Protesters in Bangladesh on Monday set fire to several buildings associated with the Awami League party and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who quit her post and fled the country in the afternoon.
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 pulling down a large statue of the Founder of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Sheikh Hasina.
Thousands of people were seen pouring into the streets of the capital Dhaka in jubilation and shouting slogans.
Thousands stormed into Sheikh Hasina’s official residence ‘Ganabhaban’. They were seen lying on the bed and rifling through the furniture of the drawing room of the former PM’s residence. Some could be seen carrying away televisions, chairs and tables from what was one of the most protected buildings in the country.
Former five-time PM Sheikh Hasina resigned and left Bangladesh on Monday afternoon, accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, the Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman confirmed in a national broadcast. She reached India from where she plans to go to London, according to reports.
Sheikh Hasina had apparently intended to record a speech before her departure but did not get the opportunity to do so.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called upon the countrymen to remain peaceful. In a statement, he said a good meeting has been held with the Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman.
The army chief announced that an interim government would be formed in the country.
