Bangla-dashed: Sheikh Hasina resigns, flees to India; protesters storm residence; military in charge
Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh for India on Monday seemingly just ahead of protesters storming their way into the Prime Minister's residence in Dhaka as month-long protests led by students over job quotas boiled over into an uprising. As many as 300 people have been killed since the protest began in July.
A plane carrying Hasina, 76, landed at the Hindon Indian Air Force base just outside the capital as New Delhi worked out a safe passage for its long-standing ally in the region. Her final destination isn't clear. While some reports said she may go into exile in London, there is a possibility that she might depart for a destination in eastern or southern Europe. Belarus may be one of the possible destinations.
Back in Dhaka, the country's army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said on state television that, with Sheikh Hasina having resigned, the military would form a caretaker government, following meetings with political parties.
On her arrival in India, Hasina was met by national security adviser Ajit Doval.
India Keeping Close Watch
They’re understood to have discussed the situation in Bangladesh, where massed crowds erupted in jubilation once it became clear that she had left the country. Still, the streets are volatile, given the presence of Islamists and members of the Jamaat-e-Islami. Hasina and Doval also discussed where she plans to go from India.
Earlier, Indian security forces had kept watch as the Bangladesh Air Force C-130 aircraft with Hasina onboard made its journey towards the national capital. Use
