Bangladesh News Highlights: New govt headed by Muhammad Yunus to be sworn-in on Aug 8, says army chief

Bangladesh’s incoming interim leader Muhammad Yunus appealed for calm Wednesday and urged all parties to help the country rebuild after weeks of violence that killed hundreds and prompted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee to India.

Yunus, a Nobel peace laureate, was in Paris for the Olympics when he was named interim leader following talks among military officials, civic leaders and the student activists who led the uprising against a prime minister seen as increasingly autocratic. Yunus made his first public comments in Paris on Wednesday before boarding a plane to return home.

He congratulated the student protesters, saying they had made “our second Victory Day possible,” and appealed to them and other stakeholders to remain peaceful, while condemning any violence since Hasina’s resignation Monday.

“Violence is our enemy. Please don’t create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country,” Yunus said.

AP

On the political situation in Bangladesh, US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller said, "... I have already spoken to the interim government in Bangladesh and what steps we want to see... As the interim government makes decisions moving forward, we want to see them do so in a way that respects democratic principles..."

Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president and senior advocate Adish C Aggarwala has written a letter to the president of the apex court bar association in Bangladesh, seeking information on whether the country's former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, had committed an "extraditable offence".

Aggarwala has also requested the Bangladesh SCBA president to ensure that Hindus are not intentionally targeted during a turmoil in the neighbouring country.

The letter, addressed to A M Mahbub Uddin Khokon, says the legal fraternity of both countries work closely.

PTI

Bangladesh News LIVE: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled her country after resigning from her post and landed in India on Monday, August 5. However, Hasina and many members of her team did not have the time to carry their clothes and essentials after leaving the violence-torn country in a rush, reported ANI quoting people aware of the matter. Dig deeper

Bangladesh News LIVE: Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Salahuddin Ahmed, who has lived in Meghalaya since 2015, claimed on Wednesday that the widespread protests in Bangladesh were due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “misrule.” Ahmed alleged that the Awami League government under Hasina was behind his “disappearance” from Bangladesh nine years ago and expressed hope to return home.

Ahmed, who served as communications minister from 2001 to 2006 during the BNP's time in power, previously stated that he was abducted from Bangladesh and had no recollection of how he ended up in Shillong in May 2015.

(PTI)

Bangladesh News LIVE: Bangladesh’s newly appointed police chief, Inspector General Md. Mainul Islam on Wednesday apologised for the actions of officers during recent deadly protests and pledged an "impartial" investigation into the killings.

“We are committed to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into every recent killing of students, common people, and the police,” Inspector General Islam told reporters, speaking the day after his appointment, which followed the prime minister’s removal.

(AFP)

Bangladesh News LIVE: Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, the designated head of Bangladesh's interim government, on Wednesday fervently appealed to everybody “to stay calm” and “refrain from all kinds of violence” as the country witnessed a major reshuffle in the security establishment following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Bangladesh News LIVE: Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the interim government's oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 8 pm on Thursday, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.

He announced this during a press briefing at the Army Headquarters on Wednesday afternoon.

When questioned about the size of the interim government, he stated, "I believe it might initially consist of around 15 members. However, one or two more individuals may be added."

Bangladesh News LIVE: Bangladesh's army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced on Wednesday that a new interim government is expected to be sworn in on Thursday evening.

"We are trying our best to hold the oath-taking ceremony tomorrow," the general said in a televised briefing.

He added, "We might do it at around 8:00 pm (1400 GMT). Around 400 people will likely be present."

Meanwhile, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who is set to lead the interim government, has departed from France for Dhaka.

(AFP)

Bangladesh News LIVE: Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who is due to head an interim government in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina's ousting, said Wednesday he was looking forward to helping the country overcome its current turbulence.

"I'm looking forward to going back home, see what's happening and how we can organise ourselves to get out of the trouble we are in, he told reporters before boarding a flight at Paris airport bound for Dubai, where will take a connecting plane for Dhaka.

(AFP)

Bangladesh News LIVE: Media reports said that the former prime minister had already failed in her attempt to seek political asylum in the UK. Consequently, she is now considering taking refuge in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Finland.

