Dhaka: In a dramatic turn of events, on Monday Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, as reports confirm that over 300 people have been killed in recent violence.
According to sources, Hasina, along with her sister, has left her official residence, Ganabhaban, for a safer haven. The prime minister had intended to deliver a farewell speech but was unable to do so.
In response to the crisis, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman addressed the nation, announcing a political transition and the establishment of an interim government. He assured that a thorough investigation into all murder cases will be conducted and urged citizens to have faith in the military.
General Zaman called for peace and cooperation, emphasizing that maintaining order is crucial for the country’s stability and progress. He urged the public to avoid violence and work together to support the nation’s well-being.
The army chief’s address follows the renewed violent protests on Sunday that claimed nearly 100 lives, including 14 police officers, raising the total death toll to over 300. The unrest, which escalated after protesters demanded Hasina’s resignation, also saw clashes between security forces and ruling party supporters.
Protests on Sunday:
On Sunday at least 95 people, including 14 police officers of which 13 were from the Enayetpur police station were killed. In the Sirajganj district, deadly clashes left at least 18 people dead following renewed protests against Sheikh Hasina on Sunday.
In response to the protests, the military announced a new curfew effective Sunday evening, extending indefinitely to the capital Dhaka, and other major regions. The government had previously imposed a curfew with certain exceptions.
Police attacked the protestors with bullets, rubber bullets, and tear gas. In Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood, police used tear gas to disperse hundreds blocking a major highway.
The violence first erupted last month, with at least 150 people killed and thousands injured during student-led protests against reserved quotas for government jobs. The unrest led to the arrest of at least 11,000 people and caused the closure of schools and universities nationwide. Authorities also imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew at times to manage the situation.
The protests originally started as a movement against a quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for veterans’ families. Despite a Supreme Court ruling reducing this quota to 5%, protests have continued, demanding accountability for the government’s illegitimate use of force against protesters.
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