Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Lands At Hindon Air Base Amid Political Turmoil

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina landed at the Hindon Air Base near New Delhi on Monday evening in a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.

Sources told ANI that the aircraft will be parked near the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft hangars. The aircraft’s movement was monitored by the Indian Air Force and security agencies from its entry into Indian airspace to its landing at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad.

It is not yet clear if the Bangladeshi Prime Minister will stay in Delhi or move to another location. Media outlets in Bangladesh have speculated that Sheikh Hasina may proceed to London.

According to sources, Indian Air Force fighter aircraft were airborne soon after the Bangladeshi C-130 entered Indian airspace and kept an eye on it for some time. The Indian Air Force and Indian Army were prepared to meet any contingency, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the leading Bangladeshi daily newspaper Prothom Alo reported that Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman will soon hold direct talks with student-teacher representatives in the country. The report cited a circular issued by the Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday evening.

Celebrations and protests were reported across Dhaka and Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and left the country accompanied by her sister. After Hasina’s resignation and departure, many people entered Ganabhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister. Prothom Alo reported that people were seen taking various items from public buildings. A crowd was also noticed inside the Parliament building, with people seen taking things from inside as well.

Protesters set fire to Sudha Sadan, the private residence of Sheikh Hasina’s family in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Prothom Alo reported that around 5:30 pm, Sudha Sadan was vandalized, and a fire was set inside the house. Protestors were seen taking things out of the house.

Protesters also vandalized the residence of the Chief Justice. Several people were seen entering the Chief Justice’s residence by climbing over its wall, and commotion and vandalism were reported inside. Various items were taken from the residence, Prothom Alo reported.

Protesters also set fire to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum at 32 Dhanmondi. According to a Prothom Alo report, the fire was raging there. The agitators also set fire to the Dhaka district office of the Awami League.

Meanwhile, the operations of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were shut for six hours, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Monday.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the countrymen to remain calm. In a message on Monday, he said that today’s meeting with Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman was good. The Army Chief is expected to name members of the interim government shortly.

(With ANI Inputs)

Also Read: Why Sheikh Hasina Fled Bangladesh for India: Unveiling the Key Reasons Behind Her Decision