In his first address after becoming the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus warned that anyone spreading “the poison of anarchy” would face severe legal consequences.
**In Short:**
– **Bangladesh Faces Turmoil:** The country is struggling to stabilize after weeks of violent protests and the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
– **Yunus’ Warning:** Newly sworn-in Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has vowed to crack down on those spreading anarchy, promising strict legal action against them.
– **Indian Students Evacuate:** Due to the unrest, over 7,200 Indian students have returned to India. The situation remains volatile, with over 560 reported deaths since mid-July, and continued violence including attacks on Hindu communities.
**Details:**
– **Yunus’ Address:** In his first speech as head of the interim government, Yunus condemned the creation of chaos and fear, describing the unrest as a threat to the country’s stability and likening it to a battle for a “second independence.”
– **New Leadership:** Yunus, a Nobel laureate in Peace, took office after President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament and Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India. Yunus promised to provide a government that ensures the safety of its citizens.
– **Advisory Council:** A 16-member council of advisers, including key student leaders from the anti-quota protests, has been sworn in to help Yunus manage the caretaker government and oversee elections.
– **International Reaction:** The United States welcomed Yunus’s call for an end to violence and expressed readiness to work with the interim government to ensure a democratic transition.
– **Hasina’s Team:** Members of Sheikh Hasina’s team who had fled to India are now leaving for undisclosed locations, with Hasina currently seeking asylum.
– **Violence and Evacuations:** The unrest has led to significant casualties and damage, including targeted attacks on Hindus. The Indian government has facilitated the evacuation of students, with about 19,000 Indian citizens, including over 9,000 students, still in Bangladesh.