DHAKA – Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday resigned and left the country amid the violence that has gripped the country for around two weeks, claiming around 300 lives.

She has fled to India and landed in Agartala [the capital city of the northeastern state of Tripura], BBC reported.

On the other hand, thousands of people later stormed the official residence of Bangladeshi prime minister in Dhaka.

Footage aired by different TV channels show a large number of protesters looting precious items from the building.

Bangladesh has witnessed the worst violence in its history, as police and security forces used lethal weapons against protesters in different cities and towns across the country.

THE REPLACEMENT

Gen Waker-uz-Zaman, the Bangladesh army chief, addressed the nation after having consultations with the various “stakeholders”.

He asked the citizens to keep trust in the army, promising bring peace to the country, as he announced formation of an interim government to manage the state affairs.

“We will form an interim government,” Zaman said, adding that Sheikh Hasina had resigned.

He said, “We will investigate all killings that have happened over the past few weeks.”

“I am taking full responsibility,” the general said, dressed in military fatigues and cap, although it was not immediately clear if he would head a caretaker government.

“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.

“I hope, after my speech, the situation will improve.”

He said he would talk to the president to form the interim government and had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members – but not the Awami League, the party inherited by Hasina Wajid from her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

THE JOB QUOTA PROTESTS

Bangladesh plunged into a political turmoil despite an impressive growth rate during the last two decades. However, the widening rich and poor divide laid the foundations for social unrest that erupted suddenly with the protests over job quota.

Bangladesh plunged into a political turmoil despite an impressive growth rate during the last two decades. However, the widening rich and poor divide led the basis for social unrest that erupted with the protests over job quota.

The South Asian nation is now a major global manufacturing hub for textile industry. It led to top fashion houses and other companies preferring Bangladesh for cheap labor.

Previously, the textile workers had opted for industrial action and violent protests over lower wages. It resulted in some pray raise, although way below the expectations.

THE DICTATORSHIP

But it is the autocratic approach adopted by Hasina Wajid that produced a government which didn’t pay attention to public sentiments and demands.

Hence, media curbs became a norm while rival political parties like Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia and Jamaat-e-Islami facing a constant crackdown.