The prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and left the country, the head of the army has confirmed, amid some of the worst violence since the birth of the south Asian country more than 50 years ago.
In a briefing to reporters, Army Chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman announced he was assuming control at “a critical time for our country” and would establish an interim government.
“I am taking responsibility now and we will go to the president and ask to form an interim government to lead the country in the meantime.”
Ms Hasina (76) who has ruled Bangladesh since 2009, fled by helicopter, a source close to the leader told Agence France-Presse news agency shortly after protesters had stormed her palace in the capital, Dhaka.
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Celebrations erupted among the crowds who had been on the streets of Dhaka for another day of protests.
The internet was cut for several hours overnight and residents told the Guardian of raids and gunshots, including in the most affluent areas, before a planned mass protest called for Monday.
Ms Hasina’s government was accused by rights groups of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent, including through the killing of opposition activists.
The latest student-led protests began over a quota system they said disproportionately allocated government jobs to the descendants of freedom fighters from the 1971 independence war.
The government’s harsh crackdown on protests has led to hundreds of deaths, which continued despite the supreme court overturning the quota law. Agence France-Presse reported there had been 94 deaths on Sunday.
The demonstrations escalated despite the scheme having been scaled back by Bangladesh’s top court. The anti-government movement had attracted people from across society – including actors, musicians and singers – in the south Asian country of about 170 million people.
During the briefing at army headquarters, Mr Zaman promised an investigation into the deaths.
A curfew was put in place on Monday and offices and factories were closed but protesters have still taken to the streets. Bangladeshi TV channels showed jubilant demonstrators dancing and chanting at locations across Dhaka. – Guardian