Former state minister Dipankar Talukder arrested in Dhaka

The five-time former MP from Rangamati has been charged in several lawsuits, including murder, police say

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch, or DB, has arrested Dipankar Talukder, former state minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs and a five-time parliamentarian in Dhaka’s Sobhanbagh.

DMP spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed the detention on Monday evening.

He did not disclose on what charges he was detained.

However, the former Awami League MP from the hill district of Rangamati was accused in several cases, including murder, at various police stations in connection with the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

Former premier Sheikh Hasina left the country for India on Aug 5 in the wake of a mass movement.

After the formation of the interim government two days later, top leaders and influential parliamentarians, including Awami League ministers and state ministers, continued to be arrested one by one.

Police have reported the former state minister’s arrest after almost six months.

Dipankar Talukdar was elected to parliament for the first time on Awami League's nomination from Rangamati constituency in the fifth parliamentary election in 1991.

Later, he won the 7th national election in 1996, 9th in 2008, 11th in 2018, and 12th in 2024 from the same seat.

After the formation of the Awami League government in the ninth parliament, he became the state minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs.