Dhaka, May 28 -- All jewellery stores across Bangladesh will remain closed indefinitely starting Thursday, following an announcement by the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) late Wednesday night. The shutdown comes in protest over the arrest of the association's vice president, Riponul Hasan.

In a press release signed by BAJUS General Secretary Badal Chandra Roy, the organisation stated that Riponul Hasan was "falsely and unjustly" arrested on Tuesday evening from his business premises in Tantibazar, Dhaka. The shutdown will continue until Hasan is released unconditionally.

The statement read, "BAJUS Vice President Riponul Hasan has been arrested in a false and harassing case. In protest and to demand his unconditional release, a...