Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina fled to India and resigned amid massive public protests. British media reports claim that the country’s Chief of Army Staff, Waqar Uz Zaman, gave Hasina Wajid a 45-minute request to step down. He then delivered a national address announcing the formation of an interim government.
Reactions of Protesters
Following her resignation, protesters broke into Hasina’s house, and there was a heavy police and military presence on the streets. In Dhaka alone, thousands of protesters reportedly celebrated, and foreign media claim that about 400,000 people have filled the streets.
Safe Passage to India
Indian directed Ted that Sheikhada had arrived in Agartala, where Wadia was ready to give her a safe passage.
Violent Protests with Casualties
The student-led civil disobedience movement against quotas in Bangladesh has led to violence, resulting in an estimated 300 fatalities; among them are 14 police officers and 95 others.
Movement Against Quota System
Initially, protests against the government jobs’ quota system for students from different backgrounds started in July of this year, and they turned into anti-government demonstrations. The allocation of 30% of government jobs for children born during the liberation war resulted in protests that claimed over two hundred lives before the Supreme Court abolished it altogether.
Military Imposed Curfew and Internet Shutdowns
Due to ongoing unrest, military forces declared an indefinite curfew across Dhaka—Bangladesh’s capital—and other major cities on Sunday evening. This was followed by a total blackout of internet services nationwide, and military forces declared public holidays from Monday through Wednesday.
Sheikh Hasina’s Statement
Earlier on, during these protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina referred to terrorism involved among protesting students, destabilizing statehood and asking citizens to crush such so-called criminals.
Army Chief’s statement
Waqar Uz Zaman, the current army chief, addressed military officers at Dhaka’s military headquarters and said, “the”Bangladesh Army symbolizes trust among people,” ad”ing that “it “as always stood with them and will continue doing so for state interest.”
Sheikh Hasina Wajid has ruled Bangladesh since January 2009, when she was elected unopposed after the main opposition party, the National Party, boycotted elections. She is now seventy-six years old.
