Editorial
Ershad netted in a nocturnal drive
Free participation in elections indeed!
LAST Thursday Ershad was picked up in a movie-style late night swoop from his Baridhara residence under what was touted as Rab security cover and driven to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) ostensibly for 'treatment.'
Even if he had a medical condition he could on his own have gone to seek medical attention -- which he has done for all these years -- rather than being forcibly chaperoned by security personnel to the CMH.
However much the government might try to pull wool over the public eye, the machinations and purpose behind it are too transparent and manifest to be lost on the people.
Ever since Ershad fell out with "Mahajote" and decided to withdraw from election unless all parties participated in it, his relations with the government soured. When all persuasion failed, attempt is now on to bring even a part of his party with Raushan Ershad and some others in the lead.
So, the government picked up Ershad apparently against his will to keep him available for persuasion to change his mind. This is blatant misuse of state power for political purposes and can only further cast doubt on the quality of the election, corroding its credibility further.
Throughout yesterday, Ershad was kept incommunicado, further fuelling speculation that he is in some form of custody. Whatever may be the politics behind it, such illegal confinement of any citizen -- leave alone a former President and current party leader -- is highly condemnable. We want his immediate release.
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