"‘Shoot Me and Bury Me Here’: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s Bold Statement Uncovered During ICT Hearing"

During a hearing on Hasina's case at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam revealed this information, as reported by the prominent Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo. He presented formal charges related to crimes against humanity that occurred in the Chankharpul area during the July mass uprising, a series of violent protests that resulted in over 500 fatalities.

Following a violent student uprising last year, the Bangladeshi military forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign. In response, she confronted the officials, demanding, "Then you shoot me and bury me here, in Ganabhaban," referring to her official residence.

This information was revealed by chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam during a hearing at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) regarding Hasina's case, as reported by the prominent Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo. He presented a formal charge related to crimes against humanity that occurred in the Chankharpul area during the July mass uprising, a wave of violent protests that resulted in over 500 fatalities. These demonstrations have been escalating in the South Asian country for the past two months in response to the contentious quota system for government jobs.

The chief prosecutor noted that during the uprising, then-parliament speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury suggested that Hasina resign, a proposal that was dismissed by senior Awami League leaders, including general secretary Obaidul Quader. He also recounted a series of events from August 4-5 that shed light on Sheikh Hasina's final hours in Bangladesh. Additionally, reports indicate that Tajul Islam informed the tribunal about a highly "tense and volatile" meeting at Ganabhaban. This meeting included influential ministers, prominent figures from the ruling party, and leaders from the military and law enforcement, marked by intense exchanges and disagreements.

Tajul Islam reported that during a meeting held between midnight and 12:15 a.m. on August 5, the then defense advisor, Major General (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, proposed that Hasina resign. He further recounted that in a subsequent meeting on the morning of August 5, the then Inspector General of Police, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, informed Hasina that the situation had deteriorated to the point where the police could no longer maintain their position. "We are out of arms and ammunition, and our forces are nearly exhausted," he stated. In response, the army increased its pressure on Hasina to step down. She retorted to the then-Army chief, "Then shoot me and bury me here, in Ganabhaban."

Before her departure, Hasina reportedly wished to record a farewell speech for television, but military officials refused her request. They allowed her only 45 minutes to leave as tens of thousands of students and citizens marched toward Ganabhaban. Her abrupt exit last year was widely viewed as a significant blow to the democratic framework in the Islamic nation. The interim government, headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, has faced substantial criticism for harboring radical and extremist Islamic groups. Currently in India, Hasina is dealing with over 100 legal cases, including charges of mass murder and corruption, after fleeing Bangladesh in the wake of a massive student-led movement that led to the end of her 16-year rule with the Awami League.

Analysts view these developments as a significant political vendetta orchestrated by the Yunus-led interim administration. They note that multiple cases have been filed against the former prime minister and her supporters on dubious grounds, ultimately leading to a ban on the Awami League to prevent their participation in the national elections.