Sheikh Hasina flees Dhaka Palace, military coup next? Bangladesh Army chief addresses nation
The Bengal Chief Minister also appealed to the people to maintain peace in the state and urged them not to listen to any rumours. “I would like to appeal to the people of Bengal to maintain peace. Please do not listen to any rumours. This is a bilateral issue and whatever decision the central government takes we will support,” Mamata Banerjee said.
Latest update on Bangladesh protests
“The government of India will decide how to approach the issue. I urge leaders of all political parties to refrain from making provocative statements that will disturb peace in Bengal and the country…Some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have already commented on the matter. Such statements should not be made,” she added.
Mamata had earlier courted controversy after offering shelter to “people in need” from the neighbouring country, after which Bangladesh conveyed its displeasure to India through diplomatic channels over Banerjee’s remarks, saying they could create “confusion” and “misunderstanding” among the people.
Speaking at a public event in Kolkata recently, Banerjee referred to violence-hit Bangladesh and said she would open the doors of West Bengal to those in need in the neighbouring state and provide them shelter. She also posted similar comments on her own account on Platform X.
“With all due respect to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, I would like to say that we have an excellent relationship with her. It is deep. But her statement has created some confusion and there is scope for misinterpretation. We have written to the government of India on this issue,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmood said.
Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule ended on Monday when she fled the country after more than a month of deadly protests and the military announced it would form a caretaker government.
Hasina had been trying to quell nationwide protests against her government since early July but was on the run after Sunday’s brutal violence that left nearly 100 people dead.
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqel-uz-Zaman told the nation on state television that Prime Minister Hasina would step down and the military would form a caretaker government.
“The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit and many people have been killed. It’s time to stop the violence,” Waqer, dressed in military fatigues, said shortly after jubilant crowds stormed and ransacked President Hasina’s residence.
(With input from relevant agencies)
