Pallabi’s foreign trips raise questions over removal from immigration stop list

Immigration police detained Israt Jahan Pallabi, general secretary of the banned Jubo Mohila League’s Nilphamari district unit, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday morning after she arrived in Dhaka from Guangzhou, China, on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-367), according to sources.

Her detention has raised questions over her recent foreign trips and alleged political contacts. Sources said preliminary questioning revealed that Pallabi had travelled to Thailand before returning to Bangladesh, where she reportedly met senior leaders of the banned Awami League.

The nature and purpose of the alleged meeting remain unclear.

Sources familiar with the investigation also claimed that an examination of her mobile phone and other digital devices revealed communications with several officials of a foreign country and Awami League leaders and activists currently based in India. Investigators are reportedly examining whether these contacts were linked to any political planning or coordination.

More serious allegations have emerged over how Pallabi was able to travel abroad despite reportedly being on the immigration authorities’ stop list.

According to sources at a specialised intelligence agency, some members of the police allegedly assisted her in leaving the country. There are also allegations that her name was subsequently removed from the stop list under suspicious circumstances, possibly with the help of influential quarters.

Similar allegations have surfaced involving several other leaders and activists of the banned organisation, who reportedly managed to have their names removed from the immigration stop list.

The allegations have raised questions about who authorised the removal of the names and whether officials within the immigration and airport security systems were involved in facilitating such movements.

The full circumstances surrounding Pallabi’s foreign trips, alleged meetings and digital communications remain unclear. The allegations regarding the removal of her name from the stop list and possible assistance from law enforcement personnel also require independent verification.

A thorough and impartial investigation is needed to establish the facts, identify those responsible for any wrongdoing and determine whether any officials were involved in facilitating the alleged activities.