Hundreds of Bangladeshi protesters stormed into Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official residence as the leader's whereabouts remained unknown. This incursion followed weeks of violent demonstrations and clashes with security forces, with demonstrators defying a military-imposed curfew to march in the capital, Dhaka.
Television footage showed scenes of chaos as hundreds of people ransacked the building, taking away chicken, fish, vegetables, and furniture. This brazen act came amid heightened tensions and widespread unrest in Bangladesh, where protests began peacefully in late June. Initially, students sought an end to a controversial quota system for government jobs, but the situation escalated into violent confrontations between protesters, police, and pro-government activists, particularly at Dhaka University.
The protests intensified as thousands of student-led demonstrators marched to Dhaka on Monday, defying a curfew to pressure Sheikh Hasina to step down. The urgency of the march was fueled by violent clashes on Sunday between pro-government supporters and protesters, which left more than 100 people dead, including police officers.
In a report by the BBC, jubilant crowds celebrated the departure of the long-term Prime Minister, with some demonstrators seen dancing on top of a parked tank in Dhaka. News agency AFP also captured images of flag-waving citizens celebrating in the streets. Bangladesh's Channel24 broadcast footage of ecstatic protesters breaking into Hasina's official residence, with some waving to the cameras as they streamed into the compound.
The unrest, which began as a peaceful movement against a government jobs quota, has now turned deadly, with demonstrators calling for Hasina's ouster. The Prime Minister, in response, vowed to take action against those she accused of spreading anarchy. This volatile situation has significantly distracted Hasina's government as it seeks financial aid from creditors and the International Monetary Fund to bolster the country's dwindling foreign-exchange reserves.
The economic impact of the ongoing unrest has been severe. Bangladesh has suffered a $10 billion hit to its economy due to curfews and internet blackouts. In a bid to control the situation, the government has once again shut down government and private offices, including banks, for three days starting Monday. Additionally, mobile internet services have been switched off, exacerbating the communication challenges.
In a statement released on Sunday, Hasina's office urged students and parents to return home, citing "militant attacks" in parts of Bangladesh. The statement warned that authorities would take tough action against the attackers, emphasizing the government's determination to restore order amidst the ongoing crisis.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh, as the nation navigates through this period of unprecedented political and social upheaval. The immediate future remains uncertain, with the interim government stepping in to restore order and address the grievances that have fueled the protests.