Angry locals demonstrated near the statue and raised slogans demanding action against the vandals. The police assured them of action.

The interim government in Bangladesh has sent a diplomatic note and urged India to send deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to Dhaka. The 77-year-old Awami League leader has been living in India since August 5 when she fled Bangladesh amid massive protests that brought down her 16-year-old regime and forced her to flee.

The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants in names of Sheikh Hasina and her ministers, advisors and former military and civil officials, accusing them of “crimes against humanity and genocide”.

Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs adviser in the interim government, told reporters, “We have sent a note verbale (diplomatic message) to the Indian government saying that Bangladesh wants her back here for the judicial process.”

Earlier, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam said his office has sent a letter to the External Affairs Ministry here to facilitate Ms Hasina’s extradition. “We have sent a letter to the foreign ministry regarding her extradition. The process is currently underway,” he told the media.

Mr Alam said an extradition treaty exists between Dhaka and New Delhi Ms Hasina could be taken back to Bangladesh under that arrangement.

The president condemns the murderers but says the death penalty at federal level “must stop”. 

​The president condemns the murderers but says the death penalty at federal level “must stop”.