Bangladesh in turmoil: Prime minister resigns amid violent protests
AFP reported that protesters stormed the prime minister's palace in Bangladesh. The prime minister was reported to "have left" the palace in Dhaka and gone to a "safer place." According to the BBC, Hasina Wajed has resigned and is fleeing to India with her sister by helicopter.
Bangladesh has been engulfed in violently suppressed protests since July, when student groups demanded the abolition of the controversial quota system in the allocation of government administrative positions.
Reuters writes that the protests turned into a campaign to remove Prime Minister Hasina Wajed from power, who won the January elections boycotted by the opposition.
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.
"Latest reports from Bangladesh indicate that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left Dhaka for an undisclosed location after unprecedented nationwide violence in the country. Some suggest she could come to New Delhi as well," 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, "considering the overall safety of workers," closed factories — the industry association reported.
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed has resigned and left the country after weeks of student-led protests spiralled into deadly, nationwide unrest. - 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.
