Sheikh Hasina flees Bangladesh; protesters storm her residence, Chief Justice’s residence vandalised

Protests and vandalism hit the streets of Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Monday, the day after Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and left the country amid weeks of student-led protests that later turned violent.

Visuals broadcast on TV, local media and social media platforms showed people vandalising Sheikh Hasina’s official residence and taking away food items.

People were also seen breaking into Parliament House and looting items.

The 76-year-old leader left the country with his/her sister in a military helicopter, shortly after Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman urged protesters to renounce violence. The army chief announced that an interim government would be formed soon.

The protests, which were mainly carried out by students demanding the abolition of the quota system for government jobs, turned into an uprising against Hasina and her ruling Awami League party. At least 95 people, including at least 14 police officers, were killed and hundreds injured in clashes in Dhaka on Sunday, local media outlet Prothom Alo reported.

Protesters also set fire to Sheikh Hasina’s informal residence, Sudha Sadan, in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi, the country’s leading Bengali-language daily newspaper, Pratham Alo, said.

“Sudha Sadan was vandalised at around 5:30 pm today. Fire was also set inside the house. People took out their belongings from the house and fled,” the Bangladeshi daily said.

Prothom Alo also reported that the residence of the Chief Justice of the country was also vandalised. Several people were seen scaling the wall and entering the residence of the Chief Justice at 19 Hare Road.

According to media reports, screams could be heard from inside and there were also reports of vandalism.

Meanwhile, protests and celebrations were also reported from other parts of Dhaka, where some protesters were celebrating the news of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.

Protesters also set fire to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum at 32 Dhanmondi, local media outlet Prothom Alo reported.

According to reports, a huge fire broke out and anti-government slogans were raised. Protesters also set fire to the Dhaka district office of the Awami League, which is led by Sheikh Hasina.

Local media also ran visuals of protesters damaging the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina’s father, known as Bangabandhu, who led the country’s fight for independence from Pakistan.

The agitators started a fire at around 4 pm today and the fire spread to a nearby gas cylinder shop.

Earlier, scores of protesters entered Ganabhaban, the official residence of the prime minister, after reports emerged that Sheikh Hasina had fled Dhaka after resigning from her post.

Prothom Alo reported that protesters were seen raising their hands and cheering at the Ganabhaban grounds. They were chanting slogans. Earlier in the day, thousands of people took to the streets of Dhaka as part of the ‘Long March to Dhaka’ program called by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement to demand the resignation of the government.

Meanwhile, security agencies in India have started monitoring a C-130 aircraft, with call sign AJAX1431, as it was flying close to the Indian border. Sources said the plane was headed to Delhi. Sheikh Hasina and some members of her entourage are believed to be on board the plane, sources said. The plane is expected to land on the Delhi runway at around 1700-1715 hrs.

Earlier, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman said Sheikh Hasina, who was elected for an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in January this year, has resigned as Prime Minister.

In his/her televised address, the army chief said that a political transition period is now underway and an interim government will be formed. he/she said that “all the killings will be brought to justice.” he/she also called on people to have faith in the army and stay away from violence.

The Army Chief told the people, “Maintain peace and order in the country. You trust me, let us all work together. Please help, we will not get anything by fighting. Avoid conflict. Together we have built a beautiful country.”

Responding to a question from reporters, the army chief said he/she had met representatives of the BNP, Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami. Teachers Afis Najrul and Jonad Saki were also present at the meeting. However, student representatives could not be contacted.

Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman said, “We will now go to Bangabhaban. There will be detailed discussions about the formation of the interim government.”