Army chief said, Sheikh Hasina resigned as Bangladesh Prime Minister, interim government will take over

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman on Monday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned from her post and an interim government will now rule Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s army chief said a political transition was underway and all “killings will be brought to justice.” he/she called on the country’s people to trust the military and called for an immediate end to the nationwide violence.

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

Responding to a question from reporters, the army chief said he/she held a meeting with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami. According to Bangladeshi media reports, teachers Afis Nazrul and Jonayat Saki were also present at the meeting.

Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman said, “Now we will go to Bangabhaban.” There will be detailed discussions about the formation of the interim government. he/she advised the students to remain calm. The army chief also said that there is no need to impose a nationwide curfew or declare a state of emergency in the country.

Earlier, local Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo reported that Sheikh Hasina had left Dhaka in a military helicopter amid nationwide violence. While Bangladeshi media speculated that she might leave for India, there was no independent confirmation on this.

The paper reported that scores of people barged into the prime minister’s official residence, Ganabhaban, following reports that Sheikh Hasina, along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, had left Bangladesh in an army helicopter to a “safe place”. Protesters forced open the gates of the Ganabhaban at around 3pm today and entered the prime minister’s residence premises, the Daily Star reported.

Prothom Alo reported that protesters also attacked and vandalised the residence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi.

Earlier, thousands of people joined the “Dhaka March” programme of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement at Mirpur 10 roundabout and marched towards Farmgate.

On August 3, organisers of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement announced a one-point demand for the resignation of Hasina and members of her cabinet. Nahid Islam, one of the lead organisers, made this demand at a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar.

This announcement by the anti-discrimination student movement comes after Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina urged agitating students to sit with her at the Ganabhaban to end the violence that has been centred around the quota reform protests.