Sheikh Hasina Flees Dhaka Palace; Military Coup Next? Bangladesh Army Chief To Address Nation
The Bengal chief minister also appealed to the people to maintain peace in the state and urged them not to pay attention to any kind of rumours.”I would appeal to the people of Bengal to maintain peace. Do not pay attention to any kind of rumours. This is a matter between two countries, we will support whatever decision the central government takes,” Mamata Banerjee said.
Bangladesh protests live updates
“The Government of India will decide on how to approach this issue and I appeal to leaders of all political parties to refrain from making provocative comments that may disrupt peace in Bengal or the country … Some BJP leaders have already commented on it. It should not be done,” she added.
Mamata had earlier triggered a row after she offered shelter to “people in distress” from the neighbouring country. Bangladesh had then communicated to India through diplomatic channels its displeasure over Banerjee’s remarks and said that her comments could create “confusion” and “mislead” the people.
In an address at a public event in Kolkata recently, Banerjee, referring to violence-hit Bangladesh, had said she would keep the doors of West Bengal open for people in distress from the neighbouring country and offer them shelter. She also posted similar comments from her account on platform X.
“With due respect to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, I would like to say, we have excellent relations with her. We have deep relations. But her remarks created confusion to some extent, and there is scope to be misled. We have given a note to the Govt of India on this issue,” foreign minister Hasan Mahmud had said.
Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule ended on Monday as she fled the country after more than a month of deadly protests. The military has announced it would form an interim government.
Hasina had sought to quell nationwide protests against her government since early July but she fled after a brutal day of unrest on Sunday in which nearly 100 people were killed.
Bangladesh’s army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said in a broadcast to the nation on state television Hasina had resigned and the military would form a caretaker government.
“The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence,” said Waker, dressed in military fatigues, shortly after jubilant crowds stormed and looted Hasina’s residence.
(With inputs from agencies)