Bangladesh Protests: President Orders Release Of Ex-PM Khaleda Zia Hours After Sheikh Hasina Resigns, Lands Near Delhi

• Sudden developments amid deadly protests in Bangladesh on Monday led to Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country after resigning from prime ministership and the army announcing the formation of an interim government.

• Sheikh Hasina fled the country and landed in neighbouring India which reportedly gave her a safe passage to fly to another country. Hasina's dramatic resignation came amid growing demands of her ouster by protesters who are seeking justice for the scores of people killed in unrest

• The protests, which were peaceful when they began in July, were primarily by students in Bangladesh against a quota system for government jobs. At first, the demonstrations were against a quota system that set aside up to 30% of government jobs for family members of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence against Pak

• The protests turned violent on July 16 as student protesters clashed with security officials and pro-government activists, prompting authorities to disperse tear gas, fire rubber bullets and impose a curfew with a shoot-on-sight order. The internet and mobile data were also turned off

• General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced on Monday after Hasina's ouster that an interim government led by him is being formed.In a televised address, he urged people to cooperate and said he had asked both Army and police not to fire any shots

• In India, where Hasina landed at an air base near Delhi, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior military officials met her. Indian Air Force and other security agencies were providing security to her and she is being moved to a safe location, sources said.

• President Shahabuddin held a meeting with chief of three forces and directed to dissolve Parliament soon and make way for interim government.

• Shahabuddin also ordered the release of former PM and opposition leader Khaleda Zia.

• All offices, educational institutions are to be opened tomorrow as nter-Services Public Relations Directorate announced that ongoing curfew ends tonight.

In the past month, the death toll due to the violence in the neighbouring country has crossed 300.

In the fresh violence reported in the past few days, 100 people, including police officials, have already been killed due to the unrest in Dhaka and other regions.

As the unrest continues, the call for Sheikh Hasina to resign has only increased. Latest reports have stated that PM Hasina has left Dhaka Palace as a safety measure amid deadly unrest.

Reuters reports that Sheikh Hasina has resigned as Bangladesh prime minister amid deadly protest and left for India in a helicopter.

The clashes on Sunday reignited days after over 200 people were killed in violent clashes between the police and mostly student protesters demanding an end to the controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971. Since then, more than 11,000 people have been arrested.

In light of fresh protests and deadly unrest in Bangladesh, the Indian government have advised all Indian nationals to avoid travel to the neighboring country "until further notice".

The protests in Bangladesh, which began peacefully in July, are by students against a quota system for government jobs.

The peaceful protests turned violent on July 16 as student protesters clashed with security officials and pro-government activists, prompting authorities to disperse tear gas, fire rubber bullets and impose a curfew with a shoot-on-sight order. The internet and mobile data were also turned off.

The government says nearly 150 people died last month, while local media have reported more than 200 were killed. On Monday, news agency AFP reported over 300 were killed in the clashes

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post earlier today after deadly unrest broke out in the country once again. As per reports, PM Hasima fled Dhaka Palace in view of the growing protests and is reportedly headed to India.

Her current whereabouts remain unknown.

Following the resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina, students and the youth of Bangladesh have rejected the implementation of martial law. Based on local inputs, an interim government is expected to be formed.

Bangladesh's Army chief has confirmed that Sheikh Hasina has resigned from her post. In an appeal to the people of the Bangladesh, the Army Chief stated that an interim government will be formed shortly.

Addressing the nation after PM Hasina' resignation, Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman has urged all protestors to end the violence and "go home".

"I have invited all opposition leaders, discussed and decided to form interim government, business will continue through this interim government, we will take all decisions, trust the armed forces, taking all responsibility and promising to not lose hope. All demands will be met, please support us and stop violence, arson."

BSF issues 'high alert' to all units along 4,096 km of India-Bangladesh border in wake of developments in neighbouring country: Officials

via PTI

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman urged protesters to maintain peace, saying, "We cannot achieve anything through violence, there will be discussions on every injustice and every death. A positive conversation was held with all opposition parties and I assure you the interim government will work."

A Bangladesh Air Force flight with callsign AJAX1431 is reportedly carrying outgoing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and as per per flight tracking portal Flightradar24's data, has crossed West Bengal where she did not get an approval to land after fleeing her country, reports said.

Reports said Sheikh Hasina tried to land in India, however, was unable to due to permission.

Announcing an interim government in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina resigned as PM and fled the country, Army chief said there was no need for curfew or any emergency in the country, adding that they "will find a solution to crisis by tonight".

Broadband internet service was also reportedly restored around 1:20 pm on Monday in Bangladesh, but without access to social media services, the Daily Star quoted as saying an official of International Internet Gateway (IIF), which supplies bandwidth to broadband service providers.

Whereabouts of outgoing Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina remain unknown, with multiple reports claiming different destinations where she would land. None of them are confirmed.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and an interim government is taking over, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced here on Monday.

While BBC reported that Hasina left on a helicopter for Agartala in Tripura, the Associated Press said she has resigned but gave no other details.

According to sources cited in a Dhaka Tribune report, Hasina was headed to West Bengal.

