Chowdhury added.

    However, Towfiqul Islam Bhuiyan, a fire service official, criticized safety breaches, asserting that the vessel should have been free of gas prior to the start of cutting operations.

    “The yard authorities did not adhere to safety instructions. Those exposed to the gas died, while workers further away survived,” Bhuiyan explained to AFP.

    Ferdous has yet to issue a public statement regarding the incident.

    Bhuiyan reported that firefighters recovered three bodies from the scene and found several unconscious workers who were subsequently taken to hospitals.

    Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry spans a 25-kilometer (about 15 miles) stretch along the Chittagong coast on the Bay of Bengal. It ranks among the world’s largest shipbreaking hubs and provides employment to tens of thousands of workers.

    This sector has long been under scrutiny from labor and environmental groups over safety standards and hazardous working conditions.

    Among the casualties on Friday was Palash Jaladas, whose wife Bhoumika Jaladas, who is reportedly eight months pregnant, was left devastated.

    “What am I supposed to do now?” she tearfully told reporters.

  • Bangladesh PM Calls for Favorable Climate to Renew India Ties

    Bangladesh PM Calls for Favorable Climate to Renew India Ties

    Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended a meeting with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (not photographed) at the Federal Government office, Perdana Putra, in Putrajaya on June 22, 2026—Reuters. Rahman had his first discussions with India’s envoy since taking office. He emphasized the importance of fostering a positive environment to strengthen the relationship between the two nations. Rahman has been eager to develop good relations with India since assuming power, especially as Dhaka continues to press New Delhi regarding the exile of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India and facing legal charges—she was sentenced to death in November.

    During the meeting with newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Rahman highlighted the need to create favorable conditions to enhance bilateral cooperation. Bangladesh also urged India to expedite Hasina’s extradition. Hasina has been residing in India since her government was ousted; she is entangled in legal proceedings in Bangladesh. Recently, she told the media via an online audio conference that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December, bringing renewed focus to her ongoing political activities from India. The Bangladeshi foreign ministry condemned this event, calling it deeply hurtful and expressing outrage over allowing her to hold such an event. India stated it is reviewing Bangladesh’s extradition request according to its legal procedures. On social media, the Indian High Commission reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with Bangladesh in a positive, constructive, and forward-looking manner.

  • Shakib’s Home Targeted After Joining Hasina Event

    Shakib’s Home Targeted After Joining Hasina Event

    Windows at former Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan’s home were broken, and petrol bombs were thrown after he participated in the first public media event by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since her removal from power in 2024. During the incident, flames erupted on the upper floor of the residence, which was empty at the time; no injuries were reported. Authorities confirmed that a group attacked Shakib’s ancestral house in Magura, located about 105 miles southwest of Dhaka. Reuters was unable to reach Shakib for comment regarding the attack.

    The assault occurred shortly after Shakib, a former Parliament member from the Awami League, took part in a virtual event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi. In her audio message, Hasina reiterated her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, despite being sentenced to death there.

    Shakib, elected to parliament as an Awami League candidate in January 2024, has remained outside Bangladesh since the student-led protests that overthrew Hasina’s government. He is under multiple investigations, including charges related to murder, embezzlement, fraud, and money laundering.

    “I will return to my people,” Hasina stated. “I understand they might imprison or even execute me, but I have to go back.”

    This event, marking the second anniversary of her ousting, was Hasina’s first public appearance since she fled Bangladesh in 2024. She also expressed her belief that the ban on the Awami League — the party she led for over 40 years — should be lifted, as it had been barred from political activity following her removal.

    Bangladesh’s foreign ministry condemned Hasina’s media appearance, calling it “an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh” and warning that allowing her to speak from India could damage bilateral relations.

    Now residing in New Delhi since August 2024, Bangladesh has requested her extradition from India, which is currently reviewing the request through its legal channels. In November 2025, her war crimes tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia over the crackdown on the 2024 student protests, a charge she dismisses as politically motivated.

