Bangladesh Army refused to quell protest hours before Sheikh Hasina fled to India

NEW DELHI: In the final hours before Sheikh Hasina’s abrupt departure from Bangladesh, a pivotal meeting took place between the army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, and his senior generals. According to two serving army officers familiar with the discussions, the generals resolved that troops would not enforce the nationwide curfew by force, signalling a significant shift in the army’s stance against the increasingly violent protests.

General Zaman reportedly informed Hasina that the military could not carry out the lockdown she had imposed. This message, conveyed through an Indian official, indicated that Hasina had lost the army’s backing a-  crucial development in her sudden fall from power. This information, which has not been previously reported, reveals the underlying tensions that led to Hasina’s departure to India on Monday.

The nationwide curfew was enacted following clashes on Sunday that claimed at least 91 lives and resulted in hundreds of injuries. These were the deadliest confrontations since student-led protests against Hasina erupted in July.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Sami Ud Dowla Chowdhury confirmed the Sunday evening meeting but described it merely as a routine review of disturbances, offering no specifics on the decisions made. Efforts to contact Hasina and her son, Sajeeb Wazed, for comment were unsuccessful.

Over the past week, Reuters has gathered details from ten sources, including four serving army officers, to reconstruct the chaotic final 48 hours of Hasina’s rule. Many sources spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information.

Hasina, who had led Bangladesh for 20 of the last 30 years, won a fourth term in January amidst widespread allegations of electoral manipulation and the arrest of thousands of opposition members. Her election was boycotted by major rivals.

The recent wave of protests began after a court ruling aimed at reserving government jobs for specific population segments, which was later overturned. Despite the reversal, the protests evolved into a broader movement demanding Hasina’s removal. The escalating violence, with at least 241 dead, rendered the army’s continued support untenable, according to three former senior army officers.

Retired Brig. Gen. M. Sakhawat Hossain noted internal unrest among troops, which likely influenced General Zaman’s decision. On Saturday, Zaman, who is related to Hasina by marriage, had called for patience and the protection of lives in an address to officers, suggesting growing dissent within the military.

On Monday, as the indefinite curfew began, Hasina was at her official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka. With tens of thousands of protesters defying the curfew and marching towards her residence, Hasina and her visiting sister decided to flee. They departed for India around midday.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar later confirmed that New Delhi had advocated for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. However, as the situation deteriorated, Hasina sought temporary refuge in India.

A Bangladesh Air Force C130 transport aircraft landed at Hindon air base outside Delhi on Monday afternoon, carrying Hasina. India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval met her.

Despite Hasina’s long-standing ties with India, some in Bangladesh have expressed discontent with her departure.