BANGLADESH’S leader has resigned and fled the country in a military helicopter.
Thousands of rioters have stormed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official residence in Dhaka today after weeks of protests.
RexProtesters are blocking a road during a protest in Dhaka[/caption]
RexThe protests began against government job quotas[/caption]
APBangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly fled the country[/caption]
GettyProtesters have taken to the streets in Bangladesh over the past few weeks[/caption]
AFPA burnt vehicle along a street amid the protests today[/caption]
AFPBangladesh army personnel stand guard during a curfew imposed on the country[/caption]
The deadly student demonstrations against the government have seen hundreds of protesters killed by police and a public curfew.
Hasina has now resigned and fled the country in a military helicopter for India.
Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said the army is going to form an interim government with representatives from political parties.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman said protesters should now go home and that the army would find a solution to the crisis.
He said: “We will also ensure that justice is served for every death and crime that occurred during the protests.”
It is not yet clear who will head the new government.
Footage showed protesters storming the Prime Minister’s palace, named Ganabhaban, and stealing soft furnishings, paperwork, and clothes.
Protests against government job quotas have rocked the country for weeks, leaving many dead.
At least 95 people, including at least 14 police officers, were killed in clashes on Sunday, according to local news, with hundreds more injured.
On Sunday the internet had been cut in the country but connectivity returned Monday.
The government had heavily limited it over the course of the protests as it sought to cut the protesters off from each other.
Neighbour India has issued a “high alert” along its border with the nation of 170m people.
Why were there anti-government protests in Bangladesh?
Student demonstrations began last month with protesters demanding how government jobs are distributed.
An old quota system gave families of independence war veterans with Pakistan and other groups preference of the coveted government jobs.
The students said unfair system should change, with the government and its supporters initially trying to crush the protests.
Bangladesh, a former British colony, is one of the least developed countries but has a population of 171m people.
The protests became widespread and turned into street battles with the police, army, and supporters of the government.
Around 300 were killed as the continued and tens of thousands have been injured.
Protesters demands eventually changed to an end of the government, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the government today.
AFPHasina addresses the media at a vandalised metro station last month[/caption]
AlamyProtesters demanded an end to the government[/caption]
RexStreet battles unfolded as government supporters battled protesters[/caption]
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