Rain is lashing various parts of Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka, since this morning, Tuesday (July 8). While some areas are experiencing light drizzles, others are witnessing heavy downpours, leading to waterlogging and increased public inconvenience. However, these rains have also brought a noticeable drop in temperature. The Meteorological Department announced this morning that such rain is likely to continue for several more days, with the possibility of increased rainfall.

According to data released by the Meteorological Department this morning, light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, are expected in most places of Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. Many areas of Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions are also likely to experience similar weather. Furthermore, moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in some parts of Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions.

A comprehensive weather observation indicates that a low-pressure area is currently situated over Gangetic West Bengal and its adjoining areas. The axis of the monsoon trough extends from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, the center of the low-pressure area, and southern Bangladesh, up to Assam. An extended part of this axis stretches into the North Bay of Bengal. The monsoon is active over the southern part of Bangladesh, fairly active elsewhere, and strong over the North Bay of Bengal.

The department also stated that the daytime temperature across the country may slightly decrease, while nighttime temperatures are likely to remain almost unchanged. The amount of rainfall is expected to increase over the next five days.

In the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 AM today, the highest temperature was recorded in Dimla, Nilphamari, at 35.2 degrees Celsius. During the same period, the highest rainfall was recorded in Cox’s Bazar, with 155 millimeters.

A shadow of sorrow has fallen over Kamarkhola village in Chandina, Cumilla. This is the story of Mahbub Alam Rubel, a farmer by profession and the president of his local Krishi Dal ward unit. His life seemed to follow a straight path until a web of old debt and a lawsuit ensnared him.

On Saturday (June 28), Rubel, 41, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. Allegations have surfaced that his ‘suicide’ was driven by relentless pressure from local BNP leader Gazi Hasan Mahmud Hanif.

The story begins further back—in 2001, Rubel separated from his brother, Mofiz. Then, in 2016, Mofiz and Hanif engaged in a financial transaction involving fish feed. When Mofiz couldn’t repay the money, he eventually left the village for a relative’s house in Barguna, where he tragically died of a heart attack on August 5, 2024.

But the narrative took a dark turn after Mofiz’s death. Hanif targeted Rubel to recover his outstanding debt and filed a lawsuit against him in court. Rubel’s wife, Rehena Begum, alleges that for the past 15 days, Hanif had been exerting such immense pressure that Rubel couldn’t even leave the house. A barrage of threats, fear of more lawsuits—even money for household groceries became scarce.

Under this unbearable pressure, Rubel seemingly sought his last refuge. On Saturday morning at around 9:30 AM, he consumed poison at his home. But his final words were preserved in a mobile phone recording. In it, Rubel spoke of Hanif’s ‘torture,’ even mentioning Hanif’s pressure to file false cases against Awami League members. He stated in the recording that he sought justice from various respectable individuals, including the Chandina Upazila BNP President, but found no remedy. He also mentioned someone named ‘Farid’ as the ‘mastermind’ behind these events. Rubel’s last plea was for the police to conduct a fair investigation into the incident.

Although the accused Hanif has denied the allegations against him, and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandina Police Station stated that they have not yet received any formal complaint, this incident has cast a profound question mark over Kamarkhola village and indeed, all of Chandina. Is this tragic end for an innocent farmer merely the result of debt pressure, or does it hide a deeper political or social context? The full truth may only emerge after a thorough investigation.

Naseeruddin Patwari, Chief Coordinator of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has firmly declared, “Insha’Allah, we will go to parliament and form the government. There is no doubt about it.” He further stated, “Bangladesh has seen a bullet revolution, and a ballot revolution will happen next. No power can stop it. We will be victorious.”

He made these remarks on Saturday (June 28) at a discussion meeting and award ceremony organized in the capital on the occasion of International SME Day.

Naseeruddin Patwari issued a warning, stating that any party-affiliated SME-related institutions attempting to operate in the future will be stopped. He demanded that those who have looted the SME sector and the stock market in the last 15 years must be brought to justice.

Accusing previous governments of allowing specific party members to “become rich overnight,” Naseeruddin Patwari said, “We will work for everyone, rising above party lines. Bangladesh must not be harmed over our blood.” He also pledged to stop the culture of earning money through extortion and hooliganism.

Reminding the government that organizing elections is its duty, as is its responsibility towards the younger generation, Naseeruddin Patwari stated, “The government cannot simply sit comfortably and make grand statements without working. Fascism must be judged through judicial processes.”

At the same event, Sarjis Alam, Chief Coordinator of NCP’s Northern Region, said that a small number of people control 90% of the country’s businesses and have built an empire. He alleged that businessmen have joined hands with political parties through money, and everything from tenders is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals. Sarjis Alam urged small business owners to unite, stating that media mafias and bank mafias are creating obstacles for them.