A labour leader was arrested early today during a joint force drive in connection with a recent clash between workers and joint forces in Narayanganj's Rupganj upazila.

The arrestee, Selim Mahmud, is the central general secretary of the Garments Sramik Front, the labor wing of the Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD). He also serves as the president of the Narayanganj district unit of the organisation.

Selim was detained from his residence in the Dapa Idrakpur area of Fatullah around 1:30am, confirmed Liaqat Ali, officer-in-charge (OC) of Rupganj Police Station.

On April 9, a clash broke out between workers of the Robintex (Bangladesh) Garments factory and joint forces in Rupganj, leaving at least 50 people injured, including several law enforcers.

Following the incident, factory authorities and police filed two separate cases with Rupganj Police Station on April 10. A total of 66 people were named in the cases, along with 300-400 unnamed individuals.

OC Liaqat said Selim was shown arrested in both cases and was sent to court in the afternoon. Police submitted a remand petition for his interrogation, with the hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

Although Selim was not named in the case documents, Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Circle-C) Mehedi Islam said their investigation into the unrest revealed Selim's involvement, prompting his arrest.

"So far, 19 workers have been arrested in connection with the incident," Mehedi added.

Selim's son, Wazid Mahmud, alleged that the joint forces broke down their door in the middle of the night and forcefully took his father from bed.

"They broke the door and dragged my father out of bed. They slapped him and beat him with sticks," Wazid claimed.

However, police denied the allegation.

"The claim of assault is false. He was arrested lawfully and respectfully," said ASP Mehedi Islam.

Later in the day, BSD leaders and activists held a protest in front of the Narayanganj Press Club, demanding the immediate release of Selim Mahmud and other arrested Robintex workers.