Nobel Peace Prize winner and economist Muhammad Yunus was chosen on Tuesday night to lead a temporary government in Bangladesh. This decision came a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country amid a violent crackdown on student protests.

After coming out of prison, Khaleda Zia, the BNP chief and former Prime Minister, has expressed anxiety over the massive acts of violence, vandalism, and looting of state resources during the recent student uprising, reports Dhaka Tribune.

A mob burned at least 24 people, including one national of Indonesia, to death at Zabir International Hotel in Bangladesh. This followed the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her flight from the country. Local journalists and hospital sources reported that a mob set fire to the hotel owned by Shahin Chakkladar, the district general secretary of the Awami League party, late on Monday. Most of the victims, who were guests at the hotel, died in the blaze.

At least 24 people were killed, and more than 150 hospitalized yesterday after protesters sat the Zabeer International Hotel on fire in Jashore, Bangladesh 🇧🇩

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▪︎ 5 August 2024 ▪︎#Bangladesh #BangladeshProtests #Jashore #ZabeerInternationalHotel pic.twitter.com/ADexMk0K1u

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During the meeting, the participants, including student leaders from the quota agitation and the heads of the three armed forces, approved the proposal to appoint Muhammad Yunus as the head of the interim government.

After the meeting, student leaders assured the media that Yunus would soon head the interim government. They also submitted a list of 10-14 prominent figures for inclusion in the interim administration.

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Muhammad Yunus to Lead Interim Government

The Nobel Peace Prize honored Yunus, 83, in 2006 for his groundbreaking work in lifting millions out of poverty.

Yunus has faced over 190 charges from the Hasina government and has had multiple conflicts with Sheikh Hasina’s administration. They reportedly removed him from his position as managing director of Grameen Bank because he exceeded the legal retirement age of 60.

The student movement coordinators, who spearheaded the recent protests, have expressed their preference for Yunus to lead the interim government. In a social media video, Nahid Islam, a prominent coordinator of the movement that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, confirmed that Professor Yunus has agreed to assume the role given the current national situation.

Nahid from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced, ‘We have resolved to establish an interim government with the internationally acclaimed Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus, who has broad support, as the chief adviser.’

Also Read: Khaleda Zia’s Son Met With Pakistani Spies Amid Bangladesh Turmoil: Reports