Bangladesh Crisis: Murder Case Filed Against Ousted PM Hasina, Interim Leader Yunus Visits 'National Temple' | Updates

A murder case has been filed against Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and six others over the death of a grocery shop owner in last month’s violent clashes that led to the fall of her government. The case was the first to be filed against the leader, who ruled the country for 15 years, according to media reports on Tuesday (August 13).

Her ouster on August 5 has led to escalated violence and anarchy, including alleged attacks on religious minorities, which has claimed the lives of more than 230 people. The death toll has now reached 560 since the anti-quota protests first started in mid-July.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is the new interim leader, also visited the Dhakeshwari National Temple, a major temple in capital Dhaka. Since it is state-owned, it has the distinction of being the country’s “national temple”.

“Rights are equal for everyone. We are all one people with one right. Do not make any distinctions among us. Please, assist us. Exercise patience, and later judge — what we were able to do and not. If we fail, then criticise us,” Yunus said during the visit to the temple.

He added: “In our democratic aspirations, we should not be seen as Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists, but as human beings. Our rights should be ensured. The root of all problems lies in the decay of institutional arrangements. That is why, such issues arise. Institutional arrangements need to be fixed.”

Here are the updates:

Volunteers managing traffic in Dhaka

Volunteers describing themselves as students, who were part of the protests against Sheikh Hasina, have been seen directing traffic on the streets of Dhaka due to an alleged shortage of traffic police personnel. “Abhi filhaal desh chalane ke liye hum log hi hain… (Only we are left to run the country). The movement was absolutely right. Elections should be held… Over 50 students are doing the work of managing traffic here. At the moment, the schools and colleges are closed… Police will come soon,” Bashir, a volunteer managing traffic near the Bangladesh Parliament building, told news agency ANI.

Violence escalates in ongoing student movement

In an escalation of the ongoing student protests in Dhaka, vandals targeted the Setu Bhaban that houses the ministry of road, transport and bridges while several high-end vehicles were set on fire.

UN chief welcomes efforts to hold parliamentary elections

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed efforts of Bangladesh’s interim government to restore calm and organise parliamentary elections in the country, urging the inclusion of women as well as minority communities in the process.

Saying he stands in full solidarity with the people of Bangladesh and calls for the full respect of their human rights, he urged new interim leader Muhammad Yunus to continue to make every effort in the coming weeks to be inclusive.

“The Secretary-General welcomes efforts to restore calm and organise parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, with the support of an interim government,” read the statement issued on Monday (August 12) by Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the secretary-general.

“He (Guterres) continues to underscore the need for a full, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into all acts of violence,” it added.

In response to a question at the daily press briefing, Haq said the UN is in touch with the “current transitional body, and we hope that there will continue to be an open, inclusive process of government formation and that there can be a quick timetable for the restoration of democratic rule.”

US monitoring Bangladesh situation

The US said it will continue to monitor the situation in Bangladesh and president Joe Biden has been consistent in speaking about human rights issues. “We are certainly going to continue monitoring the situation. I don’t have anything else to add beyond that. But, when it comes to any type of human rights issues, the president (Joe Biden) has been very consistent in speaking loud and clear in public and also privately and he’ll continue to do that,” Jean-Pierre said at her daily news conference on Monday (August 12).

The response came on questions regarding calls from Hindu-American groups and Indian-American lawmakers seeking US intervention in protecting the lives and properties of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh.

Over the past few days, hundreds of Hindu-Americans in various US cities have been holding peaceful protest rallies against the alleged human rights violations of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh. Marches were reported from Atlanta in Georgia, California, and New York.

‘Simply false’: US on ‘rumours’ of involvement in Bangladesh

The White House strongly refuted allegations that the US interfered in the internal affairs of Bangladesh, leading to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and escape. “We have had no involvement at all. Any reports or rumours that the United States government was involved in these events is simply false. That is not true,” Jean-Pierre told reporters.

She was responding to media reports that quoted Hasina allegedly claiming that she could have stayed in power if she had surrendered the sovereignty of St Martin’s Island and allowed America to dominate the Bay of Bengal.

Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed, however, has denied that his mother ever gave such a statement. “The recent resignation statement attributed to my mother published in a newspaper is completely false and fabricated. I have just confirmed with her that she did not make any statement either before or since leaving Dhaka,” Wazed said in a post on X.

The White House said it is the right and privilege of people of Bangladesh to choose their destiny. “This (electing their leader) is a choice for and by the Bangladeshi people. We believe that the Bangladeshi people should determine the future of their government, and that’s where we stand. Any allegations, certainly, we will continue to say, and I have said here, is simply not true,” Jean-Pierre said.

Home minister reviewed security in Meghalaya, says CM Sangma

Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma said Union home minister Amit Shah held a review meeting with him and his deputy, in wake of the situation in Bangladesh that can trigger a refugee crisis at the borders.

“…In the review meeting, we briefed the home minister that there was good work by the BSF and the army and very strict monitoring. At the same time, Meghalaya police is also on high alert. We also told him that we have put a night curfew along the international border to further strengthen overall security,” he told news agency ANI.

Indian Coast Guard Enhances Maritime Surveillance

Surveillance was enhanced along the Indo-Bangladesh international maritime boundary line (IMBL) to foil any attempt of illegal migration through sea routes in view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh.

According to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), so far “no instances of infiltration or any such activity” have been reported on the maritime front and “enhanced surveillance measures” will be maintained in the area until the situation is stable.

“Considering the recent political events in Bangladesh and emerging situation, the ICG has aptly positioned operational units for robust surveillance in the region and to foil any attempts of illegal migration through sea routes,” it said.

“Surface surveillance has been enhanced… by offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and fast patrol vessels (FPVs),” it added.

The ICG further said layered surface surveillance has been instituted by additional FPVs. “All units at sea have been advised to monitor/board all fishing boats and undertake positive identification of Indian fishermen,” it said.

Sea-air coordinated aerial surveillance has been augmented along IMBL by aircraft especially during dawn and dusk hours to “track scooting contacts”, if any. Additional assets are also kept on standby at Paradip and Haldia for immediate deployment or response if any “subversive activity” is reported.

Electronic surveillance has been promptly maintained for all close coast transferring contacts and interrogated. “Necessary coordination has been maintained with agencies and stakeholders to prevent any ingress through possible infiltration/landing points,” it said.

(With PTI inputs)