Sheikh Hasina flees Bangladesh, lands in India: Where is she heading next?

Bangladesh is witnessing dramatic political turmoil after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and fled the country on Monday, August 5.

Her resignation comes after weeks of protests against a quota system for government jobs that descended into violence and grew into a broader challenge to her 15-year rule.

At least 300 people were killed in some of the worst violence since the birth of the South Asian nation more than five decades ago.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced the 76-year-old’s resignation in a televised address to the nation and said an interim government would be formed.

Where is Sheikh Hasina headed?

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Media reports have claimed Sheikh Hasina was flown in a military helicopter C-130 aircraft with a call sign, “AJAX1431,” with her sister and was headed to London through India.

She arrived at Hindson Air Base in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad and is likely to spend a night in New Delhi, according to News18. The aircraft will be parked near the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft hangars, as per ANI.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has landed at Hindon Air Base in a C-130 transport aircraft. The aircraft will be parked near the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft hangars. The aircraft movement was monitored by Indian Air Force and security agencies from its… pic.twitter.com/TgkeZlNyvu

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2024

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She has reportedly sought asylum from the UK government, as per The Hindu.

It is not immediately clear whether the same 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. New Delhi’s security agencies were monitoring the aircraft since it was 10 kilometres from the Indian border with Bangladesh and was heading towards Delhi.

BBC Bangla initially reported that the embattled prime minister’s helicopter was heading to Tripura’s capital, Agartala.

Catch all Bangladesh political turmoil live updates _**here**_

What do we know about the jet carrying her?

Flight AJAX1431 is a Lockheed C-130J Hercules military transport aircraft flown by the Bangladesh Air Force, according to India Today.

The military aircraft, with four engines, is a turboprop known for its reliability and efficiency.

Search and rescue, special operations, and tactical airlift are just a few of the many tasks for which it is frequently employed.

Recently, the Bangladesh Air Force modernised its C-130J Super Hercules fleet by acquiring the aircraft from the UK Defence Ministry, the report said.

The modernised version has new engines, a contemporary flight deck, and cutting-edge systems, making it a reliable option for important missions.

Why did Hasina resign?

Bangladesh has been engulfed by protests and violence after student protests last month against reservation quotas in government jobs escalated into a campaign for the ouster of Hasina, who won a fourth straight term in January in an election boycotted by the opposition.

About 300 people have been killed so far and thousands injured in the violence.

The role of the country’s army in tackling the violence had come into focus with a group of retired military officers urging Hasina to withdraw troops from the streets and undertake “political initiatives” to resolve the crisis. Critics of Hasina, along with human rights groups, have accused her government of using excessive force against protesters, a charge she and her ministers deny.

Hasina had said that “those who are carrying out violence are not students but terrorists who are out to destabilise the nation.”

However, soon after her resignation, television visuals showed thousands of people pouring into the streets of the capital, Dhaka, in jubilation and shouting slogans.

As she fled, people stormed her residence, taking furniture and pulling food from the refrigerators.

Crowds thronged the drawing rooms of the residence, and some people could be seen carrying away televisions, chairs and tables from what was one of the most protected buildings in the country.

“She has fled the country, fled the country,” some shouted.

According to the Economic Times, Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport is temporarily closed for six hours.

What’s next?

Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced Hasina’s resignation in a televised address to the nation and said an interim government would be formed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure threatens to create even more instability in the nation on India’s border already dealing with a series of crises, from high unemployment and corruption to climate change.

Army chief Zaman said he had held “fruitful” talks with leaders of all major political parties he had “invited” and would soon meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin to discuss the way ahead.

“The country is going through a revolutionary period,” said Zaman, 58, who took over as army chief only on June 23.

“I promise you all, we will bring justice to all the murders and injustice. We request you to have faith in the army of the country. I take full responsibility and I assure you to not get disheartened,” he said.

“I request you all to be a little patient, give us some time and together we will be able to solve all the problems,” Zaman said. “Please don’t go back to the path of violence and please return to non-violent and peaceful ways.”

With inputs from agencies