The information advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Mahfuz Alam has made a startling claim that more than 100,000 members of the Awami League, the political party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have sought asylum in India.

Alam’s assertions were made during an Eid gathering in Dhaka, which was attended by families of individuals reportedly victimized by enforced disappearances and killings during Hasina’s rule. The event was organized by the human rights organization “Mayer Dak” in the Tejgaon area of the city.

Criticism of Enforced Disappearances and Electoral Manipulation

Alam strongly criticized Hasina Wazed, accusing her of employing enforced disappearances and killings to exact revenge for her parents’ murders. He noted, “In 2013 and 2014, when citizens fought for their voting rights, there was a marked increase in enforced disappearances. The main aim of these actions was to sabotage the electoral process.”

He also mentioned that the government has formed a commission to investigate enforced disappearances, and based on its recommendations, several arrest warrants have been issued as investigations progress.

Allegations of Terrorism and State Abuses

Alam denounced the tactics of the previous government, asserting that opponents of the Awami League were branded as terrorists and extremists to justify their disappearances. He claimed that families of the disappeared faced threats, and state institutions were exploited for these actions.

Alam accused Hasina Wazed of taking refuge in India and purportedly conspiring against Bangladesh, calling it a lamentable situation. “It is unfortunate that India has sheltered Hasina and her allied forces. Our sources suggest that nearly 100,000 Awami League members are currently in hiding there,” he stated.

The Fall of Hasina Wazed’s Government

The 16-year reign of Sheikh Hasina came to an abrupt end on August 5, following a violent uprising triggered by a student movement. Reports indicate that the 77-year-old Hasina fled to India in secrecy after her ousting.

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Facing over 100 legal charges, including genocide and corruption, many of her ministers and leaders have either been apprehended or have fled the nation. Following her departure, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the chief advisor to the interim government, resulting in the near-erasure of the Awami League from Bangladesh’s political arena.

Charges of Crimes Against Humanity

Mahfuz Alam, a key figure in the “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement,” was actively involved in the protests in July that played a crucial role in Hasina’s government’s downfall. Both Hasina Wazed and several senior officials from her administration now face charges of crimes against humanity in Bangladesh’s “International Crimes Tribunal.”