Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year reign came to an end on Monday when she resigned and fled the country following weeks of massive anti-government protests that killed hundreds of people.
Multiple sources have reported that Hasina has flown to India after the South Asian country's army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced in a televised address that they would form an interim government following his resignation amid violent clashes between protesters and police.
According to anonymous sources cited by the news agency ME TOOHasina landed at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, in a C-130 transport aircraft.
Additionally, the Indian Air Force and security agencies kept a watch on the movement of the aircraft during its entry into Indian airspace and then at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. Sources have also mentioned that the aircraft will be parked near the hangars of the Indian Air Force's C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, it was reported. Hindustan Times.
It is noteworthy that Hasina has served as Bangladesh's prime minister since 2009. The daughter of Sheikh Mujib ur Rehman emerged as a pro-democracy icon, however, over time she has been accused of autocracy and involvement in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and restricting opposition forces to her government.
Why India?
Although Hasina's arrival in India has not yet been confirmed by international media, there is speculation as to why she would choose India.
Notably, India has remained a crucial supporter of Hasina and has fostered a mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries over the years. Bangladesh shares borders with many northeastern Indian states, which have faced militant insurgencies for decades.
Accordingly, a friendly regime in Dhaka has stepped up to address these security dilemmas and has been involved in their resolution.
Moreover, anti-India militant groups have faced a crackdown by the Hasina government in Bangladesh, earning goodwill in Delhi, it has been reported. BBC.
He has also consistently defended the strong relationship between Dhaka and Delhi despite criticism from opposition forces.
Moreover, India also remains Bangladesh's largest trading partner in South Asia.
Since anti-government protests began in July demanding the abolition of quotas for civil service posts, the death toll has now risen to more than 280.
Student activists on Monday called for a march to the capital Dhaka in defiance of a nationwide curfew to pressure Hasina to step down, a day after nearly 100 people were killed in deadly clashes across the country.
In addition, some 150 people were killed in protests last month.
