On August 5, the media reported that Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the capital Dhaka amid massive protests demanding her resignation on the same day.

Bangladesh's Channel 24 broadcast footage of crowds storming the prime minister's official residence in Dhaka, waving to television cameras in a show of celebration. At least 20 people were killed in the violence in the capital, Dhaka.

Speaking on the afternoon of August 5, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of the General Staff of the Bangladesh Army, confirmed that Ms. Hasina had left the country and that an interim government would temporarily run Bangladesh. He said the army would soon meet with the President of Bangladesh to discuss in detail the formation of an interim government. At the same time, he emphasized that there was no need to impose a curfew or declare a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, India's ANI news agency, citing multiple diplomatic sources, said that the Bangladesh Air Force C-130 carrying Sheikh Hasina landed at the Hindon Air Force Base near the Indian capital New Delhi to refuel on its way to London, England. In light of the complicated situation in the neighboring country, India has suspended all rail services with Bangladesh. Private airline Air India has also announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned amid a wave of deaths following some of the worst violence since the South Asian nation was founded more than five decades ago. Protests in Bangladesh began in July, led by student groups over job quotas for civil servants. They have since escalated into an anti-government movement demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down after 15 years in power. At least 91 people were killed and hundreds injured on August 4 amid a wave of violence across the country of 170 million people.

HAPPY CHI