The Daily Populous Sunday August 11st, 2024 evening edition
Authored by firstpost.com and submitted by ll--o--ll

Sheikh Hasina expressed grief over leaders’ killings, workers’ harassment, and vandalism. “With Allah’s grace, I’ll return soon. Awami League has stood up again and again. I’ll forever pray for Bangladesh’s future, the nation my father strived for, and the country my family gave their lives for.” read more

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina accused the United States of orchestrating her ouster from power due to her refusal to cede Saint Martin Island, which would have given them control over the Bay of Bengal.

According to the Economic Times report which cited the ousted Bangladeshi PM’s close associates, Hasina said “I resigned to avoid witnessing the death toll that radicals sought to achieve through violence. They wanted to gain power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow that by stepping down. I could have stayed in power by surrendering Saint Martin Island’s sovereignty, allowing US control over the Bay of Bengal. I urge my fellow countrymen not to be misled by radicals,".

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Expressing grief over leaders’ killings, workers’ harassment, and vandalism, she said, “With Allah’s grace, I’ll return soon. Awami League has stood up again and again. I’ll forever pray for Bangladesh’s future, the nation my father strived for, and the country my family gave their lives for.”

Regarding the quota movement and student protests, Hasina said, “I have never called you as Razakars. My words were twisted to incite unrest. I urge you to watch the full video of that day. Conspirators exploited your innocence to destabilise our nation.” Hasina also warned Bangladeshi citizens against radical manipulation.

Before this, a CNN-News18 report dated August 6 highlighted the role of the US and UK in the events leading to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. According to sources cited in the report, figures such as David Burgan, activist Pinaki Bhattacharji, BNP’s Tarique Rahman, and Netra News owners allegedly orchestrated a social media campaign against her and spread false narratives.

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The report also mentions that Hasina has criticized the US for allegedly seeking to establish a base in Bengal and create a Christian state similar to East Timor. She reportedly asserted that a Western representative had guaranteed no issues with the elections but aimed to construct an airbase in Bangladesh.

Before the protest started in the country, Hasina told parliament that the US was pursuing regime change in Bangladesh, seeking to eliminate democracy and introduce a non-democratic government. According to reports, leaders close to Hasina in the Awami League have blamed the US for the political upheaval in Dhaka, alleging that a senior US diplomat’s visit in May was part of a strategy to pressure Hasina into acting against China. The diplomat reportedly supported the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

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Hasina resigned and fled the country after hundreds of people were killed in a crackdown on demonstrations that began as protests against job quotas and swelled into a movement demanding her ouster.

h2QZFATVgPQmeYQTwFZn on August 11st, 2024 at 12:39 UTC »

The island in question:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Martin%27s_Island

In my opinion the claim doesn't hold any weight, the island is directly on the coast on the border with Myanmar. So if for example the island would be handed over to Myanmar, the Bangladesh sea border would move only like 5km. As the island is directly on the coast it would also not give anyone control over the Bay of Bengal.

The Indian Navy doesn't have any sleepless nights just because of the BNS Sheikh Hasina naval base in Pekua, but by the same logic that base would give Bangladesh control over the Bay of Bengal. But in reality India still controls most of the bay.

The US base on the island is a politic bogeyman that exists for more than half a century. The US apparently asked in the 60s about leasing the island, but gave up the idea shortly after. Since then it pop ups every 10 years or so if a politician needs a western bogeyman.

Here is a quote from 20 years ago from the then US Ambassador:

> “The United States has no plans, no requirement, and no desire for a military base on St. Martin’s Island, Chittagong, or anywhere else in Bangladesh,” Ambassador Mary Ann Peters said [in 2003]

m2social on August 11st, 2024 at 09:59 UTC »

Leak the docs Hasina, or you'll be in the long list of BS talkers once they leave office head in shame trying to blame "outside" forces for their mess ups yet can't even bring a single document or any form of proof.

ll--o--ll on August 11st, 2024 at 09:33 UTC »

SS: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has accused the United States of orchestrating her removal from power because she refused to give up control of Saint Martin Island, which would have given the US control over the Bay of Bengal. She stated that she resigned to prevent violence and the deaths of students that radicals were seeking to achieve. Hasina expressed her grief over the killings of leaders, harassment of workers, and vandalism, and assured that she will return soon with the support of the Awami League. She denied calling anyone Razakars and urged people to watch the full video of her speech to understand the truth. Hasina also warned against radical manipulation and conspiracy to destabilize the nation. Reports also highlighted the involvement of figures such as David Burgan, Pinaki Bhattacharji, Tarique Rahman, and Netra News owners in spreading false narratives against her.