Former Bangladesh PM Hasina returns home

Dhaka, May 7: Bangladesh's former Prime Minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina returned home today from London after winning a battle against the country's military-backed caretaker government that had blocked her homecoming. Ms Hasina, who ruled the country from 1996-2001, arrived at Zia International Airport by UAE-based Etihad Airways amid tight security this afternoon.

Since the state of emergency remains enforced banning all political activities, Awami League did not organise any official reception to greet her. Some senior leaders of the party received her at the airport.

Witnesses said general people were seen standing on two sides of the road from the airport to her ''Sudha Sadan'' residence in Dhanmondi and waved hands welcoming her return.

Hundreds of riot police personnel guarded the airport and the streets to ensure no welcoming procession takes place violating the emergency rules.

Ms Hasina, 58, went to Washington on March 15 on a private tour to meet her children and grandchildren. She was scheduled to return on April 23, but stranded in London on way back to Dhaka due to a travel restriction on her.

Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed's administration put restriction on her return on the plea that the public safety, stability and national economy might be at stake if she is allowed to enter Bangladesh.

The government had instructed all international airlines not to carry her to Dhaka.

Ms Hasina, eldest daughter of Bangladesh's founding father and first President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was not issued boarding pass at London Heathrow Airport by the British Airways on April 23 in compliance with the Bangladesh authorities.

However, the caretaker government lifted the travel restriction on April 25 apparently under intense international pressure as well as Ms Hasina's resolve to return home.

Meanwhile, two criminal charges of extortion of three crore takkas and political murder have been filed against her while she was abroad. Although a magistrate court here had issued warrant of arrest against her, but later it was suspended by the same court.

Terming the cases false, Ms Hasina alleged that the interim government is trying to politically victimise her. She would fight against the cases in the court of law.

UNI