An "interim government" is taking shape in Bangladesh, a day after Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country and the military took control amid massive protests. Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar chaired an all-party meeting to discuss the fall of Hasina government and the Army's takeover. The ousted leader, who landed in India yesterday, is still in the country. Later in the day, he also addressed the Parliament over the turmoil in the neighbouring country.
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Sheikh Hasina Resignation Highlights: Bangladesh Ex PM Khaleda Zia Freed Day After Arch-Rival Toppled
Bangladesh Unrest LIVE Updates: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar today chaired an all-party meeting to discuss the fall of Sheikh Hasina government.
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Updated : August 06, 2024 11:45 pm IST
Bangladesh Protest Live: At least 20 people were killed during violence in Dhaka on Tuesday
Dhaka:
Aug 06, 2024 23:18 (IST)
Security Outside Bangladesh Deputy High Commission In Kolkata Stepped Up
In the backdrop of the ongoing unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh, the Kolkata Police on Tuesday enhanced security outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, an official said.
Senior police officers have also been deployed outside marketplaces, malls, eateries, and restaurants in the New Market area, which is frequented by Bangladeshis to ensure their safety and to keep a check on any untoward incident, he said.
"A total of 20 additional police personnel including those in the rank of Assistant Commissioners have been deployed outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission office. Officers in plain clothes have also been assigned there," he told PTI.
Aug 06, 2024 22:54 (IST)
Night Curfew In Manipur To Keep Illegal Bangladesh Immigration In Check
The Manipur government on Tuesday imposed a night curfew in Pherzawl and parts of Jiribam district to check illegal immigration from Bangladesh, officials said.
In Pherzawl district, the restrictions will be relaxed from 8 am to 4 pm. In Jiribam, where the restrictions were imposed in areas under Jiribam Municipal Council and Borobekra subdivision, the relaxation will be given from 9 am to 3 pm, they said.
Aug 06, 2024 22:47 (IST)
Sheikh Hasina Hasn't Sought Asylum Anywhere, Her Son Tells NDTV
Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in India for the last 24 hours, has not sought asylum "anywhere", her son categorically told NDTV today, brushing off speculation. Read here
Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in India for the last 24 hours, has not sought asylum "anywhere", her son categorically told NDTV today, brushing off speculation. Read here
Aug 06, 2024 22:38 (IST)
Bangladesh Unrest Live
All planned cultural events at the Bangladesh Bhavan on the campus of Visva Bharati University in West Bengal's Shantiniketan have been postponed for an indefinite period because of the continuing unrest in the neighbouring country.
Bangladesh Bhavan is a centre for research on the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. The facility inaugurated in 2018 also provides scope for research on the literary works of revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Sources said a screening of the Shyam Benegal-directed biopic on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman -- 'Mujib - The Making of a Nation' -- was scheduled to be screened at the Bangladesh Bhavan this month, which now stands postponed indefinitely owing to the volatile situation in the neighbouring country.
Aug 06, 2024 22:05 (IST)
''Regained Freedom'': After Sheikh Hasina's Ouster, Bangladeshis Dream Of Better Future
One day after the military took control of Bangladesh following the ouster of the prime minister, the parliament in the capital Dhaka was busy with protesters coming to celebrate.
More than a month of deadly protests in which at least 422 people were killed culminated Monday in the deadliest day of violence and the end of the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina, who fled by helicopter to India.
"It's the freedom of the young generation," said student Parvez Hossain, 30, among the crowds in front of the building, which was empty of lawmakers after parliament was dissolved. Read here
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Aug 06, 2024 21:44 (IST)
Why Bangladesh Students Are Protesting Against Job Quotas
The demonstrations started last month after the Bangladesh High Court reinstated a quota system for government jobs, overturning a 2018 decision by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to scrap it.
That move, which covered the 30% of jobs reserved for family members of freedom fighters in the 1971 war for independence from Pakistan, followed similar student protests.
But the Supreme Court suspended the high court order after the government's appeal. It dismissed the lower court order and directed that 93% of jobs should be open to candidates on merit.
The court reserved 5% of jobs for family members of independence fighters and 2% for people from so-called backward groups and the disabled.
The students had stepped up their protest when Hasina refused to meet their demands, citing the court proceedings.
She called the protesters "razakar", an offensive term for those accused of collaborating with Pakistan's army in 1971 to betray the country.
