Prime Minister fled

Bangladesh: 300 killed in anti-government protest

Escalation in Bangladesh

(Bild: AP)

Following violent protests in Bangladesh, head of government Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country. The conflict has been escalating since Sunday, with demonstrators storming the seat of government on Monday. More than 300 protesters lost their lives in the bloody clashes.

On Monday, television footage showed thousands of people entering the government palace in the capital Dhaka. They then begin to celebrate and wave to the cameras. According to sources close to the head of government, she had previously left the palace. 

The newspaper "Prothom Alo" reported that Hasina was on her way to India in a military helicopter. According to sources close to her, the Prime Minister had gone "to a safer place" together with her sister. Hasina had wanted to record a speech, but no longer had the opportunity to do so.

This video is supposed to show Hasina's escape from Bangladesh:

Army chief announces "caretaker government"
Bangladesh's army chief Waker-uz-Zaman confirmed the resignation of the head of government. A "caretaker government" will now be formed, he announced on Monday in a speech to the nation broadcast on state television. The situation in the country was explosive, Justice Minister Anisul Huq told Reuters news agency. 

A day after renewed violent clashes during protests against Hasina in Bangladesh left 94 people dead on Sunday alone, the total death toll has now risen to at least 300. The AFP news agency announced the death toll on Monday based on reports from the police, doctors in hospitals and officials.

In the capital Dhaka, numerous soldiers and police officers patrolled important streets on Monday and barricaded the roads leading to the seat of Prime Minister Hasina. "Those who are now protesting on the streets are not students, they are terrorists who want to destabilize our nation," Hasina said. 

Internet shut down across the country
Over the course of Sunday, demonstrators blocked important roads and students demanded the resignation of the government. The police used tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators. The internet was cut off throughout the country.

The demonstrations, which began in July in protest against a quota system for the civil service and in which hundreds of thousands of people took part on Sunday, are now aimed at the resignation of Hasina, who has been in office since 2009, and her cabinet.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

(Bild: APA/EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA/POOL)

Film stars also support the movement
People from all walks of life have now joined the protest movement, including film stars, well-known musicians and former generals who have expressed their support. Forty-seven companies from the textile industry, which is important for the country's economy, have also expressed their solidarity with the demonstrators. It remains to be seen whether the army will support the protesters or continue to stand by Hasina.

Serious accusations against the government
The 76-year-old head of government was confirmed in office in January in an election that was boycotted by a large part of the opposition. Among other things, her government is accused of abusing state institutions to maintain its own power and suppressing government critics - including the extrajudicial killing of opposition figures.

Tens of thousands of arrests during student protests
At least 150 people had already died in the violence in July. Around 10,000 people were arrested by the police. Students had protested against quota regulations for the allocation of jobs in the public sector. Although these were then largely overturned by a court, the students are now demanding justice for the families of those who were killed during the protests. Critics of Hasina accuse the government of excessive violence in suppressing the protests. The government rejects this.