Bangladesh opposition leader wants gov't to stop extra-judicial killing

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has urged the government to stop extra-judicial killing and abduction immediately.

She made the call from a press briefing in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Khaleda alleged that about 300 leaders and activists of her 19- party alliance fell victim to murders and forced disappearance in a month from Dec. 26 by law enforcers and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party men across the country.

A number of influential leaders of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 's AL party on several occasions had earlier denied the opposition 's allegations of the extra-judicial killings and abductions.

Khaleda, also chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has also urged the government to end the ongoing political impasse through resuming dialogue at the earliest to pave the way for a free and fair election.

Some 21 parties including Khaleda Zia's BNP boycotted the elections as Hasina paid no heed to their demands for a non-party caretaker government for holding elections.

Mired in controversy, Bangladesh's 10th parliamentary election was held for just 147 of 300 seats in 59 of 64 districts of the country on Jan. 5 as 153 candidates had been elected uncontested.

Sheikh Hasina formed her new cabinet, taking the oath of office on Jan. 12, for the second consecutive term after the controversial parliament polls.

The Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 53 nations, at the latest has expressed its keen interest to support a purposeful dialogue towards a framework for future elections that fully reflects the will of the Bangladeshi people and respects the principle of democratic constitutionalism.

"The politically motivated violence and loss of life and injuries in the run-up to the elections was a matter of profound concern, and a threat to the orderly conduct of democratic elections, to which all Commonwealth members are committed," Commonwealth Secretariat Spokesperson Richard Uku said in a statement received here Tuesday.

"The Commonwealth remains ready to support a purposeful dialogue towards a framework for future elections that fully reflects the will of the people and respects the principle of democratic constitutionalism. The Commonwealth is also willing to assist the Election Commission of Bangladesh in further strengthening its functions and effectiveness."