The Ministry of External Affairs or local officials in Agartala refused to confirm the report. Tripura Home Secretary PK. Chakravarty told PTI "we have no such information.

According to a flight tracking portal Flightradar24, a Bangladesh Air Force plane is flying to an unknown location from Dhaka and was also seen crossing West Bengal. It is possible that the flight was headed to West Bengal but was denied permission to land. READ FULL REPORT

Sources cited by news agency ANI said Indian security agencies are monitoring a C-130 aircraft with call sign AJAX1431 since 10 kms from Indian border with Bangladesh and it is heading towards Delhi. It is believed that Sheikh Hasina and some members of her entourage are on this plane, sources said.

The C-130 aircraft is expected to reach around 1700-1715 hours at a runway in Delhi. "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 said.

Security gas been beefed up outside Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi in wake of the violent protests killing hundreds and the subsequent political turmoil in the neighbouring country.

A Bangladesh Air Force flight with callsign AJAX1431 is reportedly carrying outgoing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and, as per flight tracking portal Flightradar24's data, has crossed West Bengal where she possibly did not get an approval to land after fleeing her country.

Reports said Sheikh Hasina tried to land in India, however, was unable to due to permission. Some reports also claimed that Sheikh Hasina has landed in Tripura's Agartala, showing visuals of an entourage getting off a chopper and boarding a car, however, those clips were also run by local media when they said Hasina was flying out of the country. READ FULL REPORT

In the wake of developments in neighbouring Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister has urged people to maintain peace in the state and avoid provocation.

Video footage showed protesters vandalising and looting Hasina's official residence 'Ganabhaban' in the capital Dhaka. They were seen celebrating on the Ganabjhaban premises waving their hands in the air. Many of them were seen leaving with many belongings of the Ganabhaban.

Videos on social media showed protesters climbing a statue of Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a 1971 Liberation War hero, in Dhaka and smashing it with hammers.

Her Awami League's office in Dhanmondi and Dhaka was set on fire by the agitators who chanted anti-government slogans.

The aircraft in which Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina boarded to flee the country is flying over India on Monday afternoon.

According to real time air traffic on flight tracking portal flightradar24, the Bangladesh Air Force aircraft AJAX1431 was being tracked by more than 29,000 people, becoming the most tracked aircraft in the world at that time. Around 4.15 pm, it was near Varanasi.

Indian Railways had cancelled all train services including Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitri Express train to Bangladesh from July 19 August 6.

Outgoing 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 cited by news agency PTI said.

Hasina, who is said to be travelling on a transport aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force, it is expected to have a stopover in India, the sources said.

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.

Reports citigng Indian government sources claim that Bangladesh’s outgoing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with her sister is landing at Hindon Indian Air Force base near New Delhi. Hindon IAF station is in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad of.

India's Border Security Force (BSF) is constantly in touch with Border Guard Bangladesh over the current situation. "As of now, the situation is normal at the border. Due to the curfew in Bangladesh, there are restrictions on traffic movement at Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) along India-Bangladesh border," said a senior BSF officer.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has landed at Hindon Air Base of Ghaziabad in neighbouring India's Uttar Pradesh 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 entry into Indian airspace to Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad," sources cited by news agency ANI said.

Indian Air Force fighter aircraft were airborne soon after the Bangladeshi C-130 aircraft entered Indian airspace and kept an eye on it for some time, sources cited by news agency ANI said. The Indian Air Force and Indian Army were prepared to meet any contingency, the sources said.

Indian carrier Air India has cancelled flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect in view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh. "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. Safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority," Air India said.

Bangladeshi Army soldiers patrol the deserted streets of Dhaka after the authorities imposed an indefinite curfew earlier today in wake of the violent protests | See pics below

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport of Bangladesh's Dhala will be closed for the next six hours, the Army there has reportedly announced. Local media have reported that the Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed the announcement of the airport’s closure.

Indo-Bangladesh trade 'halted' this afternoon amid unrest in the neighbouring country due to large-scale protests that resulted in President Sheikh Hasina resigning on Monday, according to traders.

On Sunday, the Bangladesh government announced a three-day trade holiday, excluding essential services, through a notification.

West Bengal Exporters Coordination Committee secretary Ujjal Saha said that due to lack of clearance from Bangladeshi customs at their land ports, export and import activities were stalled in all land ports.

(via PTI)

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in Bangladesh, said sources cited by new s agency ANI.

Sheikh Hasina has reportedly landed in Hindon Air Base near Delhi after fleeing Bangladesh. From Hindon Air Base, she might be headed to London, reports said.

High alert has been implemented at Bangladesh International Petrapol border in North 24 Parganas of Indian state of West Bengal.

Visuals of protesters looting and vandalised Sheikh Hasina's official residence in the capital Dhaka 'Ganabhaban' have flooded social media with some people seen leaving the place with fish, some with animals that were kept there and some even seen relaxing on a bed there.

Protesters also smashed a statue of Sheikh Hasina's father Mujibur Rahman with hammers and set her party's offices on fire as they celebrated her departure as Prime Minister.

