Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country on Monday, media reports said, as more people were killed in some of the worst violence since the birth of the South Asian nation more than five decades ago.
She has left Dhaka Palace with her sister for a safe place following fresh protests demanding her resignation, news agency AFP reported.
According to reports, she is taking “safe shelter” away from her residence.
As many as 100 people, including at least 14 police officers, died in clashes in Dhaka on Sunday.
The demonstrations began in Bangladesh with students seeking to end a quota system for government jobs.
In light of the recent surge in violence in Bangladesh that has resulted in at least 300 deaths, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina departed the country.
Additionally, the Army Chief, Waker-uz-Zaman, addressed the nation today saying that an interim govenrment will be formed soon.
Nearly 300 people have lost their lives during weeks of protests that the authorities have been trying to suppress.
After a night of intense violence on Sunday, which claimed nearly 100 lives, tensions remained high on Monday as protesters planned a march on Dhaka and the army prepared to address the nation.
By early afternoon, however, reports indicated that the atmosphere on the streets had shifted to one of celebration following news of Hasina’s resignation.
In his national address, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff, called on citizens to trust the army, which would restore peace to the country.
“We will investigate all the killings that have occurred over the past few weeks,” he stated, confirming that the prime minister has resigned and an interim government will now take charge. He also mentioned that he would be meeting with the president.
National television images showed crowds storming the prime minister’s official residence and large groups of protesters celebrating in the streets as news of Hasina’s departure spread, according to Al Jazeera.
The clashes on the streets of Bangladesh intensified on Sunday, bringing the death toll to at least 300, according to an AFP report. No official statement has been released on the matter yet.
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