Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus appeals for calm as violence continues

At least 29 bodies of leaders and families of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party recovered

Muhammad Yunus is escorted by Emirates security personnel through Dubai International Airport before boarding his flight to Dhaka, in Dubai. AFP

Muhammad Yunus, the interim head of government in Bangladesh, appealed for calm and an end to “senseless violence” amid reports of revenge attacks on members of the previous regime.

“I fervently appeal to everybody to stay calm. Please refrain from all kinds of violence. I appeal to all students, members of all political parties and non-political people to stay calm,” Mr Yunus said.

The appeal came amid reports that 29 bodies of the leaders and families of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party were recovered across Bangladesh on Tuesday.

“Let us not miss the chance by going into any senseless violence. Violence is our enemy. Please don’t create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country.”

Police said mobs had launched revenge attacks on Ms Hasina's allies and their officers, and also freed more than 500 inmates from a prison in Sherpur district.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s office announced late on Tuesday the appointment of Mr Yunus as the head of the interim government after a surprise exit of Ms Hasina who resigned and fled the country on Monday after ruling the country for over 15 years.

Ms Hasina is in Delhi and is seeking asylum in other countries.

Mr Yunus, a 84-year-old Nobel Prize-winning economist, is in Paris and is expected to return to Bangladesh on Thursday.

Army chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman on Wednesday said Mr Yunus will probably be sworn in later in the evening.

Monday was the deadliest day since protests began, when at least 140 people were killed, taking the toll to least 455 people since early July, according to an AFP tally based on police, government officials and hospital doctors.

“We must protect and make it a wonderful country for us and for our future generations,” Mr Yunus said.

“This is our beautiful country with lots of exciting possibilities”.

The situation has moved quickly since Gen Waker-uz-Zaman announced that an interim government will be formed after Ms Hasina's departure.

The military has reshuffled several generals, demoting some seen as close to Ms Hasina, and firing Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan, a commander of the feared Rapid Action Battalion paramilitary force.

Gen Ahsan was reportedly detained by authorities at Dhaka airport on Wednesday while trying to escape the country.

Nahid Islam, a key co-ordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led the student demonstrations across the South Asian nation, told local media that the students expect the members of the interim government to be finalised by Wednesday.

Mr Shahabuddin’s office has also released political prisoners, including Michael Chakma, an activist jailed in a secret prison since 2019, and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, under house arrest since 2018.

Ms Zia, 78, chairwoman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the country’s first female prime minister, had been serving a 17-year jail term after being convicted of corruption charges in 2018.

She was suffering from poor health and was largely confined to the hospital.

Ms Zia, a key opponent of Ms Hasina, gave a video address to a large number of supporters gathered at her party’s office in the Naya Paltan area in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Some posters at the rally described the BNP chief as the “Mother of Democracy”, Bangladeshi newspaper the Dhaka Tribune reported.

Ms Zia said she will not engage in “revenge politics”.

“We have been able to get independence from this fascist government. I pay my obeisance to the brave ones who gave their lives,” she said.

“We have to build a democratic Bangladesh where all religions are respected. The youth and students will get this done. A progressive Bangladesh where there is peace and prosperity. A country where no revenge and hatred are not present.”

Since Tuesday, streets in the capital have been largely peaceful – with shops opening and international flights resuming at Dhaka airport – but government offices remained mostly closed.

Millions of Bangladeshis had flooded the streets to celebrate after Ms Hasina's departure.

Crowds also stormed and looted her official residence.