DHAKA: A controversy has emerged after the Banglabazar sales outlet of University Press Limited (UPL) was locked and two of its employees were taken to a police outpost following a dispute over the sale of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s The Unfinished Memoirs. UPL says the book is not banned and that it has received no government or court order restricting its sale. A senior police official has also said there is no restriction on the sale of the book.

According to a statement issued by UPL, two men went to the publisher’s Banglabazar outlet at around 5:30pm on September 28, 2026, and asked to buy The Unfinished Memoirs. After the employees produced the book, the men objected to its sale and claimed that the book was banned.

According to UPL, the men were told that the book was not banned. They nevertheless created a disturbance and gathered people around the outlet. At one point, the shutter of the sales outlet was pulled down and locked. Two UPL employees, Aminul Islam and Humayun Kabir, were also taken to the Faridabad Police Outpost. They were later released. Faridabad Police Outpost in-charge Shuvo Baroi said the matter had been settled between the two sides and the sales outlet was subsequently reopened.

No government order or court directive banning the book has been publicly identified. UPL has also said that it is not aware of any government or court decision banning the book. The publisher said any decision to ban a book must follow a specific legal process and that it would comply if a competent authority formally imposed such a restriction.

A senior official of the Lalbagh division, speaking on condition of anonymity, said The Unfinished Memoirs is not banned and there is no restriction on its sale. The official also said that if the employees had been released on the condition that they would no longer sell the book, such a condition would not have been appropriate.

Sutrapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman said the two UPL employees were not taken to the police station but to the Faridabad Police Outpost, from where they were later released. He also said that The Unfinished Memoirs had not been reprinted after 2024. According to him, the employees were released on the condition that the book would no longer be sold. He also said no complaint had been filed with the police station over the incident.

UPL said it has faced pressure over different books during different governments. The publisher, however, said it had not compromised its professional standards and publishing policies. It also said that expert assessment is taken into consideration when publishing or marketing books.

According to UPL, The Unfinished Memoirs is an important book for understanding Bangladesh’s history and the context of the Liberation War. The publisher said it would comply with the law if a competent government authority or court formally banned the book through due process.

Following the incident, the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) called for an investigation. The organisation said several individuals behaved aggressively at UPL’s Banglabazar showroom on September 28 while demanding that the sale of the book be stopped. They allegedly pulled down the shutter and harassed two sales employees. BLAST also called for an investigation into the role of police over allegations that the employees were taken to and detained at the police outpost. It also called for the safety of UPL employees, publishers and booksellers to be ensured.

BLAST said that anyone who disagrees with, objects to or criticises the content of a book has the right to express those views peacefully, reasonably and through lawful means. No individual or group should obstruct the publication, circulation or sale of a book through threats, pressure or force, it said. Any decision to ban, withdraw or restrict a publication should be based on a clear legal basis and follow due process, according to the organisation.

The incident has raised questions about what legal basis an individual or group would have to demand that the sale of a book be stopped if the book has not been formally banned. Questions have also been raised over why the two UPL employees were taken to the police outpost and whether any condition was imposed on their release preventing them from selling the book. It remains unclear whether those who claimed that the book was banned were acting on the basis of any government notification, court order or other legal document.

Writer Asif Bin Ali has analysed the incident in one of his articles as an example of how the circulation of a book can be obstructed without a formal ban. He argues that even when a book remains legally available, publishers or sellers may stop stocking or selling it because of pressure or fear of possible trouble, potentially creating a situation of self-censorship. This is the writer’s analysis and not the finding of any government investigation.

The Unfinished Memoirs is an autobiographical work by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. UPL was involved in publishing the Bengali edition, which was first published in 2012. Recent reports say the book was last reprinted in 2024. Based on publicly available information, no government order or court directive banning The Unfinished Memoirs has so far been identified.

