Tension gripped Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) campus on Wednesday morning a day after clashes between general students and BNP’s student wing Chhatra Dal over the demand of banning student politics. Additional police personnel along with other forces remained deployed surrounding the campus to ward off any unwanted incident.   The general students, however, on Tuesday night placed a five point demand, including resignation of the vice chancellor (VC), pro VC, and students’ affairs director, and issued an ultimatum to press home their demand. They threatened that they will boycott classes and exams, if the demands aren’t met by 1pm on Wednesday. Protests, counter-protests in Dhaka over chaos ignited by JCD programme at KUET The protesting students gave the ultimatum at a press conference held on the campus around 10:30pm. At 11:30pm, the students also brought out a protest rally and warned that no student politics on the campus would be allowed at any cost. They demanded that those attacked them be brought to justice immediately. Contacted, VC Prof Dr Masud Rahman told UNB that he has received the five-point demand placed by the students. He, however, made no remarks regarding the steps on the demands. Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, at least 50 students were injured in a series of clashes between the general students and the JCD fellows over banning student politics on the campus. At one stage of the clashes, outsiders, said to be BNP men, allegedly joined the JCD members, and attacked the students. Clashes erupt at Kuet over banning student politics; BGB deployed Protesting the attacks on the Kuet students, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement brought out processions on the campuses of Dhaka University and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology on Tuesday night.

At least 14 people, almost all belonging to the mobs out to vandalise and destroy any and all signs of the Awami League, were injured as they came under attack in Gazipur city's Dakshinkhan area on Friday night, as Awami League cadres ambushed their attempt to vandalise the residence of former liberation war affairs minister Mozammel Haque. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arifur Rahman of Gazipur Sadar Police Station said police rushed to the scene around 10pm upon receiving information, and found the injured individuals. Clash between two BNP groups leaves 22 injured in Faridpur They were immediately taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for treatment. "We are trying to gather more details about the incident," the OC added.    

A violent clash between Chhatra Dal and Swecchashebak Dal, the BNP's student and volunteer fronts respectively, over local  influence centring a disputed shop left at least 20 people injured, including two with gunshot wounds, in the Saoghat area of Golakandail union in Rupganj on Tuesday afternoon. The clash saw vandalism and arson, with a jeep and 10 motorcycles set on fire. Injured individuals, including Rafi Ahmed Swapan and Raju Bhuiyan, who sustained bullet injuries, were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. According to eyewitnesses and locals, the dispute arose over a warehouse at Bismillah Arat on land adjacent to the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway. Businessman Mojibur Rahman claimed he had rented the land from Selim Pradhan, chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Group, for 10 years under a contract. Mojibur alleged that Selim was trying to evict him using force. On the other hand, Selim accused Mojibur of fabricating the contract and occupying the land illegally. 13-year-old girl killed, mother injured in Narsingdi attack Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mehedi Islam said, “There has been a longstanding dispute over the land. We are working to recover any firearms used during the incident. No arrests have been made yet.” The tensions escalated when former district Chhatra Dal vice-president Masudur Rahman, aligned with Selim, reportedly positioned his supporters near Selim’s house. Simultaneously, district Swecchashebak Dal joint convener Rafiqul Islam, who sided with Mojibur, led procession near the disputed warehouse. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Saiful Islam, accompanied by joint forces, intervened to bring the situation under control. “We are investigating the incident and will take action against those involved,” said the UNO.

Dhaka University authorities have suspended all examinations and classes scheduled for Monday, citing unavoidable circumstances. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, acting director at the university’s Public Relations Office has confirmed this. The authorities took the decision hours after the students of DU and seven colleges, including Dhaka College, clashed on the streets till midnight on Sunday. At around 10pm, students of Dhaka College tried to enter the DU area with a protest march, aiming at surrounding the office of the DU Pro Vice-Chancellor (academic) Professor Mamun Ahmed, through the Liberation and Democracy Arch. When this news spread, students from several DU dormitories started to come out to resist them. Read: DU suspends 8 students over involvement in Tofazzal killing Students from both sides engaged in chase and counter-chase for several hours. They took positions, throwing bricks and stones at each other in the Nilkhet and New Market areas. To control the situation, the police used 12 rounds of sound grenades and stood between the two sides with water cannons and tear gas. At one stage, two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed to reinforce the security. The incident began on Sunday afternoon when students from the seven colleges went to Prof Mamun Ahmed with a five-point demand. They were not satisfied with his handling of the matter leading to the late night clashes.

