New Delhi: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country along with her sister, Sheikh Rehana, following a day of violent protests. The resignation came amid escalating unrest over government job quotas that resulted in over 300 deaths, according to local media reports.
The 76-year-old Hasina, who served as Prime Minister five times, was forced to step down earlier today. She arrived at Hindon Air Force Base in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad on a Bangladesh Air Force C-130 military transport, where she met with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, as reported by various media outlets.
Hasina is expected to travel to London soon, where she may seek political asylum, NDTV has reported. Meanwhile, sources indicated that her plane remains stationed near Indian Air Force hangars alongside C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the unfolding situation in Bangladesh, though there has been no confirmation yet of a meeting between Modi and Hasina.
In response to the crisis, India’s Border Security Force is on high alert along the 4,096 km border with Bangladesh. Field commanders have been instructed to take “on-ground” positions and be prepared for any developments.
Indian Railways has suspended all train services to Bangladesh, and Air India has canceled its two daily flights to Dhaka. IndiGo has also halted all flights for the next 30 hours due to the situation in Dhaka, apologizing for the inconvenience caused.
The Bangladesh Army, which had given Hasina a 45-minute ultimatum to resign, has now assumed control of the country. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that an “interim government” will be formed and urged protesters to cease violence. In a televised address, he promised to address the demands of the people and ensure their safety.
Earlier in the day, protesters stormed Gonobhaban, the Prime Minister’s residence in Dhaka. Reports suggest that up to 400,000 people were on the streets, though this figure remains unverified. Despite efforts by soldiers and police to contain the unrest with barricades and armored vehicles, the vast crowds overwhelmed these defenses, prompting Hasina’s departure.
