New Delhi: At least two ministers from the previous Bangladesh government headed by Sheikh Hasina have been detained attempting to flee the country Tuesday, according to reports by Bangladeshi media.
Mohammed Hasan Mahmud, the former foreign minister and Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the state minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology were detained at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The duo tried to flee after Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of Parliament and freed former prime minister Khaleda Zia from house arrest.
According to Daily Bangladesh, Mahmud also tried to escape from a land port to India but failed. Similarly, Palak, the junior IT minister, was detained at the Dhaka airport while attempting to flee to New Delhi, Dhaka Tribune reported.
Palak was a part of the ministry that regulated the internet and mobile services in Bangladesh, which was shutdown on the evening of 17 July, after violent clashes first broke out during the anti-quota protests.
On 23 July, broadband services were reopened in a limited way, while mobile internet was restored five days on. Similarly, mobile services were shut down Sunday as the latest episode of violence broke out across the country.
Palak later blamed the protesters for damaging mobile infrastructure that led to the disruption of internet and mobile services. According to reports, airport staff and workers. stopped the former IT minister from boarding the flight.
Meanwhile, violence continues across Bangladesh with reports of looting and burning of properties, especially targeted attacks against those associated with the former Awami League government and minorities.
Local media reports said that 24 people died in a hotel belonging to Shahin Chakladar, an Awami League general secretary of Jashore district, after it was set on fire. Similarly, there are reports of temples and businesses belonging to Hindus being attacked and looted across 27 districts in the neighbouring country.
The mob violence continued a day after Hasina fled the country after 15 years in power. The former prime minister was forced to resign following the anti-quota stir that first began in June.
Hasina landed later in the evening at Hindon air force base near New Delhi and remains in India. as the asylum process with the UK government continues. Both the UK and the US are said to be refusing to accommodate her, even temporarily.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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