The government will take the necessary legal steps under the existing extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India if ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina wants to return to the country.
BNP chairman Tarique Rahman told the party’s MPs: “The message is loud and clear. We are on the streets, we must stay on the streets, and we must face all conspiracies on the streets.” He said this at a meeting of the BNP parliamentary party at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday (9 November) afternoon, according to several responsible sources who attended.
Sheikh Hasina said in an interview with the international news agency Reuters that she wishes to return to Bangladesh and surrender to the court.
Reuters also reported that an application was made on Monday at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, on behalf of the London-based legal firm Matrix Chambers, for her new passport and national identity card (NID).
Several sources at the BNP parliamentary party meeting said it discussed ongoing road development work under the local government and communications ministries, the fuel and power situation, and the market for essential goods ahead of Ramadan. The prime minister asked the ministers concerned for details of their ministries’ work. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed briefed the meeting on law and order.
The return of Sheikh Hasina, president of the Awami League, whose activities are banned, came up briefly at the meeting. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh and India have an extradition treaty, and the government will take the necessary steps in line with the rules, the law and established practice.
The home minister also said the truth and legal basis of reports that Sheikh Hasina had applied for a new passport and NID to return home were being checked. He said this at a press briefing on current issues at the home ministry.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report