Sheikh Hasina Seeks Punishment for Killers, Rioters in Bangladesh
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Even as the Bangladesh court has registered murder case against her, the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in first comments after leaving Dhaka, has sought punishment for the rioters involved in acts of killings and vandalism.
She has also sought justice for the vandalism to the statue of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was also the Founding Father of Bangladesh, and the killings of her family members on August 15, 1975. “I appeal to you to observe the National Mourning Day on 15th August with due dignity and solemnity. Pray for the salvation of all souls by offering floral garlands and praying at Bangabandhu Bhaban,” she said.
Her three-page emotive statement was shared by Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed read who posted it on X. It was her first statement since she resigned and flew to India seeking refuge last week.
“Since last July, many fresh lives have been lost due to vandalism, arson and violence in the name of agitation. Students, teachers, police even internal women police, journalists, cultural workers, working people, Awami League and affiliated organization leaders, workers, pedestrians and workers in various institutions who have died as a victim of terrorist attack, I am condoling and praying for their souls,” the former Bangladesh prime minister said.
Condemning the destruction of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s museum, Hasina said, “The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose leadership we have gained self-esteem as an independent nation, got self-identity and got an independent country, has been grossly insulted. They insulted the blood of millions of martyrs. I want justice from the countrymen.”
Hasina’s 15-year-long rule as the prime minister of Bangladesh ended on August 5 after she resigned and left the country amid violent protests against her regime. The daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is currently in a secure location in India.
A court in Bangladesh has opened a murder investigation into the ousted ex-premier and six top figures in her administration Tuesday over the police killing of a man during civil unrest last month. “A case has been filed against Sheikh Hasina and six more,” Mamun Mia, a lawyer who brought the case on behalf of a private citizen, said.
Following Hasina’s ouster, an interim government with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been formed to govern the country.
Meanwhile, official sources said on Tuesday that the Border Security Force (BSF) has held 83 flag meetings with Border Guards Bangladesh in the past three days, in conformity with the directions of the union home ministry to monitor the current situation in the neighbouring country.
A senior BSF official said in the past three days, no gathering of people had been reported along the eastern border. From August 5-9, four such instances were reported from the north Bengal border.
The first meeting of the five-member committee constituted by the MHA to communicate with the Bangladesh authorities “to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus, and other minority communities living there” was held on August 10. The BSF reached out to their counterparts in the BGB up to the company commander level, and the border guarding forces had around 241 ‘simultaneous coordinating patrolling’ exercises in vulnerable areas along the Bangladesh border.
The BSF in a statement appreciated the BGB’s role. “While appreciating the BGB Role in preventing the Bangladeshi nationals coming to border, BSF authorities impressed upon to protect safety of Indian citizens and people belonging to minority communities in Bangladesh. It may be mentioned that BGB has not only been cooperating with BSF on International Border on operational matters but also taking all steps for safety of Indian citizens and people belonging to minority communities in Bangladesh in collaboration with their civil authorities,” the BSF said
The BSF said on August 9, when 1,500 Bangladeshi nationals had assembled near zero line on the Cooch Behar border in north Bengal, the BGB had made efforts in collaboration with the civil authorities of Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat district to persuade them to return.
The BSF said in the bilateral field meetings, matters related to border security and other mutual interests were also discussed. “Also, Commanders devised channels for effective coordinated mechanism to share real time information on various operational matters with the BGB,” the BSF said.
Additionally, 232 meetings have been conducted with Indian villagers residing along the eastern border to make them aware of the prevalent situation on Bangladesh, and to seek their cooperation in border management. “BSF is in active communication with BGB at all levels through available channels to monitor security scenario and prepared to meet any kind of situation along the Indo-Bangladesh border,” the BSF said. India has 4,096 kilometres of international border with Bangladesh.
