Bangladeshi Ex-Supreme Court Judge Detained Near India Border

A retired judge from Bangladesh's Supreme Court was detained near the northeastern border with India in Sylhet. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) reported late on Friday that Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik was apprehended while allegedly attempting to flee the country. This incident followed the arrest of Awami League leader ASM Firoz from his home.

Political Unrest and Arrests

Bangladesh has been in turmoil since the government of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina collapsed on August 5. Violent protests over government job quotas led to her fleeing to India, and the Army stepped in to fill the power vacuum. Anti-government protests have resulted in over 500 deaths since mid-July.

The BGB headquarters sent an SMS to reporters, confirming Manik's detention as he tried to cross into India through Sylhet’s Kanaighat border. Prothom Alo, a local newspaper, reported that Manik was held at a BGB outpost until midnight, citing the camp’s in-charge.

Arrests of Government Officials

Since August 5, numerous leaders from the deposed regime, including senior ministers, have been arrested. Many face murder charges. Former law minister Anisul Huq and ex-premier’s private sector affairs adviser Salman F Rahman were among the first detained. They were caught at Dhaka’s main river port Sadarghat terminal area while allegedly trying to leave by boat.

The Bangladesh Army stated that several hundred leaders from Hasina's Awami League and others are being sheltered in cantonments due to threats to their lives. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took oath as Chief Adviser of the interim government on August 8.

Further Detentions

Several members of Hasina's cabinet have also been arrested. This includes former foreign minister Hassan Mahmud and former social welfare minister Dipu Moni. Other detainees include lawmakers and leaders from Awami League and its allies, such as pro-left Workers Party chairman Rashed Khan Menon.

Additionally, recently dismissed military and civil officials have been taken into custody. Among them are sacked major general Ziaul Hassan, who headed the government’s telecommunications system, and Chittagong Port Authority chairman rear admiral Mohammad Sohail, who was once a spokesman for the elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion.

A TV journalist couple, Farzana Rupa and her husband Shakil Ahmed, have also been arrested amid this wave of detentions.

Bangladesh remains in a state of chaos as authorities continue to detain prominent figures from the previous administration.