Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces accusations of responsibility for the killing of hundreds of young men and women, describing her as “Dhaka’s big butcher” and “the Butcher of Bengal.”
Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Shafiqul Alam said the government is closely monitoring Hasina’s activities and directives from India.
He reminded reporters that all activities of the Awami League remain officially banned.
“If anyone from the Awami League attempts to engage in any activities – meetings, processions, or otherwise – strict legal action will be taken. There will be no exception,” he said.
“Those who defy the ban will face the law. Our full force of laws will be applied very strongly. There will be no deviation from that position – the government will not spare an inch of space,” the Press Secretary warned.
“Anyone inspired by that murderous, fascist leader to take to the streets will be brought under the full force of the law.”
His remarks came after a journalist sought his reaction to Hasina’s comments from India and her party’s planned ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ programme scheduled for 13 November – the same day the International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to fix a date for delivering its verdict in the crimes against humanity case against Hasina and two of her aides.
“Hasina is the butcher of Bengal. It is under our monitoring what she is doing or directing while staying there,” Alam said, stressing that anyone encouraged by what he described as a “killer and fascist leader” would be brought under the law.
He added that law enforcement agencies had already been directed to act accordingly, as Awami League’s organisational activities remain prohibited.
The press secretary also noted that Hasina continues to comment on various national issues through social media, including branding participants of the July Uprising as terrorists.
He also referred to a recent meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where Hasina’s activities were reportedly discussed.
“Let the verdict be delivered. After that, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will likely take this up with India,” he said, noting that Bangladesh has already sought Hasina’s extradition through diplomatic channels.
In a bid to bringing back Hasina from India, the Foreign Ministry had sent letter to India, but Delhi has not yet responded.
Alam claimed that UN reports contain clear documentation of the crimes allegedly committed by Hasina and urged journalists to review them.
On 6 October, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri commented that the matter was a “judicial legal process” requiring engagement and consultations between the two governments.
“We are examining these issues and look forward to working with Bangladeshi authorities,” he said, declining to elaborate further.
When asked about a reported letter by former Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen to the UNDP and UN seeking urgent intervention for a credible election, Alam advised journalists to “ask the UNDP about this”.
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad, and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were also present at the briefing.
