Search the Internet          Tips

Former Bangladesh ruler barred from leaving country

The former military ruler of Bangladesh, Hussain Mohammed Ershad, was barred from leaving the country even as the army's deployment of troops to improve the law and order situation entered its fifth day on Tuesday.

Ershad, who ruled Bangladesh for nine years, was stopped from going to Singapore on Monday night, his deputy press secretary, Zahid Hossain, said, adding the former president was to go there in connection with his son's treatment.

The refusal to allow Ershad out of the country came just a day after the army detained two former ministers belonging to the opposition Awami League.

Saber Choudhary, the political adviser to Awami League leader and former prime minister Hasina Wajed, was detained at the airport as he was leaving for London, while his party colleague and former health minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim was arrested from his residence.

The Awami League on Tuesday called for a general strike to demand the release of its politicians.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Monday said innocent people should not fear the anti-crime drive launched to curb criminal activities.

Tell us what you think of this report