Staff Reporter :
Several prominent figures from the ousted Awami League government, including former ministers and student leaders, have been detained or barred from leaving the country amid the current political turmoil. On Tuesday, Hasan Mahmud, the former Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of the Awami League, was prevented from departing Dhaka Airport. Sources at the airport confirmed that Mahmud was barred from leaving the country.
This development follows the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India the previous day, handing her resignation letter to the President. Since Hasina’s departure, numerous ministers and top leaders from the ruling party have attempted to leave the country. Those unable to escape are reportedly making clandestine efforts to do so.
Former State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was also detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday. Airport officials and staff apprehended him as he arrived at the airport with two personal aides in the afternoon. Instead of being allowed to board his flight, Palak was taken into immigration custody.
Sources from the airport indicated that Palak and his aides arrived at around 3:00 pm but were not permitted to board. His two assistants had planned to travel to Nepal but were also stopped.
Additionally, Tanbir Hasan Saikat, General Secretary of the Chhatra League’s Dhaka University unit, and Riaz Mahmud, President of its Dhaka Metropolitan unit, were detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday. The destination of their intended travel was not immediately clear.
In a related incident, Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta, along with his wife and children, was stopped by Akhaura Immigration authorities in Brahmanbaria. They were attempting to enter India through the Akhaura land port around 3:00 pm but were sent back due to a travel ban. Police Inspector Khairul Alam confirmed that Dutta, also editor of the daily Bhorer Kagoj, was returned from immigration control.