Bangladesh PM Resigns, Flees After Deadly Protest
Written by DORATHY MORGAN
Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and fled the country, according to multiple sources.
An interim government is expected to be formed, as announced by Army chief, General Waker-Us-Zaman.
The country has been experiencing violent protests, with nearly 100 people killed in clashes across the country.
The protests began last month (July) as student-led rallies calling for the end to a quota system, under which 30 percent of government jobs were reserved for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.
The protests have escalated into a campaign to seek the ouster of Hasina, who won a fourth straight term in January in an election boycotted by the opposition.
The military has imposed a curfew, and Army chief General Waker-Us-Zaman has announced that the military “always stood by the people.
There is jubilation as the citizens have taken to streets in celebration of the exit of the PM.
On Sunday, it was reported that 97 people including 13 policemen were killed in a protest.
Analysts said the ouster of the PM was remarkable, where unarmed civilians ousted an authoritarian government.
They believe that brute crackdown of the protesters have come to an end.
Jubilant-looking crowds waved flags, some dancing on top of a tank in the streets of Dhaka on Monday morning before hundreds broke through the gates of Hasina’s official residence.
Bangladesh’s Channel 24 broadcast images of crowds running into the compound, waving to the camera as they celebrated.
A source close to Hasina, 76, had earlier told AFP she had left her palace for a “safer place.”
Before the protesters had stormed the compound, Hasina’s son urged the country’s security forces to block any takeover from her 15-year rule.
“Your duty is to keep our people and our country safe and uphold the constitution.”