Hasina's SSF protection withdrawn

The government withdrew the Special Security Force (SSF) from the Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi residence Sudha Sadan at around 3:00am yesterday just three hours into their deployment as the eighth parliament was dissolved at 12 midnight.

Expressing deep concern at the incident, AL described it as a conspiracy and abuse of power of the "previous BNP government."

At a press conference at AL Dhanmondi office, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil said that the regular police protection, which was withdrawn following the deployment of the SSF, resumed at 10:00am, adding that the AL chief remained unprotected in the meantime.

Jalil also demanded withdrawal of the SSF from the BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's house following the incident.

On October 26, a director of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Mostafizur Rahman in a letter to Sheikh Hasina said that the SSF will ensure her security after expiry of the parliament as per the SRO, he added.

According to the Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 281/2002, the immediate past prime minister and the leader of the opposition enjoy equal security facilities soon after the dissolving of the parliament.