Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- After a year marked by attempts at state reform, outbreaks of mob violence, a deadly earthquake, the return home of Tarique Rahman and the death of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh has stepped into another chapter. Welcome to 2026.

As the clock struck midnight on Wednesday, flashes of colourful light briefly lit up the skies over Dhaka to mark the arrival of the Christian New Year.

This year, however, 2026 knocked on the door at a sombre moment, with the country observing three days of state mourning following the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Against that backdrop, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had announced a series of restrictions on New Year celebrations. In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the DMP sai...