Tension eases in B'desh after U-turn on ex-PMs

Dhaka, Apr 26: Bangladesh's feuding political parties proclaimed a ''people's victory'' today after the army-backed interim government lifted a ban on former prime minister Sheikh Hasina returning home.

They also expressed relief after the government confirmed that Begum Khaleda Zia, the most recent Prime Minister, is not being pressed to go into exile.

''It's a people's victory,'' said Hannan Shah, a senior leader of Khaleda's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Local media said Khaleda Zia had been under virtual house arrest, but the government says her movements are not being restricted.

The army-backed caretaker government issued an order last week barring Hasina from returning to Bangladesh after a holiday in the United States. She was prevented from boarding a plane in London on Sunday, but is expected back in Bangladesh soon.

''lt has been reasserted that people's democratic and fundamental rights cannot be robbed,''Abdul Jalil, general secretary of Hasina's Awami League, said.

Hasina still faces a charge of aiding and abetting the killing of several people during a violent political protest in October.

CHANGING SITUATION

The caretaker government did not offer a detailed explanation for its climbdown, though the handling of the two lady leaders had been heavily criticised at home and abroad.

''Not necessarily all the decisions by the government would be right,'' government adviser for law and information Mainul Husein told private television Channel-I on Thursday. ''They change with the changing situation. It is not a weakness, rather it proves the government's courage.

''The two ladies staying in the country will make no difference to the government's agenda (to organise a free and credible election),'' he added.

Chief Election Commissioner A.T.M. Shamsul Huda told a meeting with civil society leaders on Thursday no electoral reforms would be implemented without talking to political parties.

The commission earlier said it hoped the government would relax a ban on indoor political activities from early May, allowing talks between the commission and parties.

But pressure remains on Khaleda and Hasina.

The authorities have asked the central bank to provide information on all bank accounts maintained by the two women in commercial banks.

''We have asked the commercial banks to provide all banking information of Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina,'' a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank today said.

The National Board of Revenue asked commercial banks separately to furnish account details for 83 other individuals.

Bangladeshis said they were surprised by the government's U-turn over the two rival leaders, whom it apparently wanted out of the country while conducting a crackdown on corruption to prepare for a free and fair election.

''Better late than never,'' said Safiqul Islam, a teacher at a private school. ''They triggered national anger by using heavy hands against the top leaders of the two biggest political parties,'' he said.

While the caretaker government's moves were heavily criticised, they did not prompt people to pour into the streets in protest in a country where noisy and sometimes violent demonstrations are frequent.

A long-standing feud between the two women spilled over into deadly street protests that caused the caretaker government to cancel scheduled elections in January and declare a state of emergency. All political activity has since been banned.

Security forces have since detained more than 160 political figures on various corruption charges, including Khaleda's son and political heir apparent Tareque Rahman, former ministers and their relatives.

REUTERS

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