Former Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni. File | Photo Credit: PTI
Continuing its crackdown against the ousted Sheikh Hasina regime, Bangladesh’s interim government on Tuesday (August 20, 2024) sent former education and foreign minister Dipu Moni on a four-day remand. This is part of a wider restructuring of the police department to instill confidence in law enforcement departments.
Ms Moni, who became Bangladesh’s first woman foreign minister in 2009, is being investigated for her alleged involvement in a murder case in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. She was arrested from Dhaka’s diplomatic area on Monday (August 19, 2024).
For many years, Ms Moni was the face of Bangladesh’s diplomacy and global relations and was considered close to Sheikh Hasina.
The administration led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus also responded to the growing public demand and announced that assistance would be provided to the families of those killed or injured in the anti-reservation protests. Removal of Awami League government on 5 August 2024 Financial assistance will be received.
Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus on Tuesday (August 20, 2024) announced relief measures for those affected by the violence perpetrated by law enforcement agencies under the Hasina-led government, saying, “The government has decided to set up a foundation to take care of the injured and the families of the dead and injured who participated in the student-led revolution in July-August 2024.”
Two weeks after the swearing-in, Caretaker mechanism consisting of “advisors” The party has been in the news for its sweeping crackdown on notable personalities involved in the Hasina government.
The law and order situation in the capital and surrounding areas remains precarious, as there is a conspicuous absence of police force in crowded areas. A large number of police officers have not yet reported for work after playing a clear role in the violent crackdown against protesters. This week, 73 police officers have been promoted with additional responsibilities. On Tuesday (August 20, 2024), 25 Deputy Commissioners, the chief administrative officers of the districts, were transferred. Administrative and police-related changes are expected to continue in the coming days.
There is clearly visible public pressure on the interim administration to take action against top officials of the Hasina-led administration, who are mostly in hiding. According to available information, at least 41 former ministers and deputy ministers of the Awami League government are currently being investigated, while the administration here has announced that several top members of Hasina and her law and order team will be charged with crimes against humanity.
Murder charges have been filed against Ms Hasina, her sister Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed in three cases registered in the capital’s Jatrabari area on Tuesday (August 20, 2024). The Jatrabari and Uttara areas of Dhaka witnessed the most intense protests by students and civil society, in response to which the police took action. There are strong demands for action against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who was seen inspecting video recordings of police action against protesters in a viral video on social media.
The Bangladeshi capital is yet to fully recover from the conflict that reached its peak when Ms Hasina had to flee to India on August 5, 2024. The metro rail network, parts of which faced protesters as it became a symbol of the Hasina government, is yet to resume. Similarly parts of the elevated highway, which eased traffic within Dhaka, are yet to be fully operational as precautionary measures are still in place.
Meanwhile, the Britain-based acting chairman of the opposition BNP has called on his supporters and the media to declare Ms Hasina a fugitive from justice. In a video message released from London, Tarique Rahman called on people to avoid “traps laid by the defeated dark forces” and said, “Do not hurt the weak, do not break the law. Let us build a new Bangladesh that will be based on non-discrimination and will stay away from cycles of revenge and retribution.”