Bangladesh Prime Minister Resigns Amid Unrest
Bangladesh’s prime minister has resigned and fled to India following weeks of violent protests in the country.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 76, and her sister took a military helicopter to India’s eastern state of West Bengal, according to media reports, which is just across the border. Another report, however, said she was headed to India’s north-eastern state of Tripura.
The protests initially began peacefully in late June as students demanded the abolition of the quota system for government jobs, but escalated into violence following clashes between protesters, police, and pro-government supporters at Dhaka University.
Despite a nationwide curfew, student activists defied the orders and organized a march to the capital, Dhaka, on Monday to pressure Hasina into resigning.
On Monday, protesters breached Ms. Hasina’s official residence after defying a military-imposed curfew in Dhaka.
During a televised speech, Army Chief General Waker-Us-Zaman confirmed that the Prime Minister had fled the country and announced the formation of an interim government.
In celebration of the Prime Minister’s end of 15-year rule, thousands of people stormed her official residence, shouting slogans, pumping fists, and displaying victory signs.