Bangladesh Protests LIVE: President orders release of Khaleda Zia as Sheikh Hasina bows out

In an address to the nation, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin said all politicians and students detained in the country will be released.

Shahabuddin further said that the interim government will be formed after the dissolution of the parliament, according to Bangla-language newspaper Prothom Alo.

In his address, Shahabuddin specifically mentioned the release of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia, who has served as the premier twice in the past twice (1991–96 and 2001–06).

Amid widespread looting and rioting in Bangladesh, the house of MP Mashrafe Mortaza has been torched.

Ex-cricketer MP Mashrafe Mortaza’s house has been torched in Bangladesh

In a conversation with News18, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said that her mother won’t go back to her home country. He further said that his mother is extremely disappointed with the developments and that she won’t return to Bangladesh. “But she did not get the time due to the people on the street,” he added.

Joy went on to defend his mother’s legacy. “She [Hasina] has turned Bangladesh around. When she took over power, it was considered a failing state. It was a poor country. Until today, it was considered one of the rising tigers of Asia,” he averred.

Bangladesh’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that the Curfew will remain imposed in the country from 12:00 am to 6:00 am on Tuesday. Following this, all educational institutions including schools, colleges, madrasahs and universities will open tomorrow.

Protesters shout slogans as they celebrate after getting the news of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. – Image-AP

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin held a meeting with the leaders of various political parties and the representatives of civil society at Bangabhaban in the presence of the chief of three forces.

According to Prothom Alo, the president said in the meeting that an interim government as soon as possible by dissolving parliament. The army was also asked to take measures to normalise the prevailed anarchic situation.

Hours, after toppled Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, fled from Dhaka, AFP is reporting that Bangladesh’s president Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of jailed ex-PM and opposition chief Khaleda Zia. Earlier today, Zia issued a statement in which she asked protesters to remain calm.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former PM Khaleda Zia (Photo: PTI)

According to Bangladeshi news outlet The Daily Star, at least 10 people were killed and over 100 injured in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday afternoon. Uttara Crescent Hospital sources told the Bangladeshi news outlet that 10 people were already brought dead there.

Amid the chaos in Bangladesh, MP Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s house was vandalised. Mortaza was representing the Narail-2 constituency.

In addition to this, the protesters also set fire to the District Awami League office and vandalized District Awami League President Subash Chandra Bose’s houses.

As the reports of Sheikh Hasina heading to London swirl around, the United Kingdom has expressed concerns over the situation in Bangladesh and called for “swift action necessary to ensure that democracy prevails.”

“We are obviously deeply concerned by the violence we’ve seen in Bangladesh in recent weeks and that has obviously escalated in recent days. The very significant loss of life, including of students, children and law enforcement officers, is completely unacceptable,” UK PM Keir Starmer’s spokesperson told reporters.

“The right to peaceful protest must be protected and never subject to violence and we call on the authorities to release all peaceful protesters and ensure due process is followed for those charged and prosecuted. We hope that swift action is taken to ensure that democracy prevails and accelerate the process towards peace and security for people in Bangladesh,” he added.

Sheikh Hasina reached India after fleeing from Bangladesh. File Photo/AP

Bangladeshi writer and physician Taslima Nasreen reacted to the resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina. While attacking the now-toppled PM, Nasrin accused Hasina of “pleasing Islamists”. “Hasina in order to please Islamists threw me out of my country in 1999 after I entered Bangladesh to see my mother on her deathbed and never allowed me to enter the country again. The same Islamists have been in the student movement who forced Hasina to leave the country today,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Hasina in order to please Islamists threw me out of my country in 1999 after I entered Bangladesh to see my mother in her deathbed and never allowed me to enter the country again. The same Islamists have been in the student movement who forced Hasina to leave the country today.

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) August 5, 2024

As both the protesters and the Bangladeshi army figure out the plan of action after the country’s PM Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country, Students Against Discrimination will present the outline of the national government soon, Prothom Alo reported.

