Bangladesh PM Flees Amid Deadly Protests, Palace Stormed
In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year reign came to an abrupt end on Monday as she fled the country amidst weeks of violent protests. The military, stepping in amidst the chaos, announced the formation of an interim government.
Since early July, Hasina had been struggling to suppress nationwide demonstrations against her administration. The tipping point arrived on Sunday, a day marred by intense violence that claimed nearly 100 lives.
In a televised address, Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman confirmed Hasina’s resignation and assured the formation of an interim government. “I hope after my speech, the situation will improve,” he stated.
Sources close to Hasina revealed she fled by helicopter after an initial motorcade escape, her final destination unknown. The dramatic escape followed a massive breach of her palace by jubilant protesters, some of whom celebrated atop a tank, while others vandalized a statue of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a revered figure in Bangladesh’s history.
Before the palace invasion, Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, appealed to the nation’s security forces via Facebook to prevent any unlawful seizure of power and uphold the constitution. Despite this plea, the escalating violence saw at least 94 casualties, including 14 police officers, marking the deadliest day since the unrest began.
The protests, initially sparked by opposition to civil service job quotas, rapidly evolved into a broader demand for Hasina’s resignation. Security forces had largely supported the government throughout the unrest, but the sheer scale of Sunday’s violence, with over 300 deaths since the protests began, underscored the populace’s deep-seated discontent.
In the wake of Hasina’s departure, the military has declared a state of emergency, reminiscent of the 2007 emergency that saw a military-backed caretaker government take control. Hasina’s fourth consecutive election victory in January, which saw no significant opposition, has been marred by allegations of rights abuses and suppression of dissent.
Monday’s scenes in Dhaka were a powerful testament to the unrest, with an estimated 400,000 protesters overwhelming security barriers. The call for a “final protest” by civil disobedience leaders like Asif Mahmud resonated powerfully, signaling an end to Hasina’s long-standing rule and ushering in a period of uncertainty for Bangladesh.
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Bangladesh PM Flees Amid Deadly Protests, Palace Stormed
