DHAKA: A letter allegedly from former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina is circulating among her Awami League supporters, suggesting that her ouster from 15 years in office was the result of pressure from the US regarding the strategically important St Martin’s Island.
The letter, which has gained traction despite the absence of official confirmation, attributes her removal to her refusal to cede control of the island in the Bay of Bengal to Washington.The island’s importance is linked to the US’s interest in countering China’s influence in the Indian Ocean.
“I could have remained in power if I had left St Martin’s and the Bay of Bengal to America. Please do not be used,” the letter says. The message echoed the ousted prime minister’s long-standing stand against foreign intervention in Bangladesh’s sovereignty, according to a party activist currently abroad.
St Martin’s Island, known locally as “Narikel Zinzira”, which translates to “Coconut Island”, is in the northeastern part of Bay of Bengal, about 9km south of the tip of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. With an area of just 3sqkm, the coral reef island is home to about 3,800 residents, most of whom are fishermen.
There have been allegations circulating that Hasina’s rival and ex-PM Khaleda Zia had sought to “sell” the strategically important island to the US in exchange for American support in regaining office in Bangladesh. However, US authorities have denied these claims, maintaining that it respects the sovereignty of Bangladesh and has no intention of acquiring the island or intervening in the country’s internal political matters. Last year, Hasina had asserted her commitment to Bangladesh’s sovereignty, saying, “I don’t want to return to power by leasing out St Martin’s Island”, during a press conference following her visits to Switzerland and Qatar.
The letter suggests that Hasina’s departure was motivated by her desire to avoid further bloodshed. “Don’t get disappointed. I will return soon,” she is quoted as saying. Hasina, currently in India, is also said to have addressed accusations that she had insulted students. “I never called you Razakars (ruthless mercenaries from the Bangladesh independence war). My words have been distorted,” the letter says Hasina’s alleged claims are similar to Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan’s allegations that US pressure played a role in his ouster. US has denied it.
The letter, which has gained traction despite the absence of official confirmation, attributes her removal to her refusal to cede control of the island in the Bay of Bengal to Washington.The island’s importance is linked to the US’s interest in countering China’s influence in the Indian Ocean.
“I could have remained in power if I had left St Martin’s and the Bay of Bengal to America. Please do not be used,” the letter says. The message echoed the ousted prime minister’s long-standing stand against foreign intervention in Bangladesh’s sovereignty, according to a party activist currently abroad.
St Martin’s Island, known locally as “Narikel Zinzira”, which translates to “Coconut Island”, is in the northeastern part of Bay of Bengal, about 9km south of the tip of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. With an area of just 3sqkm, the coral reef island is home to about 3,800 residents, most of whom are fishermen.
There have been allegations circulating that Hasina’s rival and ex-PM Khaleda Zia had sought to “sell” the strategically important island to the US in exchange for American support in regaining office in Bangladesh. However, US authorities have denied these claims, maintaining that it respects the sovereignty of Bangladesh and has no intention of acquiring the island or intervening in the country’s internal political matters. Last year, Hasina had asserted her commitment to Bangladesh’s sovereignty, saying, “I don’t want to return to power by leasing out St Martin’s Island”, during a press conference following her visits to Switzerland and Qatar.
The letter suggests that Hasina’s departure was motivated by her desire to avoid further bloodshed. “Don’t get disappointed. I will return soon,” she is quoted as saying. Hasina, currently in India, is also said to have addressed accusations that she had insulted students. “I never called you Razakars (ruthless mercenaries from the Bangladesh independence war). My words have been distorted,” the letter says Hasina’s alleged claims are similar to Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan’s allegations that US pressure played a role in his ouster. US has denied it.
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