Desk Report: Drones have been spotted flying near Bangladesh’s airspace close to Saint Martin’s Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, raising concerns among residents in the border area. On Thursday around 7:00 PM, two drones, colored red and green, were seen hovering in the eastern sky near the island’s jetty for almost an hour. The sighting caused alarm among the local population. Residents suspect that the drones may have been launched from Myanmar for surveillance of the border area.

Foyezul Islam, chairman of the Saint Martin Union Parishad, said, “Two drones were seen flying in the eastern sky near the jetty at night. It is believed that they came from the direction of Myanmar and may be part of the Arakan Army’s border monitoring. In this situation, it is crucial to strengthen our border security.”

Local fisherman Mohammad Azim added, “People gathered after seeing two drones flying in the sky at night. The matter was then reported to the authorities. Many are speculating that the drones came from Myanmar and could belong to the Arakan Army.”

Residents expressed concern over such drone activity, especially given the recent rise in instability along the border. They have called for an immediate investigation and necessary measures, including enhanced border surveillance, to ensure the security of Bangladesh’s airspace.

SANGSAD BHABAN – Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman today said that all reform initiatives must be implemented within the framework of the Constitution, stressing that the constitution remains the supreme legal foundation of the state and parliament. He said this while taking part in a discussion on the motion for summoning the session of the Constitution Reform Council in parliament today.

Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman placed the motion in the House under the Section 62 of the Rules of Procedure for summoning the session of the Constitution Reform Council in line with July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025. The Law Minister said that opposition members who questioned the legitimacy of the constitutional process should carefully read the relevant ordinance and provisions.

He said the July Charter is the central focus of current political discourse and that it represents the public mandate following the July 24 mass uprising. “The people have given us the mandate to conduct all activities under the constitution and bring necessary reforms through parliament,” he said.

The law minister explained that the July Charter outlines reform measures that must be adopted through parliamentary processes rather than through extra-constitutional means.High lighting key constitutional commitments in the July Charter, Asaduzzaman referred to provisions on women’s representation and the proposal to appoint a deputy speaker from the opposition.

He noted that the government had demonstrated commitment to democratic values by offering the deputy speaker position to the opposition in line with the July Charter spirit.

The minister stressed that the Constitution is deeply connected with the sacrifices of the Liberation War martyrs and the democratic struggles of the people, adding that the constitution has been amended at different times to restore democracy, judicial independence and multi-party governance.

He recalled the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1991 under Begum Khaleda Zia and said that constitutional continuity and democratic reform have always been achieved through parliamentary processes. “Our commitment is to move forward through constitutional amendments in line with the July Charter and the people’s mandate,” he added.

Asaduzzaman further stated that any order or directive without constitutional backing cannot be treated as law, explaining that ordinances issued under Article 93 of the constitution carry legal validity, whereas other orders without constitutional authority cannot bind parliament. He emphasized that parliament is sovereign in law-making and cannot be compelled by unauthorized orders.

The law minister also highlighted historical precedents, noting that many countries adopted constitutions through political consensus and parliamentary processes. He said Bangladesh must follow the same path by amending the constitution through a parliamentary committee and democratic deliberation.

Welcoming the proposal to form a special parliamentary committee on constitutional reform, he urged the Speaker to constitute a committee where all parties can discuss and analyze the July Charter provisions and bring a constitutional amendment accordingly.

“The July Charter should guide reforms, but all actions must be taken through constitutional and parliamentary procedures,” he said, adding that national unity and democratic consensus are essential for sustainable constitutional reform.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said the government is considering to reinstate a traditional uniform for the Bangladesh Police, as many members of the force are reportedly dissatisfied with the current attire. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after the basic training closing parade of the 43rd BCS (Police) batch at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi on Saturday.

The minister attended the event as chief guest and noted that discussions on the uniform are ongoing at the highest levels of government. Emphasizing equality before the law, Salahuddin Ahmed said the country is undergoing a significant transformation, placing greater responsibility on law enforcement officials. He urged police officers to carry out their duties with honesty, efficiency, and professionalism, while maintaining humane conduct and deep respect for the law. “Discipline, chain of command, loyalty, and coordinated leadership are the core strengths of any force,” he said. “In the eyes of the law, everyone is equal, whether a political activist or an ordinary farmer.”

