Bangladesh unrest LIVE | US revokes Hasina’s visa: Reports
Bangladesh parliament dissolved; Hasina faces uncertain future, may stay in India for a couple of days; UK says it won't protect her from facing UN probe
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday (August 6) told an all-party meeting that India has assured help to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived in the country on Monday evening, and given her time to decide the future course of action, sources said.
Briefing leaders of various political parties in Parliament House, Jaishankar said India has spoken to the Bangladesh Army Chief to ensure the safety of over 10,000 Indian students in that country, the sources said.
Noting that it has been not even 24 hours since Hasina arrived in India, he said Hasina is in a state of shock and the government is giving her time to recover before it speaks to her over various issues, including her future plans, the sources said.
Yunus to helm new govt
Before the Bangladesh dissolved on Tuesday afternoon, Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus agreed to helm the new government.
The Federal had carried an exclusive report about speculations on Yunus’ possible appointment, on Monday.
The demand to make Yunus the chief adviser to the interim government had been put forth by the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
More than 440 killed in violence
The overall death toll in the violence related to students' reached 440 as chaos reined supreme hours after Sheikh Hasina resigned as the prime minister and fled the country on Monday. As the news of Hasina’s departure spread on Monday, hundreds of people broke into her residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests.
The situation in Dhaka was largely calm on Tuesday morning after a day of unrest and a night of tension. Buses and other public transport were on the streets and traders were opening shops.
London plan dropped?
The Bangladesh Air Force C-130J transport aircraft, which brought Hasina to India, departed Hindon airbase at 9 am without her, carrying seven military personnel back to Bangladesh. Hasina landed at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad on Monday as part of her plan to go to London. However, her plan has hit a roadblock and she is unlikely to move out of India for the next couple of days.
The decision came after the UK government indicated that she may not get legal protection against any possible probe into the massive violent protests in her country. Hasina decided to travel to London as Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq is a member of the British Parliament. Tulip is economic secretary to the Treasury and Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate.
May go to Finland
In a statement, British foreign secretary David Lammy said in London on Monday that Bangladesh has seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life in the last two weeks and people of the country “deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events”.
It is also learnt that Hasina has family members in Finland as well and that is why she also contemplated leaving for the northern European country. So far, there is no clarity on the matter.
Live Updates
- 5 Aug 2024 5:28 PM IST
Sheikh Hasina on her way to London
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned on Monday following unprecedented anti-government protests, is on her way to London through India, multiple diplomatic sources said.
Hasina is learnt to be travelling in a transport aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force and it is expected to have a stopover in India.
It is not immediately clear whether the military transport aircraft will take her beyond India or she will travel to London in a different plane.
India decided to provide a safe passage through the Indian airspace to Hasina's aircraft following a request from Dhaka, the sources cited above told PTI.
Indian government sources said New Delhi is closely following the fast-paced developments in Dhaka.
There is no reaction yet from India on the unfolding developments in Bangladesh.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman said Hasina has resigned and an interim government is taking over the responsibilities.
"I'm taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate," he said in a televised address.
The Army chief said he had met political leaders and told them the Army would take over responsibility for law and order.
More than 100 people have been killed in the protests against the Hasina government over the last two days.
The students' protests in Bangladesh started last month against a controversial job quota scheme. The protests now have turned into an anti-government agitation.
The controversial quota system provided for 30 per cent reservations in civil services jobs for the families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war.
- 5 Aug 2024 5:18 PM IST
Security beefed up at Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi: Police
The Delhi Police has beefed up security at the Bangladesh High Commission in Chanakyapuri here in the wake of developments in the neighbouring country, an officer said on Monday.
- 5 Aug 2024 5:17 PM IST
Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express cancelled
The services of Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express will remain cancelled on Tuesday, the Eastern Railway said, citing a message from the authorities concerned in Bangladesh.
The services of Maitree Express, which has not been operational since July 19, will remain suspended on August 6, the ER said in a statement.
- 5 Aug 2024 5:15 PM IST
Security personnel guard during an indefinite curfew following fresh protests in Dhaka, Monday, August 5. PTI
- 5 Aug 2024 5:01 PM IST
IMAGE: PM Sheikh Hasina flees Dhaka
IMAGE: Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaves the country in a helicopter as protesters stormed prime minister's palace. Photo: PTI
- 5 Aug 2024 4:56 PM IST
Sheikh Hasina on her way to London
Fresh reports say Sheikh Hasina is on her way to London after India granted her safe passage.
- 5 Aug 2024 4:50 PM IST
Protestors flee with PM's sarees!
It's all happening!
After ransacking Sheikh Hasina's palace, protestors are on the rampage, looting even her sarees and items such as fish from her kitchen.
- 5 Aug 2024 4:30 PM IST
Army chief asks students to go home
According to news agency Reuters, Bangladesh Army Chief says, "Representatives of main political parties were present in discussion with Army. I request students to stay calm and go back home. There is no need for a curfew or any emergency in the country. We will find a solution to this crisis by tonight."
