Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Bangladesh’s prime minister flees country and resigns after deadly protest

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Bangladesh’s prime minister has resigned and fled to India following weeks of deadly protests in the country.

Reports of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 76, resigning were confirmed by the army, as well as Bangladesh High Commission Officials in Delhi.

According to the country’s leading national paper, she and her sister took a military helicopter to India.

They are taking “safe shelter” away from her official residence, the news agency Reuters reports.

At least 95 people, including at least 14 police officers, died in clashes in the capital on Sunday, according to local news, while hundreds more were injured.

Image:
A shopping center was set on fire by protesters during a rally against Ms Hasina on Sunday. Pic: AP

Soldiers on armoured vehicle patrol in Dhaka.
Pic: AP
Image:
Soldiers on armoured vehicle patrolling Dhaka last month.
Pic: AP

At least six people were reportedly killed in clashes between police and protesters in the Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas on Monday.

The demonstrations began with students seeking to end a quota system for government jobs, but clashes with police and pro-government activists escalated into violence that left more than 200 dead last month.

That triggered more protests demanding accountability from the government, which have grown into calls for Ms Hasina, who has been leading the country since 2009, to step down.

People participate in a rally against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government demanding justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide deadly clashes, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar)
Image:
Sunday’s protests saw people calling for justice for victims of deadly clashes. Pic: AP

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Ms Hasina is reported to have fled the country as anti-government protesters vowed to march to the capital to demand her resignation on Monday.

Broadband internet and mobile data services have been restored across Bangladesh after a blackout.

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