Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh resigned on Monday and fled the country amid escalating violence and protests. The announcement was made by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman in a televised address, stating that an interim government would be formed. Media reports indicate that Hasina, 76, and her sister were flown out of the country in a military helicopter, reportedly landing in Agartala, the capital of India's northeastern state of Tripura.

The unrest began with student protests against reservation quotas in government jobs, which quickly evolved into a broader campaign demanding Hasina's ouster. The violence has resulted in approximately 300 deaths and thousands of injuries.

Timeline of Events:

July 1, 2024: Blockades Begin

University students-initiated blockades, disrupting roads and railway lines, demanding reforms in the quota system for public sector jobs. They argued that the system favored loyalists of Hasina's ruling Awami League. Despite winning a fifth term in January, Hasina dismissed the protests, claiming students were “wasting their time.”

July 16, 2024: Violence Intensifies

The situation escalated with the first recorded deaths of six people during clashes between protesters and pro-government supporters in Dhaka. In response, Hasina's government closed schools and universities nationwide.

July 18, 2024: PM Hasina Rebuffed

Students rejected Hasina's appeal for calm and continued to demand her resignation. Protesters chanted “down with the dictator” and set fire to the headquarters of Bangladesh Television and other government buildings. The government imposed an internet blackout to curb the unrest. Despite a curfew and the deployment of soldiers, at least 32 people were killed and hundreds injured.

July 21, 2024: Supreme Court Verdict

Bangladesh's Supreme Court ruled against reintroducing job quotas, a decision perceived by critics as aligning with Hasina's government. The verdict failed to satisfy protesters' demands to abolish job reservations for the children of “freedom fighters” from Bangladesh's 1971 independence war.

August 4, 2024: Army Sides with Protesters

In renewed clashes, hundreds of thousands of protesters faced off against government supporters, resulting in 68 deaths, including 14 police officers. Former Army Chief General Ikbal Karim Bhuiyan called for the withdrawal of troops and condemned the killings. Current Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman affirmed that the armed forces “always stood by the people.”

August 5, 2024: Call for 'Final Protest'

Leaders of the civil disobedience campaign urged supporters to converge on Dhaka for a “final protest.” The escalating confrontation culminated in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning and fleeing the capital.

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