  • Bangladesh seeks India’s position on Hasina’s upcoming New Delhi speech

    Bangladesh seeks India’s position on Hasina’s upcoming New Delhi speech

    Bangladesh has requested India clarify its position on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming virtual speech from New Delhi. Dhaka warns that permitting a fugitive’s political activities on Indian soil could complicate efforts to enhance bilateral relations.

    This marks Bangladesh’s first official reaction to Hasina’s announced appearance at an August 5 event organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi, commemorating the second anniversary of a student-led uprising that ousted her government.

    The situation arises as Dhaka continues to push for Hasina’s extradition, given that she has been residing in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. Despite facing several legal cases, Hasina told Reuters she intends to return to Bangladesh in December.

    “India needs to be clear about its stance,” said Shama Obaid Islam, Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs. “We are engaging with India with a positive outlook and hope that this progress remains unaffected.”

    The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia confirmed that Hasina, 78, will deliver her address via video link, alongside her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and other speakers. The club has yet to comment on Bangladesh’s concerns.

    Islam emphasized that Bangladesh has repeatedly expressed its concerns to India regarding the political statements made by Hasina and other Awami League leaders from Indian territory.

    “We do not want India-Bangladesh relations to be jeopardized by statements from individuals accused of fleeing justice,” she said, noting that India has previously indicated it does not expect fugitives to partake in political activities from within its borders.

    Although she clarified that the event was not organized by the Indian government, Islam said Dhaka would use diplomatic channels if necessary to address the issue.

    No immediate response has been received from India’s foreign ministry.

    Relations between the two countries have been tense since Hasina was removed from office. However, recent signals show both sides are interested in rebuilding ties through increased engagement and cooperation, especially since Tarique Rahman’s government took power following elections in February.

    Hasina has been in India since her government’s overthrow amidst weeks of violent protests. Bangladesh has since sought her extradition, and in 2025 she was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity related to the deadly crackdown in 2024, which the UN estimates resulted in up to 1,400 deaths. Hasina has dismissed the ruling as legally invalid.

  • Bangladesh Recovers $6.2B Linked to Ousted Prime Minister Hasina

    Bangladesh Recovers $6.2B Linked to Ousted Prime Minister Hasina

    Bangladesh has seized assets totaling 760 billion taka (roughly $6.2 billion) linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family, and ten business conglomerates, according to officials on Wednesday.

    Since Hasina was ousted during a student-led mass uprising in 2024 and fled to India, authorities have scrutinized her wealth, investigating her relatives and major corporations accused of benefiting during her 15-year, autocratic leadership.

    The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit reported confiscating 570 billion taka within the country and an additional 190 billion taka abroad.

    Its director, Ikhtiar Mohammad Mamun, told media while presenting their annual review that 98 cases had been initiated as part of these investigations involving Hasina and her affiliates.

    “We are actively working to recover money laundered overseas,” Mamun stated. “We aim to provide positive updates before the year ends.”

    Since her departure, Hasina has been convicted in absentia in multiple cases, including charges of corruption related to land allocations in a high-end district of Dhaka. Courts have also sentenced her to death over crimes against humanity.

    She has been residing in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024 and recently expressed intentions to return by year’s end.

    Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that the government, which has requested her extradition, is determined to ensure she faces justice.

    “The verdict will be enforced. The court will determine if there is an avenue for appeal,” he asserted.

  • Bangladesh Floods Kill 44, Stranding Over a Million People

    Bangladesh Floods Kill 44, Stranding Over a Million People

    Floodwaters and landslides caused by days of intense monsoon rains have claimed the lives of at least 44 individuals in southeastern Bangladesh, leaving over a million people stranded as authorities scramble to provide aid to affected communities.

    According to the disaster management ministry, flooding in seven districts—Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj—has severely disrupted daily life, isolating thousands of families and leaving 267,918 households stranded. Power outages, damaged roads, and broken communication lines have hampered rescue efforts. Many residents haven’t been able to cook for days as floodwaters have submerged their homes, while others are battling efforts to clean thick mud from their kitchens and living spaces.

