ALBAWABA - Six months after fleeing to India, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has once again ignited political turmoil, as the interim government accuses her of inciting violence and fueling unrest across the country.
On Sunday, authorities in Bangladesh launched a major security operation following attacks on student protesters allegedly carried out by pro-Hasina factions. A government statement claimed these groups assaulted demonstrators, leaving many injured.
Interior Ministry official Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced the beginning of "Operation Devil Hunt", vowing to eliminate all instigators of unrest.
Protests and Demolitions Escalate
The crackdown follows violent anti-Hasina protests, which peaked on Wednesday when demonstrators demolished properties linked to her family, including a museum and former residence of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader.
Tensions soared after reports suggested Hasina planned a live address from India, despite an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity.
The interim government holds Hasina responsible for the ongoing violence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, called for calm, urging respect for the rule of law.
In Dhaka’s Gazipur district, members of Students Against Discrimination, a key group in last year’s uprising, reported being attacked by unknown assailants.
Having ruled Bangladesh for over 20 years, Hasina’s tenure was marked by political repression, mass arrests, and violent crackdowns.
Following mass protests in August 2024, she resigned and fled to India, leaving Bangladesh in political uncertainty. The government’s next steps will shape the nation’s fragile transition.
