2024-08-24 04:51:05
Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday cancelled the diplomatic passport of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The interior ministry said in a statement that Ms Hasina’s passport was cancelled along with those of former government ministers and former MPs who no longer hold their posts. Hasina had failed to handle the violence that erupted during student protests in Bangladesh. Due to this, she had to resign and flee to India. More than 450 people were killed in the weeks before her ouster, including many policemen.
Diplomatic passports of several Awami League leaders cancelled
“The former prime minister, her advisers, the former cabinet and members of the dissolved National Assembly were all eligible for diplomatic passports by virtue of their positions. If they have been removed from their positions or have retired, their and their spouses’ diplomatic passports should be cancelled,” the interior ministry said in a statement. Hasina’s government has been accused of widespread abuses, including mass detention and extrajudicial killings of political opponents.
Hasina was asked to take a normal passport
Bangladesh’s new government said Hasina and other former top officials during her tenure can apply for standard passports but those documents are subject to approval. “When the above-mentioned people apply afresh for normal passports, the two security agencies have to approve their applications for their passports to be issued,” the ministry said.
Sheikh Hasina is close to India
Sheikh Hasina is considered a close ally of India. India has always preferred Hasina over her rival Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party. India has always considered the BNP to be close to conservative Islamist groups and anti-India. At the same time, India has also offered its support to the new Bangladeshi leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is leading the caretaker administration.
BNP demands extradition of Hasina
Bangladesh’s main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has demanded the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India. BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has demanded the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of plotting to disrupt protests against the government in the country. Fakhrul Islam said that India cannot win the hearts of Bangladeshis by giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina. He also accused India of withdrawing from its support for democracy.