The group is expected to reveal the outline at SAARC Fountain in the capital’s Karwan Bazar.

As Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lands in India, reports are emerging that the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has met with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. Gandhi’s meeting with Jaishankar came after the latter briefed PM Modi about the situation.

The External Affairs Minister is also expected to address the ongoing Bangladesh crisis during his speech at the parliament tomorrow.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed said that the longtime premier will no longer return to politics. During a conversation with BBC, Joy said that she was “so disappointed that after all her hard work, for a minority to rise up against her”.

Joy also mentioned that Hasina had been planing to resign since yesterday. “She has turned Bangladesh around. When she took over power it was considered a failing state. It was a poor country. Until today it was considered one of the rising tigers of Asia. She’s very disappointed,” he averred.

However, he rejected assertions that the Hasina administration was hard on the protesters. “You’ve had policemen beaten to death – 13 just yesterday. So what do you expect the police to do when mobs are beating people to death?” he asked.

The Meghalaya government has decided to impose a curfew along the international border with Bangladesh. Deputy Chief Minister (in charge of Home (Police) Preston Tynsong stated that the curfew will be in effect from 6 PM to 6 AM and will be enforced up to a distance of only 200 meters inside the Indian territory.

Source: News18 Assam

Amid the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, Air India announced that they are cancelling all the flights scheduled to and from Dhaka. “In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have cancelled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Dhaka with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges,” Air India wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority.
For more information, please call our 24/7 Contact Centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999,” the statement further reads.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have cancelled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings…

— Air India (@airindia) August 5, 2024

Pakistan’s Intelligence agency ISI is using students to create tension in Bangladesh as it wants to establish an anti-India government by dislodging Sheikh Hasina, CNN-News18 quoted top Intelligence sources as saying.

ISI sleeper cells are working full-time in Dhaka to dislodge Hasina, they said.

“ISI is using Jamat and their student unit Chhatra Shivir to aggravate the crisis in Dhaka. Jamat is considered to be very close to Pakistan and secret funding was given to them from time to time. They regularly get briefings and instructions from the Pakistan mission in Dhaka,” they told CNN-News18.

Amid the chaos in Bangladesh, reports are emerging that celebratory processions are being conducted across the country after the resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina. According to The Dhaka Tribune, celebratory rallies were held in Chittagong at 3:00 PM on Monday.

Sweets were distributed, and shopkeepers reported that all their sweets were sold out within an hour. As per the reports, the largest gathering in the city took place at the New Market area, where sweets were distributed alongside victory celebrations.

Similar celebrations were also held in Khulna.

A joyous procession was held in Kulna on Monday. X

After being at the receiving end of protests and slogans such as “One, two, three, four, Sheikh Hasina is a dictator”, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given in and resigned from her post.

The 76-year-old, who has ruled the South Asian nation of 170 million with an iron fist since 2009, has resigned and has fled the nation. Reports say that she is en route to India.

As turmoil unfolds in India’s neighbourhood, here’s a recap of what happened so far and what could come next.

While Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left the country, The authorities have announced the closure of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport following the fall of the government. According to The Dhaka Tribune, all flights have been suspended in since 4:45 PM local time.

The information was confirmed by the airport Director Group Captain Kamrul Islam. “We will inform you as soon as any instructions are received,” he said, adding that there is no instruction yet regarding the resumption of flights.

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.

While giving his take on the political crisis in Bangladesh, former Foreign Secretary and ex-Ambassador to Bangladesh, Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the involvement of foreign powers cannot be ruled out.

“…I would also look at it as an economic factor and opportunists – whether it is the Opposition BNT or Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami…They have joined the protest and they have put in the violence in the protest,” Ambassador Shringla averred.

“You can’t rule out the involvement of foreign powers who are inimical to Bangladesh’s interest and our security also. You cannot rule out the fact that certain interests have been fishing in troubled waters. But I think the situation itself was a result of several underlying factors, inherent within Bangladesh,” he added.