Curtains have come down on Sheikh Hasina's tenure as the Prime Minister of neighbouring Bangladesh. On Monday, August 5, Hasina resigned as the PM and fled the country amid massive protests against her government that claimed around 100 lives over the last two days. More than 300 people have been killed in the country since the anti-quota demonstrations began last month.

As Hasina fled Bangladesh, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman said in a nationally televised address that an interim government was taking over and that the responsibility of law and order would remain with the Army. READ FULL REPORT

National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval has reached Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, near the Indian capital city of Delhi, where Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has landed in a C-130 transport aircraft.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior military officials met Sheikh Hasina at the Hindon Air Base near Delhi where she landed after fleeing her country amid unrest. Sources cited by ANI said "Indian Air Force and other security agencies were providing security to her and she is being moved to a safe location".

India's Meghalaya has imposed night curfew along its border with Bangladesh amid turmoil in neighbouring country, Deputy CM announced.

In view of the ongoing situation in Dhaka, Indian carrier IndiGo announced it was cancelling all flights scheduled for tomorrow. IndiGo said: "Our customer experience team is available round the clock to assist all affected customers. Alternatively, rebook and full refund options are available at https://bit.ly/3ARdrd8 We appreciate your continued trust and patience, and will keep you updated on further developments."

All train services between India and Bangladesh have been suspended indefinitely, Railway officials said on Monday following unrest in the neighbouring country. According to the Railway Ministry, Maitri Express, Bandhan Express and Mitali Express operated their last trips in mid-July this year and have been cancelled since then due to violent protests in Bangladesh.

Both Maitri Express and Bandhan Express were initially cancelled from July 19, 2024, to August 6, 2024, they said.

However, due to the prevailing situation in Bangladesh, the cancellation has been extended indefinitely, the officials said, adding the Mitali Express also stands suspended indefinitely.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met today at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. In the meeting in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed about the situation in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina landed near Delhi after fleeing her country amid unrest.

Following turmoil in Bangladesh, the Assam government on Monday issued "high alert" to all its districts sharing border with the neighbouring country, a senior official said.

Assam's Karimganj, Cachar, Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar districts share 267.5 km of international border with Bangladesh.

"We have alerted all the border districts to be on high alert. We have asked the District Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to personally monitor the border situation," the official told PTI.

The official said that the Assam government is monitoring the Integrated Check Posts at Sutarkandi in Assam, Dawki in Meghalaya and Akhaura in Tripura along with its counterparts in those states.

- PTI

According to PTI, four Hindu temples suffered "minor" damages across the country, eyewitnesses and a community leader said.

An unruly mob vandalised the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in the city’s Dhanmondi area.

The Bangabandhu memorial museum - dedicated to Mujibur Rahman who was assassinated along with his wife and their three sons while serving as president in 1975 - was also vandalised.

The Awami League office in the capital was also set on fire. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan's house was ransacked.

A large number of protesters broke through the main gate of the police headquarters and ransacked the building.

The violence was not restricted to Dhaka. In the eastern city of Sylhet, offices of the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police were repo

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday claimed that amid the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, Hindus are being slaughtered in various parts of the neighbouring country and more than one crore refugees are likely to enter West Bengal soon.

Those refugees must be given Indian citizenship under CAA, said Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly.

Violent protests rocked Bangladesh in the last few days, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.

“Hindus are being slaughtered in Bangladesh. If the situation in Bangladesh is not brought under control in the next few days, then the people of Bengal should be ready to accept more than one crore refugees just like 1947 or the 1971 Liberation War,” he said.

Adhikari said the Governor CV Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should immediately speak to the Centre over the matter.

“The refugees must be granted (Indian) citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),” he said.

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Monday said it is a matter of great honour that Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina "feels safe in Bharat" after Hasina resigned as prime minister and landed near Delhi in a military aircraft amid unrest in her country.

Ranaut, a national award-winning actor and BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, also criticised those questioning "Hindu Rastra (a Hindu nation)". She claimed that Muslim countries are not safe "even for Muslims".

"Bharat is the original motherland of all Islamic Republics around us. We are honoured and flattered that honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh feels safe in Bharat but all those who live in India and keep asking why Hindu Rashtra? Why Ram Rajya? Well it is evident why!!!

"No one is safe in Muslim countries not even Muslims themselves. Unfortunate whatever is happening in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Britain. We are lucky to be living in Ram Rajya," the 38-year-old MP, who has often courted controversies with her remarks, said in a post on X.

The President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of former Prime Minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia from prison.

She became the first women prime minister of Bangladesh in 1991 after her husband Ziaur Rahman was assassinated. Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 1978.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin met with political leaders and civil society representatives at Bangabhaban, with the heads of the army, navy, and air force present.

According to Prothom Alo, the president called for the formation of an interim government by dissolving parliament as soon as possible.

He also asked the army to take steps to restore order to the current chaotic situation.

An ongoing curfew will be in effect from Monday midnight until 6am on Tuesday, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate.

Starting Tuesday morning, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, private institutions, factories, schools, colleges, madrasas, universities and all educational institutions in Bangladesh will remain open, a press release of the ISPR said.

- Dhaka Tribune