Bangladesh was on the boil again with close to 100 people killed on Sunday as protesters, calling for PM Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, clashed with security forces and supporters of the ruling party. The 76-year-old tendered her resignation and fled the country on Monday. In Dhaka and other states, people were seen celebrating her resignation
People celebrate the resignation of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 5, 2024. Reuters
Bangladesh was on the boil again, with close to 100 people killed on Sunday as protesters, calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, clashed with security forces and supporters of the ruling party. The ‘Students Against Discrimination’ group, which was at the forefront of last month’s job quota protests, is leading the latest demonstrations. ReutersIn this image, people are seen protesting against PM Hasina and her government to demand justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide deadly clashes, in Dhaka. Last month, at least 150 people were killed and thousands injured in violence touched off by student groups protesting against reserved quotas in government jobs. APTelevision visuals showed thousands of people pouring into the streets of the capital Dhaka in jubilation and shouting slogans. Thousands also stormed Hasina’s official residence ‘Ganabhaban’, shouting slogans, pumping fists and showing victory signs. APIn this picture, a mural of Bangladeshi former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seen vandalised by protesters days before in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 5, 2024. ReutersIn this picture, a demonstrator runs next to a vandalised police box during a protest demanding the stepping down of Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, following quota reform protests by students, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. ReutersProtesters in Dhaka also climbed atop a large statue of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father, and began chiselling away at the head with an axe, the visuals showed, according to Reuters, APFirefighters douse a fire engulfing a shopping centre, which was set on fire by protesters in Dhaka. The protests to reform the quota system paused after the Supreme Court scrapped most quotas on July 21. Protesters, however, returned last week, demanding a public apology from Hasina for the violence, the restoration of internet connections, the reopening of college and university campuses and the release of those arrested. APBy the weekend, the demonstrations spiralled into a campaign seeking Hasina’s ouster as demonstrators demanded justice for people killed last month. In this picture, smoke rises from a fire that was set on the street during the protest by students on August 4, 2024. ReutersThe students’ group called for a nationwide non-cooperation movement starting Sunday with a single-point agenda - Hasina must resign. AFPThe protesters blame Hasina’s government for the violence during the protests in July. Hasina’s critics and rights groups have accused her government of using excessive force against protesters, a charge the government denies. ReutersAfter violence erupted again on Sunday, Hasina said that “those who are carrying out violence are not students but terrorists who are out to destabilise the nation.” In this picture, demonstrators stop an ambulance to check whether there are any patients inside before allowing it to leave during the protest on August 4, 2024. ReutersDemonstrators shout slogans after they have occupied a street during a protest demanding the stepping down of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following quota reform protests by students, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 4, 2024. ReutersSheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and fled the country, multiple sources 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. APArmy chief General Waker-Us-Zaman said in a televised address that Hasina 76, had left the country and that an interim government would be formed. Media reports said she had flown in a military helicopter with her sister and was headed to India.Waker-uz-Zaman also promised that the military would stand down, and to launch an investigation into the deadly crackdowns that fueled outrage against the government, and asked citizens for time to restore peace. In this picture, people shake hands with army personnel as they celebrate the resignation of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 5, 2024. Reuters“Keep faith in the military, we will investigate all the killings and punish the responsible,” Waker-uz-Zaman said. “I have ordered that no army and police will indulge in any kind of firing.” “Now, the students’ duty is to stay calm and help us," he added. This picture shows people celebrating the resignation of Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 5, 2024. ReutersThis picture shows people celebrating the resignation of Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 5, 2024. Reuters
 "People celebrate the resignation of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 5, 2024. Reuters")