She has been placed in a guesthouse, sources say

TDS Desk:

Reports have emerged that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India, has been moved from the Indian capital, Delhi, to a secret location in the Meerut Cantonment area of Uttar Pradesh.

The distance from central Delhi to Meerut is roughly 83 kilometers.

Reliable sources suggest that she has been placed in a guesthouse belonging to a paramilitary force (possibly the Rapid Action Force or RAF) in the Meerut Cantonment area.

A reliable source from a top security agency in Delhi said that for the overall security of this VVIP guest, it was deemed necessary to move her from Delhi.

The decision was made about fifteen days ago, in early October, though details of this move remain largely unknown.

The Indian government has not officially disclosed any information about Sheikh Hasina’s whereabouts or condition since her arrival in the country.

The entire matter of her stay in India has been kept under strict confidentiality.

Reports also claimed that Sheikh Hasina’s younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, is with her in Meerut, though this has not been confirmed.

On the evening of August 5, Sheikh Hasina arrived at Hindon Air Force Base near Ghaziabad, close to Delhi, on a military aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force.

She was welcomed there by India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval.

Initially, India had assumed that she would remain in Delhi for a brief period before heading to London.

Therefore, she was kept in the terminal building of the airbase. However, when the UK refused to allow her entry, India had to change its plans.

While a few commercial flights occasionally operate from Hindon, it is primarily an airbase for the Indian Air Force and not well-equipped for long-term stays by VVIP guests.

When it became clear that Sheikh Hasina would not be able to leave for a third country immediately, she was moved to a safe house in or near Delhi. She stayed at that location for several days.

There were also speculations that she was staying with her daughter, Saima Wazed, who works as the Regional Director of the World Health Organization in Delhi, but this was never confirmed.

However, keeping this VVIP guest in Delhi, away from the eyes of the media, while maintaining tight security and confidentiality, became increasingly difficult for the Indian government.

Moreover, it became apparent that a swift departure to a third country from India was unlikely.

This led to discussions about where she could be accommodated outside of Delhi.

After carefully evaluating various options, it was eventually decided to move her to Meerut, according to reports.

Meerut Cantonment

The Meerut Cantonment, established in 1806 during British colonial rule, is more than 200 years old and played a significant role in the 1857 Sepoy Rebellion.

Even today, military experts consider the Meerut Cantonment to be of strategic importance for India’s modern security.

Meerut is located in the fertile region between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, known as the Doab, which historically produced large quantities of crops and thus generated substantial revenue.

This was one of the reasons why the British established a cantonment there.

In recent times, the Meerut Cantonment has expanded significantly, with many civilian establishments within its boundaries. However, there are still areas in the cantonment that remain off-limits to the public. Apart from the army, various elite forces and paramilitary agencies also have offices there.

It is believed that Sheikh Hasina is being kept in a secluded and highly secure area within this cantonment. Source: DT