DHAKA — The Bangladesh government has said it has not taken any formal decision to launch a new nationwide joint operation similar to the controversial “Operation Clean Heart” of 2002, while coordinated law-enforcement drives against crime, extortion and drug-related activities are set to continue and intensify.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday that ongoing operations involving police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Special Response Battalion (SRB) and Ansar are part of the regular law-enforcement process.

“There is no formal decision to conduct a joint operation,” the minister said, adding that coordinated activities to combat terrorism, extortion and drugs would be strengthened further. The minister made the remarks after unveiling the foundation plaque for the new headquarters of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

His comments came amid growing discussion over whether the government might undertake a large-scale security campaign following reports of extortion, land grabbing and other criminal activities in different parts of the country.

Salahuddin also ruled out plans for a special operation modeled on the 2002 “Operation Clean Heart.” He said the government was not considering establishing a separate joint force for such a campaign and described the ongoing coordination among law-enforcement agencies as part of their regular activities.

Alleged Criminal Networks

Recent media reports have also highlighted an alleged list of people involved in extortion and land or property grabbing in Dhaka. A report published by The Daily Inqilab said a list reportedly prepared by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police identified 1,536 people allegedly involved in land grabbing, footpath occupation and extortion. The report said 1,252 were identified as active extortionists and 278 as alleged patrons or facilitators. It further claimed that 230 of the 278 alleged patrons were current or former leaders or activists of the BNP or its affiliated organisations.

Those figures have not been independently established here as an official DMP publication, and political affiliations mentioned in such reports should be treated as allegations rather than established findings.

Law-Enforcement Operations to Continue

The government says police and other security agencies will continue working together against extortion, drugs, terrorism and other crimes. Salahuddin said law-enforcement personnel found negligent in their duties or involved in criminal activities could face departmental and legal action, including criminal cases where allegations are proved. The current approach therefore involves strengthening coordination among existing agencies rather than announcing a new operation under the name “Operation Clean Heart.”

The original Operation Clean Heart was launched in October 2002 and involved the military in a nationwide anti-crime campaign. Human Rights Watch later documented allegations of deaths in custody and other human-rights abuses associated with the operation. The government’s latest position, however, is that no new campaign modeled on that operation has been approved.

DHAKA- Reserved women’s seat-23 of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad has been declared vacant following the resignation of law maker Ferdousi Ahmed. Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram told reporters this afternoon that the lawmaker from reserved women’s seat-23 came to his office and submitted her resignation in writing.

“According to the provisions of the Constitution, the seat became vacant immediately after her resignation,” he said. The Speaker added, “We have sent it for publication in the gazette. Immediately after receiving the gazette, we will inform the Election Commission, and the resignation will take effect from today.”

Meanwhile, a notification signed by Parliament Secretariat Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan today said that the reserved Women’s seat-23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad had fallen vacant following the resignation of Ferdousi Ahmed. The notification said the seat fell vacant on the same date in accordance with Article 67(2) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

NEW YORK: The U.S. chapter of the Bangabandhu Foundation marked the 80th birthday of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at an event in New York on Monday. Members, supporters and leaders of the organization cut a birthday cake during the celebration and raised slogans including “Bangladesh is blessed because of Sheikh Hasina,” “Sheikh Hasina, don’t be afraid—we are with you,” and “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.”

Participants at the event also expressed their intention to welcome Sheikh Hasina back to Dhaka by December, according to organizers. Among those attending were Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, central president of the Bangabandhu Foundation and former foreign minister of Bangladesh; Abdul Kader Mia, president of the foundation’s U.S. chapter; Senior Vice President Engineer Md. Fazlul Haque; Vice Presidents Md. Zafarullah, Afsar Mohammad and Abu Taher M. Rahman; General Secretary Kamal Hossain Mithu; and Joint General Secretaries Alim Khan Akash and Ariful Islam Arif.

The event was also attended by the foundation’s Communications Director and freedom fighter Lablu Ansar, along with leaders and community members including Nazrul Islam Babul, Mobasher Hossain, Abdul Jalil, M.A. Kadir, community leader Abul Hashem, Sirajul Maola, Abul Hasan Mahiuuddin, Mosharraf Hossain Abdul Hamid, Abul Kashem, Idris Alam, Yasin Arafat Bappi and Ahsan Ullah Saki, among others.

