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Crackdown in Bangladesh

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: In a fresh crackdown on politicians, the army-led joint forces have arrested Awami League general secretary Abdul Jalil and other senior politicians belonging to both Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

From the BNP, the joint forces picked up former ministers Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Fazlur Rahman Patal and Lutfozzaman Babar, former legislator M.A. Hashem and party leader Abdul Awal Mintoo. It could not be ascertained where the detenus were taken and on what charges they were arrested.

Mr. Jalil, a top Awami League leader, was picked up from his business office in Dhaka's Motijheel commercial area. Mr. Babar, who hosted a dinner in honour of the outgoing U.S. ambassador, Patricia A. Butanes, a few days ago, was picked up from his residence and Mr. Hashem from his office. Mr. Mintoo, also the country's leading businessman, was detained on Monday night as he was heading towards his residence.

The joint forces also detained Sylhet city mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran from a Dhaka hotel. The mayor, a top Awami League leader, was earlier arrested by the joint forces but was freed on bail after 20 days. Mojibur Rahman, mayor of Barisal city corporation and a BNP leader, was also taken into custody.

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