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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Resignation
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has resigned and left the country, according to recent statements. The Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has announced that an interim government will be established. The departure of Sheikh Hasina has been confirmed, with General Waker-Uz-Zaman stating, “The Prime Minister has resigned, and we will form an interim government.”
On Monday, amid a wave of violent protests in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left her official residence in the capital, Dhaka. Reports indicate that Sheikh Hasina and her sister left the residence to move to a secure location. There were attempts to record a speech, but it appears they did not have the opportunity to do so.
Protests and Violent Clashes
On Sunday, thousands of protesters demanding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation clashed with government supporters, resulting in nearly 100 deaths and hundreds of injuries. According to the Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo, the clashes resulted in 95 deaths, including 14 police officers. Channel 24 reported 85 fatalities.
In response to the violence, the military imposed an indefinite curfew in major cities, including Dhaka. The protests, which began last month with students demanding the abolition of the quota system for government jobs, have escalated into violence, with over 200 people killed in recent weeks.
Government Response and Measures
In light of the ongoing unrest, the government has implemented measures to control the situation, including shutting down mobile phone services and internet access, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and messaging apps. Junior Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mohammad Ali Arfat, stated that various services have been suspended to help curb the violence.
The government has declared holidays from Monday to Wednesday, and courts will remain closed indefinitely. The recent violence, which began with student protests over the quota system, has led to over 200 deaths. Sheikh Hasina has labeled the protesters as “criminals” rather than students, and has called for a firm response to their actions.
Political Implications
The ruling Awami League party has suggested that the demand for the Prime Minister’s resignation indicates that the opposition, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, has taken control of the protests. In Dhaka’s Uttara area, police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of people blocking a major road.
Protesters have targeted homes and vandalized community welfare offices, where ruling party activists had taken positions. Witnesses reported explosions from homemade bombs and gunfire. In the eastern region, 20 people were shot, and at least 18 were killed in the northwestern district of Sirajganj, including 13 police officers who died in an attack on a police station.
Continued Unrest and Detentions
In recent weeks, at least 11,000 people have been arrested in Bangladesh. The unrest has led to the closure of schools and universities nationwide. Authorities have also imposed curfews and issued shoot-to-kill orders during certain periods.
Protesters have called for a “non-cooperation” movement against the government, urging people to withhold taxes and utility payments and to stay away from work on Sundays, a working day in Bangladesh. While offices, banks, and factories remained open, many commuters in Dhaka and other cities faced difficulties reaching their workplaces.
Conclusion
The resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent announcement of an interim government mark a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s political crisis. With violent clashes between protesters and government supporters, the situation remains volatile. The government’s response, including curfews and service suspensions, aims to restore order amid widespread unrest. As the interim government takes shape, the future stability of Bangladesh will depend on how effectively the new administration can address the underlying issues fueling the current conflict.
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