MP-ministers fleeing for saving their lives

Seeking shelter in embassy

Zarif Mahmud: The unprecedented misrule and arbitrariness of the Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh has come to an end. Sheikh Hasina fled in the face of the unforgettable coup of the students, but the Awami League MP-ministers are in dire straits. Although many of them were able to leave the country after realizing the opportunity, many trapped MP-ministers and numerous activists are fleeing in fear of their lives. Many of them have also sought refuge in different embassies.
On Monday (August 5), Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister and flew to India in a military helicopter. Due to his immediate decision, some MP-ministers could not leave the country and stayed in the country. There are even reports that some members of the cabinet have sought refuge in various embassies for safety.
According to sources, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has been covered since last Saturday (August 3) afternoon. Although he has been speaking to the media every day since the national elections, he is seen speaking less in the media during the last moments of the anti-discrimination student movement. Obaidul Quader spoke for the last time at the press conference organized at the political office of the Awami League President in Dhanmondi last Saturday. However, he has not been seen anywhere since Sunday.
Another source says that Obaidul Quader left the country on Sunday night. He is currently in Singapore. Another source says that Obaidul Quader is currently staying in New Delhi.
According to sources, many of the MP-ministers who are known to be influential could not be contacted since Monday morning. Many people’s mobile phones were switched off. Especially Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Law Minister Anisul Haque went to an unknown place. Earlier, Hasina government’s powerful adviser Salman F Rahman, Finance Minister Mahmud Ali, Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastgir Gazi and Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas left the country by air. However, it is not known to which country they went.
In addition, several ministers left the country soon after the student agitation began in July. Later, considering the hostile situation, they did not think it was safe to return to their country. On Sunday night, the family members of Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud left the country by flight EK 586. Their destination was Dubai Airport in United Arab Emirates. Immediately after this, news of ministers-MPs leaving the country in large numbers spread through social media.
According to the sources, many of the MP-ministers could not leave the country despite their last-minute efforts. They contacted various airlines for tickets for two days on Sunday and Monday but failed. Many were able to send their family members abroad safely but could not go themselves.
Among them, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat and State Minister for Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak are said to be hiding in the country. Especially till Monday afternoon Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel was staying at his Banani residence. When the news of the fall of the government spread, the leaders and activists lost contact with him from the evening.
Earlier, on Sunday, many MP-ministers and businessmen close to the government wrote to the immigration police at Shahjalal International Airport seeking special protocol. According to the list signed by Nachima Shaheen, Assistant Director of AVSEC, which is engaged in airport security, MP-ministers outside the country include Minister of Works RM UbaidulMoktadir (BG 398), former Textile and Jute Minister Golam Dastgir Ghazi, Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali (BG 584), local Government Minister Tajul Islam (BG 388), former Whip Nur-i Alam Chowdhury (BG 388), Agriculture Minister Abdus Shaheed (BG 388) and former Lands Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed (EK 587), MP Nur-e Hasna Lily Chowdhury and her family (EK 585), Uttara area former MP Habib Hasan (BG 584) and JP chief and former minister Anwar Hossain Manju (SQ 474) left the country by flight no.
On the other hand, according to various sources of the police, the senior police officers associated with the Awami League have avoided the public gathering. Many are staying at relatives’ houses instead of going to their own homes or government bungalows.
Besides, several ministers, VIPs and CIPs were supposed to travel abroad last Sunday. The names of those who traveled abroad through the airport’s VIP lounge are yet to be known.