Dhaka, Aug 7 (UNI) Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, who is set to head the interim government in Bangladesh, in a message asked the youth to remain calm and not indulge in senseless violence.
Yunus, who is set to arrive in the country on Thursday afternoon, asked the youth to get ready to build the country.
He also congratulated the students for making possible the "Second Victory Day".
In a statement issued by the Yunus Centre, the professor said, "I congratulate the brave students who took the lead in making our 'Second Victory Day' possible and to the people for giving your total support to them. Let us make the best use of our new victory. Let us not let this slip away because of our mistakes.
"I fervently appeal to everybody to stay calm. Please refrain from all kinds of violence. I appeal to all students, members of all political parties and non-political people to stay calm. This is our beautiful country with lots of exciting possibilities. We must protect and make it a wonderful country for us and for our future generations," Yunus said.
He further said, "Our youth is ready to give this leadership in creating a new world. Let us not miss the chance by going into any senseless violence. Violence is our enemy. Please don't create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country."
"If we take the path of violence everything will be destroyed. Please stay calm. Help those around you to stay calm," he added.
Yunus is set to arrive tomorrow afternoon at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport via an Emirates flight from Dubai, a source told The Daily Star.
The decision of making Prof Yunus the chief adviser came after a meeting held on Tuesday on the formation of the interim government between key organisers of the anti-discriminatory movement and President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
The heads of the three armed forces were also present at the meeting.
Bangladesh is facing political uncertainty after the resignation and fleeing of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 in the face of a mass uprising against her and her Awami League government. In the mob violence and rioting that followed, at least 142 people died across the country.
Her resignation followed around three weeks of violence that had its origins in the students' demand for reform to the quota system in public service jobs.
Between July 16 and today, over 400 people have been killed in violent clashes.
On July 23, the government through a circular reformed the quota system as per the demand of the students, but by then nearly 200 had died in clashes.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet on August 3, holding her government responsible for the deaths.
The government was toppled in the space of three days.
Hasina was serving her fourth straight term in office since assuming power in 2009, and fifth overall.
UNI RN