Dhaka, June 26: Bangladesh's main opposition Awami League today accused the alliance government led by Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia of repression and claimed over 26,000 people were killed during 21 months of the present administration. In an advertisement published in vernacular daily 'Bhorer Kagoj', the Awami League (AL) charged that 26,108 people were killed and 1,02,344 people were either injured or politically victimised since the government led by Zia assumed power in October 2001.

The advertisement also mentioned that four journalists were killed and 475 injured during the period.

Nearly 1.25 lakh minority families underwent repression or were evicted from their homesteads, it claimed.

The appearance of the advertisement coincided with the observance of UN announced international day in support of the oppressed today.

It appears a day after the AL president and leader of opposition Sheikh Hasina called upon the international community to save Bangladesh from repression.

Prime Minister Zia had accused opposition Awami League of resorting to terror tactics to create chaos and disturbances in the country and warned to take tough action against trouble makers.

Amnesty International, in its annual report released recently, also spoke of massive human rights violation and repression in Bangladesh.

Government has refuted the report saying that it was not based on reality.

Bureau Report