DHAKA — The United States has provided 500,000 dengue NS1 rapid diagnostic test kits to Bangladesh to support the country’s ongoing efforts to detect dengue cases and strengthen treatment management. The kits were provided through the STRIDES programme, funded by the US government, according to a press release. US Chargé d’Affaires to Bangladesh Trishita Maula formally handed over the kits to Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain at Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital in Dhaka on Thursday morning.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the health minister directed the authorities concerned to distribute the dengue testing kits across the country promptly. He said the ceremony was held at Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital considering traffic congestion and transportation convenience. “However, all the handed-over kits will be deposited directly with the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD). Subsequently, the kits will be sent to district and upazila hospitals across the country through the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), based on demand,” Sakhawat said. The minister said the government currently has adequate stocks of dengue antigen test kits and intravenous saline in addition to the newly received supplies.

“As a result, the health sector is prepared to ensure necessary testing and treatment even if the number of dengue cases increases in any part of the country,” he said. On the possibility of introducing a dengue vaccine in Bangladesh, Sakhawat said the government was considering the option but stressed the importance of ensuring the vaccine’s efficacy and safety because of its high cost.

“Since the vaccine is costly, it is important to ensure its efficacy and safety,” he said. Discussions are underway with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Gavi on the issue, the minister said, adding that a final decision would be taken in line with international guidelines.

Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division Md Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director General of the DGHS Professor Dr Md Zahid Raihan, Director of Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital Brigadier General Md Saydur Rahman, and senior officials from the US Embassy and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare attended the programme. Later, the minister visited the hospital’s dengue ward and diagnostic laboratory.

NEW YORK — U.S. Congressman Gregory W. Meeks has called for collective efforts to help restore normalcy in Bangladesh, strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law and protect press freedom. Meeks, the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the remarks during an exchange meeting with members of the Bangladeshi-American community in New York on September 28.

Speaking about Bangladesh’s political situation, Meeks said he expects Democrats to regain majorities in both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. He said that if he again becomes chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he intends to visit Bangladesh, observe the situation firsthand and work through Congress to provide appropriate direction to the U.S. administration.

Meeks also referred to a December 23, 2025 letter that he and four other members of Congress sent to Bangladesh’s then-Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The letter urged the interim government to work with political parties across the political spectrum to create conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections and to restore confidence in the neutrality of state institutions.

The lawmakers also expressed concern that suspending the activities of a political party or restarting what they described as a flawed International Crimes Tribunal would undermine those objectives. Meeks said Bangladesh needs stronger democratic institutions, effective rule of law and safeguards for media freedom.

Turning to the United States, the congressman also expressed concern about what he described as growing pressure on media outlets and dissenting voices. Referring to disputes involving CNN, Politico and MS NOW and their access to the White House and Air Force One, he said measures affecting the media and people expressing dissent were inconsistent with American democratic values.

Meeks said he wanted to see Bangladesh return to a stable political environment. He also pledged that, if he again serves as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he would visit Bangladesh and engage with relevant authorities regarding the country’s situation.

Bangladesh Situation Discussed

The exchange meeting was organized with the assistance of Sector Commanders Forum-Muktijuddho ’71 and the Bangabandhu Foundation. Bangabandhu Foundation President Abdul Kader Mia chaired the event, while Queens Democratic Party District Leader Dr. Dilip Nath moderated it.

Former Bangladeshi Foreign Minister and former Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations A.K. Abdul Momen and former National Press Club President Farida Yasmin spoke about Bangladesh’s political and social situation. They alleged that opposition voices and political activists had faced arrests, violence and legal cases following the July-August 2024 protests and the formation of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

They also alleged that members and supporters of the Awami League had been subjected to violence and that religious minorities had faced attacks. The speakers further criticized the suspension of Awami League activities, alleged mistreatment of freedom fighters and legal action against journalists whose reporting they said was not favored by the government.

