Bangladeshi authorities have detained 30 individuals following the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif during violent clashes involving followers of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, police, and lawyers, as reported by The Daily Star.
The unrest erupted after Das was denied bail in a sedition case. Public prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif was killed, and at least 10 people were injured in the chaos.
Around 7:30 PM, arsonists set fire to homes in Sebak Colony, Chattogram. Protestors hindered firefighting efforts, but three firefighting units, aided by law enforcement, contained the blaze by 9:30 PM without casualties, according to fire service official Mohammed Ali.
The protests escalated after Das, associated with the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group, was arrested on his way to Chattogram on Monday. Demonstrators clashed with police near the court and pelted stones, leading to injuries and Alif’s fatal assault.
Das and 18 others were charged with sedition on October 31, accused of disrespecting the national flag during a rally in Chattogram’s New Market area, as per a complaint filed by Firoz Khan. The identities of those detained in the ongoing crackdown are being verified.
