TL;DR:
- Five new advisers will be sworn into Bangladesh’s interim government today, expanding the council to 25 members.
- Dhaka’s Gulistan area faces severe traffic disruptions due to anti-discrimination protests, causing gridlock since morning.
- In Feni, 16 Awami League leaders and activists, including Abdul Karim, were arrested for their involvement in violent clashes from August.
- The arrests are linked to an August 4 incident where AL activists attacked protesters on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, resulting in eight deaths.
The interim government’s advisory council in Bangladesh is set to expand today with the swearing-in of five new advisers, bringing the total number of advisers to 25. The ceremony is expected to take place at 7:00 PM at the Darbar Hall of the Bangabhaban, according to high-level government sources. This marks a further strengthening of the interim administration led by Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus, who currently oversees a team of 20 advisers.
The expansion comes as part of ongoing efforts to stabilize governance following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, amid widespread protests and political upheaval. The interim government was formed shortly after, with legal backing provided by the “Interim Government Ordinance 2024,” which was approved by the Council of Advisers in September. This ordinance formalized the structure and authority of the interim government, allowing it to manage executive functions during this transitional period.
In addition to today’s developments at Bangabhaban, Dhaka has been experiencing significant traffic disruptions due to ongoing protests. Demonstrations led by the anti-discrimination student movement have caused gridlock at the Zero Point intersection in Gulistan and surrounding areas since this morning. Traffic congestion worsened around 11:30 AM, particularly affecting roads leading to Old Dhaka, including Bangshal and Nawabpur. Commuters have faced long delays, with traffic police working to manage the situation. As of 1:30 PM, the situation remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, in Feni district, police arrested 16 leaders and activists from the Awami League (AL) and its affiliated groups last night. Among those detained is Abdul Karim, a 65-year-old joint secretary of Feni’s district unit of AL. According to local sources, Karim had gone into hiding following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation but returned home due to illness. Police apprehended him during a raid on his residence. The arrests are linked to violent incidents that occurred on August 4, when AL leaders and activists clashed with protesters on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, resulting in eight deaths and numerous injuries. Multiple murder and attempted murder cases have been filed in connection with these events.
As Bangladesh navigates this complex political landscape, today’s developments underscore both the challenges and efforts being made to maintain governance and public order during a time of transition.
Source: The Daily Star
