Dhaka, Dec 14: Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Sunday to express “serious concern” over statements made by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India.
Hasina, 78, fled to India in August last year following a violent student-led street protest that toppled her Awami League government.
Last month, she was sentenced to death by a special tribunal for crimes against humanity, prompting Bangladesh to demand her extradition.
The Foreign Ministry accused Hasina of making “incendiary statements” from India, calling on her supporters to engage in terrorist activities aimed at disrupting the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Dhaka reiterated its call for her “expeditious extradition,” along with former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, to face their death sentences.
The Ministry also highlighted the alleged “anti-Bangladesh activities” of other fugitive Awami League members residing in India, claiming they were planning and assisting terrorist actions inside Bangladesh.
India was urged to act swiftly to prevent these activities and extradite the suspects.
The summons comes two days after Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the right-wing Inquilab Mancha and a key figure in the July–August 2024 protests, was critically shot in the head.
Hadi leads a campaign to arrest members of the disbanded Awami League and ensure the security of the “July warriors.”
In response to rising tensions and security concerns, the Bangladeshi government ordered a nationwide crackdown, called Operation Devil Hunt 2, aimed at curbing potential unrest ahead of elections scheduled for February 12.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that, as a neighbouring country, India is expected to support Bangladesh in upholding justice and safeguarding its democratic process.
High Commissioner Verma responded that India looks forward to peaceful elections in Bangladesh and expressed readiness to cooperate in maintaining stability.
This diplomatic engagement underscores growing tensions between Bangladesh and India over Hasina’s presence in India, the activities of Awami League fugitives, and security concerns ahead of Bangladesh’s general elections. (PTI)
