Bangladesh army not suppressing protest, sealing Hasina's downfall

According to two serving army officers familiar with the discussions, the army chief and his generals decided to refrain from using force on civilians to enforce a curfew.

The decision came the night before Sheikh Hasina, the long-time leader of Bangladesh unexpectedly left the country amidst violent protests.

According to an Indian official briefed, Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman contacted Hasina's office to inform the prime minister that his soldiers could not carry out the lockdown she had requested.

According to an official, it was abundantly clear that Hasina had lost the army's backing.

The previously unreported details of the online meeting between military top brass and the message conveyed to Hasina that she had lost their backing have come to light.

These events shed light on the factors that led to the abrupt and tumultuous end of Hasina's 15-year rule as she hastily departed from Bangladesh to seek refuge in India.

Following a series of violent clashes that resulted in a tragic loss of life and numerous injuries, a nationwide curfew was implemented.

The unfortunate turn of events occurred on Sunday, marking it as the deadliest day since the commencement of the student-led protests against Hasina back in July.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Sami Ud Dowla Chowdhury confirmed the Sunday evening discussions during a regular meeting to discuss updates after a disturbance. He remained tight-lipped when asked for more information about the decision-making process during that meeting and offered no further details.

Efforts to contact Hasina were unsuccessful, and her son and advisor, Sajeeb Wazed, did not provide any comments despite multiple requests.

Reuters interviewed ten individuals who knew about the events of the past week. This group includes four current army officers and two other reliable sources in Bangladesh.

Through their accounts, we have reconstructed the last 48 hours of Hasina's leadership. Several individuals requested to remain anonymous due to the subject's sensitive nature.

Hasina, who has been in power for 20 out of the last 30 years, secured her fourth term as the leader of Bangladesh in January. Her election followed the arrest of numerous opposition leaders and workers. Her main rivals boycotted the election.

Protests have been challenging her firm grip on power since the summer.

The demonstrations were sparked by a court ruling that reserved government jobs for specific segments of the population, which are in high demand due to the significant youth unemployment.

The decision was reversed. However, the protests swiftly transformed into a campaign to remove Hasina from power.

Zaman still needs to provide a public explanation for his decision to withdraw support from Hasina.

According to three former senior Bangladesh army officers, the magnitude of the protests and the significant death toll of at least 241 have rendered it impossible to continue supporting Hasina under any circumstances.

Retired Brig. Gen. M. Sakhawat Hossain expressed considerable uneasiness among the troops. "The actions of the troops on the ground have likely placed significant pressure on the chief of army staff, as they witness firsthand the unfolding events."

Zaman, who has a marital connection to Hasina, displayed indications of uncertainty in his backing of the prime minister during a town hall meeting on Saturday. Seated on an elaborate wooden chair, he spoke to a gathering of numerous uniformed officers. Later, the military released specific details of that discussion to the public.

Army spokesman Chowdhury said the general emphasized the importance of protecting lives and urged his officers to exercise patience.

This development marked a significant shift in Bangladesh's army's approach, suggesting a departure from its previous stance of quelling violent protests by force. As a result, Prime Minister Hasina found herself in a precarious position.

On Monday, even retired senior soldiers like Brig. Gen. Mohammad Shahedul Anam Khan joined the ranks of those who defied the curfew and took to the streets.

"The army did not impede our progress," stated Khan, a former infantry soldier. "The army has fulfilled its promise, delivering on what was expected."

'Short notice'

On Monday, during the first full day of the nationwide curfew, Hasina remained inside the Ganabhaban, also known as the "People's Palace." This heavily guarded complex in the capital city of Dhaka serves as her official residence.

A mass of people gathered in the bustling city streets, responding to the protest leaders' rallying cry; a massive crowd flooded the city center to remove the leader from power.

Amidst a rapidly deteriorating situation, the 76-year-old leader decided to leave the country on Monday morning, as confirmed by an Indian official and two individuals from Bangladesh who are knowledgeable about the matter.

According to a source in Bangladesh, Hasina and her sister, who lives in London but happened to be in Dhaka then, discussed the matter and decided to fly out together. According to the local time, they departed for India in the afternoon.

In a statement to parliament on Tuesday, Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving the situation. He revealed that New Delhi had contacted various political forces and urged them to engage in discussions throughout July.

Amidst the crowds gathering in Dhaka on Monday, Hasina decided to step down, defying the curfew. According to sources, this came after a meeting with security establishment leaders. She urgently requested permission to travel to India at a moment's notice.

According to another Indian official, Hasina was diplomatically informed that her stay needed to be temporary to avoid any potential negative consequences for Delhi's relationship with the upcoming government in Dhaka. The Ministry of External Affairs in India did not respond to a request for comment at the time of writing.

In an interview, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus expressed his views on India's diplomatic relations, stating that the country had established connections with individuals who may not have been the best choice. It is essential to reconsider your foreign policy.

Yunus could not be reached for an interview at the moment.

On Monday afternoon, a Bangladesh Air Force C130 transport aircraft touched down at Hindon Airbase near Delhi, carrying Hasina as a passenger.

According to an Indian security official, Ajit Doval, India's influential national security advisor, greeted her.

In 1971, Delhi played a significant role in the creation of Bangladesh, formerly known as East Pakistan. Following the assassination of Hasina's father in 1975, she sought refuge in India for an extended period, establishing strong connections with the political leaders of her neighboring country.

Upon returning to Bangladesh, she assumed power in 1996 and was widely regarded as more attuned to India's security concerns than her political opponents. Many in the Hindu-majority nation saw her secular stance as beneficial for the 13 million Hindus in Bangladesh.

However, there was still a lingering resentment, even among retired soldiers, regarding Hasina's departure from Bangladesh.

"In my opinion, it was inappropriate for her to be granted a safe passage," stated Khan, a seasoned individual. "That decision was a grave mistake.