Bangladesh to raise Hasina issue with India after case verdict: CA’s press secretary

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday said the government will again raise the issue of the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina with India through the foreign ministry after the verdict of the case filed against her.

“This is a person accused of killing hundreds of boys and girls. She is the ‘Butcher of Bengal’ sitting there and giving orders—of course we are monitoring it closely. The government has banned all activities of the Awami League. Even within the ICT (International Crimes Tribunal) prosecution, the allegations against the Awami League are being thoroughly examined in their trial,” the press secretary said in reply to a query at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Reminding that Awami League’s activities remain banned, he said, “If anyone violates this ban and attempts to hold gatherings, meetings, or flash processions, the full force of law will be applied. It will be applied strictly—there will be no exception to the law. This government will not spare anyone, not even an inch. Anyone motivated by her statements who joins a flash procession will be brought under the law. The law enforcement agencies have been given very clear instructions regarding this.”

Shafiqul further said, “She has been making all sorts of statements on social media from the very beginning—calling the millions of young protestors ‘terrorists’.

The government sought her extradition and the issue was raised in the meeting between Dr Yunus and Mr Modi.

“Her trial is now underway in court. Let the verdict come first; we will speak about her with the Indian government through foreign ministry after that.”

He also said the full force of law will be applied if any leaders or activists of the banned Awami League attempt to stage processions.

Despite the ban, members of the “proscribed” Awami League and its affiliated organizations have been organizing sudden flash processions in Dhaka and other parts of the country. Recently, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, a Presidium Member of the Awami League currently staying in India, announced a party programme similar to a “lockdown” to be observed on November 13.

A few days earlier, an audio recording of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now staying in India, spread on social media. In that audio, she was heard instructing Awami League leaders and activists not to vote in the upcoming election.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com