Dilah, Aug 06 (V7N) - The UK Home Office has issued a clear statement on its immigration policies, emphasizing that individuals cannot travel to the UK specifically to seek asylum or temporary refuge. This announcement comes in the wake of speculation that Sheikh Hasina, the recently ousted former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, might attempt to claim asylum in London.
 
A Home Office spokesperson confirmed to NDTV, “The UK is committed to providing protection for those who need it. However, our regulations do not allow individuals to travel to the UK solely for the purpose of seeking asylum or temporary refuge. Asylum seekers should apply in the first safe country they reach to ensure a faster path to safety.”
 
Despite these guidelines, there are reports that a formal asylum application for Sheikh Hasina is currently under review.
 
Hasina was compelled to resign from her position as Prime Minister on Monday amid escalating protests over government job quotas, which have resulted in over 300 deaths. Following her resignation, Hasina departed Dhaka aboard a military aircraft and arrived at an Indian Air Force base in Uttar Pradesh.
 
Indian media reports indicate that upon her arrival, Hasina met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and is now in the “protective custody” of Indian intelligence services.
 
Hasina is accompanied by her sister, Sheikh Rehana, a UK citizen, and her niece, Tulip Siddiq, a British Labour parliamentarian. Her daughter, Saima Wazed, is based in Delhi and serves as the regional chief for the World Health Organization.
 
Sources suggest that India is proceeding with caution in its support of Hasina to avoid straining relations with Bangladesh's new government.
 
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