Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus will be the chief adviser to the interim government in Bangladesh.
This was announced by Students against Discrimination coordinators Mo. Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and Abu Bakr Mazumdar at 4.40 am (Bangladesh time) on Tuesday. They also released a video statement.
“We had taken 24 hours to propose our interim government. Given the emergency situation, we are now announcing its outline. We have decided to form an interim government with Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser, who is universally accepted and internationally renowned,” read the statement. “We have already spoken with Dr Yunus, and he has agreed to take on this crucial responsibility at the call of the student community to save Bangladesh.”
The students have urged Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin to announce the government.
Youths guarding a temple at Comilla. Sourced by the correspondent
“We appeal to the President to quickly form the interim government with Dr Muhammad Yunus as the chief advisor. We will announce the names of the other members of this interim government by this morning,” read the statement. “We want to see the formation process of this government by this morning.”
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faced with an unprecedented countrywide students movement that left over 300 dead in three weeks resigned and fled from Bangladesh on Monday afternoon, with the Army taking over the reins of the government with the promise of an interim government.
President Shahabuddin had late on Monday dissolved the Parliament and ordered the release of the former prime minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia, who was under house arrest.
"A decision has been taken to form an interim government as soon as possible by dissolving parliament. The army will also take measures to normalise the prevailing anarchic situation," said the president, in a televised address, with the chiefs of the three services standing behind him.
Since the departure of Sheikh Hasina – who is at the Hindon air base near Delhi – Bangladesh has seen massive violence targeting those close to the Awami League and also against minorities.
Actor Shanto Khan and his father Salim Khan, chairman of the Lakshmipur Union board were killed on Monday night. Violence has been reported from several parts of Dhaka, Jessore, Chandpur, Kushthia, Baniachang, Sibalaya, Sripur, Chuadanga, Jhinaidaa, Ghazipur, Shariyatpur and Koyra.
"I am directing the armed forces to take stern measures to protect the lives and properties of the people and state assets. I call upon all to come forward to ensure communal harmony, security of minorities and protect government property," the president said.
He said those involved in killing and violence will be brought to justice through impartial investigation.
All offices and courts in the country will open from Tuesday, he added.
"Let's work together to save the country. I humbly call upon all to play their role from their respective positions to advance the country rising above mutual envy and animosity," he added.
Students claimed there was an attempt to sabotage the uprising.
“We can see that after our uprising and revolution, the fascists and their accomplices are causing chaos and sabotage. In various places, shootings are taking place, temples are being attacked, and there is sabotage and looting. We believe that these incidents are being orchestrated to undermine our students' and citizens' revolution. We urge the Dear students-citizen striving for freedom to remain vigilant and cautious,” the statement said.
After Hasina’s departure, people had raided her official residence Gana Bhaban and took away her personal belongings that included printer cartridges. Refrigerators, television sets, furniture, lamps and even a car were damaged.
