Bangladesh violence: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns, flees to Agartala

GUWAHATI, Aug 5: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country on Monday in the wake of the violence, the worst the country has seen since its birth five decades ago. The special military helicopter carrying Hasina has landed in Agartala, top sources told News Live.

Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka with her sister, and the chopper carrying her has landed at the BSF Salbagan camp near Agartala.

Hasina was forced to quit after massive protests against her government over a controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971.

Protesters, meanwhile, stormed the Prime Minister’s palace in Dhaka as TV channels beamed images of crowds running into the premier’s official residence in the capital.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Army Chief said an interim government will be formed to rule the country.