Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former state minister for education ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has claimed that he was barred from leaving the country while travelling to Bangkok for medical treatment.
He made the allegation at an emergency press conference held at the National Press Club on Friday, saying that immigration officials at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport prevented him from boarding his flight, but did not provide any explanation for the restriction.
Milon said while he was in Bangkok earlier, he was instructed by the party to attend a meeting of BNP nomination aspirants. Following that directive, he returned to Dhaka on 25 October despite his treatment being incomplete.
After completing his organisational duties, he attempted to travel back to Bangkok on 30 October for further treatment but was informed at the immigration counter that a travel ban had been imposed against him.
Clarifying his position, the BNP leader said he is personally transparent and believes in democratic and constitutional politics. Milon stated that he has never been involved in any conspiracy or anti-state activities.
Milon added that he renounced his US citizenship and passport out of love for the country and its people, which inspired him to dedicate himself to national politics.
Criticising the previous regime, he said opponents were subjected to inhumane repression during that time, and travel restrictions were used as one of the main tools of harassment.
Questioning the reason for the travel ban, Milon said the current administration is the government of the historic July Uprising. He emphasised that the BNP has supported Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and the interim government from the very beginning.
He expressed confidence that no agency or department under this government would act based on misinformation or conspiracy, and urged the authorities to ensure the constitutional, civil, and human rights of all citizens, including himself.
