Bangladesh Prime Minister Flees to India

The prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, resigned and fled to neighbouring India on Monday after protesters stormed her official residence after weeks of deadly anti-government demonstrations in the South Asian nation.

Scenes of jubilation erupted on the streets as protesters celebrated the end of her 15 years in power by climbing on tanks and scaling an imposing statue of Hasina’s father, independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in Dhaka, attacking the head with an ax.

In a national address, Bangladesh’s army chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman confirmed Hasina had resigned and said the military would form an interim government.

Addressing protesters, largely young Bangladeshis and students, he said: “Whatever demands you have, we will fulfil and bring back peace to the nation. Please help us in this, stay away from violence.”

“The military will not fire at anyone. The police will not fire at anyone, I have given orders,” he added.

A senior official from Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Hasina is now in a “safer” location “close to Delhi.” Reports said.

Images showed flames billowing from vehicles near Hasina’s house, protesters inside the building, smashing walls, and looting its contents.

Earlier in the day, the military and police attacked demonstrators rallying in the area, according to a journalist working for CNN in Dhaka.

At least 91 people were killed and hundreds injured on Sunday in clashes between police and protesters demanding the scrapping of quotas for government jobs and the resignation of the prime minister. Opponents argued that the civil service job quotas were discriminatory.

The death toll on Sunday, which included 13 police officers, was the highest for a single day from any protests in the country’s recent history.

CNN/Shakirat Sadiq