Hope returns to Dhaka but new leaders told to exile old politics

The relief was palpable in Dhaka. "It feels good that finally we have educated people running our government," said Zahin Ferdous, a 19-year-old university student, referring to the new interim government led by the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

- Redwan Ahmed DHAKA and Kaamil Ahmed

Ferdous was directing traffic in Bangladesh's capital, one of the volunteers trying to restore normality to the city after a tumultuous week that has transformed the country.

The resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August initially caused a city-wide street party, but it was followed by looting and reprisal attacks against her supporters and the police. Things calmed after last Thursday, when Yunus was sworn in.

But in a city of 20 million people, that calm is uncertain. Some areas have established nightwatches, reports of suspicious activity are being swapped on Facebook and, in wealthier districts, car headlights are being left on at night to light up the road.

Ferdous added: "I have huge respect for him [Yunus] and now I just hope he delivers. My biggest fear is for him to become just like the other politicians." As Yunus returned to Bangladesh to lead the country, having a week earlier been under threat of imprisonment, he called for an end to violence and protection for minorities. And with police still absent from the streets, the army has established 200 temporary camps across the country and posted soldiers to abandoned police stations.