Barta Byte

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck at around 10:53 am today, and the tremor was felt in Dhaka as well as several other areas of the country. The shaking continued for a few seconds, leading many people to step outside their homes and offices as buildings moved. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries or major damage.

Source: Somoy News

In February 2009, the headquarters of the then Bangladesh Rifles at Pilkhana turned into the scene of a violent revolt that shocked the nation, as internal grievances within the force escalated into bloodshed, resulting in the deaths of dozens of army officers and exposing deep fractures inside the barracks; the incident left families in anguish, prompted nationwide mourning, and led to sweeping investigations, trials, and reforms, with the force later restructured and renamed Border Guard Bangladesh, yet the memory of the Pilkhana revolt continues to stand as a stark reminder of how a collapse of trust within an institution can carry lasting national consequences.

During an anti-drug operation at Sohrawardi Udyan in Dhaka, police reportedly beat several people while trying to disperse the crowd. The incident, caught on video and widely shared on social media, sparked public outrage. In response, Dhaka Metropolitan Police have withdrawn four officers involved in the operation. Citizens have protested, demanding accountability and action against excessive use of force by law enforcement.

After years of demands from expatriates and their families, the government has launched a new initiative to repatriate the bodies of Bangladeshis who die abroad at state expense. Announcing the program, Minister Nurul Haque Nur said it aims to ease both the emotional and financial burden on migrant workers’ families. As part of the initiative, two refrigerated vehicles have been deployed to transport bodies free of charge from the airport to relatives, cutting additional costs and complications, while three more vehicles will soon be added as the service is gradually expanded into a permanent support system for expatriates and their families.

On Tuesday, a large crowd gathered at Road 6/C, Sector 12, Uttara, Dhaka, to buy subsidized essentials from a Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) truck during Ramadan. As the vehicle moved to manage the crowd, many buyers ran after it and some held onto its rear, while a woman fell onto the road. The incident highlights concerns about public safety and crowd management during high-demand distribution events in busy urban areas, though authorities reported no serious injuries.

The END

Activist Pinaki Bhattacharya has publicly predicted that Nasiruddin Patwary could become Bangladesh’s next Home Minister. The statement, shared through his platform, has drawn attention on social media and sparked political discussion.