Bangladesh Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia Will Face Trial For Violence, Says PM Sheikh Hasina

DHAKA – Bangladesh primeminister Sheikh Hasina has criticizedopposition’s ongoing agitationto thwart the January 5polls and warned that BNPleader Khaleda Zia would beheld responsible for the deathsand violence.”Those who are killing people,unleashing violence in the nameof demonstrations, will be triedon this soil. She (Khaleda) willbe held responsible for orchestrating[the violence],” Hasinasaid.She accused the opposition ofshielding war criminals, killingpeople, unleashing torching andarson attacks.”They understand nothing butviolence. They (the Opposition)do not understand democracy,”she said.She also directed her partyactivists to thwart any attemptto foil the polls.The Awami League chief saidZia would have to face trial forviolence during the BNP-led18-Party alliance’s agitation.She said that the electionswould be held as per scheduleand asked people to go to thepolling centres to vote.”Don’t think we’ve won and sothere is no need for voting,”bdnews24.com quoted Hasinaas saying.Zia has demanded the January 5polls plan be scrapped as overhalf of the candidates in the300-seat parliament were set tobe declared unopposed in theabsence of rivals from her partyand called for the blockade forindefinite period.