Hasina quits as PM, flies abroad

Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and "fled the country" Monday amid a unique student-mass upsurge against her iron rule for over 15 years in a row.
A national consensus government of Bangladesh is poised to take over for the interim period as an immediate stop-gap measure, backed by the army.
Euphoric rejoicing hails the triumph of the uprising as people poured into Dhaka streets after the fall of the government while many swarmed into the Ganobhaban PM office and the national parliament building-in scenes many said "never seen before". Similar celebrations took place in most other places of the country.
Campaigners who had led over a month-long job-quota reform movement, later renamed nine-point Anti-discrimination Movement which finally culminated into a one-point oust-government agitation, likened it to a fresh "victory of independence war".
Barely a day before, over a hundred people were killed and around a thousand others injured as the protesters enforced an 'all-out noncooperation' movement against the government of Sheikh Hasina who started her fourth straight term last January through an opposition-boycotted election.
The worst bloodletting in clashes between the demonstrators, and government supporters and law-enforcers on July 18 that left over 200 dead appalled all-and the 'student power' movement climaxed with wider participation from all strata of society.
Riding the crest of mass support, the campaigners Sunday declared a student-people 'march on Dhaka', the power centre, for Monday in defiance of a government clampdown with reinforced nationwide curfew and military deployment.
"The morning hours wore a deceptive calm. As the day drew near noon, a sea of crowds was suddenly seen zeroing in on downtown Dhaka," says a firsthand report initially based on few television footages.
And in fast developments behinds scenes, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who took over only recently, showed up in public appearance with the announcement: 'The prime minister has resigned."
The disclosure came after Sheikh Hasina had left the country along with family members. Reports said she flew to Agartala, for a layover, en-route for exile somewhere in India. According to an NDTV report, the ousted premier arrived in New Delhi on Monday afternoon and she might seek asylum in the UK.
"Today the country gets freedom for a second time," a woman walking in a mass victory march along the Shahbag streets along with her school-going son told this correspondent.
The army chief also conveyed that the armed forces took the responsibility to ensure justice for every incident of killing and injustice to ensure peace and stability in the country.
"We have decided to form an interim government which will run the country," General Waker said after an exhaustive discussion with top leaders of different political parties, bar the Awami League party of Sheikh Hasina, in the army headquarters.
None from the beleaguered Awami League did show up at the meeting on the cusp of transition in state power.
In an emotion-choked voice the army chief urged the protesters to go back home and to refrain from any kind of violent activities
"I am taking the responsibility to protect people's life and property, and if you cooperate with the armed forces, we'll be able to bring back peace and restore discipline," said the general, reminding all that nothing can be achieved through violence.
The army chief was at the Bangabhaban to meet the President regarding the formation of the interim government.
The former prime minister, sworn in to a fourth straight term on January 10 this year, boasted at a gathering of the business community a few days ago that 'Sheikh Hasina never flees country'.
Ironically, she had to take the course in a disgraced exit as she lost the backing of both the armed forces, and civil administration, sources said, adding that the international pressure was also mounting on the government on the heels of unprecedented bloodshed across the country leaving around 400 people dead since the second week of July.
The resignation of the all-powerful prime minister followed the appearances of hundreds of people on the roads of the capital and elsewhere violating the curfew imposed on Sunday - the second day of the non-cooperation movement called by the students to realise their one-point demand aimed at unseating Sheikh Hasina.
People across the country also came down to the streets and violence took place in many places on Monday before the dust settled. In Jatrabari area in the capital, three people were killed in clashes between police and protesters.
The army was rolled out on Sunday evening but none of them engaged with the protesters, rather, they concentrated more on maintaining the curfew rules since the early morning.
But, since 12 noon, policemen had been found retreating from their positions in many places and around 1 pm it was announced through the mass media that the army chief will address the nation at 2 pm.
As soon as the news that Prime Minister Hasina and her family members left the country started flashing on some media outlets, people in their thousands, from all walks of life, rushed to her official residence, Ganabhaban. Some of them looted goods and valuables from different rooms of the prime minister's official residence, witnesses said. However, the students posted outside the Ganobhaban managed to take away the looted goods.
Some marauders also allegedly stormed into the official residence premises of the Chief Justice.
Opposition BNP and its allies extended their 'all out support' to the movement launched Saturday.
