Bangladesh to form interim government, confirms Army chief after Sheikh Hasina quits, leaves country amid violent protests

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced the formation of an interim government with the participation of all parties, which will be formed soon. Meanwhile former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina quit and left the country on Monday.

Zaman made the announcement just moments after Sheikh Hasina, who came to power for another term earlier this year by winning a landslide general election, left the country with her sister Sheikh Rehana in a military helicopter.

“After holding a fruitful discussion with all political parties, we have decided to form an interim government. We will speak with President Mohammed Shahabuddin now to resolve the situation,” the Army chief was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.

Flanked by the Naval and Air Force Chiefs, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman says the honourable PM has resigned and that an interim government will take over. pic.twitter.com/Z1pqaUeQoq

— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) August 5, 2024

Despite no official confirmation, a section of the media reported Hasina and her sister arrived in the Indian city of Agartala, the capital of Tripura, after leaving the nation.

Meanwhile, a large number of people stormed into the official residence of the PM after reports emerged that she had left Bangladesh.

After Sunday, Bangladesh continues to witness yet another day of violence and deadly clashes between protesters and police.

A large number of people are reportedly taking out processions in various corners of the country, including in the capital Dhaka city.

At least six people lost their lives during clashes with the police in Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas of the capital city on Monday.

More than 90 people have died in the fresh round of violence which is sweeping across the nation where the protesters are demanding the Prime Minister to resign.

Bangladesh last month witnessed violent protests over the job quota issue.

Hasina, who was the longest-serving PM of the country since independence, earlier blamed the opposition for capitalising on the situation and carrying out deadly attacks in the country.

Stipulating that 93 percent of recruitments will be on merit now, Bangladesh Supreme Court last month scrapped most of the quotas in government jobs that had led to massive protests in July.

Earlier this year, Hasina formed the government for the fourth straight term.