Bangladesh Unrest: How Weeks Of Protest Toppled Sheikh Hasina From Power
Former PM Sheikh Hasina fled the country in a military aircraft and landed in India on Monday. She will eventually leave for London, and has reportedly sought asylum from the UK.
As Sheikh Hasina flew out of her besieged country, hundreds of protesters stormed her official residence in Dhaka. Viral videos subsequently showed the protesters purportedly lying in her bed, eating food kept in the house, stealing clothes and flashing women's innerwear stolen from the residence.
After Hasina fled, the military announced it would form an interim government before fresh elections are held to return to civilian rule.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin has dissolved the country's parliament, formed after a controversial election that secured a fourth consecutive term for Hasina earlier this year, and ordered the release of Opposition leader and former PM Khaleda Zia, who has been under house arrest.
Shahabuddin has also ordered the release of all the students arrested during the protests, which have reportedly led to over 400 fatalities. The Hasina government's crackdown on the protests is said to have aggravated and intensified the agitation.
One of the most shocking visuals to emerge from Bangladesh since Monday is the widespread attack on statues of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Credited as the father of Bangladesh for his role in the struggle for liberation, he is the father of Sheikh Hasina. He was assassinated in 1975, along with most of his family members.
The protests, which mark one of the most violent episodes in Bangladesh history, followed allegations of autocratic rule against the Hasina government.
A charred vehicle on a Dhaka street. Bangladesh protesters targeted several establishments associated with Hasina's Awami League, and even set its office on fire.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday made a statement in Parliament about the Bangladesh situation, saying India is monitoring the situation, especially with regard to the Indian nationals who are currently in the neighbouring country, as well as its minorities.
The offices of senior police officers were reportedly set on fire too.