On Monday, Bangladesh was thrust into political turmoil when the Army chief announced that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had resigned and left the country. This development follows weeks of violent job quota protests that have significantly affected the nation.
Flight AJAX1431 Becomes Most Observed
Shortly after reports surfaced about Sheikh Hasina leaving the country, a flight with the callsign AJAX1431 became the most observed flight on the online tracker, Flightradar24.com. The flight is believed to have been carrying Sheikh Hasina and her sister, who reportedly left Dhaka on Monday amid escalating unrest.
Details of Flight AJAX1431
According to Flightradar24.com, flight AJAX1431 is a Lockheed C-130J Hercules military transport jet operated by the Bangladesh Air Force. The flight path indicated that the C-130J Hercules departed Bangladesh in the afternoon, flew towards Kolkata, and then set a course for New Delhi.
Around 5 pm, when the transport jet was over Lucknow, the flight disappeared from Flightradar24.com. Shortly after, at 5:36 pm, the aircraft landed at the Hindon Indian Air Force base near Delhi, as reported by sources to India Today TV. Speculation suggests that Sheikh Hasina may head to a European country after a brief stop in India.
Overview of the Lockheed C-130J Hercules
The Lockheed C-130J Hercules is a versatile and reliable four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It is widely used for various missions, including tactical airlift, search and rescue, and special operations. The C-130J is an updated version of the classic C-130 Hercules, featuring new engines, a modern flight deck, and advanced systems. Recently, the Bangladesh Air Force upgraded its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft by acquiring them from the UK Ministry of Defence.
Army Chief’s Announcement
In Dhaka, the Bangladesh Army chief addressed the nation to announce Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. General Waker-Uz-Zama stated that he had conducted “fruitful” talks with leaders of all major political parties he had “invited” and planned to meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin to discuss the future course of action.
“I promise you all, we will bring justice to all the murders and injustice. We request you to have faith in the army of the country. I take full responsibility and I assure you to not get disheartened,” General Waker-Uz-Zama said, indicating that the Army would assist in forming an interim government to rule the country.
Background of the Protests
The recent developments in Bangladesh are the culmination of weeks of violent and deadly protests over a government jobs quota scheme. Mainly led by students, the protests have been ongoing since June. The Sheikh Hasina government’s attempts to suppress the demonstrations with force, curfews, and internet shutdowns backfired, leading to further outrage and nearly 300 deaths. These actions resulted in widespread demands for her resignation just months after her Awami League returned to power in elections marred by allegations of rigging.
End of a 15-Year Reign
Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and her subsequent flight from Bangladesh mark the end of her 15-year reign, during which she was perceived to have ruled the country with an iron fist.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What significant event took place in Bangladesh on Monday?
- A. The resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- B. The declaration of a new government jobs quota scheme.
- C. The arrival of a foreign diplomat.
- D. The celebration of a national holiday.
- What is the callsign of the flight that carried Sheikh Hasina out of Bangladesh?
- A. AJAX1234
- B. AJAX1431
- C. BANG1431
- D. DELHI1431
- Which aircraft was used to transport Sheikh Hasina and her sister out of the country?
- A. Boeing 747
- B. Airbus A380
- C. Lockheed C-130J Hercules
- D. Antonov An-225
- Where did the flight carrying Sheikh Hasina land after departing Bangladesh?
- A. Mumbai
- B. Kolkata
- C. Hindon Indian Air Force base near Delhi
- D. Chennai
- What sparked the recent political turmoil and protests in Bangladesh?
- A. A natural disaster
- B. Government jobs quota scheme
- C. Foreign intervention
- D. Economic recession