Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka and expressed “serious concern” over allowing former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to interact with the Indian media.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency, the foreign ministry has summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka Pawan Badhe to formally convey Bangladesh’s serious concern over the Indian government allowing absconding premier Sheikh Hasina to interact with the mainstream Indian media.
The ministry said Hasina was a “notorious fugitive” facing trial “for committing crimes against humanity”.
Bangladesh’s Awami League has announced a nationwide daylong lockdown on Thursday, urging citizens from all walks of life to participate in the programme.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh is scheduled to announce on Thursday the date of its verdict in the case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, related to the July 2024 uprising.
The country remains on high alert amid rising tensions, with security forces, including the army and police, deployed at airports and key installations across Bangladesh.
Speaking to News18, former Bangladesh Minister and Awami League leader Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel said, “Our objective was to show the Yunus regime that the people are no longer with his cronies through a non-cooperation movement. Across the country—not just in Dhaka—people have already responded. They are staying indoors and boycotting everything associated with this illegal, murderous regime. The capital is already deserted. So yes, we have achieved our objective. They wanted to malign us by suggesting we would incite violence, but people have responded peacefully and overwhelmingly by joining the government boycott.”
Over the past few months, Sheikh Hasina has been addressing her party workers virtually, asserting that she will return to Bangladesh when participatory democracy is restored.