Aug 06, 2024 21:02 (IST)
"19,000 Indians In Bangladesh, Of Which 9,000 Are Students": S Jaishankar
Amid political unrest in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that there are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals in the country, of which about 9,000 are students, while giving an assurance that the government is in close contact with the Indian community in Dhaka.
Mr Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha that the bulk of the students returned to India in July. Read here
Aug 06, 2024 21:01 (IST)
US Orders Non-Emergency Staff To Leave Bangladesh
The United States government said Tuesday that it had ordered non-emergency personnel to leave Bangladesh as a precaution after mass protests ousted longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina.
The State Department said that all non-emergency diplomats and other personnel as well as their family members had been ordered to leave as of Monday, although the US embassy in Dhaka remains open at limited capacity.
The United States had last month warned citizens not to travel to Bangladesh, citing the risk of civil unrest, crime and terrorism.
Prime Minister Hasina, who had been in power since 2009, fled Monday after mass protests initially spurred by anger over job quotas swelled into a movement to oust her.
Hundreds of people were killed as security forces sought to quell the unrest. The United States on Monday praised the role of the military, pointing to reports that it resisted Hasina's calls to continue using force.
The Bangladesh military has said that it will set up an interim government.
Aug 06, 2024 20:59 (IST)
Bangladesh Unrest: Border Force Asks Locals To Not Venture Near Border
The Border Security Force (BSF) has asked locals residing along the 4,096 km-long India-Bangladesh international border to not undertake unnecessary movement in the frontier areas especially during the night in the wake of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Dhaka, officials said on Tuesday.
BSF Director General (Acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary continued his border tour for the second day as he visited integrated check post (ICP) Petrapole, the largest such facility in South Asia located at a distance of about 80 km from Kolkata, and a "highly sensitive" border post of the force in the North 24 Paraganas district along the front.
Aug 06, 2024 20:44 (IST)
What RSS Leader Said On Safety Of Hindus In Violence-Hit Bangladesh
Senior RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Tuesday said the organisation "is requesting the government" to ensure safety of the Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh which is in the midst of political turmoil.
There have been reports about the minority Hindu community being targeted, said Joshi, a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Executive of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its former general secretary.
Aug 06, 2024 20:41 (IST)
Bangladesh Unrest: Border Force Reviews Border Security In Assam
The BSF has reviewed security along the India-Bangladesh border in Assam following the ongoing turmoil in the neighbouring country, an official said on Tuesday.
High alert has been sounded along BSF's Guwahati Frontier of Indo-Bangladesh border with commanders at all levels being asked to maintain utmost vigilance.
Intelligence operations have been intensified to ensure timely detection and neutralisation of any threat, the BSF spokesperson added.
He said the security situation along the international border under the Guwahati Frontier of BSF has been reviewed "anticipating various contingencies".
"A state of high alert has been declared to address any potential security threat. Commanders at all levels have been directed to maintain utmost vigilance and readiness to handle any unforeseen circumstances," he said.
Aug 06, 2024 20:30 (IST)
China Says ''Closely'' Following Situation In Bangladesh
China on Tuesday reacted guardedly to the unfolding crisis in Bangladesh leading to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster, saying it is "closely" following the situation in the violence-hit country.
"China is closely following the developments in Bangladesh," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response to media queries.
"As a friendly neighbour and comprehensive strategic cooperative partner of Bangladesh, China sincerely hopes that social stability will be restored soon in the country," the ministry said.
The rapid fall of the Hasina government comes nearly a month after her high-profile visit to Beijing during which the two countries elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
Aug 06, 2024 20:13 (IST)
IMF Says ''Fully Committed'' To Bangladesh After Protests Oust PM
The International Monetary Fund said it remained "fully committed to Bangladesh and its people" after protests ousted the prime minister.
Bangladesh's president dissolved parliament on Tuesday, clearing the way for new elections a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following student-led protests that left hundreds dead.
Long-term lending from multilaterals including the IMF, World Bank and the Asia Development Bank amounts to roughly a quarter of Bangladesh's GDP, according to emerging market experts Tellimer, making their continued backing key to the country's economy.
The IMF, which approved a $4.7 billion loan programme with the country in January 2023, said it was following developments and "deeply saddened by loss of lives and injuries."
