Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns and Flees the Country, Army Takes Control
Posted by admin on 2024-08-05 |
On Monday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position and left the country, as confirmed by Army Chief Waker uz Zaman. The Army Chief further announced that an interim government would be formed, with the military taking over the administration.
In the wake of this development, protesters stormed Sheikh Hasina's official residence on Monday afternoon, as reported by Channel 24. Television footage captured scenes of hundreds of people ransacking the building, taking away items such as chicken, fish, and vegetables.
Sheikh Hasina's Departure and Unconfirmed Reports
BBC Bangla reported that Sheikh Hasina is en route to Agartala, the capital of Tripura in India. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding her resignation and departure from Dhaka.
An anonymous senior advisor to the Bangladesh Prime Minister revealed that Sheikh Hasina and her sister left Ganabhaban, the official residence of the premier, to seek safety amid fresh protests demanding her resignation.
Army Chief's National Address and Plans for Interim Government
In a national broadcast on state television, Bangladesh's Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman officially announced Prime Minister Hasina's resignation. Dressed in military fatigues and a cap, the general stated that he would "form an interim government" and take full responsibility for the situation.
The Army Chief acknowledged the suffering the country has endured, highlighting the economic damage and the loss of many lives. He emphasized that it was time to put an end to the violence and called for unity as the military works to stabilize the situation.
Address at 4 PM
General Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed the nation at 4:00 p.m., reaffirming that a transitional government would be established. He promised justice for all those who had been killed and urged the public to trust the military's efforts to bring the country together. The Chief also mentioned that meetings with various political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamat-e-Islami, were underway.
Protests and Unrest Leading to Resignation
Sheikh Hasina was compelled to step down as Prime Minister following widespread protests against her administration, sparked by a controversial quota system. This system reserved 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971.
The protests, which turned violent, claimed 94 lives a day before her resignation. Students, who were at the forefront of the movement under the banner "Students Against Discrimination," launched a ‘Long March to Dhaka’ with the sole aim of removing Sheikh Hasina from power.
In response to the escalating unrest, the government took extreme measures, including suspending internet services and banning Meta’s platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Additionally, a three-day holiday was declared in an attempt to diffuse the protests.
The ongoing mass protests have led to the deaths of over 300 people as of yesterday.
