[Prothom Alo Newspaper]: Sheikh Hasina Wins Election

[Danny]

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The Daily Prothom Alo is a major daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka in the Bengali language. Based on circulation, Prothom Alo is the largest newspaper in Bangladesh.

 

[Danny]

​ Issue #1 Friday 19th April 1998​ $0.30​ Page #1 ELECTION DAY MASSACRE "WE WILL BRING THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE" SAYS AWAMI LEAGUE SHEIKH HASINA ​ Above: Rapid Action Battalion Officers on scene guard on Madani Avenue In the early hours of this morning, Bangladesh saw one of the worst days in its history. It has been reported over 103 people have died whilst over 600 have been injured in major incidents around Dhaka as the election still continued it is expected for the Awami League to win. "The election will still continue. We will announce the votes tonight." Says the Government. Shapla Square was the first as it was plagued with rioting by anti Awami League activists, after around two hours of rioting it had left injuries on both sides. Sub Inspector Rahman gave a briefing of what happened on Shapla Square at a press conference led by the DMP. He was first to speak: "What we saw was not a protest. More of unlawful gathering. Hundreds of taka of destruction was caused at the square. The rioters were trying to create their own protest and make their way towards Shimanto Square to disrupt the rally there." The Awami League rally at Shimanto Square shopping center was gathered by over a thousand people. The Awami League in the past few years during the tenure of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has seen a significant rise in popularity in the party where it was expected today that the Awami League was to win the election. As voting continued across other parts of the nation, at around 10:45am. Shimanto Square saw a number of suicide bombs go off. Reuters reported that the bombs went off just as Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina was about to begin her speech. Sheikh Hasina was unscathed and unhurt as she was hurried away from the scene. DMP Superintendent Ali stated during a press conference of all what happened today: "Around five suicide bombs went off in coordination with each other in the crowds of people. A strong number of the casualties has come from here. Alongside civilians a number of Police Officers have been caught in the casualty list as a result of the rioting at Shapla Square their was a increased presence of Dhaka Metropolitan Police officers. As medical staff tended to those hurt in this incident another suicide bombing had went off. The next incident was at Madani Avenue which is populated by a number of international embassies. A large number of gunfire and explosions were reported. Our officers responded but we had a number of casualties on our side as a number of gunmen targeted two embassies. Our Police Station nearby was bombed in order to ensure that their attack continued. Our officers courageously responded and have detained all individuals involved in this terrorist attack. Today we have seen what it is one of the worst days in the history of our country and the force. Investigations have begun." A statement has also been posted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Government: "What we saw was a tragedy. Investigations have begun. We condemn terrorism to a full extent and two day national mourning will begin for the victims." However, the opposition Awami League Hasina also responded with a statement of her own: "A direct attack was made against our people today. It may be a attack on me, but what this morning was a attack on our country. Fathers lost sons, daughters lost mothers and so on...Our country should be safe and safe it should be. We will bring those involved to justice. I praise the courage of the Police, the Military and the South Korean officials who were injured at the incident at the Embassy. Those involved ran in the line of fire to try and protect all of us. I propose the Government use their full fledged forces to bring those responsible to the courts. I will join at a few funerals of those that have passed away, not for me. But to show I am grieving alongside you all. Joy Bangla."

 

[Danny]

​ Issue #2 Sunday 18th June 1998​ $0.30​

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Page #1

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SHEIKH HASINA WINS ELECTION

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