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Tension mounts in Bangladesh

Dhaka: Political tension mounted in Bangladesh on Thursday as thousands of Opposition party activists rallied on the streets here to demand President Ijauddin Ahmed's resignation from the post of Chief Adviser and lawyers went on the rampage over the stalling of a hearing.

Several thousand supporters of the Awami League-led 14-party combine and their allies gathered on the streets around the presidential palace demanding electoral reforms and Mr. Ahmed's resignation.

Paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles troops and riot police blocked them on roads leading to the palace while elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) patrolled the streets. — PTI

Yunus' proposal

Haroon Habib reports:

The Nobel Peace laureate, Muhammad Yunus, has proposed a formula to resolve the current political conflict, calling upon the two major political alliances in the country to reach a "peace accord" and run a unity government.

Appealing to the political leaders who are now engaged in a bitter fight, Mr. Yunus, who addressed a civic reception accorded to him by Dhaka Mayor and city BNP president Sadek Hossain Khoka, said, "For God's sake, don't let the growing economy be destroyed, don't let the future of our children be spoiled." He suggested formation of a unity government on the basis of a pre-election consensus by both the political camps. Mr. Yunus said the government should be "at best of two years' tenure to do some reforms on major issues and then step down for a fresh general election."

It remains to be seen which political camp welcomes the formula when the prime task of the hour is to organise a free, fair and credible election. Criticising the current nationwide blockade being enforced by the 14-party alliance, Mr. Yunus urged the parties to withdraw its planned third blockade beginning on Sunday, keeping in mind the welfare of the people.

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