A retired judge of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court, Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, was detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while allegedly attempting to flee the country near the northeastern frontier with India in Sylhet. The BGB reported late on Friday that Manik was intercepted at Sylhet’s Kanaighat border as he tried to cross into India. He was held at a BGB outpost until midnight.
This incident occurred on the same day as the arrest of Awami League leader ASM Firoz from his residence, reflecting the escalating political turmoil in Bangladesh following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The situation in the country has been tense since August 5, when Hasina fled to India amid violent protests against the government’s quota system for jobs. The unrest has resulted in over 500 deaths since mid-July, prompting the Army to step in and restore order.
Following the government’s collapse, numerous leaders from Hasina’s administration have been arrested, many on charges of murder. Former law minister Anisul Huq and Salman F Rahman, the ex-premier’s adviser on private sector affairs, were among the first arrested as they attempted to leave Dhaka via boat.
The Bangladesh Army has reportedly provided shelter in cantonments to several hundred leaders from Hasina’s Awami League and other political figures, citing threats to their lives. Arrests have included former ministers, lawmakers, leaders of allied parties, and recently sacked military and civil officials. Notable figures arrested include former foreign minister Hassan Mahmud, former social welfare minister Dipu Moni, pro-left Workers Party chairman Rashed Khan Menon, and several high-ranking military officers.
The political instability has led to widespread chaos, with key members of Hasina’s regime and others facing arrest as the new interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, attempts to stabilize the nation.