Manipur imposes curfew after the fall of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia gets back her passport. All of her passport renewal process was completed on Tuesday. Later, her machine readable passport (MRP) was handed over to her representative.

Earlier in the day, the BNP chairperson was released after a meeting of President Muhammed Shahabuddin with the leaders of the Students Against Discrimination, leaders of different political parties and representatives of the civil society, said a press release of Bangabhaban, the official residence of the president.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin resigned from his post on Wednesday.

AM Amin Uddin was appointed as the highest law officer of the state on 8 October 2020. He was the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association at that time.

He replaced attorney general Mahbubey Alam.

The students were seen carrying out traffic duties alongside the Ansar members at the intersections in Dhaka city Wednesday.

They were also seen in cleaning works in different parts of the capital.

The movement of all types of traffic in the city has increased since Tuesday.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has strengthened security along the border to stop any kind of illegal border crossings.

The force has also sought help from the people in the form of providing information in this regard.

BGB made the request through a notification of its public relations department.

BGB requested people to call at 01769600682 and 01769620954 to provide information.

Amid the countrywide deadly violence centering the one-point movement of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), Sheikh Hasina resigned from the prime minister post and left the country for India on Monday.

On that day people stormed into Ganabhaban, the official residence of the prime minister, national parliament building and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Attacks were carried out at many police stations across the country.

There is no cabinet in the country now as President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the 12th parliament Tuesday.

Though the president is the head of the state, he is not the head of the government.

That is why it cannot be said that there is any government in effect in the country now until the formation of the interim government.

The interim government could not be formed though 48 hours have passed since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

A decision has been made to form the next interim government of the country headed by Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The decision was made from a meeting of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the chiefs of the three services and the coordinators of the Student Against Discrimination at Bangabhaban Tuesday night. But the process of forming the full government has not been started.

As Sheikh Hasina left the country on Monday noon, Army chief General Wakar-Uz-Zaman in a briefing around 4:00 pm that day informed the media about forming the interming government very soon after consultation with the president.

Later, in an address to the nation, he reiterated that the interming government will be formed very soon. Since then 48 hours have elapsed but the government has not been formed.

Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus will return to Bangladesh from France on Thursday noon.

A reliable source confirmed this to Prothom Alo.

A decision has been made to form the next interim government of the country headed by Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The decision was made from a meeting of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the chiefs of the three services and the coordinators of the Student Against Discrimination at Bangabhaban Tuesday night.

A huge number of people have gathered at the Naya Paltan headquarters of BNP for a mass rally. Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul and other central leaders are there on the dais.

BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman will address the rally virtually.

There have been reports of several incidents of robbery, stealing and mugging in various areas of the country including Dhaka.

The incidents took place on Tuesday night.

Several residents from Mohammadpur and Bosila areas in Dhaka informed Prothom Alo about incidents of robbery in their vicinity.

India has evacuated all non-essential staff and their families from its embassy and consulates in neighbouring Bangladesh, two Indian government sources said on Wednesday, after weeks of unrest forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to quit and flee, reports news agency Reuters.

All Indian diplomats remain in Bangladesh and the missions are functional, the sources added.

Besides the high commission or embassy in the capital Dhaka, India has assistant high commissions or consulates in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet.

Pakistan said Wednesday it “stands in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh” after the prime minister fled the country following weeks of protest and civil unrest, reports news agency AFP.

“We are confident that the resilient spirit and unity of the Bangladeshi people will lead them towards a harmonious future,” said a statement from the foreign ministry of Pakistan, from which Bangladesh won independence in 1971.

A decision has been taken to form an interim government headed by Nobel laureate economist Dr Mohammad Yunus at a meeting of chiefs of armed forces, coordinators of Students Against Discrimination platform with President Md Shahabuddin.

Meanwhile Dr Yunus has addressed the nation, says a press release of Yunus Center.

‘I congratulate brave students, who led in realizing our second victory day. I congratulate the people of Bangladesh, who extended full support in the movement of the students. Let’s ensure the best use of this fresh victory.

Let us not allow any mistake to ruin this victory. I urge all to maintain peace, shun any kind of violence and not to destroy any kinds of properties. I request all students and people irrespective of political parties to maintain peace.’

He also urged all to reconstruct the country.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday urged people to shun destruction, vengeance and revenge and make a society based on love and peace.

She said the dreams for which the young generation of the country shed their blood has to be fulfilled by making a democratic Bangladesh based on merit, competence and knowledge.

Khaleda Zia delivered the speech via a video link at the BNP rally in Naya Paltan. She has spoken openly after a long time.

"I thank Allah for being able to speak in front of you after suffering from illness for a long time. I want to thank you all as you prayed and fought for my release from jail and recover from illness," she said.

‘We’ve been freed from a fascist and illegal government through a long struggle and sacrifice. I want to thank the brave people who struggled hard to make the impossible possible. I pay my tribute to hundreds of martyrs. This victory brings us a new prospect," Khaleda Zia said. 

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman today said that the armed forces will extend all cooperation to the interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus,

During a press conference at the army headquarters this afternoon, General Waker said the interim government is likely to be sworn in at 8:00pm tomorrow, Thursday.

He also said the advisory council may consist 15 members.

Contractual appointment of prime minister's principal secretary Tofazzal Hossain has been cancelled. The decision was announced in a gazette published by public administration ministry today.