Interim Government in Bangladesh Awaits as Army Chief to Meet Student Leaders Who Reject Military-Led Option
As the country struggles with a political crisis, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the chief of Bangladesh’s army, is scheduled to meet with leaders of student protests on Tuesday. This development follows the resignation and flight of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who left Dhaka in the wake of a violent uprising against her government, as the interim government in Bangladesh is set to take shape.
(Also read Violence in Belfast Intensifies as Police Clash with Rioters.)
Traffic in Dhaka was notably lighter today, with schools reopening but experiencing sparse attendance. The unrest, triggered by protests against job quotas, led to the deaths of around 300 people and left thousands injured. Bangladesh’s garment industry, which is vital to the country’s economy, is still shuttered, and preparations for its eventual reopening are still pending.
Student Groups Call for Muhammad Yunus to Lead Interim Government in Bangladesh
Initially protesting against job quotas, student groups are now calling for an interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Yunus, renowned for his work with Grameen Bank, is currently in Paris. The students have rejected any government supported or led by the military.
General Zaman’s meeting with the student leaders comes as an interim government is being formed to prepare for new elections. In a notable shift, opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia is set to be released from custody. The political landscape remains fluid, with significant developments anticipated in the coming days.
