Bangladesh Army to Form Interim Govt After Sheikh Hasina’s Resignation & Escape

Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman told the media the military will form an interim government. He also appealed the protesters to return to the path of peace.

End violence, will meet your demands, said Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman Monday to protesters, adding that he will form an interim government after prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the capital in the face of overwhelming protests.

“We will form an interim government,” Waker said in a broadcast to the nation on state television, assuring the protesters that their demands will be met.

“The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence,” he added.

Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister of Bangladesh and fled from the country on Monday afternoon as violent clashes claimed over 300 lives. As per reports, she resigned in a haste as the Bangladesh army forced her to quit her post in 45 minutes.

The violent protests began in Bangladesh late July when students of Dhaka University clashed with police and pro-government counter-protesters.

The protestors were opposed to a controversial quota system, which reserved up to 30 per cent of government jobs for family members of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

The protesting students have announced a “March To Dhaka” programme.

The demonstrations led to a wider anti-government movement across Bangladesh. In response the government declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting 6 pm Sunday.

After the Bangladesh Supreme Court cut the reservations to 5 per cent, student leaders put protests on hold but it again erupted when the government refused to release the arrested leaders. They made the resignation of PM Hasina their main demand.