Bangladesh Prime Minister Resigns
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and fled the country amid severe violence. This marked one of the worst periods of unrest since the nation’s independence. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that Hasina had resigned and that they would form an interim government.
Reports indicated that Hasina, 76, left in a military helicopter , landing in Agartala, Tripura. He also left with her sister. However, Reuters could not confirm these reports. Bangladesh has been in turmoil following student protests against government job reservation quotas, which escalated into a larger movement demanding Hasina’s resignation. The violence has resulted in approximately 250 deaths and thousands of injuries.
General Zaman, who became army chief on June 23, stated he had productive discussions with political leaders and planned to meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin to determine the next steps. He assured the nation of justice for the violence and urged patience. Also asking people to avoid further violence and return to peaceful methods.
Television footage showed jubilant crowds in Dhaka, with many storming Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, and taking items from the building. Protesters also vandalized a statue of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On Monday, clashes in Dhaka resulted in six more deaths, following Sunday’s death toll of nearly 100, the highest in recent protests. Last month’s protests against job quotas had already caused 150 deaths and thousands of injuries.
The government imposed a nationwide curfew and declared a three-day general holiday. Violence and arson were reported in numerous districts, leading to the suspension of all railway services and the indefinite closure of garment factories, a critical industry in Bangladesh.
Critics have accused Hasina’s government of excessive force, a claim she and her ministers have denied, labeling the violent protesters as terrorists.
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