Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, resigned her office and fled to India Monday, ending her 15-year rule amid several weeks of violent protests against her government.
The departure was announced by the country’s military chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, who told state television that the armed forces will maintain the South Asian nation’s day-to-day operations until new elections can take place.
The nationwide unrest arose over objections to the reinstatement of an employment policy for the civil service that guaranteed 30 percent of positions to family members of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. Critics have long seen the measure as being favorable to individuals who supported Hasina’s Awami League political party.
The demonstrations, beginning in early July, have reportedly led to the deaths of more than 300 people.
To maintain order, authorities imposed curfews and arrests, closed educational institutions, and turned off mobile internet access several times since the start of the disturbances.