General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, has emerged as a key figure in the country’s current political climate.

In response to escalating tensions marked by over a month of deadly protests and following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, General Waker-uz-Zaman is set to deliver a critical televised address, which was originally scheduled for 2:00 pm and has been rescheduled to 4:00 pm, Bangladesh time. The army urged the public to remain patient and adhere to the guidelines issued as the nation stands at a crossroads. This address is highly anticipated, as it follows the imposition of a curfew to maintain law and order and reflects the army’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and restoring peace amidst a volatile political landscape.

General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, has emerged as a key figure in the country’s current political climate.

In response to escalating tensions marked by over a month of deadly protests and following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, General Waker-uz-Zaman is set to deliver a critical televised address, which was originally scheduled for 2:00 pm and has been rescheduled to 4:00 pm, Bangladesh time. The army urged the public to remain patient and adhere to the guidelines issued as the nation stands at a crossroads. This address is highly anticipated, as it follows the imposition of a curfew to maintain law and order and reflects the army’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and restoring peace amidst a volatile political landscape.

The anti-government protests in Bangladesh have led to an unexpected outcome – the ouster of its longest-serving prime minister. Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country.

Reports say that Hasina and her sister have been taken by an army helicopter to safety. The whereabouts of the Bangladesh leader are unclear. However, she’s thought to be heading to India, according to reports.

For several weeks in July, Bangladesh was wracked by its most serious episode of civil unrest in decades. Then came peace, or so everyone thought. The violence and anger returned to the streets of Bangladesh on Sunday, forcing the authorities to cut off mobile internet and enforce a nationwide curfew for an indefinite period.

So what led Sheikh Hasina to quit? We take a look.

Read Here.  

Sheikh Hasina has resigned as the Bangladesh prime minister after 15 years in power. She fled the country after anti-government protests in which hundreds of people have been killed. File photo/Reuters

Despite the riot-like situation across the country, Bangladesh’s  Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said that there will be “no state of emergency” in the country. The proclamation from the army chief came just hours after Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and fled the country.

“We will form an interim government and manage the country. I promise we will prosecute all murders and injustices,” Zaman said in his address to the nation.

“The army will not fire. Police won’t shoot either. We will make a decision by tonight. But it may take a couple of days to execute,” he added.

As Bangladesh protests continue to rage News18 has accessed the photograph of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina putting down her papers.

First Image of Sheikh Hasina resigning from the PM post. News18

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs warned Indian nationals against travelling to Bangladesh as protests rage on in the country.

“In view of ongoing developments, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice,” the MEA said in a statement.

“All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka,” the statement further reads.

Advisory for Bangladesh:https://t.co/mKs1auhnlK pic.twitter.com/m5c5Y0Bn8b

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 4, 2024

After the office in Dhanmondi, protesters have also set fire to the Awami League Dhaka district office. According to Prothom Alo, the fire was set at around 4:00 pm local time on Monday. At the time, the fire spread to a nearby gas cylinder shop.

Several protesters vandalised the residence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in Dhanmondi. According to The Dhaka Tribune, thousands of protesters had broken through the entrance and entered the minister’s residence.

Smoke was also seen billowing from inside the house, and vandalism was taking place within the premises.

Just moments after reports emerged that Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had landed in India, the Bangladesh Air Force flight AJAX1431 was seen flying over Dhanbad, according to Flightradar 24. Hence, the whereabouts of the Bangladeshi PM is still not clear.

While Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stepped down and left the country, the riot-like situation still persists across the nation. Amid the chaos, protesters have set fire to Awami League president Sheikh Hasina’s office in Dhanmondi 3/A in the capital. They were also seen chanting slogans in the region.

The protestors set fire to Awami League president Sheikh Hasina’s office in Dhanmondi. X

On Monday, officials said the Border Security Force (BSF) issued a “high alert” across all its formations along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border in the wake of developments in neighbouring countries.

