5 August 2024: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing crisis, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country amidst widespread student protests and violent clashes. Reports confirm that Hasina, accompanied by her sister, departed Dhaka in an army helicopter, seeking refuge from the turmoil.
The resignation has incited immediate chaos. Protesters have stormed Hasina’s residence and inflicted severe damage. The Indo-Bangladesh border has been placed on high alert, and all trade between the two countries has been suspended in response to the unrest.
Key Developments:
– Major landmarks in Dhaka, including the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre and the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, have been vandalized.
– Air India has canceled all flights to and from Dhaka, and the Indian Air Force monitored Hasina’s departure.
– Sheikh Hasina landed at Hindon Air Base near Delhi and is expected to proceed to London.
Military Intervention
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has announced the formation of an interim government and called for calm. He has assumed full responsibility for law and order and pledged to investigate any incidents of violence involving the armed forces.
The unrest began over a contentious job quota system favoring Liberation War veterans’ families. Despite a Supreme Court ruling reducing the quota, student-led protests continued, demanding accountability for police brutality. Nearly 300 people have died in the violence.
Sheikh Hasina accused opposition parties of inciting the violence and labeled the protesters as criminals. Her offer to negotiate was rejected, leading to intensified demands for her resignation and exacerbating the political crisis.
In response to the unfolding situation, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the crisis. The Indian government has been closely monitoring the situation and has taken measures to secure the border.
With Hasina’s departure and the military in control, Bangladesh faces a period of significant uncertainty. The international community watches closely as the interim government seeks to restore stability and address the ongoing unrest.
