TDS Desk:

Belal Uddin, the ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Thakurgaon district unit, has been detained with Tk50 lakh in cash at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari, just a day before the 13th national election and referendum on state reforms.

Nilphamari Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam confirmed that he was held at the airport earlier today (11 February). Further investigation is underway, he added.

Police said they were also examining several documents recovered with the cash at the time of his detention, which has sparked discussion on social media.

According to sources, the Jamaat leader arrived at Saidpur on a US-Bangla Airlines domestic flight at 10:55am today. His bag reportedly contained more than Tk50 lakh.

In a video recorded at the time of detention, Belal is heard saying that his home is in the Hajipara area of Thakurgaon town and that he is the son of Dabirul Islam. He also identified himself as a teacher at Thakurgaon Shalanda College.

When asked how much money was in his luggage, he said, “There is more than Tk50 lakh there. This is money from my garments business.”

However, police said the bag contained Tk40 lakh.

Further details were not available at the moment.

The Jamaat leader fell ill after being detained at Syedpur Airport and was later taken to Syedpur 100-bed Hospital for treatment.

At around 1:47pm, he was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A large number of law enforcement personnel were deployed to avoid any untoward incidents, and an army vehicle escorted the ambulance to the hospital under tight security.