Marine workers were observing a nationwide strike demanding the real cause of the seven murders on a ship in the Meghna River in Chandpur, the arrest of those involved in the murders, and compensation for the families of the victims.

The workers suspended the strike from 9:30 pm on Saturday (December 28).

S A Mahfuz ul Alam Molla, Joint Director of the Chandpur Marine Conservation and Operation Department of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport, confirmed the matter to Kalbela.

He said that the marine workers have suspended the strike, which they had been on with various demands. Mohammad Yusuf, Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, held a meeting with the leaders of the Marine Workers Federation from evening to night. Later, he assured that the case, including compensation for the victims, will be thoroughly investigated and work will be done to ensure the safety of the boat workers. And with this assurance, the boat workers suspended their strike.

Bangladesh Marine Workers Federation President Md. Shah Alam confirmed the suspension of the strike and said, "We have suspended the strike and have received some assurances. We will keep an eye on how well it is being implemented. From now on, ship movement and loading and unloading will continue." Earlier, on the second day of the strike, which began at 12 midnight on Friday (December 27), hundreds of leaders and activists of the Shipping Federation held a rally, procession and human chain in Chandpur demanding the killing of seven workers on the ship, the arrest of other accused based on a fair investigation, compensation of Tk 2 million to each family of the deceased, better treatment for the injured Jewel, an end to extortion and the safety of waterway workers.

Retired officers and lawyers of the armed forces have proposed to ban dual passport holders from politics in the national parliamentary elections. In addition, they have proposed to remove the provision of 1 percent voter support for independent candidates in the parliamentary elections, and to stop duty-free cars and salaries for members of parliament.

These proposals were presented during a meeting of retired officers and lawyers of the armed forces with the Electoral Reforms Commission at the National Parliament Building on Saturday (December 28).

Present at the meeting were lawyer M Sarwar Hossain, Nurul Huda Chowdhury, ASM Khalequzzaman, Major (Retd.) Md. Imran, Major (Retd.) Md. Atiqur Rahman, Lawyer Ajmal Hossain, Major (Retd.) Ahmed Kabir Biswas, Major (Retd.) Harun Or Rashid, Major (Retd.) Sharif Ahmed, Major (Retd.) Niaz Ahmed Jaber, Lawyer Mujibur Rahman, Major (Retd.) Aman Ahmed Ansari, Major (Retd.) Md. Ziaul Ahsan, Major (Retd.) Mizanur Rahman and others.

In addition, the meeting was attended by the head of the Electoral Reforms Commission, Badiul Alam Majumder, and members of the commission, Jasmine Tuli, Abdul Alim, Nadia Nivin and Sadiq Al Arman.

Members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee have created a discussion on social media Facebook by writing various slogans ahead of December 31st.

They have been running this campaign on social media since Saturday (December 28) evening.

Adviser Asif Mahmud wrote from his personal Facebook, `Comrades Now or Never.'.

Member Secretary of the National Citizens Committee Akhtar Hossain wrote on his personal Facebook, `This year it will be. December 31st. InShaAllah!'

Convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Hasnat Abdullah wrote, `Comrades, 31st DECEMBER! Now or Never.'.

One of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Rifat Rashid, wrote in his Facebook post, `All eyes on 31st December, 2024. Now or Never!'

Then he indicated in the comments section that something is going to happen at the Central Shaheed Minar on December 31st at 3 pm.

In addition, other members associated with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee are also posting on their Facebook pages about the same issue.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will announce the July Revolution on various events in the process of overthrowing the Sheikh Hasina government.

Umama Fatema, spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, confirmed this on Saturday (December 28) night. The announcement will be made from the premises of the Central Shaheed Minar at 3 pm on December 31.

She said, "Why did the July Revolution take shape from Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian rule, how did it take shape, why did we have to come from 9 points to 1 point, what were the aspirations of the students and the public? The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will announce the July Revolution on these overall issues."

Since Saturday evening, members and supporters of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee have been discussing this event on social media Facebook on December 31.

Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizens Committee, wrote on his personal Facebook that it will happen this year. December 31. InShaAllah!’

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Committee, wrote on his Facebook profile, ‘31st December, Shaheed Minar, Time: 3:00 PM, For the sake of BANGLADESH...’.