Earlier, the countrywide protests by the students began in July with a call to abolish quota system from the government services. Though initially the protest was peaceful, it turned violent when the student and youth outfits of the ruling party started swooping on the protesters in the third week of July.
Since then on, clashes continued to erupt across the country, prompting the government to impose curfew across the country.
In the meantime, the government conceded to the demand of the students and in line with a Supreme Court verdict issued a gazette notification reducing the quota to 7.0 per cent.
But, at the same time, the government started a witch-hunt and law- enforcers nabbed hundreds of students across the country though it promised not to harass any.
Most shockingly, the coordinators of the movement were picked up and allegedly tortured by plainclothes police and later they were produced in the office of the detective branch in the city.
The DB claimed that they were taken there for their safety but later they were forced to issue a statement which said the movement was called off.
Apparently, this crackdown backfired and prompted the students to re-launch their movement more vigorously as general people were highly disturbed to see such a "tyranny".
Meanwhile, ruling Awami League student wing Chhatra League with help of law-enforcing agencies attacked students' peaceful protests in Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University and other educational institutions that fanned fire of strife across the country further.
The death of Abu Sayeed, coordinator of Rangpur Begum Rokeya University, died as police shot pointblank into his chest.
The death of Sayeed infuriated students across the country and they started capturing the streets.
Police, RAB, BGB and Awami League and its wings like Chhatra League, Jubo League were in counteraction.
After placing the nine-point demand, the death of hundreds forced them into a one-point urgency to remove the Sheikh Hasina government.
The movement gained momentum following a series of protests and civil unrest, where demonstrators demanded an end to what they described as dictatorial rule.
"The day will be remembered as a historic moment in the country's history, drawing comparisons to the nation's independence," said Rashid Haider, 65, a resident of Rampura in the city, who came to Shahbagh area on the day with his granddaughter.
As news of the resignation went flying, at noon an outpouring of emotion swept across the country.
Spontaneous celebrations erupted in cities and towns, but the epicentre of the festivities was Shahbagh, Dhaka University and adjacent areas.
"The capital looked like a human sea-all united in their desire for a new chapter in the nation's history," says an eyewitness account of the scenes.
Dhaka, a city accustomed to bustling crowds, witnessed something extraordinary Monday. Streets were filled with people waving flags, singing songs of freedom, and chanting slogans for democracy. The city's iconic landmarks, including the Central Shaheed Minar, were illuminated with colourful lights as symbols of hope and new beginnings.
"Men, women, senior citizens, children of all ages participated in the festivities, with many expressing a profound sense of relief and optimism for the future. The scenes were reminiscent of the celebrations on December 16, 1971, when Bangladesh achieved its independence," Nibedita Saha, a resident from older part of the city, said.
The resignation of Sheikh Hasina marks the end of a significant era in Bangladesh's political landscape.
Experts say having led the country for over 15 years, her tenure was marked by both economic development and increasing criticism for her government's approach to civil liberties and political opposition.
The events leading up to her resignation were fuelled by a growing discontent among the population, particularly after recent crackdowns on dissent and alleged electoral fraud, they said.
The situation reached a boiling point in the last few weeks, with student protests and mass rallies becoming a daily occurrence.
Among the millions gathered in Dhaka, the sentiments were clear. "This is not just about one leader stepping down; it's about reclaiming our democracy," says Nahid Islam, one of the key student coordinators of the protest.
Sarjis Islam, another coordinator, says: "We are here to ensure that the future of our country is in the hands of its people."
"We want a government that listens to us, that values our rights and freedoms," says Farida Begum, a teacher who travelled from Munshiganj to be part of the historic occasion.
As the celebrations continue, questions remain about the future leadership of Bangladesh. With Sheikh Hasina stepping down, the nation faces a crucial period of transition.
Political analysts are watching closely to see how the power vacuum is filled and what shape the next government takes.
For now, though, the mood is one of triumph and anticipation. The people of Bangladesh have made their voices heard, and today, they celebrate not just a resignation but the promise of a new beginning.
Prof Golam Hafiz Kennedy of Bangladesh Agricultural University says the events of August 5, 2024 will be etched in the collective memory of the nation as a turning point - a moment when millions stood together to shape their destiny.
"As the day draws to a close, the streets of Dhaka remain alive with the echoes of celebration, signalling the dawn of a new era for Bangladesh," he adds.

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