Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman will hold direct talks with student and teacher representatives soon, the army’s media wing announced on Monday evening, hours after the army chief announced the setting up of an interim government as PM Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid massive violent anti-government protests.
The Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) on Monday evening announced that the Army Chief would be holding talks with student and teacher representatives.
On Monday afternoon, Sheikh Hasina submitted her resignation to the President and left the country on board a military helicopter, accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana.
Subsequently, the army took over the responsibility.
Earlier at around 4pm in a briefing, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and left the country, during an emergency meeting at the Cantonment in the capital.
He said that an interim government would be formed to run the country.
He assured that he has taken the responsibility for the safety of the public and urged people not to be disheartened, promising that all their demands will be fulfilled.
According to reports, Sheikh Hasina’s helicopter landed at the Hindon air base near Delhi, India, in the evening.
Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Sanjay Chopra received Sheikh Hasina at the air base, reports said.
The Indian Air Force and security agencies closely monitored her aircraft from the moment it entered Indian airspace until it landed at Air Force Station Hindon.
Sheikh Hasina plans to go to London, UK, reports said.
Sheikh Hasina had apparently intended to record a speech before her departure but did not get the opportunity to do so.
Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters stormed Sheikh Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, and raided its premises. Visuals were seen of student protesters lying on her bed, taking away furniture, and even geese, rabbits from her garden and fish from the large pond in the premises.
Protesters set fire to several buildings associated with the Awami League party and former long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Protesters set fire to the Bangabandhu Bhaban, also known as the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, at Dhanmondi and the Awami League president’s office. Protestors also set fire to the Awami League Dhaka district office.
Visuals on TV and social media showed protesters chipping away at a large metal statue of the Founder of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Sheikh Hasina, and trying to pull it down.
Thousands of people were seen pouring into the streets of the capital Dhaka in jubilation and shouting slogans.
Images showed flames billowing from vehicles near the prime minister’s home, with police unable to contain throngs of people storming it.
Meanwhile, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the main gateway of the country by air, has been closed.
Group Captain Kamrul Islam, executive director, (HSIA), said all operations at the airport were shut temporarily.
Students Against Discrimination, the student’s body spearheading the strike, said they will present the outline of a national government at 8 pm.
Protestors also vandalised the residence of the chief justice.
A number of people were climbing the boundary wall of the chief justice’s residence at Hare Road No 19.
Dhaka University Prof Asif Nazrul on Monday urged people and students to have patience and maintain discipline in Bangladesh.
At the same time, he also assured of moving forward in the right direction, saying great news awaits as per the aspirations of the students and people.
He made the call in a video message posted on his Facebook page on Monday.
“We are now in a discussion with the Army chief. It seems to me that he has understood the aspirations and expectations of our students and people,” he said.
“I hope there is great news for you. I also request the students, the public and the youth to maintain peace and patience. This country is ours. From now on, we will move in the right direction,” he added.
Bangladesh erupted in massive anti-government protests over a 30 pc quota in government jobs for descendants of freedom fighters, which was scaled down to five percent last month following protests. However, the protesters began demanding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, which happened today.
