All jewellery stores across Bangladesh have shut down indefinitely starting Thursday, following the arrest of Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) Vice President Riponul Hasan.

In a statement issued late Wednesday night, BAJUS condemned Hasan’s arrest as "false and harassing" and announced the nationwide closure of jewellery businesses until his unconditional release. 

Riponul was detained Tuesday evening from his Tantibazar business premises in Dhaka by the Detective Branch (DB) police.

BAJUS General Secretary Badal Chandra Roy signed the press release, saying the protest would continue "until further notice." 

The shutdown is expected to severely impact the jewellery sector, with no clear timeline for resolution.

MN/