Hasina criticises use of intelligence agencies in politics

Dhaka, July 8 (UNI) Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina today said intelligence agencies should not be involved in the political affairs of the country.

''It is not their duty to break and build political parties.

Leave it to the people,'' she told reporters. The military backed caretaker government is reportedly encouraging political parties to undertake inner party reform, removing Sheikh Hasina and immediate past PM and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from their respective party leadership.

The incumbent caretaker government blamed both the ex-prime ministers for being reluctant to take actions against corrupt politicians, when they were in power.

Declaring war against corruption, the caretaker administration rounded up nearly 200 former ministers, MPs, bureaucrats and businessmen on charges of corruption.

''In a civilised society and in a democratic system, intelligence agencies cannot control everything.'' Sheikh Hasina said.

Referring to political party reforms, she said the people should be allowed to decide who will lead the party and who will come to power.

The chief of Awami League further alleged that the intelligence agencies were arresting political leaders, torturing and forcing them to say whatever they like, which can't be accepted.

She further said people's problems cannot be resolved without a democratically elected government. ''If an unconstitutional and unelected government stays in power for long, the problems get deepened.'' The beleaguered former prime minister also said she wanted to see the progress made by the Election Commission in the last six months.

UNI