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US strain over St Martin’s Island led to exit, claims ‘Hasina’s letter’

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DHAKA: A letter allegedly from former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina is circulating amongst her Awami League supporters, suggesting that her ouster from 15 years in workplace was the results of strain from the US relating to the strategically vital St Martin’s Island.
The letter, which has gained traction regardless of the absence of official affirmation, attributes her elimination to her refusal to cede management of the island within the Bay of Bengal to Washington.The island’s significance is linked to the US’s curiosity in countering China’s affect within the Indian Ocean.
“I might have remained in energy if I had left St Martin’s and the Bay of Bengal to America. Please don’t be used,” the letter says. The message echoed the ousted prime minister’s long-standing stand in opposition to international intervention in Bangladesh’s sovereignty, in accordance with a celebration activist at present overseas.
St Martin’s Island, recognized regionally as “Narikel Zinzira”, which interprets to “Coconut Island”, is within the northeastern a part of Bay of Bengal, about 9km south of the tip of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. With an space of simply 3sqkm, the coral reef island is dwelling 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 “promote” the strategically vital island to the US in alternate for American assist in regaining workplace in Bangladesh. Nevertheless, US authorities have denied these claims, sustaining that it respects the sovereignty of Bangladesh and has no intention of buying the island or intervening within the nation’s inside political issues. Final 12 months, Hasina had asserted her dedication to Bangladesh’s sovereignty, saying, “I do not wish to return to energy by leasing out St Martin’s Island”, throughout a press convention following her visits to Switzerland and Qatar.
The letter means that Hasina’s departure was motivated by her need to keep away from additional bloodshed. “Don’t get disenchanted. I’ll return quickly,” she is quoted as saying. Hasina, at present in India, can be stated to have addressed accusations that she had insulted college students. “I by no means known as you Razakars (ruthless mercenaries from the Bangladesh independence warfare). My phrases have been distorted,” the letter says Hasina’s alleged claims are much like Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan’s allegations that US strain performed a job in his ouster. US has denied it.



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