Bangladesh’s former military ruler HM Ershad on Thursday threatened to kill himself after security forces overnight surrounded his residence, two days after his dramatic decision to boycott next month’s elections.
“I have loaded four pistols...I told the Government I will kill myself if they play any tricks with me,” Ershad told a private television channel at his up market Gulshan residence. “I will die before the RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) or the police can lay a finger on me,” the 83-year-old said, before making a trigger-pulling gesture towards his head.
Ershad on Tuesday said Jatiya Party — a crucial ally of the Awami league-led grand alliance — will not participate in the January 5 general elections, raising questions over the credibility of the polls which is also being boycotted by the Opposition BNP and its allies.