The speakers called for the lifting of restrictions on the Awami League and urged the U.S. Congress to support what they described as the need for an early election. They also sought congressional intervention for the release of journalists and other political detainees facing what they characterized as politically motivated murder cases.

Bangladeshi-American Community Leaders Attend

At the beginning of the event, Abdul Kader Mia welcomed Congressman Meeks by presenting him with a traditional uttariya amid applause from attendees. Also present on the stage were Bangabandhu Foundation Senior Vice President Engineer Md. Fazlul Haque, Bangladesh Muslim Center of Brooklyn President Alhaj Abul Hashem, community organizer Enamul Haque Shamim, Aminul Islam Amin and Nazrul Islam Babu. The United States Bangabandhu Parishad, Sandwip Pourashava Welfare Association and Haque Medical Office served as co-hosts of the event.

Among the attendees were writer, columnist and editor Naim Nizam; World Bangla 24 TV CEO Alim Khan Akash; journalist Sultana Rahman; freedom fighter and journalist Lablu Ansar; journalist Sazzad Hossain Sobuj; Jago Prohori Editorial Board President Dr. Mahabbur Rahman Tuku; Sheikh Kamal Smriti Parishad President and freedom fighter Dr. Masudul Hasan; Sandwip Association Convener Sirajul Mawla; former Sandwip Association President Nazrul Islam Babul; Sandwip Pourashava Welfare Association President Md. Zafarullah; Sandwip Education and Cultural Society President Mosharraf Hossain, Secretary Abdul Hamid and Treasurer Ahsan Ullah Saki.

Others included community leader Mobasher Hossain, freedom fighter Kadir Mia, freedom fighter and businessman Saraf Sarkar, social organizer Sakhawat Ali, businessman and community organizer Ifzal Chowdhury, Chattogram Association General Secretary Ariful Islam Arif, Bauria Janakalyan Association Adviser Abul Kashem, Ekattor Genocide Foundation founder and freedom fighter Dr. Pradip Kar, community leader Abdul Jalil, Afsar Mohammad, Abu Taher M. Rahman, Yasin Arafat Bappi, politician Baker Bhuiyan, Democrat Morshed Alam, Engineer Mohammad Ali Siddiqui and Imdad Chowdhury, among others.

The guests were introduced by Bangabandhu Foundation Secretary Kamal Hossain Mithu. Dipa Nath, president of NAVA, and Linda Ramparteb coordinated fundraising activities for the congressman.

Call for Unity

In his closing remarks, Abdul Kader Mia thanked the attendees and called for unity to help Bangladesh overcome what he described as misrule. He urged the community to learn from past mistakes and move forward with the goal of completing what he described as the unfinished work of building “Sonar Bangla,” referring to the political vision associated with the country’s founding leadership.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Bangabhaban here this afternoon. Upon the arrival of the Prime Minister at the Bangabhaban at 3 pm, the President welcomed him at the Octagonal and introduced his Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, President’s Press Secretary Md. Sarwar Alam told KHABOR.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed the President on his recent visit to the United States, participation in the UNGA session, sideline meetings with heads of the states, UN high officials, and economic and development partners and appraised him of the government’s overall activities. The President congratulated the Prime Minister on his address at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as “visionary, resolute and guiding”.

He said the speech reflected Bangladesh’s national interests and aspirations and clearly articulated the country’s positions on major global issues. The President expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s UNGA address, sidelined meetings would further enhance Bangladesh’s dignity and position in the international arena.

“The visit played an important role in further consolidating and strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the international arena, protecting public interests, and expanding bilateral and multilateral relations,” he said.

They also exchanged views on various issues related to national and state interest. The President thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the Bangabhaban. The visit marked the Prime Minister’s first official meeting at the Bangabhaban after President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir assumed the office.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: The world remains far from fulfilling the commitments made 25 years ago to end racial discrimination, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Irene Khan, said Monday. Khan made the remarks at a high-level event at the United Nations marking the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA).

