Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and left the country due to escalating student protests. The Prime Minister is believed to have landed in Agartala, India, following a dramatic series of events.
Key Developments:
- Resignation and Departure: Sheikh Hasina has resigned from her position and left Dhaka. She and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, departed from Ganabhaban, the official residence, around 2:30pm on Monday. They used a military helicopter for their escape.
- Destination: The Prime Minister is reported to be traveling to Agartala, India, for safety reasons.
- Army Ultimatum: The Bangladesh Army had given Sheikh Hasina a 45-minute ultimatum to resign before the situation worsened.
Background on the Protests:
- Trigger: The unrest began last month with violent protests against reserved quotas in government jobs. The violence resulted in the deaths of at least 150 people and injuries to thousands.
- Current Situation: Protests initially focused on job quotas, but later expanded to include demands for Hasina’s resignation. The ‘Students Against Discrimination’ group led the recent demonstrations, which included calls for a public apology from Hasina, restoration of internet services, and reopening of educational institutions.
- Recent Escalation: By the weekend, the protests grew into a nationwide movement demanding Hasina’s ouster, with demonstrators seeking justice for those killed in last month’s violence.
The situation in Bangladesh remains volatile as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Prime Minister’s resignation and the ongoing protests.