Amid Bangladesh’s escalating political crisis, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with her sister, has left the capital, Dhaka, due to security fears. Reports have emerged that protestors have marched inside the Gono Bhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
A senior advisor to PM Hasina earlier said that her resignation is a “possibility” when asked if she would quit. Unconfirmed reports suggest that she may have already resigned from her post.
Army chief Waqar-uz-Zaman of Bangladesh is scheduled to address the nation at 4 p.m. local time on Monday.
What is happening in Bangladesh?
1) The country is engulfed in a civil war-like situation, with thousands demanding Hasina’s resignation a day after deadly clashes rocked the country, killing nearly 100 people.
2) At least six people were killed in fresh violence today as clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in the Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas, according to local media reports from The Daily Star newspaper.
3) Student activists are among the thousands of protesters who called for a “Long March to Dhaka” demanding Hasina’s resignation. A nationwide call to join the march prompted the Hasina government to order a complete internet shutdown in the country.
4) Leading Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo reported that while broadband internet was ordered to be restored around 1:15 a.m., there were no instructions about the mobile internet connection.
5) Armed security personnel were spotted patrolling the streets of the capital on Monday.
7) The protests came to a halt after the country’s top court scrapped most quotas on July 21. However, they resumed last week as the public sough Hasina’s apology for the violence.
First Published: Aug 05 2024 | 3:11 PM IST