The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, resigned on Monday after several weeks of deadly protests. This has been confirmed by the country’s Chief of Defense Waker-Uz-Zaman, along with several other sources and media outlets.
A temporary government is now set to govern the country for the time being.
The embassy in Bangladesh confirms that the Prime Minister has left the country. Earlier on Monday, the news agency AFP reported that Hasina has traveled to a “safer place.” The newspaper Prothom Alo Daily reports that Hasina and her sister are on their way to India by helicopter.
Also read: Sheep bells at 100 decibels can harm sheep
TV footage shows that thousands of protesters have entered the Prime Minister’s residence. This is confirmed by TV footage on Channel 24.
Tens of Thousands Have Demonstrated
For several weeks, tens of thousands of people have filled the streets of Dhaka and other cities in Bangladesh, demanding Hasina’s resignation. Hundreds have been killed in clashes between police and Hasina’s supporters.
On Sunday, 94 people were killed, according to figures from the news agency AFP. This is the deadliest day so far after weeks of protests against the authorities. The death toll is rising. Now at least 300 people are dead.
The demonstrations originally began with students protesting against a quota system that allocates 30 percent of public sector jobs to relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.
Asks Citizens to Stop All Use of Violence
The Chief of Defense stated in his speech that the army has had talks with the largest political parties in Bangladesh about forming a temporary government.
Waker-Uz-Zaman is asking citizens to stop all use of violence. He promises an investigation into all incidents where people have been killed in recent weeks.
Also read: Female vocalist assaulted by festival participant
Both broadband and mobile data services were cut in Bangladesh on Monday. Additionally, a curfew was imposed indefinitely.
This was due to protesters planning a march demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation.
3G and 4G networks are now back up and running in Bangladesh, Telenor has informed the news agency Reuters.