New Delhi/Dhaka: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the people of her country to rise in protest against the rampant human rights violations committed by supporters of the Mohammed Younus-led Interim Government and promised that she will return to her country soon and bring to justice all the perpetrators.
Sheikh Hasina, speaking to supporters from an unknown location in New Delhi, where she has been sheltered since she fled Dhaka on August 5 last year, also said that had she not left Bangladesh that day she would have been killed. (Hasina left Dhaka on August 5 on board an army helicopter as a massive mob marched on her official residence. She flew to New Delhi, where she has been sheltered ever since.)
The former PM and Awami League chief interacted with the widows of four Bangladesh police assistant sub inspectors who were brutally hacked to death on August 5 by violent mobs and their bodies hung upside down from trees and lamp posts.
Speaking to the women, Hasina said that the so-called “student-led uprising” of July-August last year was “a meticulously planned and premeditated operation” conducted by Mohammed Younus who wanted to rule the country.
“So many peoples’ lives have been destroyed completely by this government.. I will come back and help you all,” she assured the sobbing widows, who said they have nothing to rely on and are managing in very difficult circumstances with children to look after.
“They wanted to kill me too, how I escaped only I know,” said Hasina.
“It is only Allah who kept me alive, as He wants me to help my people. I will mete out justice, I will return and do it. I give my word on that, I will bring justice,” Hasina assured the weeping women.
She also said that Younus is not allowing any inquiry to be held against those who have killed police personnel and other people.
“How can they brutally kill people like this? Younus is not allowing any inquiry and has let them off, given them impunity.”
Hasina said that it is not known how many people have been arrested for the heinous atrocities committed under the Younus-led Interim government.
“We have to continue our struggle against this interim government… Younus has been committing rampant human rights violations and he will be tried one day for all these violations… My country was like a beautiful arranged garden, now it has been ruined by the Younus Interim Government,” she said.
Hasina urged supporters to participate in tomorrow’s “sangram (protest) to fight against the human rights violations by the Younus regime so that people can live in peace and security, which this interim government is not capable of providing to the people”.
Referring to Younus’ statement in August last year, amid the widespread violence that was rocking the nation, that he does not know governance, Hasina said: “Someone who admits he is not capable of ruling, why is he allowed to continue?”
“We must protest against this interim government, against the Younus regime. I condemn it and demand that justice is done for those who have lost so much,” she said.
