For the first time since the coup in Bangladesh, a relief news has come for Sheikh Hasina’s party. It is being reported that the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus has no intention of banning the Awami League party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh Interim Government Home Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Monday said the interim government has no intention of banning ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party.
According to media reports, Sakhawat Hussain said that the party has contributed a lot to Bangladesh. We cannot deny this, when the elections are held, they should contest. He also apologized to the minority Hindu community for failing to provide security.
Apologised to the Hindu community
Sakhawat said that we have instructed that it is the utmost duty of the majority community to protect our minority brothers. If they do not do so and instead remain busy in offering namaz in the mosque, then they will have to answer why they failed to provide security.
Instructions given to protesters to surrender
According to a media report, Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, Home Affairs Advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, on Monday directed protesters to surrender all illegal and unauthorised firearms, including rifles looted from law enforcers during the recent violence, by August 19.
‘500 people died in the violence’
Hussain said officers would conduct searches if the weapons were not returned to nearby police stations and charges would be filed against anyone found in possession of unauthorized weapons, The Daily Star newspaper reported. Hussain said about 500 people, including students, were killed and several thousand others were injured during the protests.
He said, “In the video, a youth was seen taking a 7.62 mm rifle. This means that the rifle was not returned. If you did not hand over the weapon (out of fear), then hand over the weapon through someone else.”
‘I do not support shutting down the media’
Hussain said they would conduct an investigation to identify the youths in plainclothes who opened fire on the Ansar members. However, he softened yesterday’s comments about shutting down media outlets for publishing or broadcasting false or misleading news.
He said, “I said this in anger. This is not my job. I never support closing down any media.”
Last Thursday, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as head of the interim government, replacing Hasina. A 16-member council of advisers was announced to assist Yunus in running state affairs.
Let us tell you that Sheikh Hasina resigned last week after violent protests against her government over the controversial quota system in jobs and left the country in turmoil and went to India.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)