Bangladesh Court Orders Probe in Murder Case Against Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina

- The night before **Sheikh Hasina** fled Bangladesh, her **army chief**, **Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman**, decided troops would not enforce a **curfew** by opening fire on civilians, according to two **serving army officers**. - **Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman** informed Hasina that the army could not implement the **lockdown**, signaling she no longer had their **support**, as confirmed by an **Indian official**. - Details of the **military's decision** and the message to Hasina have not been previously reported, shedding light on the **chaotic end** of her **15-year rule**. - The **nationwide curfew** followed **deadly clashes** that killed at least **91 people**, the **deadliest day** since **protests began in July**. - Hasina fled to **India** on Monday, with her departure facilitated by **Indian officials**, amid **escalating protests** and **loss of military support**. Source: [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-army-refused-suppress-protest-sealing-hasinas-fate-2024-08-07/)

- Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and is reportedly heading to Delhi, India, after violent protests in her country. - The Army Chief confirmed her resignation and announced the formation of an interim government to address the economic crisis caused by the unrest. - Hasina departed from Bangabhaban on a military helicopter with her sister, Sheikh Rehana, and is expected to land in Delhi at 5 pm. - India's Border Security Force has issued a high alert along the India-Bangladesh border, and all train services between the two countries have been canceled. - The protests, initially sparked by student groups against job quotas, escalated into a movement demanding Hasina's resignation, leading to nearly 300 casualties. Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/world/story/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-quits-from-her-post-after-armys-45-minutes-ultimatum-amid-protests-440176-2024-08-05

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the Bangladesh situation by Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. There is no word yet if Mr Modi will meet Mrs Hasina. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has also spoken to Mr Jaishankar. - Sheikh Hasina, who fled her Dhaka residence shortly before it was overrun, has landed at the Hindon Air Force base in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, which is 30km from Delhi. Mrs Hasina was received by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. - In India, the Border Security Force is on high alert. India shares a 4,096 km border with Bangladesh, across which travel has been stopped; the Railways and Air India have cancelled trains and flights. Meghalaya has ordered a 12-hour night-time curfew from 6 pm within 200 metres inside Indian territory. - Earlier today, after Mrs Hasina resigned, Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said the military will form an 'interim government' and urged protesters to stand down. He promised to protect life and property and fulfill demands. - Chaos erupted this morning after protesters stormed Gonobhaban, the PM's Dhaka residence. 100 people were killed and over 1,000 injured in clashes between police and protesters. The protests began over a quota system for government jobs and escalated into a wider anti-government movement. Source: NDTV

- Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has significantly reduced government job quotas that had sparked widespread protests and violent clashes, resulting in over 100 deaths. - The court's decision overturns a lower court ruling that reserved about a third of public sector jobs for descendants of 1971 independence war veterans. - The quotas, seen as favoring Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s loyalists, were reinstated last month but faced strong opposition from university students and the public. - The Supreme Court now mandates that 93% of government jobs be awarded based on merit, addressing public anger over economic distress and inequality. - The unrest has led to a heavy-handed crackdown by security forces, including shoot-on-sight orders, curfews, and communication bans, drawing criticism from international bodies like Amnesty International. Source: Financial Times

- The mobs opposed to Bangladesh’s deposed leader Sheikh Hasina are looting and rioting across the country, targeting facilities and leaders of Hasina’s Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) as well as minorities. - At least two Hindu councillors have been killed, and attacks on temples and houses of Hindu commonfolk have been reported. The violence has been fueled by the pro-Pakistan Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami. - The agitation began as a student-led protest against the quota system but escalated into a mass movement against Hasina’s 15-year rule, climaxing on Sunday with nearly 100 people killed. Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday. - Religious centres of the Hindu movement ISKCON and temples of goddess Kali have been attacked. In Meherpur, an ISKCON center was burnt, and deities were destroyed. In Noakhali, mobs attacked Hindu houses. - Student protest leader Prapti Taposhi highlighted the ongoing violence against Hindus, criticizing the military for not protecting the minority. There are concerns that with Hasina out of the picture, the persecution of Hindus could massively increase. Source: First Post

- Security agencies in India are preparing for both short and long-term stays of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina due to ongoing violent protests in Bangladesh. - India is working on securing asylum for Hasina in a European country, but uncertainties have delayed her travel plans, making her stay in India likely for the next few days. - National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is closely monitoring the situation and updating PM Modi on Hasina's stay and possible asylum. - Hasina, who arrived at Hindon airbase on August 5, is currently in a nearby facility but will be moved to a more secure location soon. - The Indian government is extending all protocols befitting a Head of State to Hasina, with special security drills and deployments in place. Source: [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bangladesh-crisis-sheikh-hasina-in-india-london-asylum-ajit-doval-security-awami-league-2577971-2024-08-06)

Title basically

- The parents of a trainee doctor, raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, accuse the police of bribery and rushing her cremation. - They claim a senior officer offered them money and pressured them to cremate their daughter's body against their wishes. - The Trinamool Congress (TMC) counters with a video showing the parents denying the bribery claims. - The BJP demands the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal. - The parents question the police's handling of the case, including delays in post-mortem and FIR registration. Source: [CNBC](https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/tried-to-bribe-us-rushed-her-cremation-kolkata-doctor-parents-question-police-in-new-twist-tmc-reacts-19471324.htm)

- A letter allegedly from former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina suggests her ouster was due to US pressure over St Martin’s Island. - The letter claims Hasina refused to cede control of the strategically important island in the Bay of Bengal to the US. - The island is significant due to US interests in countering China’s influence in the Indian Ocean. - Hasina’s letter echoes her long-standing stance against foreign intervention in Bangladesh’s sovereignty. - US authorities have denied any intention of acquiring the island or intervening in Bangladesh’s internal matters. Source: [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/us-pressure-over-st-martins-island-led-to-exit-claims-hasinas-letter/articleshow/112449280.cms)