End violence and disruption in Bangladesh, urges British minister

British Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire has urged an end to the last “60 days of violence and disruption” in Bangladesh.

In a statement he said there was no place for this in a democratic Bangladesh and urged all to take confidence-building measures to stop the violence, reduce tension and ensure participatory political process.
 
“Britain has long been a close friend of Bangladesh. I am therefore particularly saddened about the last 60 days of violence and disruption which has had such an impact on the livelihood, education and security of so many Bangladeshi people,” he said. 
 
“There is no place for this in a democratic Bangladesh.
 
“The UK urges all Bangladesh political parties, the Government and others in society, to take the confidence-building measures necessary to stop the violence, to reduce tension and to ensure an inclusive and participatory political process,” read the statement.
 
The BNP-led alliance began the indefinite blockade from Jan 5, marking the first anniversary of the 10th parliamentary poll that they boycotted.
 
More than 100 people have been killed during the violence, mostly by fire-bombings.