Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to neighbouring India on Monday, August 5, following weeks of protests that turned into violent unrest. Hasina, 76, fled as thousands of protesters stormed her official residence in the capital Dhaka, Reuters reported. Videos showed protesters carrying looted furniture and TVs, among other things taken from her residence. Hundreds of people have been killed in the demonstrations that began as protests against job quotas before the protesters started asking Hasina to step down. ALSO READ: Bangladesh begins investigation into deadly container depot fire Hasina was Bangladesh’s longest serving prime minister, having assumed office in 2009 for a second stint. She won a fourth term as prime minister in January. Media reports in India said an aircraft carrying Hasina landed at Hindon Air Base near New Delhi. She was on board a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft which landed at the base in Ghaziabad. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced Hasina's resignation in a televised address to the nation and said an interim government would be formed. He called for peace and promised justice for those killed in weeks of unrest. He said he had held talks with leaders of major political parties - excluding Hasina's long-ruling Awami League - and would soon meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin to discuss the way ahead. “The country is going through a revolutionary period,” said Zaman, 58, who had taken over as army chief only on June 23. He asked the protesters to “give us some time” to “solve all the problems.” “Please don't go back to the path of violence and please return to non-violent and peaceful ways,” he said.
