Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Forced to Fight for Myanmar Military, Reports Reveal

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's residence in Dhanmondi, known as 'Sudhasadan', along with multiple family-owned properties and 124 bank accounts. The decision was made by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Ghalib in response to a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission, according to local reports. The properties seized include assets belonging to Hasina's son, Sajib Wazed Joy, her daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, and her sister, Sheikh Rehana. 'Sudhasadan' is notably named after Hasina's late husband, nuclear scientist MA Wazed Miah. These developments follow Hasina's flight to India after a mass student-led movement led to her ouster in August 2024. The interim government, spearheaded by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, has since been established. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has expressed strong objections to Hasina's alleged incendiary statements made during her time in India, claiming they incite instability and hurt national sentiments.

Protests ignited across Bangladesh following the death of an eight-year-old girl who succumbed to injuries from a brutal rape incident, which occurred in Magura. Authorities reported that the girl was attacked at her sister's house between March 5 and 6. Her sister's 18-year-old husband, along with his family, has been arrested in connection with the crime. The child, who died on Thursday after suffering three cardiac arrests, was hospitalized for six days in critical condition. "I thought my daughter would survive," her mother lamented, expressing despair over the tragic loss. The girl's body was transported back to Magura via army helicopter, leading to fierce protest actions including the torched home of the alleged rapist. Thousands attended her Islamic funeral prayer, while additional protests, including a mock coffin demonstration by students at Dhaka University, called for expedited justice and clearer definitions in rape law. Legal advisor Asif Nazrul announced that the trial is set to commence within a week, emphasizing the need for rapid judicial proceedings in light of the recent surge in child rape cases in the country.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, has issued a stark warning regarding the country’s independence, attributing the threat to internal strife. Speaking at an army memorial event in Dhaka, he noted that rising violent crime and political turmoil have created a climate where "miscreants" feel emboldened to act without consequence. "If you can't move beyond your differences... the independence and integrity of the country will be at risk," he stated, emphasizing the need for unity among stakeholders. Bangladesh has experienced a surge in crime and political unrest since the student-led uprising that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last August. Recent months have seen security forces arrest over 8,600 individuals in an operation targeting alleged Hasina loyalists. General Waker highlighted the chaos as "manufactured" by internal discord, calling for investigations into military actions accused of human rights abuses. With Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus advocating for democratic reforms, the path to stability remains uncertain as the nation grapples with its tumultuous political landscape.