Nobel Laureate and Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the chief adviser of the interim government, days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power amid violent anti-government protests which paralysed the nation.
The decision came after a meeting on the formation of the interim government between key organisers of the anti-discriminatory movement and President Mohammed Shahabuddin, The Daily Star reported.
The meeting was attended by the head of the three armed forces.
The political situation of the country became uncertain and a leadership vacuum was created after Hasina resigned and fled to India amid severe anti-government protests in the nation which initially began with students demonstrating across Bangladesh against job quota.
Hasina’s longtime political rival and BNP chief Khaleda Zia was released from prison on Tuesday.
Following her release, Zia expressed concern over nationwide violence, vandalism and looting of state resources during the demonstrations which have been taking place for weeks.
“Our state’s resources are being wasted. This country is ours; we have to build this country,” Zia was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.
Hindus, Awami League leaders targeted in Bangladesh
Meanwhile, bodies of 20 Awami League leaders and associates were found from different parts of the country on Tuesday.
Following the ouster of Hasina, several Hindu temples and houses were attacked by fundamentalists.
Several videos of the incidents have been going viral on the Internet where Hindu community members have been targeted.
People were seen looting Hindu shops and markets.
In another act of violence, at least 24 people were burnt alive during an arson attack on an Awami League leader-owned hotel in Jessore city.
Abdul Kadir, an official of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Control Room in Khulna, confirmed the deaths to The Daily Star.
The hotel was owned by District Awami League general secretary Shahin Chakladar.
US revokes Hasina’s visa: Reports
Meanwhile, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s US visa has been revoked, News18 reported, quoting insider sources close to the opposition in Bangladesh.
This development comes amid reports that Western nations, including the US, sought her ouster.
Meanwhile, according to Dhaka Tribune, a spokesperson of the US Embassy said that visa records are confidential under US law, when they were asked if Sheikh Hasina’s visa was revoked.
On Monday, Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and came to Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad. Since then security has been strengthened in Indian border areas.
Upon her arrival in India, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met her at the Ghaziabad airbase.
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that Hasina reached out to India for safe passage following her abrupt resignation.
Delivering a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said that Hasina received approval to travel to India at “very short notice”.
What happened on Monday?
Earlier on Monday, the 76-year-old five-time Prime Minister was forced to resign from her position after more than 300 people died in violent protests over a quota for government jobs in that country.
The Bangladesh Army, which gave Sheikh Hasina 45 minutes to resign after her government couldn’t control the violence, took charge of the country.
In a televised address, Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said the military will form an “interim government” and told protesters to stand down.
“There is a crisis. I have met Opposition leaders and we have decided to form an interim government to run this country. I take all responsibility and promise to protect your life and property. Your demands will be fulfilled. Please stop the violence,” the Army chief said.
