Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Clashes, Protests, Flees Dhaka: Sources

Dhaka: Amid ongoing protests and clashes in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled national capital Dhaka, sources said on Monday.

News agency AFP quoted a source and claimed Sheikh Hasina and her sister left the Prime Minister’s official residence, Ganabhaban, for a safer location.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina departed from Bangabhaban at around 2:30pm on Monday on a military helicopter, accompanied by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana for a "safer place.": Bangladesh media reports pic.twitter.com/cAzcRgwvul

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2024

The source further said that Sheikh Hasina wanted to record a speech but did not get the chance to do so.

Sheikh Hasina's Resignation Amid Ongoing Protests

Hundreds of thousands of protesters defied the curfew, marched through the capital’s streets, and later stormed the Prime Minister’s palace.

Videos pouring on social media platforms showed crowds entering the official residence in Dhaka, waving at the security cameras and celebrating.

According to AFP, soldiers and police in Dhaka used armoured vehicles and barbed wire to block the routes to Ms Hasina’s office, but large crowds flooded the streets and tore down the barriers.

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Bangladesh Army Chief To Address The Nation Shortly

Amid the fast-paced developments, Bangladesh’s Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman is about to address the nation after 98 people were killed in intense clashes yesterday. The death toll from the protests that began last month has now risen to over 300.

Ms. Hasina’s son has asked the country’s security forces to prevent any attempt to remove her from power. Meanwhile, a senior advisor told AFP that her resignation was a “possibility” when asked if she might step down.

Protests that started last month over civil service job quotas have escalated into some of the worst unrests during Prime Minister Hasina’s 15-year-rule, with growing calls for her resignation.

The demonstrations have now turned into a broad anti-government movement across Bangladesh, drawing people from all walks of life, including film stars, musicians, and singers. Songs urging support have spread widely on social media.

The protesters had earlier dismissed Ms Hasina's invitation for dialogue aimed at quelling escalating violence and consolidated their demands into a unified call for her resignation.

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