DHAKA – Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General Wakeruz Zaman has announced the establishment of an interim government involving all parties after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down amid violent protests.
In his address to the nation, General Zaman stated that the decision followed discussions with all political parties. “We will now talk to President Mohammed Shahabuddin to defuse the situation,” he said. The army will oversee all decisions about the country during this interim period.
General Zaman called for an immediate end to all violence and assured that the new government would ensure justice for all the deaths that occurred during the student-led protests, as reported by Bangladeshi media.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position on Monday, months after beginning her fourth consecutive term. The resignation followed intense protests against her government’s job quota system.
Tens of thousands of protesters clashed with security forces, demanding Hasina’s resignation. Sunday’s violence alone resulted in at least 98 deaths, bringing the total casualties to 300.
The protests began on July 19, initiated by students opposing the quota system for government jobs. After her resignation, Hasina left the country in a military helicopter for India as protesters stormed her palace.
Reports indicated that the army had given Hasina an ultimatum to resign as prime minister due to the escalating violence. Last month, at least 150 people were killed and thousands injured in the unrest. The Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate most quotas temporarily paused the protests, but students resumed demonstrations last week, demanding justice for those killed.
