Nozrul Islam

The move stems from political rivalry, which began in 2007 when Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Laureate, tried to create his own anti-corruption party. He appeals to the High Court of Bangladesh.

Vote is scheduled for 29 December. The two former women prime ministers, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, begin their campaign. Both were jailed for corruption but are now free. Army action raises doubts.

Wives, daughters, girls are punished by having acid thrown on them, permanently disfiguring them. The government prohibits the sale of the corrosive liquids, but they are easily found on the market. The phenomenon is spreading. The victims now include children and adult males.

The leader of the Awami League will go to the United States for medical care. Her rival, Zia, also detained for corruption, does not intend to leave the country. Has the interim government bartered their release for its own immunity?

The sweeping anti-crime operation, with almost 12,000 arrests, could be concealing the interim government's intention to "eliminate" political adversaries and discourage new street protests. Popular discontent over inflation is growing.

Nizami, a religious leader who heads the Jamaat-e-Islami, was a minister in Khaleda Zia’s cabinet. His is the latest arrest among the country’s political elite and main political players.

After postponing elections for more than a year, the provisional government announces elections for the third week of December. But the announcement does not mention whether after 16 months the state of emergency will be lifted or not. Discussions with the main parties are bound to be difficult.

Interim government arrests former premier Zia on corruption charges. First such charge laid against Zia’s rival Sheik Hasina yesterday. Backed by the military, the authorities are trying to remove the two women from the scene and clean up politics. Observers warn though that their moves might trigger unrest among circles and sectors of the country close to the two former prime ministers.

It all began when they buried the head of the family some years ago. New Christians, their conversion seems to be the work of some “spontaneous” group of an uncertain nature. But the one surviving daughter blames her uncles for killing off her family out of greed.

The monsoon season gets off to a violent start. Chittagong is worst hit: mud buries the shanty towns of the poor; ports, airports, schools and shops remain closet. Thousands are left homeless.

Bangladeshi government authorities backed by the army are tearing down illegally built homes, stores and even hospitals in their campaign against organised crime and profiteers. However, in doing so they are attacking the homeless poor. The Church which has tried to provide them with a roof over their heads is accused of proselytising. Here is the story of a small village of some 40 little houses wiped off the map by government bulldozers.

The interim government denies that it intends to force Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina into exile. The former may stay in the country but must face corruption charges; the latter has permission to re enter the country, but must answers to multiple murder charges.