Even after fleeing from Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina’s troubles are not reducing. 13 cases have already been filed against Hasina on the instructions of the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus. Now the interim government of Bangladesh has decided to cancel the diplomatic passports of Hasina, cabinet ministers and MPs in her government. The process for this has also been started.
A senior official of the Home Ministry in the Bangladesh government told HT on the condition of anonymity that preparations for action against Hasina and the cabinet ministers and MPs in her government have intensified. The process of cancelling the passports of all those who flee the country has been started. He said that the diplomatic passports of those officials will also be canceled, including those who were sent on compulsory retirement.
Reason for cancellation of Hasina’s diplomatic passport
The official said the interim government took the decision as these people no longer hold official positions. “Since they are no longer holding their positions, it was decided to cancel their passports,” he said. However, he said the Home Ministry has only issued verbal instructions to the Immigration and Passport Department on the matter, though no formal notification has been given yet. “Written instructions may be sent to the department by Thursday evening,” the official said.
Preparations for new action on Haseena
The decision comes after reports of several former cabinet ministers and lawmakers from Hasina’s Awami League party trying to flee Bangladesh. Hasina stepped down amid student-led protests and fled to India on August 5. Some reports said Hasina left without valid travel documents. Some cabinet ministers trying to flee the country were detained and Border Guard Bangladesh has beefed up security along the border with India over the past two weeks.
The official said that the Home and Foreign Ministries approve the issuance of diplomatic passports. The Home Ministry has recently recommended the cancellation of diplomatic passports. People familiar with the matter said on the condition of anonymity that the Ministry of External Affairs can also ask the Passport Department to cancel these passports. The official said that the Passport Department has started taking necessary steps to cancel diplomatic passports.