PM Modi Holds Crucial Meeting With CCS Over Bangladesh Unrest

Bangladesh Unrest: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a crucial meeting with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in wake of unrest in Bangladesh. The unrest in Dhaka has triggered after the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a result of a military coup. The country has been witnessing widespread protests against government's controversial quota move and hundreds of people have been killed.

The meeting came as Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled her country and landed in India on her way to London. She will be staying in India before getting an approval from Britain for asylum.

Modi was joined by other members of the CCS, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

They were briefed by officials on the situation in the neighbouring country, official sources said.

Bangladesh Army Chief takes over power

Earlier today, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that he's taking over the country after a dramatic development of Hasina's resignation amid massive protests against her government that claimed more than 100 lives in the last two days.

"I'm taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate," he said in a televised address amid reports that Hasina has left the country.

The Army chief said he had met political leaders and told them the Army would take over responsibility for law and order. However, there were no leaders from Hasina's Awami League party at the meeting.

Hasina, the 76-year-old daughter of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had been ruling the strategically located South Asian nation since 2009. She was elected for a record fourth consecutive term and fifth overall term in the 12th general election held in January, amid a boycott by the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former premier Khaleda Zia and its allies.

More than 100 people have been killed in the protests against the Hasina government over the last two days. The country has been witnessing fierce demonstrations over the controversial quota system that reserves 30 per cent of jobs for the families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war.

On current situation in Bangladesh, Meghalaya Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong today said, “Today evening, I called an urgent meeting on seeing the situation of Bangladesh. State Chief Secretary, DGP, IG of BSF were present in the meeting. Today, we decided to impose curfew all along the international border with Bangladesh from tonight. This curfew will be implemented only upto 200 meters inside the Indian territory from the zero point or from the international border pillar from 6 pm to 6 am everyday until the situation is improved.”

India is keeping a close watch at the politically volatile Bangladesh and security of Hindus, who are likely to seek refuge.