July 22, 2007	Sunday	Rajab 06, 1428

DHAKA: Teachers at Bangladesh's main university taught classes on Saturday wearing black badges in protest at former premier Sheikh Hasina Wajed's arrest and were later questioned by intelligence officials, the teachers' association said.

Sheikh Hasina, who led Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001 and heads the Awami League, was arrested on Monday on extortion charges, the latest high-profile detainee in a corruption crackdown by the military-backed emergency government.

“The police special branch questioned some of us, asking if we had the right to hold such protests while the country is under emergency rule,” said Anwar Hossain, general secretary of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association. “They wanted us to stop the protests,” he said.

But the teachers planned to ignore the call and boycott classes on Sunday in a further protest.

The teachers believe Sheikh Hasina's arrest “is a bid to force her out of politics,” said Hossain, a biochemistry professor.

The action marked the first time the teachers' association has protested against actions by the emergency government, which was installed in January after controversial polls were cancelled following months of political turmoil.

Hossain added that the teachers were also protesting curbs on citizens' rights, including alleged restrictions on the movements of another ex-premier, Khaleda Zia.—AFP