    Nurul Islam, a resident from a flood-affected area in Chattogram, described the dire situation: “There’s still water inside our home, and we have no way to cook. Our stocks of dry food have run out, and we’re spending nights in the dark with our children because there’s no electricity.”

    Many families are relying on non-perishable foods such as flattened rice, puffed rice, or biscuits that require no cooking, but damaged roads and broken bridges have hindered aid delivery to some of the worst-affected areas. The military and navy are actively transporting food, drinking water, medicines, and other essentials by boat to isolated communities to ramp up relief efforts.

    During a visit to the affected zones, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Iqbal Hossain emphasized the government’s commitment: “We are doing everything possible to support flood victims. Relief supplies, safe drinking water, and medical aid are being distributed. People whose homes have been inundated are advised to move to the nearest shelters.”

    Earlier this week, heavy rains also caused landslides in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, resulting in 16 fatalities, including women and children. These camps house over a million Rohingya refugees in makeshift shelters perched on steep, deforested hillsides, making them extremely vulnerable during the monsoon season.

    Bangladesh is among the world’s most disaster-prone nations, regularly experiencing floods, river erosion, and landslides due to seasonal monsoon rains. Climate scientists warn that climate change is intensifying these extreme weather events, making heavy rainfall more frequent and severe, thereby increasing the scale and impact of such disasters.

  • Bangladesh’s Hasina to return in December to surrender with party allies

    Bangladesh’s Hasina to return in December to surrender with party allies

    Bangladeshi ex-premier Sheikh Hasina, who faces a death sentence at home where her party is banned, told Reuters she and top party members intend to return from exile in India around December and surrender voluntarily. The longest-serving leader of Bangladesh said she and her Awami League colleagues plan to come back on their own and appear before the court, challenging the country’s handling of its most prominent political rival.

    A return could intensify political tensions in the nation known for its garment exports, as the Dhaka government seeks stability after two years of turmoil. Conversely, it might help mend the strained relationship with India, which worsened after New Delhi hosted her. Bangladesh has repeatedly urged India to extradite her.

    She revealed she has not discussed her plans with any foreign government and has not set a specific date for her return. She expects to surrender herself, or believes other exiled Awami League leaders will do so. Among them, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also faces a death sentence, but Reuters could not reach other party members or verify their whereabouts.

    “The authorities in Dhaka want to bring me back—they keep sending letters to India requesting my return,” she said. “I will go myself.”

    The Bangladeshi government did not respond to requests for comment on her statements, nor did India’s foreign ministry, which in April said it was reviewing Bangladesh’s extradition request and aimed to strengthen bilateral relations.

    Once a champion of democracy, Hasina has been a dominant figure in Bangladesh for nearly half a century, rising to prominence after her father, an independence leader, was assassinated along with much of her family in a military coup. She initially fought for democracy and was praised for her economic progress, but her prolonged rule has faced accusations of silencing dissent and dismantling democratic institutions—charges she denies. According to a UN report, her crackdown resulted in up to 1,400 deaths.

    “Cases have been filed against almost all our leaders and members, and many are in hiding,” she told Reuters from her exile in Delhi. “I’ve decided to return home, and one day, all of you should come back too. We will all surrender in court together.” She declined to specify when she would return or surrender, but emphasized her faith in justice, suggesting that once proceedings begin, the court’s integrity will be questioned, and she wishes to demonstrate that.

    Many Awami League members have faced arrests, legal action, and violence since her government was ousted. She said she has not maintained contact with Dhaka over her return plans and emphasized that democracy, voting rights, and justice are not topics to be negotiated secretly. She expressed no fear of imprisonment, recalling her multiple past arrests—including during her early political activism after her father’s death, her detention in 2007 on corruption charges, and her repeated imprisonments during military rule—believing that the people should be the ultimate judges of her leadership.

    After her exile ending in 1981, she was detained several times during anti-military campaigns, and in 2007, she was jailed before winning elections in 2008. Her current flight was prompted by threats against her life when crowds approached her residence.

    “When a government serves a long time, mistakes happen—no government is perfect,” she said. “But the judgment belongs to the people. That’s why I leave it to them.” She also noted her efforts to reorganize the Awami League through online meetings across Bangladesh’s parliamentary constituencies.

