Published : 05 Aug 2024, 03:28 PM
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power for over 15 years, has fled Bangladesh after handing in her resignation amid a massive anti-Sheikh Hasina flees country as govt falls
Sheikh Hasina flees country after govt falls in face of mass movement
She has left for India’s Agartala with her sister, Sheikh Rehana
News Desk . bdnews24.com
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power for over 15 years, has fled Bangladesh after handing in her resignation amid a massive movement led by student protesters against her government.
She stepped down amid clashes that rocked the entire nation and left more than 300 people dead after 36 days of mass protests.The demonstrations were led by students and job seekers who had initially demanded a reform of the quota system for government jobs, but the protests later turned into a mass movement to topple the government.
A flight carrying Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana has landed in India’s Ghaziabad.
A diplomatic source in India told bdnews24.com on Monday that Indian army authorities have ‘communicated’ with Bangladesh missions in India that they have been ‘in touch’ with appropriate authorities.
BBC reports that Hasina initially left Bangladesh with her sister, Sheikh Rehana, in a helicopter headed for India’s Agartala.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of those who participated in the total non-cooperation movement stormed the prime minister’s official residence Ganabhaban.
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced her resignation around 4pm on Monday in a televised address.
The army chief announced the formation of an interim government to govern the country after meeting with several civil society representatives and political parties.
He also added that every unlawful killing and injustice will be brought to book.
“Peace will return to the country with everyone’s collective efforts,” said the army chief.
Hasina won the 1996 elections and formed her first government 21 years after her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was killed in 1975.
She won again during the 2008 elections and has since ruled the country for 15 consecutive years.
Despite retaining power in the last three elections amid several controversies, she resigned from her post on Monday in the face of a mass anti-government movement.