The interim government decided to relieve the Vice Chancellor of the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Prof Mohammad Mashud, of his duties in the face of a rapidly intensifying protest movement that started among students of the institute, before spreading to various campuses across the country, including capital Dhaka. Pro-Vice Chancellor Sheikh Shariful Alam will also be removed from his position, according to a late night press statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Communication on Thursday.

Earlier in the week KUET students commenced a hunger strike, supplementing the demonstrations held on the campus since February. By the end of the week, students at Rajshahi University and Jahangirnagar University launched hunger strikes on their own campuses in solidarity with the students of KUET. Students of Dhaka University blocked the Shahbagh intersection, while BUET students held a separate rally demanding the same. KUET teachers however condemned the government's capitulation, and criticised education adviser C. R. Abrar's handling of the matter.

The government announced the construction of 13 ten-storey buildings and one six-storey building to ensure housing facilities for the Harijan community in Dhaka. Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, made the announcement while addressing a views-exchange meeting titled "Improving the Living Standards of the Oppressed Harijan Community," organised by the Somaj Kallyan Jubo Songho in Hazaribagh, Dhaka.

According to the adviser, two ten-storey buildings will be built in the Ghanakutuli Sweeper Colony, two in the Miranjilla Sweeper Colony, nine in the Dhalpur area, and one six-storey building in the Postogola area. Each building will feature one floor dedicated as a school for the education of children from the Harijan community. He further said that small playgrounds will be developed in these residential areas to keep children away from drugs and criminal activities. Another initiative announced for the community will be the renovation of two temples in Hazaribagh.

The Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has directed all banks and non-bank financial institutions to freeze the accounts of Asiatic Marketing Communications Limited, one of the country's leading advertising agencies. The CIC has issued formal letters to senior executives of financial institutions to this effect. "The company is under investigation for suspected tax evasion," a senior CIC official said. He also said the probe will also examine whether Asiatic possesses undisclosed income or assets beyond those reported in its tax filings.

Reputedly the country's oldest 'ad agency', Asiatic also faced allegations of wielding undue influence in the highly competitive media buying segment. Its founders were acknowledged as giants of the country's cultural firmament - the late thespian Aly Zaker, who was also renowned as a freedom fighter; his wife Sara Zaker, another renowned theatre personality who chairs the company now; and Asaduzzaman Noor, another darling of the cultural elite who even went on to serve as minister for culture under Awami League.

The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) urged the government to take strict action against the 'Soybean oil syndicate', holding it responsible for edible oil going almost beyond the reach of consumers due to the power wielded by them in the domestic market. In a statement, CAB said an old syndicate, active again since August 5, is now dominating the soybean oil market. They are creating an artificial crisis by raising prices, thereby putting pressure on the government while securing hefty profits, it said.

The statement said that despite government policy support-such as duty waivers and VAT reductions-several powerful companies have deliberately reduced oil supply, destabilising the market. Although the government approved a price hike of Tk 14 per litre from April 14, the syndicate is now reportedly trying to push for an additional Tk 7 increase. Currently, loose soybean oil is being sold in the retail market for Tk 180 per litre-Tk 11 more than the official rate.