Hours after Bangladesh Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina resigned from the top job and fled Dhaka, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday appealed to all political parties to refrain from making provocative statements that may disrupt peace in Bengal or the country.
She said the situation in the neighboring country is tense and the Centre will decide on how to approach this issue.
“The Government of India will decide on how to approach this issue and my appeal to leaders of all political parties is to refrain from making provocative comments that may disrupt peace in Bengal or the country…Some BJP leaders have already commented on it. It should not be done,” she said.
Banerjee also appealed to the people of Bengal to maintain peace and not give in to rumours.
“I appeal to the people of Bengal to maintain peace. Do not pay attention to any kind of rumours. This is a matter between two countries, we will support whatever decision the Central government takes,” she said.
Hasina’s 15-year rule of the country ended on Monday as she fled weeks of deadly protests and the military announced it would form an interim government.
Hasina had sought since early July sought to quell nationwide protests against her government, but she fled after a brutal day of unrest on Sunday in which nearly 100 people died.
In a broadcast to the nation on state television, Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said on Monday Hasina had resigned and the military would form an interim government.
“The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed – it is time to stop the violence,” Waker said.
“I hope after my speech, the situation will improve.”
Hasina, 76, fled the country by helicopter, a source close to the leader told AFP shortly after protesters had stormed her palace in Dhaka.
The source said she left first by motorcade but then was flown out, without saying her destination.
Jubilant crowds had waved flags, some dancing on top of a tank in the streets on Monday morning before hundreds broke through the gates of Hasina’s official residence.
Bangladesh’s Channel 24 broadcast images of crowds running into the compound, waving to the camera as they celebrated.
With inputs from agencies
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‘Refrain from making provocative comments that may…’: Mamata Banerjee on Bangladesh political crisis