Taking a look back at 2018 in Bangladesh

As the year 2018 draws to an end in a few hours, let us take the customary jog down memory lane and remember some of the major incidents in the country over the last 12 months.

Khaleda lands in jail : Court hands Khaleda Zia 5 years in prison in Zia Orphanage Trust Graft Case on February, 8, 2018. Tarique Zia, 4 others get 10 years in the same case. 

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is being taken to old Dhaka Central Jail from Bakhsibazar after she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in a graft case. Photo courtesy of BNP

US-Bangla plane crash in Nepal kills 51. 26 Bangladeshis were among killed: The US-Bangla flight    from Dhaka crashed in Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport on March 12, 2018. It was considered one of the deadliest civil aviation disasters in Bangladesh’s history.

Nepalese rescue workers gather around the debris of the US-Bangla plane that crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Photo: AFP

Quota Reform Movement: In February this year, a large number of students of public universities and jobseekers, launched the movement demanding reforms in the quota system. Protesting the quota system, students of different public and private universities across the country took to the streets on April demanding reforms to the quota preservation system. They also blocked roads and highways across the country including all the key points in the capital to meet their demand.

Students demanding reforms to the quota system in government jobs march near Dhaka University's TSC. A young man on wheelchair also joined the procession. Photo: Amran Hossain

Zafar Iqbal stabbed at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology: Renowned writer Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal was stabbed by an unidentified youth on Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) campus in Sylhet on March 3, 2018.

Renowned writer Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal was stabbed at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) campus in Sylhet. Photo: Sheikh Nasir

Bangabandhu-1 satellite launched into space: The nation's dream satellite, Bangabandhu-1, was successfully launched into space on March 12, 2018, making Bangladesh's debut in the global space society.

The moment when Bangabandhu-1 satellite, the first communication satellite of Bangladesh, was launched into space. Photo: Twitter/ SpaceX

August 21 attack: 'State-backed crime' punished: Babar, 18 others to walk gallows; Tarique, 18 others given life term; appeal within 30 days. Verdict delivered on October 10.

August 21 Grenade attack verdict

Student Movement for Safe Roads: Thousands of Bangladeshi students took to the streets of Dhaka since July 29 to demand safer roads after two teenagers were killed while they were waiting at a bus stop near the Airport road when a speeding bus hit them.

Students block Science Laboratory intersection in the capital and chant slogans on the third day of widespread protests demanding safer roads. The photo was taken on August 1, 2018. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Photographer Shahidul Alam Arrested:  Detectives detained noted photographer Shahidul Alam on August 5, 2018 for interrogation over his Facebook posts on the ongoing student protest. After 107 days in jail, acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam was finally released on November 20, 2018, five days after he had secured permanent bail from the High Court.

Eminent photographer Shahidul Alam walks out of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj on November 20, five days after the High Court granted him bail in a case filed under the ICT Act. Photo: Palash Khan

Rock legend Ayub Bachchu passes away: Bangladesh’s rock legend, prominent singer, composer and founder of musical band LRB, Ayub Bachchu died of a heart attack in Dhaka today at the age of 56.

Photo: Facebook/ Ayub Bachchu AB

Digital Security Bill 2018: The much-debated Digital Security Bill 2018 was passed in parliament on September 19 with a harsh provision allowing police officials to search or arrest anyone without any warrant.

11th Parliamentary Elections:  Sheikh Hasina is set to become Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a third term as the Hasina-led Awami League won a landslide victory in the polls held yesterday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina flashes V-sign after casting her vote at Dhaka City College centre. Photo: PID