Bangladesh in turmoil: Prime Minister flees amid deadly protests
AFP reported that protesters stormed the prime minister's palace in Bangladesh. Earlier, it was noted that the prime minister "left the palace in Dhaka" and went to a "safe place." According to the BBC, Hasina Wajed has resigned and is fleeing with her sister by helicopter to India.
3:03 PM EDT, August 5, 2024
Bangladesh has been engulfed in violently suppressed protests since July when student groups demanded the abolition of the controversial quota system in allocating government administrative positions.
The protests evolved into a campaign aimed at removing Prime Minister Hasina Wajed from power, who won the January elections boycotted by the opposition, Reuters writes.
Hundreds of casualties. Bloody protests in Bangladesh
At least 94 people died in Sunday's demonstrations, including 13 police officers. Protests occurred in 39 out of 64 districts. In recent weeks, 11,000 people have been arrested.
The total number of fatalities during the anti-government protests, which have been ongoing in Bangladesh since July, has reached at least 300. 94 people died in Sunday clashes with police and ruling party activists, AFP reported based on police and medical sources.
The latest reports from Bangladesh indicate that Prime Minister Hasina Wajed has left Dhaka and gone to an unknown place after unprecedented nationwide riots. Some suggest she might also go to New Delhi, informed Aditya Raj Kaul, editor-in-chief of TV9 Network.
Prime Minister of Bangladesh resigns and flees
The authorities have ordered a curfew and a three-day work stoppage. Due to the escalation of violence, rail services were suspended, and garment factory owners closed factories "considering the overall safety of workers," the industry association reported.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed has resigned and is on her way to India along with her sister, BBC reports. A few minutes before her escape, protesters broke into her residence in Dhaka, which is now being looted. The country is awaiting a speech from the army chief.
