DHAKA — Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said she was evicted from her house Saturday, setting off violent protests by thousands of her supporters in the capital Dhaka.
The two-time former premier wept live on television saying she was forced out by law-enforcers from her sprawling military district house in Dhaka after a court deadline to vacate the government-leased home expired on Friday.
"They broke the front door, cut the grilles and then broke open my bedroom door. They dragged me out and pushed me into a car," Zia, also the main opposition leader, said wiping tears from her eyes.
"I was forced out with only one clothing. I was humiliated. They evicted me from my house breaking all rules and regulations. They also hit my family members," she said.
Officials said Khaleda Zia whose Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ruled the country in 1991-96 and 2001-6 left the house "willingly" accepting a high court ruling. She has been living in the house for more than three decades.
Thousands of BNP supporters clashed with police and held angry demonstrations across the capital and several nearby districts, torching vehicles and two buses, police said.
"They became violent, threw rocks at policemen and damaged many cars. We fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the activists," said deputy police commissioner Abdul Baten.
Dozens of opposition activists were arrested, he said, adding security has been stepped up after the BNP called a nationwide strike on Sunday in protest at the government's "vindictive" move.
An armed forces spokesman said Zia left her Shaheed Mainul Road house on her own in accordance with the court order.
"She showed full respect to the high court ruling and left the house willingly. There is no question of using any force," said Shahinul Islam, the chief spokesman of the armed forces.
He added that Zia's residence was the property of the Dhaka cantonment and was leased to her by the government in 1982, after her husband General Ziaur Rahman, a military strongman and ex-army chief, was killed in a 1981 failed coup.
Bangladesh's government, led by Zia's main political rival, Sheikh Hasina, cancelled the lease last year, saying she should move to her other house in Dhaka as she is now a civilian and leads a political party.
The eviction is seen as a tit-for-tat act by the current premier -- Zia cancelled a lease of a state palace to Hasina when she was in power in 2001-6. opyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.
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