Student protesters and activists in Bangladesh assaulted supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, using violence to prevent them from reaching the former residence of her father, assassinated independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, showcasing artifacts from the 1975 military coup where Rahman was killed, was burned by protesters following Hasina’s ousting. Thursday marked the anniversary of Rahman’s assassination, with Hasina calling on supporters to pay their respects while in self-exile in India.
The new interim government has discontinued the holiday and mourning practices observed under Hasina’s administration. Reports emerged of supporters being manhandled and journalists being threatened while covering the incidents.
UN to investigate alleged atrocities
The United Nations plans to send a fact-finding mission to Dhaka to look into the alleged crimes committed during the protests that led to Hasina’s removal. The mission aims to act independently and the interim government has pledged full cooperation for a credible investigation.
By sending this mission, the UN hopes to address the violence and unrest that plagued Bangladesh in recent weeks.