The ambassador said the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted 25 years ago made a clear commitment that no person should face discrimination on the basis of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. However, she said the world remains far from fully implementing that commitment.

Khan reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment to the full and effective implementation of the DDPA. She called for greater efforts in justice, education, development and international cooperation to address structural discrimination rooted in slavery, colonialism and other historical injustices. She also stressed the need to strengthen protection of the rights of migrants, refugees, forcibly displaced people, minorities, women, children and others in vulnerable situations.

Addressing the issue of artificial intelligence, Khan said emerging technologies should be used to advance sustainable development rather than spread hatred and incitement to violence. She also stressed the need to ensure that human rights, equality and non-discrimination are protected in the development of artificial intelligence.

“Bangladesh is committed to building a world where the diversity and dignity of all people are upheld, both online and offline,” Khan said.

NEW YORK: Barrister Zaima Rahman is serving as a Legal Officer in the Office of the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, according to the UN’s official staff records. The UN Office of the President of the General Assembly lists Rahman as a P-3 Legal Officer from Bangladesh working in the Executive Office. Her position is among eight posts funded through the UN regular budget. The staff profile, updated as of Sept. 25, lists 40 colleagues in the President’s Office, representing 29 nationalities.

The UN’s team page describes Rahman as a barrister and legal and policy professional with experience in the United Kingdom and Bangladesh. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Rahman is the daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. BSS reported that the Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary, KM Nazmul Haque, said the existing UN rules and appointment process were strictly followed in her case.

Rahman studied law and politics at Queen Mary University of London and qualified as a barrister in England and Wales through the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. Her professional background includes legal and policy work in both the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, according to her official UN biography.

Publicly available professional information also shows that Rahman has worked in several legal roles in the United Kingdom, including positions involving legal assistance and court advocacy. Some of those roles overlapped during 2021 and 2022. Such employment history, by itself, does not establish whether a candidate was qualified or unqualified for a subsequent UN position.

Rahman’s appointment has attracted attention partly because the President of the 81st General Assembly is Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman. The UN elected him to the presidency on June 2, 2026, and the 81st session opened on Sept. 8. The Office of the President currently includes six Bangladeshi officials, according to BSS. The UN staff profile identifies several of them, including Deputy Chef de Cabinet Md. Abdul Alim and Senior Adviser Mafizul Islam, alongside Rahman.

The UN’s publicly available staff information provides details about Rahman’s position, grade and funding source, but does not set out the individual selection process that led to her appointment. It does not identify who nominated her or who made the final hiring decision.

That distinction is important because the UN staff profile separates regular-budget positions from officials seconded by Member States and positions supported by the Office of the President’s Trust Fund. Rahman is listed among the regular-budget positions rather than among the 20 officials seconded by Member States.

At present, the public UN record confirms Rahman’s appointment and her role as a P-3 Legal Officer. It does not, however, provide evidence that Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman personally arranged or secured her appointment. Further information about the recruitment process, including any relevant vacancy announcement, selection documentation or official explanation from the United Nations, would be needed to establish how the appointment was made.

For now, the documented facts are that Zaima Rahman serves as a Legal Officer in the Executive Office of the President of the 81st General Assembly, her position is funded through the UN regular budget, and the UN publicly identifies her as a Bangladeshi legal and policy professional.

DHAKA – Bangladesh repaid $698.92 million in foreign loans during the first two months of the current fiscal year (FY27), according to the Economic Relations Division (ERD). Of the total debt repayment, $516.04 million was paid as principal and $182.88 million as interest.

The country received $294.56 million in foreign loans and grants in July-August of FY27. The ERD data covers foreign loans and grants received by the government as well as repayments made against previously contracted external loans.

Bangladesh received $750 million in foreign assistance during July-August of FY26. The country also received commitments for $240.39 million in foreign assistance during July-August of FY27.