Sheikh Hasina, After Fleeing Bangladesh To Seek Asylum In London From India

Agencies, 5 August 2024: Sheikh Hasina, former Bangladesh PM, is expected to leave for London later, where she may seek political asylum. Sources said Hasina's plane is being refueled for the flight to London. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina for about one and half an hour after she fled her country amid ongoing anti-government protests. 

Hasina has been granted an interim stay in India and has yet to apply for exile. She reportedly landed at Hindon airport near Delhi at 5:36 pm after fleeing her country amid widespread protests.

Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Monday evening after landing at the Hindon Air Force base in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, around 30 km from Delhi. As per ANI, Hasina's C-130 transport aircraft landed at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, UP, where TV reports said she was received by senior Indian Air Force officials. 

"The aircraft will be parked near the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft hangars. The aircraft movement was monitored by Indian Air Force and security agencies from its entry into Indian airspace to Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad."

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina departed from Bangabhaban at around 2:30pm on Monday on a military helicopter, accompanied by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana In response to the unfolding crisis. 

Air India announced on X (formerly Twitter): “In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have canceled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Dhaka with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges. Safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority. For more information, please call our 24/7 Contact Centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999.”

Indo-Bangladesh trade came to a halt this afternoon due to the unrest. Traders reported significant disruptions as large-scale protests led to Hasina’s resignation. “The situation is volatile, and trade activities have been severely impacted,” said a local trader.

Despite a total internet ban imposed by the Bangladesh government to diffuse the protests, students under the banner “Students Against Discrimination” began their ‘Long March to Dhaka’. The protests, which started in July, have resulted in approximately 300 deaths, with at least 94 fatalities reported in fierce clashes on Sunday.

Bangladesh Army's 45-Minute Notice: Top Developments

"There is a crisis. I have met Opposition leaders and we have decided to form an interim government to run this country. I take all responsibility and promise to protect your life and property. Your demands will be fulfilled. Please stop the violence," the Army chief said.

Earlier today, protesters broke into Gonobhaban - the Dhaka residence of the Prime Minister. Local media estimated as many as 400,000 protesters were on the streets, but it was impossible to verify the figure. Soldiers and police with armored vehicles had barricaded routes to Ms. Hasina's office with barbed wire, AFP reporters said, but vast crowds flooded the streets, tearing down barriers.

But by then, the veteran politician had fled.

100 people were killed and over 1,000 injured in clashes that took place between police and protesters on Sunday alone. Since then, the number of dead has crossed 300.

The protests began late last month over a quota system that reserves up to 30 percent of government jobs for family members of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 war against Pakistan.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters defied curfew, marching on the capital's streets and later storming the Prime Minister's palace. Visuals showed crowds running into the premier's official residence in Dhaka, waving to the camera as they celebrated. Soldiers and police with armored vehicles in Dhaka had barricaded routes to Ms. Hasina's office with barbed wire, AFP reporters said, but vast crowds flooded the streets, tearing down barriers.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today resigned and left the capital Dhaka amid violent clashes as vast crowds of angry protesters demanded her resignation.

"She and her sister have left Ganabhaban (the Prime Minister's official residence) for a safer place," the source told AFP. "She wanted to record a speech. But she could not get an opportunity to do that," the source said.

Local media estimated as many as 400,000 protesters were on the streets, but it was impossible to verify the figure.

Bangladesh's army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said an interim government will be formed after the prime minister resigned and fled the capital in the face of overwhelming protests. "We will form an interim government," he said.

Since then, the protests have escalated dramatically, particularly over the past few days, resulting in pitched battles between students, police, and counter-protesters. Shocking scenes have emerged of vehicles and buildings on fire and mobs rampaging through the streets.

The protests died down briefly after the Bangladesh Supreme Court cut the reservations to 5 percent. But they flared back up after student leaders said the government had ignored some of their demands. This triggered demands for Sheikh Hasina to quit.

At least 98 people were killed in fierce clashes yesterday, taking the death count since protests erupted last month to over 300.

Rallies that began last month against civil service job quotas have escalated into some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Hasina's 15-year rule and shifted into wider calls for the 76-year-old to step down.

The demonstrations have grown into a wider anti-government movement across Bangladesh. It has attracted people from all strata of Bangladesh society, including film stars, musicians, and singers. Songs calling for people's support have spread widely on social media.

The protesters had earlier dismissed Ms. Hasina's invitation for dialogue aimed at quelling escalating violence and consolidated their demands into a unified call for her resignation.