AP News, January 14th, 2007
Bangladesh's new interim leader consolidated his power Sunday by taking over the two agencies that control the army, police and paramilitary security forces.
The move by acting leader Fakhruddin Ahmed to take control of the Interior Ministry and Election Commission came days after the president declared a state of emergency in an attempt to quell weeks of deadly unrest over upcoming elections.
Ahmed was appointed Friday after President Iajuddin Ahmed stepped down as leader of a caretaker government. Iajuddin Ahmed retained his title of president, a largely ceremonial position.
More than 4,000 people were detained after the state of emergency was announced, including 1,518 people arrested since Saturday evening, the Interior Ministry said.
Fakhruddin Ahmed met with acting Chief Election Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman on Sunday to make fresh election plans in the impoverished country. Politicians have demanded that the ballot, which the president had postponed from its original Jan. 22 date, be held as soon as possible.
"We have planned to sit with leaders of all political parties to discuss ways on how we can proceed further," said the commission's secretary, Abdur Rashid Sarker.
At least 34 people have been killed in protests that began in late October, when former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia ended her five-year term and handed over power to an interim government led by Iajuddin Ahmed to prepare for parliamentary elections.
The major political alliance behind the protests, led by former prime minister and fierce Zia rival Sheikh Hasina, has demanded the caretaker administration revamp the election commission, update and correct voting rolls and remove disputed election officials.
The alliance has threatened to boycott the election unless their demands are met.