    “Even if I can’t participate in elections anymore, why should the party be suspended? If we’ve done poorly, let the people decide,” she added.

  • Ex-Bangladesh PM, a fugitive, vows to return to Dhaka this year

    Ex-Bangladesh PM, a fugitive, vows to return to Dhaka this year

    Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced her intention to return to her country “this year,” multiple months after being sentenced to death in absentia for human rights violations, according to a recent interview published on Sunday.

    Hasina, who is 78 years old, fled to neighboring India in August 2024 following a student-led uprising that ended her 15-year authoritarian leadership. Since then, she has remained largely out of public view, aside from a rare address broadcast to a crowded press club in New Delhi in January.

    During an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV, Hasina expressed that she is unafraid of death and dismissed her sentencing as “a part of an illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated process.” She stated, “Numerous conspiracies have been plotted against me. Yet, despite these challenges, I was elected Prime Minister five times by the people’s vote and worked tirelessly for the country’s remarkable development.”

    She affirmed her plans to return home despite the death penalty, saying, “I want to make it clear: overcoming all obstacles and conspiracies, I will come back to my country this year.”

    In November, a court in Dhaka convicted Hasina of incitement, ordering her to be hanged for failing to prevent atrocities and encouraging violence. Additionally, her former ruling party, the Awami League, now banned, was once one of the nation’s most influential political entities.

    Relations between India and Bangladesh have improved since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman secured a sweeping victory in Bangladesh’s national elections in February, which has brought the two countries closer. Nonetheless, tensions persist, with Bangladesh repeatedly demanding the extradition of Hasina.

  • India Detains and Deports 5,000 Bangladesh Nationals

    India Detains and Deports 5,000 Bangladesh Nationals

    India has begun setting up detention centers for undocumented migrants, with reports indicating that West Bengal’s chief minister announced that approximately 4,800 migrants have been deported already. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist party came into power last month, nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi citizens have been repatriated, according to official figures.

    Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory in the regional elections in West Bengal, a state with a population exceeding 100 million, vowing to intensify efforts to identify, detain, and expel illegal immigrants.

    India’s extensive and porous border with Bangladesh—an overwhelmingly Muslim nation—has historically facilitated migration driven by economic struggles and long-standing familial ties. After assuming office, the new West Bengal government directed the creation of detention facilities for undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingya refugees, a Muslim minority group fleeing persecution in Myanmar.

    On Sunday in Kolkata, West Bengal’s capital, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that roughly 5,000 Bangladeshi nationals had been deported across the border. “We have initiated the deportation process for Bangladeshi infiltrators who are not covered by the Citizenship Amendment Act,” Adhikari explained. He added that holding centers had been established across all districts in May, and that from these centers, 4,800 individuals had already been deported. Currently, 836 people remain in detention, with plans underway to expel them soon.

    This crackdown on immigration comes amid ongoing political debate over border security. Some Indian officials have referred to migrants as “termites” and “infiltrators,” language that critics argue has fueled discrimination and marginalization of India’s Muslim community, which makes up over 200 million of the population. Critics also accuse the BJP of conflating religious identity with illegal migration, exacerbating societal divisions.

    There have been previous allegations that India has forcibly expelled hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslims into Bangladesh without proper legal procedures. Diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh have also experienced tension; following a 2024 revolution in Dhaka that ended the autocratic rule of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—a close ally of India—she fled to India. With a new government elected in Bangladesh earlier this year, relations are gradually improving. In fact, India and Bangladesh’s border authorities are scheduled to hold talks in New Delhi this coming Monday.

  • India Names Modi Ally as Bangladesh Envoy Amid Thaw in Ties

    India has appointed seasoned politician Dinesh Trivedi as its new high commissioner to Bangladesh, marking a rare instance of selecting a non-foreign service officer for the role. This move reflects New Delhi’s effort to mend and strengthen diplomatic ties with its eastern neighbor.

