Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned following weeks of protests over job quota reforms, Bangladesh High Commission officials told Reuters in Delhi.
According to the Daily Star, Hasina departed Dhaka on Monday for a “safer place”. AFP reported that she and her sister had departed Gono Bhaban, her official residence. “She wanted to record a speech. But she could not get an opportunity to do that,” a source close to her told AFP.
Interim government to be formed, says Army chief
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Bangladesh’s army chief, announced the formation of an interim government. Earlier today, he met with representatives from numerous political parties, including the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP, as well as other stakeholders, according to local media.
Sheikh Hasina’s location was not immediately confirmed. According to reports, she and her sister were transported to India via military helicopter.
Also read: Bangladesh: Indefinite curfew imposed after 98 die in fresh violence
Protesters storm PM’s official residence
Thousands Bangladeshi demonstrators rushed her official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka, when allegations surfaced that Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, had left for a “safer place”.
Violent protests in Bangladesh
The protests began peacefully in late June as students demanded an end to a quota system for government jobs, but became violent after fights between protestors, police, and pro-government activists at Dhaka University.
The government’s use of force, curfews, and internet shutdowns to quell the protests backfired, causing even more indignation when nearly 300 people were killed and prompted calls for her 15-year term to end.
On Sunday, about 100 people were killed when demonstrators clashed with security officers and ruling party activists around the country.