BSF director general (acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary and other senior commanders have landed in Kolkata to review the security situation, they said.

The force has directed all its field commanders to be “on the ground” and “deploy all personnel on border duty immediately”, a senior officer told PTI.

The leaves of all the personnel posted along the Bangladesh border were cancelled in the last few weeks after Bangladesh witnessed massive protests and now all units have been asked to “acquire an all alert posture”, he said.

The BSF guards the Indian front on the eastern flank of the country that runs along five states.

West Bengal shares a total of 2,217 kilometres of border with Bangladesh, along with Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Assam (262 km) and Mizoram (318 km).

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday resigned and left the country, several news reports said, amid massive protests against her government that claimed more than 106 lives in the last two days.

However, there was no official confirmation about her quitting and leaving Dhaka.

Source: PTI

As the clashes between Bangladeshi police and protesters take the country by storm, videos are circulating in which the protesters can be seen destroying the statue of the founding father and first President of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

🔹9th May of Bangladesh under way🔹

🚨 Bangladesh:— The statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, commonly referred to as Bangabandhu, has been taken down by the people of Bangladesh. Finally the people of Bangladesh have risen up against the traitor.

pic.twitter.com/X4wjHj0gQl

— دانشکدہِِ قران و حدیث (@JibranHashmey) August 5, 2024

Shortly after Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country, the Chief of General Staff of the Bangladesh Army Waker-Uz-Zaman said that she had resigned from her post.

The army assured that an interim government will be formed “through a discussion”.

He also assured that perpetrators of all killings will be brought to book. “Maintain peace and tranquillity in the country. We will be able to run the country nicely,” Waker-Uz-Zaman.

Sheikh Hasina Ousted: 'We will not resolve anything using protests; we will put an end to anarchy,' says Bangladesh Army Chief.

Watch the live stream here: https://t.co/pM009gUiuz
Follow the live blog: https://t.co/THFIg6f484 pic.twitter.com/nKOJZmknwL

— Firstpost (@firstpost) August 5, 2024

Here’s a look at the events that took place in Bangladesh which eventually led to the fall of PM Sheikh Hasina:

July 1, 2024: Blockades Begin

• University students initiated blockades, disrupting roads and railway lines.
• Their demand was for reforms in the quota system for public sector jobs, which they claimed favoured loyalists of Hasina’s ruling Awami League.
• Having won a fifth term in January, Hasina dismissed the protests, stating students were “wasting their time”.

July 16, 2024: Violence intensifies

• Violence escalated with the first recorded deaths of six people following clashes between protesters and pro-government supporters in Dhaka.
• In response, Hasina’s government closed schools and universities nationwide.

July 18, 2024: PM Hasina rebuffed

• Students rejected Hasina’s appeal for calm and continued to demand her resignation.
• Protesters chanted “down with the dictator,” and torched the headquarters of Bangladesh Television along with other government buildings.
• The government imposed an internet blackout to curb the unrest.
• Clashes left at least 32 people dead and hundreds injured, despite a curfew and soldier deployment.

July 21, 2024: Supreme Court verdict

• Bangladesh’s Supreme Court ruled against reintroducing job quotas, a decision critics viewed as aligning with Hasina’s government.
• The verdict did not satisfy protesters’ demands to abolish job reservations for children of “freedom fighters” from Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war.

August 4, 2024: Army sides with protesters

• Hundreds of thousands clashed with government supporters again, resulting in 68 deaths, including 14 police officers.
• Former Army chief General Ikbal Karim Bhuiyan urged the government to withdraw troops and condemned the killings.
• Current Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman stated the armed forces “always stood by the people”.

August 5, 2024: Call for final protest

• Leaders of the civil disobedience campaign called on supporters to march on Dhaka for a “final protest”.
• The escalating confrontation with the government led to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning and fleeing the capital, Dhaka.