'India must not remain silent on Hasina's arrest'

New Delhi, July 17: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today strongly condemned the arrest of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and demanded the Indian government spell out its stand.

''The arrest and jailing of Sheikh Hasina on alleged charges of extortion illustrates how the caretaker authority backed by the military is moving to curb political parties and democratic rights,'' a statement by the party Polit Bureau issued here said.

It noted that the military authorities are cracking down in the name of fighting corruption and political reform, while elections to Parliament have been indefinitely postponed. ''Given the past history of Bangladesh of military rule, this development is ominous,'' it added.

The CPI(M) fully supprts the demand of the democratic and Left forces in Bangladesh who want the restoration of democratic rights and freedom for political activities, it said.

The party said the Indian government ''cannot and should not remain silent on these developments involving our neighbouring country.''

UNI

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