News / More

Bangladesh cuts power to office of former premier

Saturday, 31 January 2015 4:58 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 31 January 2015 4:58 PM ]

Bangladeshi activists run past burning material close to the residence of former prime minister, Khaleda Zia, in Dhaka, January 5, 2015. (© AFP)

Bangladesh has cut off electricity to the office of the former prime minister, Khaleda Zia, in a bid to force her to call off a crippling anti-government action.

Bangladeshi media outlet on Saturday showed footage of a technician from a state-run power utility climbing a ladder and cutting the line outside the office.

“We got permission from police to cut the power line,” media outlets quoted the technician as saying.

Sources say the mobile phone network and satellite television connections around her office have been also jammed.

Shamsuddin Dider, a spokesman for Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has said that the former premier was “shocked and surprised” by the move.

“Even the food provided to you by your party officials will not reach your room. You’ll have to die there without food,” the local Daily Star newspaper quoted Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan as saying.

The developments come after a senior government minister threatened that Zia may face starvation if she did not call off a planned nationwide transport blockade.

Zia has been confined at her office in the capital, Dhaka, for weeks after threatening to rally her supporters against the administration of her archrival, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The former premier has called for the blockade of roads, railways and waterways across the country. The main opposition leader has also called a 72-hour strike from Sunday.

Zia’s announcement of the transport blockade on January 5 triggered violence in many parts of Bangladesh that left at least 40 people dead with nearly 800 vehicles firebombed or damaged.

Anti-government demonstrations started earlier this month as protesters marked the first anniversary of controversial elections on January 5, which saw the reelection of Hasina. The election had been boycotted by the opposition.

Zia demands that Hasina hold fresh elections.

JR/HSN/SS

Related stories:

Bangladesh opposition leader arrested Tue Jan 6, 2015
34 die in Bangladesh political violence Sun Jan 25, 2015

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk