The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has withdrawn its decision to keep jewellery shops across the country closed for an indefinite period, a day after announcing the programme protesting the arrest of its vice-president Md Riponul Hasan.
In a press release on Thursday, BAJUS said members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested Riponul Hasan from his business establishment at Tantibazar in the capital on 28 May in a false and fabricated case using a fake political identity.
“The political identity mentioned in the case by police is completely false. Riponul Hasan never held that position. He is not involved with any political organisation, nor has he ever been a member of any political party,” the statement said.
BAJUS said the arrest of Ripon has shocked and angered jewellery traders across the country.
In protest, all jewellery shops remained closed today as owners and workers staged rallies, processions and human chains demanding justice and his unconditional release.
The association has drawn the attention of the chief adviser, home adviser, law adviser, finance adviser, commerce adviser, industry adviser, IGP and DMP commissioner to ensure justice in the incident.
Considering the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha and hoping for a fair investigation and justice, BAJUS has decided to suspend the programme of indefinite closure of jewellery shops.
It requested all jewellery establishments to remain open from Friday.
However, BAJUS warned that if Riponul Hasan’s name is not withdrawn from the “false and harassing” case and justice is not ensured, it will be compelled to announce fresh protest programmes.