    Relations between India and Bangladesh suffered after a popular uprising in 2024 led to Bangladesh’s longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing to New Delhi, where she remains. Trivedi’s appointment underscores India’s focus on rebuilding trust and influence in Bangladesh amid fierce competition from China for regional and economic dominance.

    At 75, Trivedi is a former minister of railways and health. He joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021, transitioning from a regional party in West Bengal—a crucial border state that influences India-Bangladesh relations. Modi has been actively working to expand his party’s footprint in West Bengal through local elections.

    The Indian government indicated that Trivedi would assume his diplomatic responsibilities soon. Tensions began easing after the February election brought Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to power, replacing an interim government that had leaned strongly towards China.

    Recently, Bangladesh’s foreign minister visited New Delhi to discuss increasing fuel and fertilizer supplies, boosting energy collaboration, and relaxing travel restrictions. However, a major sticking point remains India’s refusal to extradite Sheikh Hasina, continuing the complexity of bilateral relations.

  • Bus plunges into river in Bangladesh during ferry boarding, 24 lives lost

    Bus plunges into river in Bangladesh during ferry boarding, 24 lives lost

    A passenger bus carrying approximately 40 passengers tumbled into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry in Bangladesh, resulting in at least 24 fatalities, according to officials on Thursday. The incident took place on Wednesday near Daulatdia in Rajbari district, roughly 62 miles from Dhaka, when the bus lost control approaching a ferry dock. The vehicle flipped and sank nearly 30 feet below the water’s surface, with rescuers retrieving 22 bodies, including six men, 11 women, and five children. Confirmed dead numbers now stand at 24, which includes two women who died after being rescued.

    Search and rescue operations involve four fire department units, 10 divers, and support from the army, police, coast guard, and local authorities. Authorities are concerned that more passengers may still be unaccounted for. Bangladesh experiences hundreds of fatalities each year due to road and waterway accidents.

  • India detains suspect linked to Bangladesh uprising leader’s death

    India detains suspect linked to Bangladesh uprising leader’s death

    A Bangladeshi man has been detained by Indian authorities for allegedly assisting two fellow nationals in entering India illegally. The suspects are accused of murdering a well-known student leader in Dhaka.

    Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent critic of India who participated in Bangladesh’s 2024 mass protests, was shot outside a mosque in Dhaka on December 12. He later died from his injuries at a hospital in Singapore.

    West Bengal police identified Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain as the main culprits in Hadi’s murder. They reportedly escaped Bangladesh via the Haluaghat border into India soon after the attack. The two were arrested on March 8 and are currently in police custody.

    Superintendent Indrajit Sarkar of the West Bengal Special Task Force told AFP that Philip Sangma was arrested on suspicion of helping Masud and Hossain cross into West Bengal through the sensitive border. Sangma was detained on Saturday for allegedly facilitating their illegal entry and appeared in a local court before being remanded into police custody for a week.

    Hadi’s death sparked violent protests across Bangladesh, with mobs burning several buildings, including two major newspapers accused of pro-India bias and a prominent cultural venue.

    This incident further strained the already tense relationship between India and Bangladesh, especially since Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s former prime minister, fled a pro-democracy uprising and took refuge in India.

    India’s foreign ministry issued a statement denying any involvement in Hadi’s murder, calling such claims false. Meanwhile, there are signs of improved diplomatic engagement, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh’s Nationalist Party on its recent election victory, marking the first since Hasina’s departure.

  • Bangladesh Ensures Diesel Supply Amid Widespread Energy Disruptions

    Bangladesh Ensures Diesel Supply Amid Widespread Energy Disruptions

    Vehicles form a long line at a fuel station as worries about fuel availability grow amid tensions stemming from the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 6, 2026.— Reuters

    – Power outages and diesel shortages are disrupting garment factories.
    – Bangladesh is importing diesel to address the fuel shortage.
    – The country depends on imports for about 95% of its energy needs.

    Bangladesh has started receiving diesel supplies from countries including China and India, with officials stating the current stock can meet roughly one month of demand. Preparations are underway to secure another month’s supply, as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran has interrupted shipments, impacting major industries like the clothing sector.

