Bangladesh president explains calling in army

Bangladesh’s interim leader President Iajuddin Ahmed said today he called in the army to aid the civil administration as political protests were disrupting public life and to ensure that upcoming elections would be held on time.

“Millions have been affected by the protests, children were stopped from going to school, the economy was hit by transport blockades and stoppage of port activities, even courts were attacked. Many people died, and in a country of a peace prize winner, this shocked the nation,” President Iajuddin Ahmed said in a televised speech late today.