Highlighting the role of police in ensuring the rule of law, the minister stressed that the force must remain free from political influence. “The government believes the police should not serve any political party or group. Our goal is to build a modern, service-oriented, and people-friendly police force,” he said, adding that steps have already been taken to increase manpower.

He also announced that efforts are underway to establish an independent and robust Police Reform Commission aimed at safeguarding the force from political interference. At the beginning of his speech, the minister paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, freedom fighters, the proclaimer of independence Ziaur Rahman, and those killed during the July mass uprising.

Earlier, he took the salute and inspected the parade, and later distributed awards among trainees for outstanding performance in various categories. A total of 80 officers participated in the training program, which began on March 1, 2025. Of them, 72 successfully completed the course. Among the graduates, six were female cadre officers and 66 were male.

The closing parade ceremony was attended by Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Members of Parliament from various constituencies, and other senior government officials.

New York: The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested several undocumented immigrants involved in serious criminal activities across the United States in a recent enforcement operation, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Authorities said the individuals were either convicted or accused of grave offenses, including child abuse, rape, sexual violence, drug trafficking, fraud, and assault. Among those detained are several Bangladeshi nationals, whose names, photos, and alleged crimes have been প্রকাশ on the official DHS website.

In a statement, Lauren Vees, Deputy Assistant Secretary at DHS, confirmed that law enforcement agencies targeted individuals involved in dangerous and violent crimes. She emphasized that those who harm vulnerable individuals, particularly children, or pose a threat to public safety should not be allowed to remain in the country.

According to DHS data, Kazi Abu Sayeed was arrested in Fort Scott, Kansas, facing charges of exploiting a minor as well as operating illegal gambling activities. Shahed Hasan was detained in Raleigh, North Carolina, on allegations of carrying a concealed weapon and committing theft. In Buffalo, New York, Mohammad Ahmed was arrested over accusations of sexual assault and other related offenses, while MD Hossain was taken into custody in Queens, New York, also on allegations of sexual abuse.

Elsewhere, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed was apprehended in Chantilly, Virginia, for alleged involvement in marijuana distribution and possession of hallucinogenic substances. Nawaz Khan was arrested in Marlin, Texas, in connection with serious drug-related offenses. Shahriar Abir was taken into custody in Pensacola, Florida, on theft charges, while Alamgir Chowdhury was arrested in Mount Clemens, Michigan, accused of credit card fraud.

Authorities further reported that Ishtiaq Rafi was detained in Manassas, Virginia, facing charges related to weapons violations and possession of synthetic drugs. In Phoenix, Arizona, Kanak Parvez was arrested on allegations of fraud.

DHS stated that these arrests were part of coordinated operations carried out by ICE along with federal law enforcement partners, as part of ongoing efforts to identify and remove individuals involved in serious criminal conduct from the United States.

DHAKA – A court here today placed former director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Lt Gen (Retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled, on a five-day remand in a case lodged over the murder of one Delwar Hossain in the city’s Mirpur area during the July Mass Uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Siddique Azad passed the order as the police produced the accused before the court and pleaded to place him on a seven-day remand in the case. A team from the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) detained Khaled at his Mirpur DOHS residence on the night of March 25.

According to the case documents, Delwar Hossain joined an anti-discrimination student movement rally on July 19, 2024, in front of a fruit market in the Mirpur-10 area. The rally came under attack from the unidentified goons, firing shots indiscriminately at the protesters. Delwar got shot and was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on July 21. Delwar’s widow, Liza Akter, filed the case on July 6, 2025, over the incident.

DHAKA – A court here today set April 9 for hearing a plea to show former Feni-3 lawmaker Lt Gen (Retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury arrested in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged embezzlement of Taka 119 crore through sending workers to Malaysia.

Dhaka Senior Special Judge Court’s acting Judge Mainuddin Chowdhury passed the order, fixing the date for hearing in the presence of the accused. Earlier, Investigation Officer and ACC Assistant Director Md Abul Kalam Azad filed the plea.

