Over 1, 50,000 rounded up, new case against Hasina

Dhaka, Apr 11 (UNI) The army backed government in Bangladesh is set to enter into fourth month of its rule tomorrow with declared anti-graft movement and law enforcement that has so far rounded up over 1,59,000 people, including former ministers, lawmakers and business tycoons.

The police today submitted charge sheet accusing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several senior leaders of her alliance for the multiple killings during the anti-government agitation in Dhaka in October last year.

This is the second case filed against Hasina within 48 hours after she was sued for alleged extortion of 3 crore Taka from an executive of a Malaysia-based power company Westmont in 1998 as the prime minister.

The detectives also submitted a charge sheet against fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and former Industry Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami for the killing of his political opponents during the political turmoil last October.

The blood-letting political confrontations between Awami League president Sheikh Hasina's alliance and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Khaleda Zia's allies led to the promulgation of the state of emergency that indefinitely postponed the general elections slated for January 22.

After assuming power on January 12 under the emergency, Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed's caretaker government declared war on corruption and criminal godfathers.

Arrestees include scores of big guns from both BNP and Awami League. The high profile arrest include immediate former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman and his business friend millionaires Giusuddin Al Mamun, both facing trial on charges of corruption and extortion.

Meanwhile, Hasina, now in US on a family visit, has planned to return to Dhaka on April 14 to face the alleged criminal charges in the court of law, her party leaders told the media.

Although no charge was yet made against Khaleda Zia, but the authorities imposed restriction on her visitors and movement, a local newspapers said.

Khaleda, who lives in Dhaka Cantonment is under strict surveillance by the intelligence agencies.

UNI