Narsingdi Chhatra League leader arrested at Dhaka airport, family claims

Police have arrested Shah Jalal Ahmed Shawon, the general secretary of the Narsingdi district unit of banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, while he was attempting to depart for Dubai, family members claimed.

He was detained around 10:00am today at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka with the help of immigration police, said his brother Imran Mahmud.

“My brother was arrested this morning when he was going to Dubai for family business purposes,” said Imran.

Narsingdi district Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Sujan Chandra Sarkar said, “We have initially received information regarding the arrest of Shawon. A team from our side is contacting the immigration police. The matter will be fully confirmed after verification.”

Shawon, of Baniachhal area in Narsingdi Sadar upazila, has six cases filed against him on charges of attacking July protesters, opening fire on them, and for allegedly being involvement in killing.

He was elected general secretary of the Narsingdi district Chhatra League on July 31, 2022.

Police sources said he had been in hiding since August 5, 2024.