VOA标准英语2008年-Bangladesh 'Crime' Sweep Nets More than 10,000

（单词翻译）

By Steve Herman
New Delhi
04 June 2008

More than 10,000 people have been arrested in Bangladesh, the past week, as part of an ongoing¹ crackdown by the government. Political activists² are among those being jailed in what officials call a sweeping³ anti-crime campaign. VOA correspondent Steve Herman reports from our South Asia Bureau in New Delhi.
　

Vehicle laden4 with prisoners arrives at entrance to jail in Dhaka, 04 Jun 2008

Bangladeshi officials confirmed Wednesday that the number of people arrested in the latest crackdown has surpassed 10,000. Police say the campaign, which began May 28, will last a month. They say it is primarily targeted at smugglers, those with illegal weapons and others labeled as "miscreants⁵."

Authorities deny political activists are being targeted.

The country's two major political parties, the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party, say their members are among those taken into custody⁶.

Dhaka University Professor Ataur Rahman, who is president of the Bangladesh Political Science Association, says the crackdown follows the two major parties' refusal to attend talks with the military-backed interim⁷ government.

"Since the political parties gave a warning that [they] will go for a movement against the government, as a consequence the government has taken this drive to really clear out hardcore political activists and some criminals, along with them, so that untoward⁸ happenings do not come in wake of this call by the political parties," said Rahman.

Authorities in Dhaka say the arrests will improve security ahead of scheduled December national elections.

However, analysts⁹ say elections will not be considered credible¹⁰ if boycotted¹¹ by the Awami League and the BNP.
　

Sheikh Hasina (r) is surrounded by police officers as she leaves court (2007 File)

At present, the parties officials say they will not discuss with the caretaker government their participation¹² in the election unless their leaders are freed. Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia - both former prime ministers -- are in jail and facing trial on corruption¹³ charges.

Feuding¹⁴ between the two women, led to violent street demonstrations¹⁵ and political chaos¹⁶ in 2006. A caretaker government was then appointed by the president and backed by the army. For the last 17 months Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency.