“We’re at a essential juncture in Bangladesh. With the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina and efforts to reform the political system, there’s a variety of hope. Persons are hopeful that the democratic course of will get stronger,” she stated on Thursday.
The Awami League regime led by Hasian was toppled on August 5 within the face of a mass upsurge originating from a quota reform marketing campaign by the Anti-Discrimination College students Motion. Three days later Nobel laureate Muhammad assumed workplace because the chief adviser of the interim authorities.
“However there’s additionally a variety of concern. Some Islamist extremists have been launched from jails. There have been some assaults on minorities, Hindus, Christians,” Curtis, who served as Nationwide Safety Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, informed PTI in an interview.
“We have seen a historical past of terrorism in Bangladesh. You had the Holy (Artisan) Bakery assaults in 2016. Very severe incident. You have had some ISIS (Islamic State) components in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina had performed a great job of controlling the extremist drawback in Bangladesh,” stated Curtis.
There may be understandably some concern that these components return to the political scene, which might not be useful for Bangladesh, she stated. “It might not be useful for the area, america, anybody. We’re at a fragile time in Bangladesh. So although it may not be the primary precedence of (President-elect) Trump, I believe his group, his nationwide safety group, must take note of what’s taking place (there),” she stated.
Curtis additionally stated the incoming administration ought to work with India, which additionally has issues concerning the future route of Bangladesh and is extra straight impacted by what occurs due to its proximity.
