Bangladesh Protests: Hasina's Rival & BNP Chief Khaleda Zia To Be Released From Jail, Curfew To End Tuesday
Following Sheikh Hasina's resignation, Bangladesh's President has ordered the release of jailed ex-PM Khaleda Zia and other BNP officials. A curfew is in effect until Tuesday morning.
Bangladesh’s President has ordered the release of jailed former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia, along with other BNP officials, as reported by news agency AFP. This decision follows the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which has led to widespread unrest in the country. Khaleda Zia has appealed for calm among the populace during these tumultuous times. "I urge everyone to remain calm and avoid violence," she said through a press release issued by Shamsuddin Didar, an official from the BNP chairperson's press wing, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
The Bangladesh President's order for release stated, "The meeting held unanimously decided to release BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Additionally, it was decided to release all detainees who were arrested in various cases related to the student against discrimination movement and recent incidents. There was also a strong consensus to ensure that communal harmony is not disrupted in any way."
An ongoing curfew has been announced, effective from Monday midnight until 6 am on Tuesday, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR). From Tuesday morning, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, private institutions, factories, schools, colleges, madrasas, universities, and all educational institutions in Bangladesh will remain open, stated an ISPR press release cited by the Dhaka Tribune.
The unrest on Monday resulted in at least 56 fatalities, with the majority suffering from bullet wounds. Dhaka Medical College Hospital received 44 bodies, while police reported 11 deaths in the capital and one in Chittagong, according to AFP.
Following nationwide protests, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday, leading to the dissolution of Parliament and the formation of an interim government. This decision was made during a meeting at President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s residence, Bangabhaban, attended by leaders of various political parties, civil society representatives, and the chiefs of the three armed forces. It was decided that the army would take steps to normalise the chaotic situation.
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Bangladesh Protests: US 'Welcomes' Announcement Of Interim Govt
The United States welcomed the announcement of the interim government as it urged that any transition of power be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh's laws.
Commenting on the situation, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "We have seen the announcement that Prime Minister Hasina has resigned from her position and departed Bangladesh. We are monitoring the situation carefully. The United States stands with the people of Bangladesh. We urge all parties to refrain from further violence. Too many lives have been lost over the past several weeks, and we urge calm and restraint in the days ahead."
"We welcome the announcement of the interim government and urge any transition to be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh's laws. We are deeply saddened about the reports of human rights abuses, casualties, and injuries over the weekend in the past weeks," he added.
#WATCH | On current situation in Bangladesh, US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller says, "We have seen the announcement that Prime Minister Hasina has resigned from her position and departed Bangladesh. We are monitoring the situation carefully. The United States… pic.twitter.com/GxqpDWJNGQ
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2024
In light of the ongoing violence, Nahid Islam, the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, called upon students to prevent looting. Speaking to Channel 24, he urged protesting students to maintain peace and protect national properties. "We must save national properties. Let no one get the chance to loot, taking advantage of the students," Islam said, as quoted by Prothom Alo.
He also called for the reform of existing repressive acts and the formation of an interim government with participation from students, teachers, civil society, and others, to ensure a fair transfer of power to the people’s representatives.
About Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia served as the prime minister of Bangladesh from March 1991 to March 1996, and again from June 2001 to October 2006. Notably, she was the first female prime minister of Bangladesh and the second female prime minister in the Muslim world, following Benazir Bhutto. Khaleda Zia is the widow of former president Ziaur Rahman and has been the chairperson and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since 1984, a party founded by her husband in 1978.
The BNP Chairperson was imprisoned on February 8, 2018, following her conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Khaleda Zia was released on conditional bail on March 25, 2020, for six months. According to the government's executive order, she was required to stay at her residence and receive medical treatment in Dhaka.
It must be noted that the veteran Bangladesh politicianaged 79, has been dealing with health issues and was said to be in a critical condition in the month of June this year. According to Dhaka Tribune, she has been battling various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to the kidney, lung, heart, and eyes.
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