11:13 am, Friday, 7 February 2025

Hasina resigns, flees amidst massive uprising

Bangladesh’s long-serving Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, was ousted on Monday after a dramatic people’s uprising.

Hasina, who had been in office since 2009, was compelled to resign and flee the country as hundreds of thousands marched towards Dhaka, defying a curfew and braving a persistent drizzle.

The capital, which had been plagued by violence and unrest for the past three weeks, erupted in wild celebrations when General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Bangladesh army chief, confirmed Hasina’s resignation.

He announced that a new interim government would be formed soon.

As millions flooded the streets, gridlocking the capital well into the evening, many struggled to grasp the fall of Hasina’s once-unassailable authority and the weakening of the Awami League’s political dominance, faced with a campaign led by students.

Protesters stormed the Prime Minister’s residence, office, and parliament, and vandalized Awami League offices and high-ranking ministers’ homes nationwide.

Violence continued around the outskirts of Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh, despite thousands converging on Shahbagh from early afternoon.

The chaos followed a student protest that began on July 1 over reserved quotas for government jobs.

The government’s harsh response to the protest, which included excessive force, led to over 300 deaths and escalated into a broad anti-government movement.

The situation intensified after a violent crackdown on Sunday resulted in at least 93 deaths, with an additional 66 killed in Dhaka yesterday alone.

Amid the upheaval, Hasina, along with her sister Sheikh Rehana, departed for India in a military helicopter.

She landed in Agartala, Tripura, and was subsequently flown to Hindon Air Force Base near New Delhi. Reports indicate that Hasina is seeking asylum in London. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting to discuss the situation in Bangladesh.

Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, confirmed that his mother would not return to politics.

In Dhaka, General Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed the nation, flanked by military leaders, reassuring the public that justice would be served for those affected by the violence and urging calm.

The army chief was met with jubilation as he traveled to the presidential palace, Bangabhaban.

An interim government is expected to be formed soon, and a press release from Bangabhaban announced the immediate release of BNP chief and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

The military will oversee law and order, parliament will be dissolved, and all those arrested during the anti-quota protests will be released.

The delegation involved in the discussions included leaders from the BNP, Jatiya Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other political and civil society representatives, who will contribute to shaping the interim government and ensuring a transition towards stability.

Hasina resigns, flees amidst massive uprising

Update Time : 08:01:44 pm, Monday, 5 August 2024

Bangladesh’s long-serving Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, was ousted on Monday after a dramatic people’s uprising.

Hasina, who had been in office since 2009, was compelled to resign and flee the country as hundreds of thousands marched towards Dhaka, defying a curfew and braving a persistent drizzle.

The capital, which had been plagued by violence and unrest for the past three weeks, erupted in wild celebrations when General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Bangladesh army chief, confirmed Hasina’s resignation.

He announced that a new interim government would be formed soon.

As millions flooded the streets, gridlocking the capital well into the evening, many struggled to grasp the fall of Hasina’s once-unassailable authority and the weakening of the Awami League’s political dominance, faced with a campaign led by students.

Protesters stormed the Prime Minister’s residence, office, and parliament, and vandalized Awami League offices and high-ranking ministers’ homes nationwide.

Violence continued around the outskirts of Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh, despite thousands converging on Shahbagh from early afternoon.

The chaos followed a student protest that began on July 1 over reserved quotas for government jobs.

The government’s harsh response to the protest, which included excessive force, led to over 300 deaths and escalated into a broad anti-government movement.

The situation intensified after a violent crackdown on Sunday resulted in at least 93 deaths, with an additional 66 killed in Dhaka yesterday alone.

Amid the upheaval, Hasina, along with her sister Sheikh Rehana, departed for India in a military helicopter.

She landed in Agartala, Tripura, and was subsequently flown to Hindon Air Force Base near New Delhi. Reports indicate that Hasina is seeking asylum in London. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting to discuss the situation in Bangladesh.

Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, confirmed that his mother would not return to politics.

In Dhaka, General Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed the nation, flanked by military leaders, reassuring the public that justice would be served for those affected by the violence and urging calm.

The army chief was met with jubilation as he traveled to the presidential palace, Bangabhaban.

An interim government is expected to be formed soon, and a press release from Bangabhaban announced the immediate release of BNP chief and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

The military will oversee law and order, parliament will be dissolved, and all those arrested during the anti-quota protests will be released.

The delegation involved in the discussions included leaders from the BNP, Jatiya Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other political and civil society representatives, who will contribute to shaping the interim government and ensuring a transition towards stability.