Bangladesh protests Highlights: Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, arrived at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad on Monday (August 5) as part of her intended journey to London, following her resignation amid widespread anti-government protests that have claimed nearly hundreds of lives. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, along with senior officials, met Hasina at the airbase to discuss the situation and convey India’s stance on the developments in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, to review the situation. Jaishankar also briefed Modi and updated Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on the unfolding crisis.
Hasina has been relocated to a secure location, and while her original plan was to travel to London, there is now some uncertainty about her departure due to unforeseen issues.
Sheikh Hasina Resignation, Bangladesh Protest News Highlights
3G and 4G networks in Bangladesh have been reinstated, allowing people to access mobile internet services throughout the country.
The Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express services will be cancelled on Tuesday, according to the Eastern Railway, citing information from Bangladeshi authorities. The Maitree Express, which has been non-operational since July 19, will continue to be suspended on August 6.
In light of the continuing unrest in neighboring Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the state’s residents on Monday to stay calm and avoid any provocations. She chose not to comment on the situation in Bangladesh, stating that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of External Affairs to address the matter.
“I would appeal to all citizens of West Bengal to maintain peace and avoid all forms of provocation,” Banerjee told reporters at the West Bengal assembly.
“Whatever decision the Centre takes on this issue, we will abide by it,” she said.
Security beefed up at the Bangladesh High Commission in Chanakyapuri in wake of army takeover, PM Hasina’s flight in neighbour country. (PTI)
Sheikh Hasina, who resigned as Bangladesh‘s Prime Minister amid widespread anti-government protests, is reportedly en route to London, according to sources on Monday.
On Monday, protesters in Bangladesh stormed the Prime Minister’s official residence shortly after Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country with her sister. Local media reported that Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, fled Dhaka for an undisclosed location.
Prominent Bangladeshi writer and academic Professor Salimullah Khan will lead the interim government, as announced by the key political party BNP. The party’s representatives were involved in discussions with the Army Chief.
Indian Railways Suspends All Train Services with Bangladesh, Says Spokesperson.
Due to the ongoing law and order situation in Bangladesh, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has placed the India-Bangladesh border on high alert for two days starting Monday. BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary has arrived in Kolkata to closely monitor the situation and developments. Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman has stated that there is no immediate need for a curfew or emergency measures, assuring that a resolution to the crisis will be sought by tonight. He also announced that an interim government will be established to manage the country.
Indian security agencies have been tracking a C-130 aircraft with the call sign AJAX1431, which has been observed about 10 kilometers from the Indian border with Bangladesh and is en route to Delhi. She is likely to land at Palam airport. Sources indicate that Sheikh Hasina and several members of her entourage are believed to be on this plane.
The C-130 aircraft is expected to reach around 1700-1715 hours at a runway here. The Bangladesh Air Force plane has crossed Patna and reached near UP-Bihar border. Top security brass monitoring the situation very closely. All radars active and keeping a close watch on it: Sources— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2024
Footage is emerging of a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the former Prime Minister’s father and the tallest figure in Bangladesh’s history who led the country’s fight for independence from Pakistan, being vandalized.
Just over a month into his tenure as Bangladesh‘s army chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman has come into the spotlight, announcing the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country on Monday.
In a televised address, Zaman stated that, following discussions with “all political parties,” a decision was made to establish an interim government. While it remains unclear whether the army will be directly involved, Zaman mentioned: “We will now approach the president to discuss and form the interim government and manage the nation.”
Bangladesh‘s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is heading to New Delhi, sources familiar with the matter informed Financial Express online.
Reports suggest that she arrived in Agartala, a northeastern city in India, on Monday after fleeing Dhaka, according to CNN-News18. The report, citing intelligence sources, also indicated that India is preparing to provide Hasina with safe passage.
In a televised address, Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman stated that the Army will investigate all the killings that have occurred in the country over the past few weeks.
He also urged students to “remain calm and return home.”
Students have been protesting job quota reforms for the past few weeks, and the resulting violence has claimed over 300 lives.
In a televised address, Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman announced that the military will establish an interim government. He urged protesters to end their demonstrations and stated that he takes “full responsibility” for the ongoing violence in the country.
In response to the situation in Bangladesh, the Border Security Force has issued a high alert along the India-Bangladesh border. Previously, the Ministry of External Affairs had advised citizens to avoid traveling to Bangladesh. Those already in the country are urged to exercise extreme caution, limit their movements, and stay in touch with the High Commission in Dhaka.
In the view of law and order situation in Bangladesh, BSF issues high alert along the India-Bangladesh border. BSF DG has also reached Kolkata, said a senior BSF officer.
Protesters launched a ‘Long March to Dhaka’ today, defying the nationwide curfew. They are demanding Prime Minister Hasina’s resignation. In response, Hasina has accused the demonstrators of “sabotage” and has cut off mobile internet. The military has imposed a new, indefinite curfew.
Protests and violence have swept across Bangladesh since last month, ignited by student groups calling for the elimination of a controversial quota system in government jobs. The unrest has since intensified into a broader movement demanding the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who secured a fourth consecutive term in January through an election that the opposition boycotted.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has advised citizens to avoid traveling to Bangladesh and, if already present, to exercise extreme caution, limit their movements, and stay in contact with the High Commission in Dhaka.
Fierce clashes on Sunday have resulted in at least 300 deaths, according to an AFP report. However, no official statement has been released on the matter. Protesters organized a ‘Long March to Dhaka’ despite a nationwide curfew. They are demanding Hasina’s resignation. The Prime Minister has accused the protesters of “sabotage” and cut off mobile internet access. The military has imposed a new curfew for an indefinite period.
Reports indicate that Sheikh Hasina, along with her sister, has left the country. The departure was confirmed by multiple local dailies. Many media reports also indicate that after resigning from her position as Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina is reportedly en route to India. BBC Bangla reports that her helicopter is expected to land in Agartala.
Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman announced that the military will form an interim government. He is scheduled to address the nation at 4 PM today, according to the Daily Star.
Bangladesh High Commission officials in Delhi have confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday amid escalating violence.