Bangladesh violent uprising makes PM Hasina resign and flee country

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country after the most violent riots in Bangladesh’s history as an independent nation. Army Chief General Waker-Us-Zaman announced on television that Hasina, 76, had left, and an interim government would be formed. Media reports suggest she flew to India with her sister, landing in Agartala, Tripura, though these reports have not been verified.

In Dhaka, thousands celebrated in the streets and stormed Hasina's official residence, Ganabhaban, looting, cheering and making victory signs. Protesters also defaced a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father. The unrest followed a call for a march to the capital, defying a nationwide curfew, after nearly 100 people died in clashes the previous day. Violence started last month over demands to abolish a controversial job quota system and escalated into calls for Hasina’s removal, after she secured a fourth term following a boycotted January election.