We welcome the announcement for forming an interim government after the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government. Sheikh Hasina’s downfall came after the student-led protests grew into a mass uprising to unseat an ‘autocratic government’.
In the face of mass uprising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday afternoon. Immediately after her (Sheikh Hasina) resignation, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman in an address to the nation said an interim government will be formed to run the country. All activities of the country will be operated by the interim government.
Later President Mohammed Shahabuddin in an address to nation on Monday midnight asked the political parties to normalise the law and order situation in the country and help stop looting and destructive activities. The current parliament has also been dissolved. The interim government should be formed in consultation with all parties and stakeholders for holding the general polls as soon as possible. Everyone will have to come forward to ensure communal harmony and security of minorities and protect government properties as well. Everyone should play an effective role in keeping the country’s economy, administration and industries running. Those who are involved in killing and violence, they must be brought under the law through neutral investigations.
We are deeply saddened about the reports of casualties and injuries over the weekend in the past week. Our condolences of course go out to those who have been injured in the violence over the past few weeks.
Interim government should
be formed in consultation with
all parties and stakeholders for
holding the general polls as soon as
possible
As a country committed to democracy, inclusive governance and the rule of law, we are calling for a “quick and peaceful” return to a democratic and inclusive civilian-led government in our country. All will have to remain calm and exercise restraint to maintain peace and stability in the country. Country’s people will also have to stay alert so that no one can cause any harm to people and their property.
We will have to keep trust in the army and the armed forces as they have taken all the responsibilities and vowed to protect our lives and properties. We believe our army will restore peace and law and order.
People should cooperate with the armed forces and refrain from vandalism, killings and clashes as General Waker-Uz-Zaman sought cooperation from all corners, including political parties, media and civil society members.
We all should cooperate with Chief of Army Staff. We cannot achieve anything more following the path of clash. Therefore, people have to refrain from all sorts of destruction, anarchies and conflicts if we want to go forward to a beautiful future. People will have to be more patient and give sometimes to General Waker-Uz-Zaman to resolve the crisis. People should not go through the path of clash and should return to the path of peace and discipline. Our country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit and many people have been killed.
On the other hand, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices along with factories and all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, madrasah and universities, across the country reopened from Tuesday. We believe the Bangladesh Army is a symbol of the trust of the country’s people. Bangladesh Army is and will always be with us for the sake of the country’s people and the state.
We also believe the Bangladesh Army is determined to ensure safety and security of people’s lives, properties and important state institutions in any circumstances. We hope they (Armed Forces) will perform duties with utmost sincerity during this transition period of the country.
