Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-uz-Zaman Monday addressed the nation shortly after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country. Announcing that she had resigned, Zaman said that the country is currently facing a political crisis, even as he assured that all murders would be investigated and justice will be served.
He urged the public to have faith in the armed forces, and said he has had discussions with leaders of various political parties.
"I'm taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate," the army chief said in a televised address.
Sheikh Hasina, who has left for New Delhi, is likely to head to Europe after a brief stop at the Indian capital. As news of Hasina’s departure spread, hundreds broke into Hasina’s residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests that have killed more than 100 people in the last two days.
The Army chief said he had met political leaders and told them the Army would take over responsibility for law and order. There were no leaders from Hasina's Awami League party present at the meeting.
Hasina was recently re-elected for a record fourth consecutive term and fifth overall term in the 12th general election held in January, amid a boycott by the opposition parties.
More than 300 people have been killed in the protests against the Hasina government over the last two days.
As protests spiralled across the country, the army chief said he had asked both Army and police not to fire any shots.
He also urged restraint and asked protesters to end the violence. He vowed justice for all the people. Soon after the army chief's announcement, hundreds of people took to the streets, celebrating Hasina's ouster.
After hours of uncertainty in a day of sudden developments, Hasina landed at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad near New Delhi on her way to London, diplomatic sources in the Indian capital said. She arrived in India in a C-130J military transport aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force.