A campaign arch built in support of National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Advocate Mujahidul Islam Shahin was set on fire by unidentified miscreants in Bauphal under Patuakhali district. The incident occurred late Sunday night near the western boundary of Bauphal municipality, burning a portion of the structure and sparking outrage among locals.

The arch carried a message expressing support for Shahin as the preferred candidate for the Patuakhali-2 constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Shahin currently serves as Joint Convenor of NCP’s central committee, Barishal divisional organizational secretary, and Assistant Attorney General of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.

Authorities have yet to identify who was behind the arson attack. Reacting to the incident, Shahin said it was an attempt to undermine the electoral environment. “They may burn an arch, but they cannot burn people’s love. NCP cannot be suppressed,” he added.

Officer-in-Charge of Bauphal Police Station, Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman Sarkar, stated that no formal complaint has been filed so far. He assured that the police would take action once a complaint is received.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has sought prayers from the nation as she remains under close medical observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka due to complications involving her heart and lungs. The update was confirmed on Monday evening by her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member, Prof. Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain.

Khaleda Zia was moved to the hospital on Sunday night from her Gulshan residence, Firoza. According to the medical board, she has developed a chest infection that has affected both her heart and lungs. Prof. Dr. FM Siddiqui, a member of the board, said she has been kept under at least 12 hours of intensive monitoring. Doctors note that the duration of her hospital stay will depend on the progress of her condition.

The BNP chief last appeared publicly on Friday during an Armed Forces Day event at Senakunja, where she attended on the advice of her medical team. For years, she has been suffering from multiple chronic conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, kidney complications, and respiratory and eye problems.

Earlier this year, on January 7, she traveled to London for advanced medical treatment and returned to Dhaka on May 6 after a 117-day stay. Since her return, she has been undergoing routine medical assessments at Evercare Hospital.

Bangladesh has officially sent a letter to India requesting the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain disclosed the development while speaking to reporters on Sunday.

He said the formal request was sent to New Delhi on Friday, seeking the repatriation of the two convicted individuals. On 17 November, the International Crimes Tribunal delivered its first verdict related to the July mass uprising, sentencing Sheikh Hasina to death on two charges and former minister Kamal on one charge.

The tribunal ruled that the charges brought against them had been proven. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who served as an approver, received a five-year prison sentence.

The verdict was handed down by a three-member bench of Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, with Justice Md. Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members. The ruling marks the first judgment in cases linked to crimes against humanity committed during the mass uprising.