Sheikh Hasina resigns as Bangladesh PM amid anti-government protests

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid on Monday resigned after weeks of violent protests against the quota system for government jobs in the country.

According to the report of the British website Sky News, Wajid and her sister had fled to India from the Prime Minister's official residence.

The former PM wanted to record the public address before tendering her resignation, but "she could not get a chance", the reports noted.

Following the development, demonstrators stormed the PM house, with heavy police and army presence on the streets to control them.

BREAKING - Protesters have stormed Bangladesh prime minister palace pic.twitter.com/AQLj7iwTt8

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 5, 2024

"I am inside the Ganabhaban Palace, where there are more than 1,500 people, breaking furniture and glass," Bangladeshi journalist Yasser Arafat told AFP.

On the other hand, the son of the ex-premier on Monday urged the country's security forces to "prevent any attempt to seize power from his mother".

"It is your duty to protect our people and our country and uphold the constitution, which means that an unelected government should not be in power even for a minute," US-based Sajeeb Wazed said in a video posted on his Facebook account.

According to reports, almost 300 people were killed during the deadly clashes amid the anti-government protests.

Following Wajid's resignation, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said that an interim government would run the country.

"We will form an interim government," Waker said in a broadcast to the nation on state television.

The protesters also vandalised the statue of father of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placed in the PM House.

Statue of Founder of #Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman being brought down.
Bad development for India. pic.twitter.com/9fkQ3Yurv6

— Brigadier Hardeep Singh Sohi,Shaurya Chakra (R) (@Hardisohi) August 5, 2024

Bangladeshis have been protesting for almost a month against the controversial quota system in government jobs.

Later, the country's Supreme Court abolished the law, accepting students' demand, however, the protesters sought Hasina's resignation.