The military on Monday took over the reins of power Bangladesh. This followed the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the seat of power after weeks of deadly protests.
With the military announcing the formation of an interim government, the 15-year rule of PM Hasina came to an end.
Recall that the PM had since early July, sought to quell nationwide protests against her government. But she fled after a brutal day of unrest on Sunday in which nearly 100 people were killed.
This was contained in a statement in a nationwide broadcast by the Bangladesh’s army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman. Speaking on the state television on Monday, Waker-Uz-Zaman said Hasina had resigned and the military would form an interim government.
He said, “The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed. It is time to stop the violence.”
“I hope after my speech, the situation will improve,” he said.
The army chief informed that he would talk to the President to form a caretaker government.
He also stated that he had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members. He, however, excluded Hasina’s Awami League.
PM Hasina, 76, fled the country by helicopter, a source close to the leader told AFP. That was shortly after protesters had stormed her palace in Dhaka.
“The source said she left first by motorcade but was then flown out, without giving her destination,” AFP said.
However, jubilant crowds had waved flags, some dancing on top of a tank in the streets on Monday morning. Before hundreds broke through the gates of Hasina’s official residence, AFP stated.
“Bangladesh’s Channel 24 broadcast images of crowds running into the compound, waving to the camera. This is even as they celebrated, looting furniture and books, with others relaxing on beds.
“Others smashed a statue of Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s independence hero.
However, the Director of the South Asia Institute at the Washington-based Wilson Center, Michael Kugelman, has warned that Hasina’s departure “would leave a major vacuum”.
He said, “If it’s a peaceful transition, with an interim set-up taking over until elections are held, then stability risks would be modest, and the consequences would be limited.”
“But if there is a violent transition or a period of uncertainty, that could risk more destabilization and problems inside and outside.”
Recall that the PM’s son had earlier urged security forces to block any takeover. But shortly after, the protesters stormed the palace compound.
“It means you don’t allow any unelected government to come in power for one minute. It is your duty,” her son, US-based Sajeeb Wazed Joy, said in a post on Facebook.
According to AFP, security forces had supported Hasina’s government throughout the unrest. The unrest began last month against civil service job quotas and then escalated into wider calls for her to stand down.
“At least 94 people were killed on Sunday, including 14 police officers, the deadliest day of the unrest.
“Protesters and government supporters countrywide battled each other with sticks and knives. This is even as security forces opened fire.
“The day’s violence took the total number of people killed since protests began in early July to at least 300, according to an AFP tally based on police. The figure also tallied with that of government officials and doctors at hospitals.
source: Channels TV
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U