A local leader of BNP was killed and three others were injured in a clash between two factions of the party  at Banail Bazar in Tarail upazila of Kishoreganj district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Abul Hasan Ratan, president of Rauti union unit BNP. 58 Rohingyas detained while attempting to enter Bangladesh Sohel Mia, Officer-in-Charge of Tarail Police Station, said BNP formed a new committee through the party’s council on Saturday where Ratan was elected president of the Rauti union unit BNP. A heated argument ensued between the supporters of the former president and the followers of Ratan over the issue on that day. As a sequel, the supporters of both groups engaged in a clash around 11 am at Banail Bazar, leaving three people injured including Ratan. Jubo Dal leader snatched from police station in Munshiganj The injured were taken to Tarail Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared Ratan dead. A tense situation has been prevailing in the area following the death of the BNP leader, forcing the local administration to deploy additional law enforcers in the area to avert further trouble.

At least 20 people, including women and children, were injured in violent clashes between two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Bagerhat Sadar upazila on Wednesday night. The conflict, driven by a power struggle, also saw houses looted, establishments torched, and six motorbikes set ablaze. The dispute reportedly stems from a long-standing rivalry between Mostafizur Rahman and Ruhul Amin, also known as Ruhul Member. Both are former joint convenors of the union BNP unit and have been vying for dominance, particularly in light of the recent formation of the union-level committee, where each seeks to claim the presidency. The unrest began on Monday night when the groups clashed, culminating in the vandalism of a motorbike. Tensions escalated further on Wednesday, leading to chases and counter-chases between the factions throughout the afternoon. The most severe violence occurred later that night when over 100 individuals, allegedly led by Mostafizur, attacked five houses belonging to Ruhul's extended family. According to Ruhul, the attackers looted valuables, set fire to establishments, and left at least 15 to 20 people injured. Six motorbikes were also destroyed in the assault. Read: 2 local BNP leaders fined over illegal soil cutting in Chuadanga In contrast, Mostafizur, who could not be reached for direct comment, alleged through associates that his supporters were victims of violence earlier. He claimed that 15 to 20 of his followers were injured in an attack led by Ruhul’s brother, Rezaul Karim Reza, on Monday. Superintendent of Police Md Touhidul Arif confirmed that law enforcement swiftly intervened to bring the situation under control. Additional police personnel have been deployed to prevent further incidents, he said, adding that no formal complaints have been lodged by either group so far.

The High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to 21 people including Syed Wasiful, a follower of Maulana Saad Kandlavi, in a case over the violent clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi. The High Court bench of Justice Mohammad Mahbub-ul Islam and Justice Md Hamidur Rahman granted the bail till the submission of the police report when they sought bail after appearing before the court. Clash on Ijtema ground: Saad’s follower placed on 2-day remand Senior lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun stood for them. Four people were killed and 40 were injured in a clash between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi on December 18, 2024. On December 19, Maulana Zubair's follower M Alam Hossain filed the murder case against 29 people at the Tongi West Police Station naming Wasiful Islam as the main accused.

Clashes broke out between police and a group of students from Prime Asia University at the main gate of Bangladesh's Secretariat on Tuesday. Witnesses reported that the students were involved in a standoff with police, though the reason behind their protest remains unclear.F ans clash, vandalise BPL ticket booths failing to secure tickets Earlier, a four-member delegation from the university had entered the Secretariat building to meet the Education Adviser. They were scheduled to meet the adviser at 4:30 pm. "Outside, however, a larger group of students, who had been waiting, became involved in a verbal altercation with the police," said an official. Clash on Ijtema ground: Saad’s follower placed on 2-day remand The situation quickly escalated into a clash when the police used batons. They also fired two rounds of blank shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