The petition stated that accused Masud Uddin Chowdhury, in collusion with others, allegedly abused government authority to secure appointment as an agent for recruiting workers to Malaysia and collected fees exceeding the government-fixed rate of Taka 78,990.

The accused allegedly realised an additional Taka 119.32 crore from workers at different stages, causing unlawful financial loss. The illegally collected money was reportedly laundered through concealment, transfer and conversion, prompting the case under the Penal Code, the Money Laundering Prevention Act and anti-corruption laws.

The ACC also said showing him arrested in the case is necessary to ensure a fair investigation, as he may otherwise obstruct the probe.

Earlier, a team of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police detained Chowdhury during a raid in the Baridhara DOHS area of the capital on March 23 following a tip-off.

The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Aminul Islam Zunayed on March 24 placed him on a five-day remand in a separate case accusing him of forming a syndicate, embezzling Taka 24,000 crore and involvement in human trafficking.

DHAKA – Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said that 180 vacant sergeant posts will be filled soon as part of efforts to strengthen law enforcement. He said the recruitment process would be expedited to ensure the vacancies are filled without delay, enhancing policing efficiency and public safety.

The move is aimed at increasing operational capacity, reducing the workload on existing personnel, and maintaining law and order more effectively. Officials concerned said necessary procedures have already been initiated and the recruitment will be conducted following due process to select qualified candidates. Filling the vacant posts is being treated as a priority to reinforce the security framework and improve public service delivery.

DHAKA – Describing the 2009 Pilkhana killings as a deliberate attempt to weaken the Bangladesh Army and destabilize the country, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed assured the nation that justice would be ensured for one of the most heinous incidents in the world. “I am assuring the nation and the martyrs’ families of ensuring justice,” he said. The Home Minister made the remarks after laying wreaths at the Banani Military Graveyard in the capital on the occasion of National Martyred Army Day, marking the anniversary of the 2009 Pilkhana carnage.

He said the government is committed to taking all necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of such a tragic incident in the future. Responding to a question from journalists about the government’s position regarding a fresh investigation into the 2009 BDR carnage, the Home Minister clarified that no new commission would be formed. Instead, he said, the government would implement the recommendations of the national independent commission that had been set up by the immediate past interim government to re-investigate the incident.

“I made a remark earlier that we would form a commission to reinvestigate the BDR carnage without going through the report of the national independent commission formed during the interim government. Now I am correcting myself – we will not form any new commission. Rather, we will implement the recommendations of the commission in phases,” he said.

He added that the interim government had constituted the commission with competent and experienced individuals, and its findings would be given due importance. Salahuddin, a Standing Committee Member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stated that the commission had put forward 70 recommendations.

“We will implement all the recommendations in phases,” he said.

Referring to the Pilkhana carnage cases, he noted that several appeals are currently pending before the Appellate Division. “The judicial process will be completed,” he affirmed. Describing the Pilkhana killings as one of the most heinous incidents in global history, Salahuddin said the perpetrators were driven by forces that do not believe in Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.

“They aimed to undermine the Bangladesh Army and weaken the country. Those who do not believe in Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty could have harbored such intentions,” he added.

BDR carnage took place on February 25-26 in 2009 at the headquarters of the BDR paramilitary force in Pilkhana, Dhaka. The mutineers in 33 hour upheaval killed 74 people, including BDR DG and his wife, 57 army officers, two of their wives and 15 others.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today adorned newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir with the rank badge. The premier pinned the rank badge at a ceremony at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here, said sources at Prime Minister’s Office. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury were present on the occasion.

DHAKA – The government has appointed Md. Ali Hossain Fakir as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) replacing Baharul Alam, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs today. Prior to his promotion, Md. Ali Hossain Fakir was serving as Additional Inspector General of Police and Chief of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN).

A member of the 15th batch of the BCS (Police) cadre, Fakir hails from Bagerhat district. Over the course of his career, he has held several important positions within the police department, earning recognition for his professional competence and leadership.

The official notification issued by the Home Ministry confirmed that the promotion takes effect immediately. Earlier, the government has cancelled the remaining tenure of contractual appointment of Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh Baharul Alam following his application.

A notification, issued by the Ministry of Public Administration today, said the remaining period of his contractual appointment, made under a gazette notification dated November 20, 2024, has been annulled.