Former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee has said he urged the then Bangladesh army chief Moeen U Ahmed to release political prisoners during the 2007-08 caretaker government.
“In February 2008, Bangladesh army chief Moeen Ahmed came to India on a six-day visit. He called on me too. During the informal interaction, I impressed upon him the importance of releasing political prisoners,” Pranab Mukherjee stated in his autobiography, The Coalition Years (1196-2012), according to India Today.
Pranab mentioned in his book that during the period, all prominent political leaders were imprisoned. Sheikh Hasina too was jailed.
According to Pranab, Gen Moeen was apprehensive about his dismissal by Sheikh Hasina after her release and the Indian president assured Moeen of his security.
“I took personal responsibility and assured the general of his survival after Hasina’s return to power. I also sought an appointment with the US president George W Bush to request his intervention in the matter and ensure the release of both Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. With my intervention through the then National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, I ensured the release of all political prisoners and the nation’s return to stability,” the India Today said quoting Pranab as saying in the authobiography.
While India continued to engage with the caretaker government, “we stressed the need for full restoration of democracy through peaceful, credible, free and fair elections”.
Source: Prothom Alo
