A Prothom Alo report reveals the significant influence of the military leadership, particularly Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, in Sheikh Hasina's decision to flee Bangladesh on August 5, 2024. The report details meetings where the army's refusal to use lethal force against civilians was emphasized and the leadership concluded that Hasina's government was not sustainable. Following advice from the army chief to seek a political solution and a realistic assessment of the escalating crisis, Hasina departed, with the army subsequently initiating talks with political parties to ensure stability.

A Prothom Alo report reveals the significant influence of the military leadership, particularly Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, in Sheikh Hasina's decision to flee Bangladesh on August 5, 2024. The report details meetings where the army's refusal to use lethal force against civilians was emphasized and the leadership concluded that Hasina's government was not sustainable. Following advice from the army chief to seek a political solution and a realistic assessment of the escalating crisis, Hasina departed, with the army subsequently initiating talks with political parties to ensure stability.

A Prothom Alo report reveals the significant influence of the military leadership, particularly Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, in Sheikh Hasina's decision to flee Bangladesh on August 5, 2024. The report details meetings where the army's refusal to use lethal force against civilians was emphasized and the leadership concluded that Hasina's government was not sustainable. Following advice from the army chief to seek a political solution and a realistic assessment of the escalating crisis, Hasina departed, with the army subsequently initiating talks with political parties to ensure stability.

As Bangladesh lodges protests over deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s media interaction in New Delhi, a report has revealed the inside details of the role the military leadership played  in Hasina fleeing the country.

According to a report in Prothom Alo, Hasina’s decision to flee Bangladesh did not come at a specific time. The  situation within the state apparatus had been changing rapidly for several days  before that. The position of the security forces, internal discussions within the Awami League, and the last-minute assessment of the situation by the military leadership—all of these factors impacted the decision hour by hour.

The significant development happened on August 3, 2024, when Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman held a court meeting at the army headquarters. He clarified the army's position at that meeting.

In the meeting, the officers expressed their position as to why they won’t fire at the people. Because the army's weapons are so lethal  that they cannot be used against civilians. The army's APCs are equipped with 14.5 calibre bullets, and a single bullet can kill five to seven people.

Sources told Prothom Alo that the military leadership realised on the night of August 4 that Sheikh Hasina's government was not going to survive. But Hasina tried her best to weather the crisis.

The meeting continued at Ganabhaban until late at night. Many party ministers, leaders, and senior officials of the law enforcement agencies were there. Each one was giving suggestions on how to suppress the movement.

Various options, including resignation, declaration of a state of emergency,  and suppressing the movement, were considered. With each  passing hour, the situation on the ground was rapidly slipping out of the government's control. Finally, on the morning of August 5, Sheikh Hasina left the country after a military official gave her a realistic assessment of the capabilities of the law enforcement agencies in the context of thousands pouring into Dhaka.

At one point on the night of August 4, the Army Chief spoke to Sheikh  Hasina separately, while Sheikh Rehana was present. You don't have any more time,' he warned Hasina, and advised Sheikh Hasina to sit with political parties and find a solution.

The next day at 10 am, Sheikh Hasina called the army chief again. He went to Ganabhaban to find Sheikh Hasina dejected. She had  her own resignation letter with her. Upon learning of Sheikh Hasina's decision to resign, the army chief returned to the army headquarters. There was a fear of great anarchy in the country after the fall of the government. He took the initiative to hold talks with the leaders of the political parties.

Sheikh Hasina has not made it clear what she will do after her resignation. The army chief also did not discuss the matter in detail with her too. Sheikh Hasina spoke to various levels of the Indian government on the phone before and after the army chief's arrival and departure at Ganabhaban.

On the morning of August 5, the army chief asked the then DGFI Director General, Hamidul Haque, to invite all political parties to the meetings at the army headquarters. Waqar-uz-Zaman was holding a meeting with political leaders at the cantonment when the then Director General of the military intelligence agency DGFI, Major General Hamidul Haque, informed him that Sheikh Hasina was leaving the country. At that time, the  plane carrying her was on the runway. The Army Chief called Sheikh Hasina, but the conversation was not heard. Soon, the plane took off.

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