    Home to 175 million people, Bangladesh relies heavily on imported energy, with a dependency rate of around 95%. To cope with the crisis, authorities have implemented vehicle rationing, restricted diesel sales, and shut down universities amid the ongoing turmoil affecting Middle Eastern oil exports.

    Many garment manufacturers—second only to China globally—are already reporting inadequate diesel supplies for their backup generators during power outages. Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, noted that power cuts have doubled to as much as five hours daily since the conflict erupted on February 28.

    “Our power goes out, so we rely on diesel for our generators, but we just can’t buy enough anymore, which is causing us serious problems,” Khan said.

    The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), managed by the government, is currently importing approximately 60,000 metric tons of diesel from three traders. An additional 90,000 metric tons are expected later this month, according to two energy officials who requested anonymity. One shipment of 27,000 metric tons from PetroChina arrived at Chittagong port Monday, while another 28,000 metric tons from Vitol is waiting at the port’s outer anchorage.

    Furthermore, about 5,000 metric tons of diesel are being supplied via a cross-border pipeline from India’s Numaligarh Refinery. Negotiations are ongoing to procure an extra 30,000 metric tons from Indian Oil.

    “We have enough supplies for one month, and arrangements are being made for an additional month,” a BPC representative said. The agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    While Bangladesh generally consumes approximately 380,000 metric tons of diesel each month, figures suggest current consumption has dropped to roughly 270,000 metric tons since rationing began. The ease of securing refined fuel cargoes has been somewhat reassuring, as most traders do not depend on the disrupted Gulf shipping routes responsible for crude oil transportation. Still, prices have risen due to market volatility stirred by the Middle East crisis.

    The country also imports about 1.4 million metric tons of crude oil annually under long-term contracts with Saudi Aramco and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). However, shipments from these companies could face delays because their cargoes must pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Already, a shipment of approximately 100,000 tons from Aramco has been delayed in the Gulf.

    Severe gas shortages have already forced Bangladesh to suspend operations at four out of its five state-run fertilizer factories, diverting gas supplies to power plants instead.

  • Bangladesh Closes Universities Early to Conserve Power During Energy Crisis

    Bangladesh Closes Universities Early to Conserve Power During Energy Crisis

    Bangladesh will shut down all universities starting Monday to speed up the Eid ul-Fitr holiday, aiming to conserve electricity and fuel amidst a worsening energy crisis driven by Middle East conflicts. This shutdown affects both government and private universities nationwide, a measure officials say will cut electricity use and reduce traffic congestion that contributes to fuel wastage.

    Campus facilities like dormitories, classrooms, labs, and air conditioning units are significant electricity consumers, and closing early is expected to ease the strain on the power grid. Education institutions, including government and private schools, are already closed for Ramadan, so most schools will remain non-operational during this period.

    This decision comes as Bangladesh faces increased uncertainty over fuel and gas supplies due to turbulence in international energy markets caused by ongoing Middle East conflicts. Since the country depends on imports for about 95% of its energy needs, authorities imposed daily fuel sale limits last Friday following panic buying and stockpiling.

    In addition, the government has ordered all private coaching centers and foreign curriculum schools to suspend operations temporarily to reduce energy consumption. Gas shortages have already led to the shutdown of four of Bangladesh’s five state-run fertilizer factories, with remaining gas redirected to power plants to prevent widespread outages.

    Bangladesh is also purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from spot markets at significantly higher prices and seeking additional cargoes to address supply shortfalls. A senior energy official noted, “We are doing everything possible to reduce consumption and maintain power, fuel, and import stability.”

  • Newly Sworn-In Members of Bangladesh Parliament

    Newly Sworn-In Members of Bangladesh Parliament

    Bangladesh’s recently elected Members of Parliament took their oaths on Tuesday after a landmark election resulted in a victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka was attended by delegates from multiple regional and Muslim nations.

    The event, held at the parliamentary complex, began with verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the oath administered by Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner, AMM Nasir Uddin.

    This story is still developing and will be updated with additional details as they become available.