Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is set to be sworn in as the leader of Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday. His appointment follows Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden departure from power amid violent protests over government job quotas. While in Paris for the Olympics, Yunus called for peace, stating, “Violence is our enemy. Please don’t create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country.”
Indian border security agencies are on high alert due to the instability in neighboring Bangladesh. The BSF reported stopping a significant infiltration attempt by a large group of Bangladeshis along the West Bengal border on Wednesday.
Key Points on the Bangladesh Crisis:
- Infiltration Attempt Thwarted: The BSF halted 120-140 Bangladeshi citizens trying to cross into India, citing fears of local unrest as their motivation.
- Return to Safety: In collaboration with the BGB and Bangladeshi authorities, the BSF reassured and returned 35 Bangladeshi civilians to their homes.
- Increased Security: Additional BSF forces have been deployed to manage the situation effectively.
- Commotion at the Border: A brief commotion occurred when a group of Bangladeshi villagers approached the IB, but BSF personnel managed the situation promptly.
- Yunus’s Swearing-In: Bangladesh’s military chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, confirmed that Yunus would be sworn in on Thursday night, with the ceremony accommodating 400 people.
- Call for Calm: Former PM Khaleda Zia urged for peace and reconstruction, emphasizing love and peace over destruction and revenge.
- Restoration of Order: Dhaka was calm with student activists cleaning streets and managing traffic after police strikes due to earlier violent attacks on police stations.
- Casualties and Violence: The recent unrest led to at least 109 deaths, including 14 police officers, and widespread looting and vandalism.
- US Concerns: The US State Department emphasized the need for the interim government to respect democratic principles and prepare for a free and fair election.
- Sheikh Hasina’s Status: Uncertainty surrounds Sheikh Hasina’s future. She remains in India, with her son stating she has no plans for asylum in the UK or US, and is recovering from the recent turmoil.
Indian officials, including Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, expressed concerns about the impact of Bangladesh’s instability on India, highlighting potential border security issues and the history of extremism in the region.
