Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Student Protests
On August 5, 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to relinquish power amidst escalating conflict and the deaths of over 300 people during the anti-discrimination student movement. Many members of her Awami League party and administration officials have fled the country in the aftermath.
City Leaders and Councilors Fleeing
The unrest has led to the exodus of many mayors, panel mayors, and councilors from two Dhaka city corporations. Those aligned with the Awami League have vanished from their posts, leaving behind only 18 councilors who are supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, has fled to Singapore. The city’s public services are suffering, with waste collection, mosquito control, and other activities disrupted.
Dhaka North City Corporation
The mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Atiqul Islam, remains in the country but has relinquished his official duties. The city corporation denies any service disruptions, but residents report problems with streetlights, sidewalks, and mosquito control.
Councilor Absence and Consequences
The mass exodus of councillors has severely hampered the functioning of both city corporations. Essential services are suffering, and citizens are forced to deal with the consequences. The absence of leadership has led to a breakdown in governance, with residents expressing frustration and demanding accountability.