Bangladesh arrests 12 top leaders, former ministers of political parties

Bangladesh's caretaker government at early hours of Sunday arrested a dozen big guns of two major political parties of the country -- Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), apparently in a move to cleanse the society, private television channel ATN Bangla reported.

The leaders and former ministers arrested include Barrister Nazmul Huda, former Communication Minister of the immediate past government of BNP led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, former State Minister for Power Iqbal Hassan Mahmud (Tuku) of BNP, parliamentary advisor of BNP Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman's son and ex-Member of Parliament Naser Rahman, former AL government's Home Minister Mohammad Nasim, former State Minister for Civil Aviation Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir of AL.

It was not yet clear on what charges they were arrested, political observers here believe that these leaders and former ministers were involved in corrupt activities.

The caretaker government has launched a campaign against corruption and terrorists activities ahead of the national election.

The current caretaker government, which took office in January, has launched a manhunt to arrest the criminals, their patrons and corrupt persons and so far arrested over 42,000.

Bangladesh became champion in corruption for five times according to the Germany-based Transparency International.

Bangladesh's constitution stipulates that a non-party caretaker government will organize general election since 1996. But this time, two caretaker governments were formed for the purpose.

The first caretaker government was formed with Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed, taking over the post of Chief Advisor of caretaker government on Oct. 29, 2006 as five-year tenure of BNP government ran out on Oct. 27, 2006.

But Iajuddin's government resigned on Jan. 11 as AL decided to boycott the general election slated on Jan. 22. The second caretaker government headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed, who was head of the country's central bank, took office on Jan. 12. The general election was postponed by Bangladeshi president.

Source: Xinhua