WATCH: Bangladesh Protesters Storm PM’s Residence, Loot Underwear, Kitchen Utensils, Others
Thousands of protesters in Bangladesh have looted and vandalized the official residence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka following her resignation on Monday.
The unrest comes after weeks of deadly protests since the nation gained independence over five decades ago.
According to BBC reports, Hasina, 76, fled to Tripura, the capital of Agartala in India, using a military helicopter to reach India’s eastern state of West Bengal along with her sister.
Hasina’s resignation was precipitated by widespread protests against a controversial quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971. This system had sparked massive public outrage, leading to sustained protests.
Viral images captured the chaos as protesters paraded through the streets with personal belongings looted from Hasina’s residence. Items taken included underwear, kitchen utensils, furniture, livestock, and electronics. One particularly striking image showed a man wearing a saree and carrying a plastic bucket filled with clothes, while another depicted a young man holding up a purple blouse.
In response to the crisis, Bangladesh’s Army Chief, Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced plans to form an interim government. Addressing the nation on state television, the general, dressed in military fatigues and a cap, declared, “I am taking full responsibility. We will form an interim government. The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, and many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence. I hope after my speech, the situation will improve.”
The interim government’s formation aims to stabilize the nation and address the ongoing violence and economic disruptions resulting from the protests
