Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigns, flees country amidst unrest

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country following a surge in protests.

Hasina departed via military helicopter after demonstrators breached the prime minister’s palace in Dhaka on Monday, defying a national curfew.

The unrest, which has resulted in nearly 300 deaths over several weeks, intensified on Sunday night with close to 100 fatalities. Protests continued on Monday with plans for a march on Dhaka, as the army prepared to intervene and stabilize the situation.

However, by early afternoon, reports indicated a shift in the atmosphere on the streets, turning celebratory as news of Hasina’s departure spread.

In a televised address, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff, confirmed Hasina’s resignation and announced that an interim government would take over. He urged citizens to trust the army to restore peace in the country.

National television broadcasts showed thousands of people breaking into the prime minister’s official residence and large crowds celebrating in the streets as the news of Hasina’s departure spread.