Rama Krishna Sangem
As political crisis worsened in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5 Monday and fled the country along with her sister for a ‘safer place’ due to security fears. Hasina fled capital city Dhaka after shortly before protestors marched inside the Gono Bhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
Hasina’s small aircraft landed at Ghaziabad, Utter Pradesh, India at 5.30 pm, Monday and she is likely to go to London, but there is no clarity on her next journey as of now.
Army chief Waqar-uz-Zaman of Bangladesh addressed the nation at 4 p.m. local time on Monday, urging protesters to calm down. He urged the people e to stop the protests and added that deliberations will be done on the issues raised by the public.
He confirmed Hasina’s resignation and added that an interim government will be formed in Bangladesh and invited students for positive talks. Earlier, a senior advisor to Hasina had said that her resignation was a “possibility” when asked if she would quit. Unconfirmed reports said that Hasina has been flown to India and may be taken to Tripura’s Agartala.
Civil war in Bangladesh
The country is engulfed in a civil war-like situation, with thousands demanding Hasina’s resignation a day after deadly clashes rocked the country, killing nearly 100 people. Videos emerged from the crisis-hit nation, widespread public unrest and chaos on streets.
At least six people were killed in fresh violence today as clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in the Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas, according to local media reports from The Daily Star newspaper.
Student activists are among the thousands of protesters who called for a “Long March to Dhaka” demanding Hasina’s resignation. A nationwide call to join the march prompted the Hasina government to order a complete internet shutdown in the country.
Leading Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo reported that while broadband internet was ordered to be restored around 1:15 a.m., there were no instructions about the mobile internet connection.
On Sunday, houses of public representatives and offices of the ruling Awami League were vandalized and set on fire across 39 districts. Armed security personnel were spotted patrolling the streets of the capital on Monday. As some protestors, mainly students, gathered, police used tear gas shells to disperse them.
Quota sir maybe excuse
The latest tensions stem from the quota protests initiated by students in July. The protests have resulted in over 300 deaths so far. The protests turned violent on July 16 after a clash broke out between the protesting students protesters and security officials and pro-government activists. But, the quota stir maybe an excuse to instigate anti-Sheik Hasina agitation in the country. The unrest hasn’t stopped even after the top court cancelled the quota.
The protests came to a halt after the country’s top court scrapped most quotas on July 21. However, they resumed last week as the public sought Hasina’s apology for the violence.
It’s believed that pro-Pakistan elements backed by Chinese factions are behind the present unrest in Bangladesh. The mobs demolition of Bangladesh founder Sheik Mujibur Rahaman indication to the coming days political developments. These elements might install a pro-Pakistan and pro-China government in the sensitive South Asian country.
