Bangladesh LIVE: Must control conspirators who are creating chaos, says Yunus after swearing-in
A 16-member council of advisers was announced to assist Yunus in running the state's affairs. Md. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, two key organisers of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, were also part of the advisory council.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took oath on Thursday (August 8) as the head of an interim government, replacing Sheikh Hasina.
Yunus, 84, was administered the oath of office by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at a ceremony at the presidential palace 'Bangabhaban'.
A 16-member council of advisers was announced to assist Yunus in running the state's affairs. Md. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, two key organisers of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, were also part of the advisory council.
"As the first call of duty, we will control the conspirators...who have created an anarchic situation and panic to upset our freedom," Yunus said in a televised address shortly after taking oath. He was sworn in as the chief advisor - a position equivalent to prime minister.
Leaders of political parties, judges, representatives of various organizations, chiefs of the three services, inspector general of police, senior military and civil officers, diplomats including Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma, freedom fighters, senior journalists and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony.
Women's rights activist Farida Akhtar, right-wing party Hefazat-e-Islam's deputy chief AFM Khalid Hossain, Grameen Telecom trustee Nurjahan Begum, freedom fighter Sharmeen Murshid, chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board Supradip Chakma, Prof Bidhan Ranjan Roy and former foreign secretary Touhid Hossain are among the advisory council members.
Roy, Chakma and Bir Pratik Faruk-e-Azam could not take the oath as they were outside Dhaka.
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- 8 Aug 2024 4:33 AM GMT
Indian visa applications put on halt in Bangladesh
Indian visa applications in Bangladesh have been put on halt until further notice following massive protest and violence.
“All IVACs will remain closed till further notice, due to unstable situation. Next application date will be informed through SMS and it is requested to pick up the passport on the next working day,” the online portal which allows application of Indian visa said.
India which has a high commission in Dhaka and consulates in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet, got its non-essential staff and their families evacuated on Wednesday.
Indian diplomats, however, continue to stay in the country.
