Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death; Dhaka erupts in violence following the verdict

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday sentenced former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity. Immediately after this decision, the atmosphere in Dhaka deteriorated further. Supporters and opponents of Hasina came face to face in the already violence-ridden capital, triggering ruckus and clashes in several areas. As soon as the verdict was announced, Hasina's supporters came out on the streets shouting slogans. On the other hand, opposition groups gathered in large numbers and demanded the immediate execution of Hasina. Violent clashes broke out between the two sides in Dhaka's Dhanmondi 32 area when some students of Dhaka College were trying to enter the area with two bulldozers. They were announcing over loudspeakers that they would demolish Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's old house after the verdict. Hasina's supporters tried to stop them, after which the situation deteriorated. Police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Dhanmondi 32 is the home of Sheikh Hasina's father and the founder of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which has now been turned into a museum. Anticipating violence, army personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent any damage to the museum. Abdul Kaiyum, operations officer of Dhanmondi police station, said the students carrying bulldozers were stopped on the main road. They were not allowed to enter the restricted area, he said. Even before Hasina's sentence was announced, a large number of supporters had gathered outside Dhanmondi 32 to prevent any opposition group from damaging the house. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League has called for a two-day shutdown to protest the tribunal's verdict. Crude bombs have been exploding continuously in Dhaka and nearby areas for the past few days. The headquarters of Grameen Bank was also attacked with crude bombs. In view of the rising tension, the interim government has issued shoot-at-sight orders. The security forces have been given strict instructions to take immediate action against the rioters, arsonists and those who spread violence. Despite this, the situation in the capital remains very serious. A three-member bench of the ICT, headed by Justice Golam Mortaza Mozumder, said that Sheikh Hasina had directly ordered the violence to suppress the student movement that took place in July and August last year. During the agitation, 1,400 students were killed, around 24,000 people were injured and bombs were dropped on peacefully protesting students, he said. The court said the widespread violence was carried out on the instructions of Hasina and she was the "main conspirator" of the entire operation. Sheikh Hasina came to India when the situation deteriorated during the student movement and has been living here since then.