Former Bangladesh premier, Sheikh Hasina, made a plea on Tuesday demanding strong measures against those implicated in the violent incidents and deaths that disrupted the nation last month. By doing so, she broke her silence following her escape to India after a wave of aggressive protests had been instigated, primarily targeting her ousting.
The unrest, which initially began in opposition to employment quotas, escalated horrifically and resulted in approximately 300 deaths. This serious declaration from Ms Hasina, conveyed by her son, comes on the heels of a legal directive for an investigation into her potential involvement in the demise of a grocery store owner during the demonstrations.
“Numerous individuals lost their lives under the disguise of revolution in July”, stated Mrs Hasina. She continued asserting the need for a meticulous investigation against those responsible for the mentioned atrocities, calling for their identification and subsequent punishment.
Her former cabinet is also under scrutiny, with previous Minister for Law Anisul Huq and her adviser Salman F Rahman being detained on suspicion of provoking a double murder, according to police reports released on Tuesday.
Legal proceedings against Mrs Hasina, the initial since the chaos, have been initiated by Amir Hamza and acknowledged by Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court following a legal hearing, according to attorney Anwarul Islam. He added that orders for a police investigation have been issued.
Other individuals implicated in this lawsuit include Obaidul Quader, the Secretary General of Hasina’s Awami League party, ex-Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, plus several high-ranking police officials.
It has been suggested by Mr Hamza that Ms Hasina, who had advocated for a robust response to the violence, was responsible for the fatal shooting of grocer Abu Saeed on July 19. Saeed was allegedly caught in the crossfire during police attempts to control the protesters in the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka. Despite not being a relative of Saeed, Hamza pursued the case due to the inability of Saeed’s family to afford legal proceedings.
Mr. Hamza asserted to Reuters his status as the first common person demonstrating bravery by legally challenging Sheikh Hasina for her wrongdoings, promising to see the lawsuit through to the end.
Opportunities to get comments from Mr. Hasina were not forthcoming, and attempts to make contact with Quader and Kamal were unsuccessful due to an inoperative phone and lack of response, respectively.
Bangladeshi student leader, Nahid Islam, who is also a member of the interim administration, called for Ms Hasina to be tried for the deaths that occurred during her tenure.
As her son has confirmed, Ms Hasina is intending to go back to Bangladesh once the temporary leadership resolves on conducting elections. – Reported by Reuters.
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024.