In an apparent attempt to mount pressure on India government to extradite Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s interim government revoked passport of the former Prime Minister and 96 other individuals, comprising leaders of Awami League and bureaucrats of the erstwhile government.
The government of the neighbouring country said the 97 individuals, including Hasina, are facing charges of killings during student protests last year and forced disappearances during the regime of Awami League.
Sources in the India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Bangladesh government’s decision to revoke the passports would not have any impact on Hasina’s stay in India.
At a press briefing in Dhaka, deputy press secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Majumdar said Hasina, ousted in August amid mass protests, is among the accused.
“A total of 75 individuals are accused in killings and 22 others are linked to forced disappearances during the violence last year. These deaths are being treated as crimes against humanity during last year’s July uprise with the International Crimes Tribunal issuing arrest warrant against Hasina,” he said.
The revocations of passports of Hasina and others mark a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation into the last year’s violence.
Over 230 people were killed in Bangladesh in incidents of violence that erupted across the country following the fall of Hasina’s government in August last year, taking the death toll to more than 800 since the massive protests by students against a controversial quota system in government jobs first started in mid-July last year.
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