Ershad Reimposes Martial Law in Bangladesh

President Hussain Mohammed Ershad reimposed martial law Friday, banned all political activity, closed universities and clamped a midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew on the capital.

Radio Bangladesh said no political rallies, demonstrations, processions, strikes or lockouts would be allowed until further notice.

Ershad, in a broadcast only hours after he closed six universities, apparently to prevent any anti-government protests after his broadcast, said that he was reimposing martial law that he had relaxed last month and was again setting up summary military courts and special tribunals.

He said he would hold a referendum March 21 to seek a vote of confidence on his policies and denounced political parties for stalling parliamentary elections planned for April 6. The April 6 vote was postponed.

A seven-party alliance led by Khaleda Zia said Thursday that it would block any move to hold a referendum that bypassed a parliamentary election. It said a referendum would be an attempt to continue military rule in a different form.

But Ershad said Friday that a referendum is the only way to ascertain public opinion because of the parties’ refusal to take part in parliamentary polls.