Bangladesh News LIVE: Members of the Kolkata film industry expressed shock on Wednesday over the killing of Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan and his father, producer Salim Khan, amid the unrest in Bangladesh.

Several Kolkata-based actors, many of whom have collaborated with Shanto Khan on Bangladeshi film projects, refrained from commenting on the reasons behind the killings, stating that these were internal matters of another country.

(PTI)

Bangladesh News LIVE: Bangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following mass protests against her government, will remain in Delhi “for a little while,” her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy said on Wednesday.

News agency PTI quoted a video interview with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, where Joy was asked about Hasina's alleged plans to seek asylum in a third country.

“These are all rumours. She has not made a decision on that yet. She is going to stay in Delhi for a little while. My sister is with her. So she is not alone,” he said.

Bangladesh News LIVE: The central office of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at Naya Paltan in Dhaka is abuzz with festive atmosphere as preparations for the party's rally on Wednesday are underway, with thousands gathering in the area, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Since morning, leaders and activists have arrived in processions from various parts of the capital.

In the Naya Paltan area, new posters have been put up on the streets for the rally. Some posters refer to BNP chief Khaleda Zia as the "Mother of Democracy."

Bangladesh News LIVE: Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus, currently in Paris, France, is expected to return to Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon, news agency AFP reported.

Yunus is poised to lead an interim government following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation on Monday amid widespread protests.

On Wednesday morning, Nahid Islam, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, informed reporters outside Bangabhaban that the interim government's oath-taking ceremony could occur within 24 hours or slightly more, according to a Dhaka Tribune report

Bangladesh News LIVE: Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concern on Wednesday about “illegal infiltration from the Bangladeshi borders,” warning that the situation might compel some people to enter India.

"On the situation in Bangladesh, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, 'The incident that happened in Bangladesh is concerning; there are two angles. One is that if such unrest continues in Bangladesh, then some people will be forced to come to India so we have to secure our borders,'" Sharma was quoted as saying by ANI.

Additionally, Himanta Biswa Sharma highlighted the potential risk of Bangladesh becoming a haven for terrorist activities in the future.

Bangladesh News LIVE: The protesting students are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves more than half of government jobs for specific groups, including children of veterans from the country's 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.

Bangladesh News LIVE: Protest leaders expect the members of new interim government to be finalised on Wednesday. The new government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is expected to hold general elections soon after taking charge.

Yunus, currently awaiting a medical procedure in Paris, is expected to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday.

Bangladesh News LIVE: Pakistan on Wednesday said that it "stands in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh" after the prime minister fled the country following weeks of protest and civil unrest.

"We are confident that the resilient spirit and unity of the Bangladeshi people will lead them towards a harmonious future," said a statement from the foreign ministry of Pakistan, from which Bangladesh won independence in 1971.

Bangladesh News LIVE: India has evacuated all non-essential staff and their families from its embassy and consulates in neighbouring Bangladesh, reported Reuters citing sources. However, all Indian diplomats remain in Bangladesh and the missions are functional, it added.

Bangladesh News LIVE: All Indian diplomats remain in Indian High Commission in Dhaka, reported PTI citing sources.

Several Bangladeshis, who are in Kolkata - either for medical treatment or education or other purposes - are now stranded in the city and concerned about the ongoing violence and abrupt change of regime in their country. The suspension of train services between India and Bangladesh has compounded their anxiety, and they are uncertain about their next steps, reported PTI.

Bangladesh News LIVE: Bangladesh's protest leaders said they expect members of an interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to be finalised today.

Bangladesh News LIVE: The bodies of over 20 leaders of Sheikh Hasina's party Awami League, have been found in the country amid violent anti-government protests, The Dhaka Tribune reported.

Bangladesh Protest LIVE updates: Nepali security agencies have heightened vigilance across the border and at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu following political changes in Dhaka. The security agencies are on high alert to prevent unauthorized entry from Bangladesh via India, as people may seek refuge. In Kathmandu, security around the Bangladeshi Embassy has been increased to prevent possible protests and gatherings, reported ANI.