Protesters calling for govt’s resignation take control of Dhaka

Massive crowds are marching to the Shaheed Minar in defiance of the curfew as part of the ‘Long March to Dhaka’ programme

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Dhaka as part of the ‘Long March to Dhaka’ programme called by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement to demand the resignation of the government.

Around 11:30am, the massive crowds set off from the Uttara-Azampur area and reached Banani as of 2:30pm. People from all ages and professions were seen in the crowd.

Some held national flags, some chanted slogans, a few held up ‘V for Victory’ signs.

Many of the protesters were seen shaking hands with the army or greeting them. A festive atmosphere could be seen in the area.

The situation called to mind scenes from March 1996, when Khaleda Zia resigned as prime minister, bowing to persistent public pressure.

More to follow