A raft of violent protesters, carrying flags and celebrating in jubilation, with some even dancing atop tanks, breached the gates of Hasina’s official residence after she fled the country amid ongoing protests.
#BanglaSpring2024
— Sultan Mohammed Zakaria (@smzakaria) August 5, 2024
The Bangladeshi people are taking over #SheikhHasina's residence. A historic moment as they reclaim the place from where illegal orders were made to murder them. pic.twitter.com/5sLcS9Q8cK
Hasina resigned and left the country on Monday, confirmed Army Chief Waker uz Zaman, who added that an interim government will assume power.
According to reports, Hasina’s chopper landed in Agartala, India, after the Indian government nodded to her request for her entry into India.
Meanwhile, protesters were seen stealing sarees, utensils, and other things from Hasina’s residence.
Protesters steal sarees, utensils from Sheikh Hasina’s home in Dhaka pic.twitter.com/nhS2ep1gMD
— Akshita Nandagopal (@Akshita_N) August 5, 2024
Before the breach, Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, based in the US, urged the country’s security forces via Facebook to prevent any takeover of her 15-year rule.
“You must keep our people and country safe and uphold the constitution,” he wrote. “This means not allowing any unelected government to come into power, even for a minute.”
Bangladesh has been in the throes of protests and violence since last month as student groups demanded the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs. These protests escalated into a broader campaign seeking the ouster of Hasina, who secured a fourth consecutive term in January after an election boycotted by the opposition.
On Sunday, at least 91 people were killed and hundreds were injured amid widespread violence across the country, marking the deadliest day of the unrest.
Nationwide, protesters and government supporters clashed with sticks and knives, and security forces opened fire.
According to an AFP tally based on information from police, government officials, and hospital doctors, the total death toll since the protests began in early July had reached at least 300.
Waker, addressing officers on Saturday, emphasised that the military had “always stood by the people,” as per an official statement.
In January 2007, the military declared an emergency following widespread political unrest and installed a military-backed caretaker government for two years.
