ICT documents detail Hasina’s last stand before leaving Bangladesh
Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5, last year following intense pressure from top military officials urging her to resign.
During a final exchange at Gono Bhaban, she reportedly reacted angrily to the request, saying, "Then shoot me dead and bury me in Gono Bhaban."
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The incident has been formally documented in charges submitted by the prosecutors at the International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday, relating to crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising in Dhaka's Chankharpul area.
According to the tribunal's formal charges, Hasina remained adamant about holding onto power until the last moments.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, while reading out formal charges in the tribunal, detailed the series of events leading up to Hasina's departure from the country.
In secret meetings on August 4 late night that carried forward past midnight, military officials urged her to step down, where she strongly ordered the crackdown on protesters.
The chiefs of all three services, and then inspector general of police Abdullah Al Mamun, were present at Gono Bhaban.
During the meeting, from 12:00am to around 12:15am on August 5, when Hasina's security adviser, Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, raised the issue of the then PM's resignation, she became angry and said whatever happens, she would not resign, as per the charges.
Hasina reportedly ordered the army chief to suppress protests forcefully.
Tarique Siddique supported her stance, saying, "The army should fire on the protesters -- killing a few will end the unrest."
The Air Force chief at the time strongly opposed this suggestion, warning Hasina that Tarique had already led her down a path of disaster and was continuing doing so.
The charges mention a "gang of four" -- comprising Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former law minister Anisul Huq, Hasina's private industries and investment adviser Salman F Rahman, and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal -- who urged Hasina on the night of August 4 that she "must not show weakness or compromise".
The state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) was instructed to prepare for Hasina's speech in the morning.
On August 5 morning, Hasina went to Gono Bhaban at 9:00am.
Then IGP Abdullah Al Mamun and former cabinet secretary Mahbubur Rahman were waiting to meet her there along with the chiefs of three services, said the charges.
Commending the ex-IGP, Hasina asked why the army could not take stronger action.
However, Abdullah Al Mamun at the time reportedly responded, "We have no more weapons or ammunition. Our forces are exhausted."
This led military officials to once again urge Hasina to resign.
In frustration, she retorted, "Then just shoot me and bury me in Gono Bhaban!"
Then, the chiefs of services took her to another room and informed her of the ground situation.
They said the "Long March to Dhaka" was underway and she did not have much time, according to the charges.
Even Sheikh Rehana attempted to persuade her sister to step down but Hasina refused, according to the charges.
Military officials also contacted Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, informing him that resignation was the only option.
After Joy spoke to his mother, she finally agreed to give up her power.
When Hasina wished to record a speech for television before leaving, military officials gave her only 45 minutes to pack her things, saying that the procession of millions of students and people heading towards Gono Bhaban will reach there by that time.
By 11:00am on August 5, the military informed BTV that Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman would address the nation at 2:00pm.
Reports indicate that at 4:00pm, shortly before the televised speech, Hasina fled the country for India.
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