Protests erupted for a third consecutive night in Tbilisi on Saturday following the Georgian government’s announcement to suspend negotiations for European Union membership, leaving 44 people hospitalized, including 27 protesters, 16 police officers, and one journalist. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Georgian Parliament, voicing anger over the decision. The protests turned violent, with participants throwing stones, setting off fireworks, and burning an effigy of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Government’s Defense Amid Growing Tensions Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed allegations that Georgia had abandoned its European integration efforts. “The only thing we have rejected is the shameful and offensive blackmail,” he said during a briefing on Sunday. Kobakhidze blamed opposition politicians for orchestrating the unrest and warned of strict legal repercussions for any law violations. Kobakhidze also downplayed the U.S. State Department’s announcement of suspending its strategic partnership with Georgia, describing it as an attempt by the outgoing administration to complicate the transition for the incoming U.S. leadership. EU and U.S. Criticism The EU issued a joint statement Sunday, with foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and enlargement commissioner Marta Kos condemning Georgia’s decision. They described the move as a departure from the pro-European aspirations of most Georgians, urging authorities to respect democratic freedoms and the right to peaceful assembly. The protests come in the wake of the EU’s decision to withhold financial support for Georgia earlier this year following the passage of a controversial “foreign influence” law, which critics argued undermines democratic freedoms. Read: Georgian protesters clash with police for second night after EU talks suspended The U.S. State Department also criticized the suspension of EU talks, expressing concerns about democratic backsliding in Georgia and supporting protesters’ rights to express dissent peacefully. Opposition Calls for Elections Opposition leaders have accused the Georgian Dream party of rigging the October 26 parliamentary elections with alleged support from Russia. They claim the elections undermined Georgia’s aspirations to join the EU, leading to widespread protests and an opposition boycott of parliament. Georgia’s pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili, in an interview with The Associated Press, accused the government of steering the country toward becoming a “quasi-Russian” state. “We are asking for new elections, but in conditions that will ensure that the will of the people will not be misrepresented or stolen again,” she said. European Aspirations at Stake Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, contingent on meeting the bloc’s recommendations. However, the country’s accession talks were paused earlier this year amid concerns over democratic backsliding. Protesters continue to demand a renewed commitment to EU membership and democratic reforms, highlighting the growing divide between the government and a population largely supportive of European integration. Read more: Georgia's ruling party picks former soccer player as its presidential candidate As tensions persist, the Georgian government faces mounting international and domestic pressure to address the crisis and reassert its commitment to democratic principles. Source: With inputs from agencies 

Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Georgian parliament and clashed with police for the second consecutive night on Friday, protesting the government's decision to halt talks about joining the European Union. The previous night, police used water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray to disperse protesters in Tbilisi, the capital, after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling Georgian Dream party announced the suspension. The Interior Ministry reported that 43 people were arrested during the protests. On Friday evening, demonstrators again gathered near the parliament, with some attempting to break through metal gates. Riot police used water cannons to push the crowd back and continued to move them further away from the building along Rustaveli Avenue, the city’s main street. Some protesters built barricades using garbage bins and benches. Georgia's ruling party picks former soccer player as its presidential candidate Protests also erupted in Batumi, a port city on the Black Sea, late on Friday. The contested victory of Georgian Dream in the October 26 election, which many saw as a referendum on the country’s EU aspirations, triggered large protests and an opposition boycott of parliament. The opposition claimed the vote was rigged, alleging Russian interference to keep Georgia within its sphere of influence. President Salome Zourabichvili joined the protesters on Thursday, accusing the government of waging “war” on its own people. In a Friday address, Zourabichvili urged the police to avoid using force against the demonstrators. Although Zourabichvili holds a largely ceremonial role, she declared the election was manipulated with Russia’s help, citing Georgia’s historical ties to Russia. The government’s decision to suspend EU negotiations came shortly after the European Parliament condemned the October vote as neither free nor fair, reflecting Georgia’s ongoing democratic decline, which it attributed to the ruling party, Georgian Dream. European election observers described the election as divisive, marked by bribery, double voting, and violence. In December 2023, the EU granted Georgia candidate status, contingent upon meeting specific requirements. However, the EU later suspended progress on Georgia’s membership and reduced financial aid due to the passage of a “foreign influence” law seen as undermining democratic freedoms. European lawmakers have called for a new parliamentary election within a year under international supervision and an independent election administration. They also suggested imposing sanctions and limiting formal interactions with the Georgian government. In response, Prime Minister Kobakhidze dismissed the European criticisms, accusing EU politicians of launching a “cascade of insults” and turning the European Parliament into a tool of blackmail. He asserted that Georgia would continue its path to EU membership but would not tolerate disrespect or manipulation from European politicians. Kobakhidze also announced that Georgia would reject any EU budgetary grants until 2028. Critics of Georgian Dream, which was founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, claim the party is growing more authoritarian and pro-Russian. The party has recently passed laws resembling those in Russia that restrict free speech and target LGBTQ+ rights. In June, the EU suspended Georgia’s EU membership application indefinitely after the parliament passed a law requiring organizations receiving significant foreign funding to register as “pursuing the interest of a foreign power,” similar to a Russian law used to discredit opposition groups.