"We remain fully committed to Bangladesh and its people and support efforts to ensure economic stability and deliver inclusive growth," an IMF spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
On Monday, the World Bank, which had total commitments of $2.85 billion in the year to June 30, said it was still assessing the impact of the events on its lending, but remained committed to Bangladesh's development.
Bangladesh does not have any foreign currency bonds, and its short-term external debt is just 5% of GDP, limiting market reaction to the political turmoil.
But a stagnant economy contributed to the protests; nearly 32 million young people in the nation of 170 million are out of work or education in a population. Inflation hovers around 10% per year and dollar reserves have shrunk to just three months of import cover.
Multilateral lenders will be closely watching the next steps taken by the government and the military.
"A military coup, in legal terms, would put at risk fresh external sovereign debt from multilaterals," Hasnain Malik of Tellimer said.
Aug 06, 2024 19:42 (IST)
Bangladesh President Meets Key Coordinators Of Students' Movement
Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday met with the key coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement at the Bangabhaban to discuss the current situation and the shape of the interim government, media reports said.
Citing one of the coordinators, Bengali language daily Prothom Alo reported that the meeting started on Tuesday evening.
"A group of 13 members of the anti-discrimination student movement is holding a meeting with the President and the three armed forces chiefs at Bangabhaban regarding the current situation and the shape of the interim government," the paper said.
President Shahabuddin earlier in the day dissolved the parliament to make way for the formation of an interim administration.
Officials said a full-fledged interim government is expected to be announced later Tuesday.
Aug 06, 2024 19:40 (IST)
Bangladesh Unrest Live
Several Indian doctors staying in Bangladesh have chosen to remain in violence-hit Dhaka, performing their duty to save lives, even as worries about their own safety have kept their parents concerned back home.
There is a scarcity of resources and doctors are overburdened amid an overnight spike in the number of casualties in many Dhaka hospitals, several Indian medical practitioners in Bangladesh said.
Talking to PTI, they said they are drawn by a "sense of duty" and have stepped in to help the hospitals deal with the ongoing crisis.
Aug 06, 2024 19:33 (IST)
Bangladesh Unrest Live
The Maharashtra government has set up a team of officials to facilitate safe return of about 20 students from the state who are studying in Bangladesh.
A list of these students has been shared with the Ministry of External Affairs, the chief minister's office said in a statement on Tuesday.
About 20 students from Maharashtra are in the neighbouring country, beset by a political crisis following widespread protests and resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as per the officials.
Aug 06, 2024 19:33 (IST)
Bangladesh Unrest Live
Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday said that the curfew along the India-Bangladesh border will be strictly monitored in the wake of the illegal infiltrations following the political turmoil in Bangladesh.
BSF DIG and Spokesperson, South Bengal Frontier, A K Arya, said that meetings were held with villagers at the Uttarpara and Mustafapur Border Outpost to discuss the prevailing situation in Bangladesh after the change of power.
Aug 06, 2024 19:32 (IST)
Bangladesh Unrest Live
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told an all-party meeting on Tuesday that Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, who has arrived in India after quitting as prime minister following extraordinary protests in the neighbouring country against her rule, was in shock at the turn of events, sources said.
The government is giving her time to recover, before enquiring about her future plans, S Jaishankar said, briefing political leaders in the Parliament House.
The minister said India has spoken to the Bangladesh Army chief to ensure the safety of more than 10,000 Indian students in that country and also taken up the issue of attacks on Hindu minorities, according to a couple of leaders who attended the meeting.
Aug 06, 2024 19:32 (IST)
Bangladesh Unrest Live
In the wake of the civil unrest in Bangladesh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday spoke to the Ministry of External Affairs for the safe and early return of students from the state stuck there.
Shinde's intervention came amid questions being raised about the safety of foreign nationals in the neighbouring country, especially the students stranded in the troubled areas.
"We give the highest priority to the safety of our students. All necessary measures are being taken for their safe return to their homeland. The state government stands with the families of the affected students during these challenging times,'' Mr Shinde said.
Aug 06, 2024 19:31 (IST)
Muhammad Yunus: Bangladesh's 'Banker To The Poor'
Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus has been asked by Bangladeshi protest leaders to helm an interim government to replace ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, who had hounded him in speeches and through the courts.
The 84-year-old, known as the "banker to the poorest of the poor", was awarded the Peace Prize in 2006 for his work loaning small cash sums to rural women, allowing them to invest in farm tools or business equipment and boost their earnings. Read here
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