Published 13:27 IST, August 6th 2024

Bangladesh Air Force's C-130J Leaves Hindon Without Sheikh Hasina. Where is She?

Hasina is expected to fly to London soon to seek political asylum, with reports suggesting she has been in contact with UK authorities regarding this matter.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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Protests, Army coup topples Bangladesh government | Image: AP
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New Delhi: A day after Sheikh Hasina fled to India following her resignation as Bangladesh's Prime Minister, a Bangladesh Air Force C-130J transport aircraft landed at the country's air base. The aircraft, which ferried Hasina to Ghaziabad's Hindon air base, took off without her this morning. The C-130J, carrying seven military personnel, departed from the Hindon Airbase around 9 AM today. It was closely monitored by Indian security agencies throughout its flight path. 

For the unversed, Hasina stepped down and fled the country yesterday after weeks of protests against a quota system for government jobs descended into violence and grew into a broader challenge to her 15-year rule. Thousands of demonstrators stormed her official residence and other buildings associated with her party and family.  She arrived in India and landed at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad at 5.30 PM. She was taken to a secure location, where she is currently staying. 

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Hasina is expected to fly to London soon to seek political asylum, with reports suggesting she has been in contact with UK authorities regarding this matter. Her presence in India has led to increased activity within the Indian security apparatus. On Monday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to discuss the situation.

India to help Sheikh Hasina, in touch with Bangladesh Army

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told an all-party meeting that India has assured help to former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here on Monday evening, and given her time to decide the future course of action, reports said.

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Briefing political party leaders in Parliament House, Jaishankar said India was in touch with the Bangladesh Army to ensure the safety of over 10,000 Indian students in that country, the sources said. 

"Briefed an All-Party meeting in Parliament today about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended," Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting.  

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Bangladesh plunged into uncertainty after extraordinary street protests over job quota forced Prime Minister Hasina to quit and flee. 

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead Bangladesh

A key organizer of Bangladesh’s student protests Tuesday called for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus to be named as the head of a new interim government, a day after longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country after weeks of deadly unrest.

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Nahid Islam, the organizer, in a video post in social media said the student protest leaders have already talked with Yunus, who consented to take over considering the present situation of the country. Bangladesh’s figurehead president and its top military commander said Monday that an interim government would be formed soon.

Yunus, who called Hasina’s resignation the country's “second liberation day,” faced a number of corruption accusations and was put on trial during the former prime minister’s rule. He received the Nobel in 2006 after he pioneered microlending, and he said the corruption charges against him were motivated by vengeance.

13:20 IST, August 6th 2024