Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns amid a surge of nationwide protests demanding her departure. Reports indicate that Sheikh Hasina has left the capital, Dhaka, for a safer location, according to a source close to the embattled leader who spoke to AFP.
“She and her sister have left Ganabhaban (the premier’s official residence) for a safer place,” the source told AFP. “She wanted to record a speech, but she could not get an opportunity to do that.”
Following this development, Bangladesh’s Army Chief, Waker-Uz-Zaman, addressed the nation, announcing an investigation into the deaths during the anti-government protests. He also stated that an interim government would be formed, with talks already underway.
Meanwhile, Indian media claimed Sheikh Hasina had left Bangladesh by military helicopter, reportedly heading to India after protestors stormed the Prime Minister’s House in Dhaka.
Bangladeshi student leaders have vowed to continue their nationwide civil disobedience campaign until Sheikh Hasina resigns, following last month’s deadly police crackdown on protestors. Rallies against civil service job quotas led to days of unrest in July, resulting in over 200 deaths, marking some of the worst violence in Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year tenure.
Troop deployments briefly restored order, but massive crowds returned to the streets this week ahead of an all-out non-cooperation movement aimed at paralyzing the government, set to begin on Sunday.
Students against Discrimination, the group behind the initial protests, rejected Sheikh Hasina’s offer of talks and announced their campaign would continue until the prime minister and her government step down. “She must resign and face trial,” said Nahid Islam, the group’s leader, addressing thousands at a monument to national heroes in Dhaka to roars of approval.
The group has urged citizens to stop paying taxes and utility bills from Sunday to increase pressure on the government. They have also called on government workers and laborers in the garment factories to strike.
“She must go because we don’t need this authoritarian government,” said Nijhum Yasmin, 20, from one of the many protests staged around Dhaka. “Did we liberate the country to see our brothers and sisters shot dead by this regime?”
The looming non-cooperation campaign deliberately echoes the historical civil disobedience movement during Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.
