More than 2,500 arrested in Bangladesh

[struggle4progress]

By FARID HOSSAIN Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladeshi police and soldiers have arrested more than 2,500 people and raided the homes of several political leaders after a new caretaker government was sworn in to quell unrest ahead of elections, police and news reports said Saturday.

Security forces arrested 2,552 people, including 195 from the capital who were detained across the country overnight Friday on "various charges," a statement released Saturday by police headquarters in Dhaka said.

The arrests and raids came after Fakhruddin Ahmed, a respected economist and former central bank governor, became head of the country's caretaker government in a bid to restore calm to a nation beset by violence amid preparations for national elections.

Authorities detained at least 20 people including some local politicians in western and northern Bangladesh, but no prominent leaders were arrested, the Prothom Alo newspaper said ...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4468475.html

[Eugene]

1. Reuters: Bangladesh's Awami League to contest polls

Bangladesh's Awami League to contest polls
14 Jan 2007 10:38:09 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Y.P. Rajesh

DHAKA, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's grand political alliance led by the powerful
Awami League will contest parliamentary elections, a top leader said on Sunday, days
after the president met its demands and postponed the disputed ballot.

The alliance had boycotted the polls saying the president, as head of an interim
administration, was favouring its rivals. It wanted the polls to be delayed and voters'
lists updated to ensure a free and fair election, which had been set for Jan. 22.

"We have decided to participate in the elections," Awami League general-secretary
Abdul Jalil told Reuters in an interview. "This is a new start, we are hoping for the
best in the future."

-snip-

The decision by the alliance came two days after it called off plans for new blockades
and strikes in the poor South Asian country after President Iajuddin Ahmed gave in to
mounting pressure and stepped down as head of an interim government tasked with
holding the polls.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL214161.htm