Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lands in India

A PM’s aide had earlier indicated possibility of her resignation

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned earlier on Monday amid escalating student protests against the job quota system, has reportedly fled the country. According to reports, Hasina departed on a military helicopter and landed at Hindon Airport in Agartala, the capital of Tripura, a northeastern Indian state.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced in a televised address that an interim government would be formed. He also mentioned plans to meet with political leaders and President Mohammed Shahabuddin to discuss the situation.

General Uz-Zaman, who assumed the role of army chief on June 23, promised to address the ongoing crisis. “We are in a revolutionary period,” he said. “I assure you that we will bring justice and resolve the issues. Please have faith in our military, and we will work to address all problems without resorting to violence.”

Hasina flew with her sister to India

Meanwhile, BBC and CNN have confirmed that Hasina, 76, was flown with her sister to India. Reports indicate that she left her official residence, Gono Bhaban, due to the severity of the protests, as detailed by Bangladesh’s Daily Star.

A senior aide to Hasina had earlier suggested the possibility of her resignation, though the specifics were unclear. “The situation makes resignation a possibility, but the exact process is uncertain,” the aide told AFP on condition of anonymity.

98 killed in Sunday’s clash

Sunday’s clashes between protesters demanding Hasina’s resignation and ruling party supporters resulted in the deaths of 98 people, including 14 policemen, and left hundreds injured. In response, authorities have cut off mobile internet access and imposed a nationwide curfew indefinitely.

The violence erupted when protesters, part of the Students Against Discrimination group, clashed with supporters of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League over the job quota system. The demonstrations, initially focused on job reservations, escalated into a broader campaign for Hasina’s removal.

The country has been in turmoil since student protests last month against government job quotas intensified into calls for Hasina’s resignation. Over 250 people have died and thousands have been injured in the violence.

Mob stormed her official residence

Television footage showed thousands celebrating in Dhaka, with crowds storming Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban. Reports indicate that people were seen removing televisions, chairs, and other items from the residence.

Student activists called for a march to Dhaka on Monday despite the curfew, demanding Hasina’s resignation. On the same day, at least six people were killed in clashes between police and protesters in Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas.

Sunday’s death toll, including 13 policemen, is the highest in recent history for a single day of protests in Bangladesh, surpassing the 67 deaths reported on July 19 during similar demonstrations.

The government has declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 p.m. local time on Sunday and announced a three-day general holiday beginning Monday. Reports also indicate widespread attacks on government buildings, ruling party leaders, police stations, and homes of public figures. Violence has been reported in 39 out of 64 districts.

Bangladesh Railway has suspended all services indefinitely, and garment factories, critical to the country’s economy, have also closed.

The role of the military in managing the crisis has been a subject of debate, with some retired military officers urging Hasina to withdraw troops and seek political solutions. Human rights groups and critics have accused the government of using excessive force against protesters, allegations that Hasina and her ministers deny.

Hasina has characterized the protesters as “terrorists” intent on destabilizing the nation.