Police detain activists of main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who were trying to enforce a three-day blockade in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday, Oct.31, 2023. BNP has called for country-wide blockade to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the transfer of power to a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee general elections.
Hasina on Tuesday ruled out dialogue and warned the opposition of consequences if they continue the blockade. At least two people died and scores were injured on the blockade’s first day. The ruling Awami League party warned that the opposition would be confronted if they continue to create what it called anarchy. At least six people including a policeman have died in the political chaos in the South Asian nation since a
The government has been under pressure for months as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has staged anti-government protests. Elections are expected in January, and the political situation is tense as the Election Commission prepares to announce their schedule. headtopics.com
The foreign missions of Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Britain and the United States in Dhaka issued a joint statement on Monday urging all sides to refrain from violence and work together to create conditions for a free, fair, participatory and peaceful election.
On Tuesday, hours after U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas met with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and said he hoped all sides would engage in dialogue, Hasina ruled out that possibility and described the opposition as “murderers.” She was referring to the violence on Saturday when opposition activists allegedly beat a police official to death. headtopics.com
She strongly criticized Zia’s party. “We won’t just let them off this time. They will not be able to stop the election this way,” she said.