Bangladesh Prime Minister fled to India
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly resigns and flees to India. Thousands of people are said to have stormed her office. There have been bloody protests in the country for days.
Protesters critical of the government in Bangladesh stormed the office of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Television footage shows thousands of people entering the government palace in the capital, Dhaka. The prime minister had reportedly left the premises earlier. Footage from Channel 24 showed thousands of protesters entering Hasina's palace, then celebrating and waving at cameras.
Earlier, the news agency AFP reported that Hasina and her sister had moved to a safer location. She had intended to record a speech but was unable to do so.
Hasina has been facing mass protests since last month, with violent clashes occurring. According to an AFP count, at least 300 people have been killed, with 94 deaths on Sunday alone.
The protests, which began in July against a quota system, have now escalated to demand the resignation of Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, and her cabinet. The protest movement has gained support from people from all walks of life, including film stars, musicians, and former generals. Even 47 textile companies, crucial to the country's economy, have shown solidarity with the protesters. It remains to be seen whether the military will support the protesters or continue to back Hasina.
The 76-year-old prime minister was re-elected in January in an election boycotted by a large part of the opposition. Her government is accused of abusing state institutions to maintain power and suppressing government critics, even resorting to extrajudicial killings of opposition figures.
The prime minister's resignation and departure to India have not been officially confirmed, but reports suggest that she left her 'Headquarters' before the office was stormed. Despite the chaos, protesters have called for their demands to be addressed at the 'Headquarters', indicating their dissatisfaction with the current leadership.
