Two Awami League leaders who fled Bangladesh after the July Revolution and took refuge in India have been arrested by Kolkata Police and placed on seven-day remand. According to diplomatic sources, the arrests occurred on May 20 during a police operation on Marquis Street targeting alleged illegal Bangladeshi entrants. The detainees were identified as Ahad Bappi, general secretary of Banshal Thana Jubo League, and Rohanul Islam, organizational secretary of Savar Thana Chhatra League. A case was filed against them under illegal entry charges, and they were taken into police custody for interrogation.
The arrests have caused concern among other Awami League leaders currently residing in Kolkata. Despite efforts by influential party members to secure their release, the attempts reportedly failed. The incident follows the formation of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal, which has launched special operations to locate alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators.
Uncertainty remains over the fate of hundreds of Awami League leaders who sought refuge in West Bengal after the July Revolution, as the new state government has not clarified its stance on their status.