Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, resigned and fled to neighbouring India on Monday after protestors stormed her official house after weeks of violent anti-government protests in the South Asian country.
Protesters in Dhaka erupted in celebration as they climbed tanks and scaled an enormous monument of Hasina’s father, independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, striking the head with an axe, marking the end of her 15-year reign.
In a nationwide speech, Bangladesh’s army leader, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, confirmed Hasina’s resignation and announced the formation of an interim administration.
Addressing demonstrators, mostly young Bangladeshis and students, he said: “Whatever demands you have, we will fulfil and restore peace to the nation; please assist us in this, and refrain from violence.”
“The military will not fire at anyone, the police will not fire at anyone, I have given orders,” he finished.
A senior source from Bangladesh’s foreign ministry told CNN on Tuesday that Hasina had moved to a “safer” location “close to Delhi.”
Images showed fires coming from cars outside Hasina’s residence, as well as demonstrators inside the property breaking walls and plundering its belongings.
According to a CNN correspondent in Dhaka, people marching in the neighbourhood were assaulted earlier in the day by the military and police.
( Source: CNN)
