Interim government to be formed in Bangladesh, confirms Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman as Sheikh Hasina flees nation amid protests
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that an interim government, with the participation of all parties, will be formed to run the affairs as Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country on Monday in the face of violent protests that spiralled out of control and plunged the South Asian nation into chaos and turmoil. The death toll has risen to 300 with violence that began with an anti-quota movement claiming 98 lives since Sunday.
The Army chief made the announcement just moments after Sheikh Hasina, who came to power for another term earlier this year by winning a landslide general election, left the country with her sister Sheikh Rehana in a military helicopter.
“After holding a fruitful discussion with all political parties, we have decided to form an interim government. We will speak with President Mohammed Shahabuddin now to resolve the situation," the Army chief said.
"Cooperate with us. We will do justice and there would be trial for every death and injustice done. Stop the violence. We will work towards a proper solution. We cannot achieve anything through violence. Stop all anarchy" : Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman told a press conference.
Flanked by the Naval and Air Force Chiefs, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman says the honourable PM has resigned and that an interim government will take over. pic.twitter.com/Z1pqaUeQoq
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) August 5, 2024
Despite no official confirmation, a section of the media reported Hasina and her sister arrived in the Indian city of Agartala after leaving the nation.
Live Blog: The Bangladesh Crisis Spirals: Sheikh Hasina flees Palace, Interim Govt to take over
Meanwhile, a large number of people stormed into the official residence of the PM after reports emerged that she had left Bangladesh.
#BREAKING: Protesters have stormed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina palace.#SheikhHasina #Ganabhaban #BangladeshViolence #SheikhHasinaResigns pic.twitter.com/K7ngFU6kIN
— Republic (@republic) August 5, 2024
After Sunday, Bangladesh continues to witness yet another day of violence and deadly clashes between protesters and police.
A large number of people are reportedly taking out processions in various corners of the country including in the capital Dhaka city.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, had earlier urged the security forces via a Facebook video to foil any attempts to overthrow her government.
At least six people lost their lives during clashes with the police in Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas of the capital city on Monday, said reports.
At least 98 people have died in the fresh round of violence which is sweeping across the nation as the protesters demanded the Prime Minister to resign.
Bangladesh last month witnessed violent protests over job quota system.
Hasina, who was the longest-serving PM of the country since independence, earlier blamed the opposition for capitalising on the situation and carrying out deadly attacks in the country.
Earlier this year, Hasina formed the government for the fourth straight term.
Why Bangladesh witnesed protests on quota?
Bangladesh students had been wanting the government to change the system which reserved a third of public sector jobs for the relatives of veterans of the country’s war for independence from Pakistan in 1971.
Demanding for recruitment based on merit, the students called the quota system discriminatory as the protest turned into an uprising against the Hasina government.
Stipulating that 93 percent of recruitments will be on merit now, Bangladesh Supreme Court last month scrapped most of the quotas in government jobs that had led to massive protests in July.
Top Headlines
-
News
India, China have completed disengagement: Reports
October 31, 2024
-
News
Uzbekistan parties supporting President Mirziyoyev win parliamentary elections as country undergoes reforms
October 29, 2024
-
News
Sanction Indian diplomats, ban RSS: anti-India Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh goes ballistic
October 16, 2024
-
News
Hezbollah drone attack on military base kills four Israeli soldiers
October 14, 2024
-
News
Trudeau govt's vote bank politics: India toughens stand against Canada after latest tirade over Nijjar killing
October 14, 2024
-
News
Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for Baba Siddique's murder, sends Salman Khan a message
October 14, 2024
-
News
RG Kar: Bengal junior doctors to hold protest march to Raj Bhavan on 10th day of hunger strike today
October 14, 2024
-
News
Tamil Nadu derailment: 19 injured in Darbhanga Bagmati Express collision with goods train, 13 coaches jump track
October 12, 2024
-
News
Distasteful and disgraceful: Amit Shah on Mallikarjun Kharge's 'won't die till Modi is removed from power' remark
September 30, 2024
-
News
Keep Gods away from politics: Supreme Court slams Andhra govt over Tirupati laddoo row
September 30, 2024