Yunus-led government considering demands to ban Awami League

DHAKA: Six months after banning Awami League's student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the Muhammad Yunus-headed interim govt is now considering demands of imposing a ban on the party. Demonstrations were held seeking a ban on the party by smaller political parties and outfits, including those involved in last year's mass uprising that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-headed Awami League govt.

However, BNP, a major political force in Bangladesh, said, "Political parties that have called for banning Awami League have expressed their own positions. BNP is not the authority to make this decision." "Election Commission may take that decision, govt may take that decision," said BNP member Abdul Moyeen Khan.

In a statement on Friday, govt said it has taken "serious note" of the recent demand from political parties, organisations and public to ban Awami League due to its "autocratic rule and involvement in terrorist activities", leading to "widespread human rights violations".

On Oct 23 last year, govt banned BCL in response to acts of "violence committed by members and leaders".

Report on ex-PM over killings during uprising on May 12

The probe agency of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal's is likely to submit its report on May 12 on Hasina in a case filed over the "killings" during the mass uprising last year. "Once submitted, formal trial against Hasina will begin with the filing of the 'formal charge'," ICT chief prosecutor Tajul Islam said in a Facebook post on Friday.

The report will be submitted to the ICT chief prosecutor's office.