Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina |
In a dramatic turn of events, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled Bangladesh following a surge of anti-government protests that have claimed hundreds of lives. Reports indicate that Hasina and her sister were evacuated by army helicopter to an undisclosed location, with speculation pointing towards India as their potential destination.
The capital, Dhaka, has erupted into chaos as jubilant crowds celebrate the long-awaited resignation of Hasina, who has been in power for over two decades. Protesters, defying a strict curfew and internet blackout, stormed Hasina’s official residence. Footage from Bangladesh's Channel24 shows ecstatic demonstrators breaking into the compound and waving to cameras as they gain access to the Prime Minister's residence.
The recent protests began in July, ignited by student-led demands for the abolition of civil service job quotas. The movement has since expanded, with demonstrators calling for Hasina's resignation. The clashes between police and protesters on Sunday have resulted in at least 90 deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities in recent weeks to over 300. This period of unrest marks one of the deadliest in Bangladesh’s history since its independence in 1971.
Hasina's close ties with India, a relationship forged since her first election in 1996, have been a point of contention. Despite India's support, opposition parties and activists argue that the focus should be on supporting the Bangladeshi people rather than a single party. As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely to see how Bangladesh will navigate this turbulent chapter in its history.
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