Sheikh Hasina Resignation News Highlights: Bangladesh ex-PM likely to seek political asylum in UK

In regards to financial support given to Bangladesh, US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller says, "With respect to financial support in fiscal year 2023 the United States provided over 212 million dollars in bilateral economic development and health assistance to Bangladesh...We would like to see them continue because they're important to our relationship with the people of Bangladesh...We have provided nearly 2 billion dollars in humanitarian assistance to support Rohingya refugees since August of 2017"

The United Nations is following the situation in Bangladesh "very closely" and calls for calm and restraint in the wake of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and escape from the country, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday.

"The Secretary-General deplores the further loss of life during protests in Bangladesh over the weekend. He continues to closely follow developments in the country, including the Chief of Army Staff’s announcement regarding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and plans for the formation of an interim government," Farhan Haq, the UN Deputy Spokesperson, told the daily briefing.

PTI

Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry on Monday voiced his solidarity with the people of Bangladesh amid political unrest.

Sabry said that Sri Lanka is there for Bangladesh during these challenging times.

In a post on X, he said, "Our hearts are with the people of #Bangladesh during these incredibly challenging times. The recent events have led to significant unrest and, tragically, the loss of many lives. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those affected and to all who are suffering during this difficult period. Sri Lanka values its enduring friendship with Bangladesh and stands in solidarity with its people. We believe in the resilience and unity of the Bangladeshi nation and hope for a swift return to peace and stability. May the people of Bangladesh find the strength to overcome these challenges and emerge even stronger. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, and we look forward to a future filled with peace and prosperity for both our nations."

ANI

Hours after Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister and fled the country, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of jailed opposition leader and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Read more.

After Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post, the likely candidate to replace her on the chair are Khaleda Zia, Shafiqur Rahman, GM Quader, Tarique Rahman, and Sajeeb Wazed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) that briefed him on the situation unfolding in Bangladesh.

Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba, principal secretary to PM PK Mishra, Research and Analysis Wing chief Ravi Sinha and Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka were present. Read more.

Bangladesh is in the grip of a major political crisis after its prime minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and left the country amid violent protests against her regime. The protests over the controversial job quota order escalated into into wider calls for her ouster. Hasina landed at Ghaziabad in India with HT learning that she could fly to London. Read more.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the rapidly unfolding situation in Bangladesh. It is learnt that Jaishankar also apprised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on the developments. (PTI)

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, on the Bangladesh crisis, said, “Bangladesh is our neighbouring country and the people there are our own brothers and sisters or cousins at the very least and what happens there, effects our neighbourhood in a very intimate way. Bangladesh is a country surrounded by India from three sides...so that is an extremely important concern.”

NSA Ajit Doval and senior military officials met the Bangladeshi ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Hindon Airbase. Indian Air Force and other security agencies are providing security to her and she is being moved to a safe location, sources told ANI.

Sheikh Hasina is likely to meet her daughter Saima Wazed, who is based in Delhi, reported PTI. Wazed is working as the World Health Organisation's regional director for South-East Asia.

Indigo Airlines said in a tweet, "In view of the ongoing situation in Dhaka, all flights scheduled for tomorrow have unfortunately been cancelled. We understand that this may cause significant inconvenience and disruption to your travel plans and we sincerely regret this development."

EAM S Jaishankar and LoP Rahul Gandhi, on the sidelines of the Lok Sabha session, held a discussion on the developments in Bangladesh amid the ongoing crisis.

The South Bengal frontier spokesperson of BSF told PTI, "In view of the changed situation in Bangladesh, the BSF has issued alert all along Indo-Bangladesh border and the number of troops deployed along the border has been increased."

An unruly mob on Monday damaged the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) and the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum located at the Dhanmondi area in the Bangladesh capital, eyewitnesses said.

The protesters on Monday afternoon set fire to several key locations in Dhaka, including Bangabandhu Bhaban, also known as the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, at Dhanmondi 32, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. (PTI)

Bangladesh Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman has taken charge and talked about forming an interim government in the country after former PM Sheikh Hasina's outser.

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

BSF Director General (Acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary and other senior commanders have landed in Kolkata to review the security situation, they said.

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's aircraft landed at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, reported ANI. The aircraft will be parked near the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft hangars.

Sheikh Hasina is likely to be moved into a safe house in New Delhi soon, where she will reside for a few days, reported India Today.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "I appeal to the people of Bengal to maintain peace. Do not pay attention to any kind of rumours. This is a matter between two countries, we will support whatever decision the Central government takes."

The residence of Bangladesh founder Mujibur Rahman was set on fire by protestors soon after PM Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post and fled the country.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned Monday after weeks of deadly protests, while the nation’s army chief announced he would help form an interim government.

Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman made the announcement in a televised address, saying he’d invited political leaders to a meeting and will also meet with President Mohammed Shahabuddin on the matter. The army expects to reach a solution tonight, he said. (Bloomberg)

Sheikh Hasina's aircraft landed in Agartala, according to HT reporters, on Monday afternoon. Her aircraft is now headed towards Delhi and will likely land there, reported ANI.

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. Police have also made tightened security outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in case Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lands in the national capital. Hasina has resigned and an interim government is taking over, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced on Monday.

“It is difficult for me to say. Keep in mind that Sheikh Hasina was here right from 1975 till about 1979 or so when she went back to her country after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman - her father. India has never denied safe haven or asylum to those who have been in our neighbourhood. But my own sense is that there are many other places that the PM may go...We cannot speculate at this point,” Former Foreign Secretary and ex-Ambassador to Bangladesh, Harsh Vardhan Shringla said when asked if Hasina will stay in India amid unrest.