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Turmoil in Bangladesh: 4 leaders of Sheikh Hasina’s party arrested for illegal entry

After Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh government fell on August 5, many heavyweight leaders of the Awami League fled the country.

A protest by Hindu outfits in Kolkata against persecution of religious minorities in neighbouring Bangladesh. (Express Photo)

Four leaders of ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League were arrested by Shillong police in a joint operation with Bidhannagar police from Kolkata’s Newtown area on Sunday.

The accused were produced in Shillong on Tuesday. They had pending cases against them in Meghalaya, and this case was registered at Dawki police station in Shillong.

Speaking to The Indian Express, a top police official from Meghalaya (west zone) said, “It is a two-month-old case. They have been produced here in a local court.”

The accused were Awami League General Secretary of Sylhet district and ousted chairman of Zilla Parishad Nasiruddin Khan; president of Sylhet Metropolitan Youth League, Alam Khan Mukti; vice president of Sylhet Metropolitan Youth League, Abdul Latif Ripon; and Metropolitan Awami League member Ilyas Ahmad Jewel.

Police said the accused had been brought to the Barasat Court in West Bengal on Sunday on charges of illegal entry, robbery, highway banditry, damaging government property, and assault with sharp weapons. However, the case could not be heard due to court holidays, though transit remand was requested.

Barasat advocate Aslamuzzaman said, “As per provisions, if the accused can be produced to a local court within 24 hours they don’t necessarily be taken on transit remand. Hence, the Meghalaya police came here.”

After Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh government fell on August 5, many heavyweight leaders of the Awami League fled the country.

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According to Shillong police sources, Awami League leaders escaped from Sylhet and came to Shillong. Two are allegedly still absconding: Sylhet District Volunteer League President Afsar Aziz and Metropolitan Volunteer League General Secretary Debanshu Das Mithu.

It was also learnt that six people, including Nasir Uddin Khan, who were in Shillong after fleeing the country, allegedly stayed in a flat a little away from Shillong market. They allegedly went to Kolkata on December 1.

The leaders have been booked under the Foreigners Act charge of illegal entry into India as well as sections 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt), 309 (4) (robbery), 310 (2) (robbery), 324 (public property damage) of the BNS.

Jawans of the security forces and police of bordering areas are keeping strong watches along Ghojadanga, Petrapole, Mehandipur, Phulbari, Chayangrabandha, etc. in south and north West Bengal regions to prevent Bangladeshi infiltrations, said a BSF official.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More

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