Guwahati, Aug. 6 -- Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday announced that she intends to return to Bangladesh in December, despite the possibility of being arrested, while sharply criticising the current government in Dhaka for, she alleged, undermining democracy and targeting political opponents.

Speaking via an audio link at an event organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC) in New Delhi, Hasina said she was prepared to face imprisonment if necessary.

"I know I may be detained. I may be sent to prison. But fear cannot decide my duty to the people," she said, adding that she had chosen December, which she described as Bangladesh's "Victory Month", for her planned return.

Hasina said Banglad...