At least 27 killed in Bangladesh clashes, government declares curfew
NBCJUL 21 2024
Following weeks of protest in which hundreds were killed, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country, the country's army chief confirmed on Monday.
Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman told reporters: "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."
A source close to Hasina said she fled by military helicopter after protestors ignored a national curfew on Monday and stormed her palace in the capital of Dhaka. Unconfirmed reports suggested she fled to neighboring India.
After 15 years in charge, Hasina's grip on power in the country looked unshakeable. No one could have seen these events coming, even in spite of the recent protests that gripped the country.
Rights groups have for years warned about Hasina's growing autocratic tendencies that included jailing and killing opposition activists. After the killing of 300 people, it was just a matter of time before people stood up and demanded her deposition.