Bangladesh PM resigns, flees country amid deadly anti-government protests

globalnews.ca:

Bangladesh’s prime minister resigned and fled the country Monday after weeks of protests against a quota system for government jobs descended into violence and grew into a broader challenge to her 15-year rule. Thousands of demonstrators stormed her official residence and other buildings associated with her party and family.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure threatens to create even more instability in the densely populated nation on India’s border that is already dealing with a series of crises, from high unemployment to corruption and climate change.

Amid security concerns, the main airport in Dhaka, the capital, suspended operations.The military chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zamam said he was temporarily taking control, and soldiers tried to stem the growing unrest.

Mohammed Shahabuddin, the country’s figurehead president, announced late Monday after meeting with Waker-uz-Zamam and opposition politicians that Parliament would be dissolved and a national government would be formed as soon as possible, leading to fresh elections.After the embattled leader was seen on TV with her sister boarding a military helicopter, the country’s military chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, sought to reassure a jittery nation that order would be restored — though experts warned the road ahead would be long.

He said he had met with opposition politicians and civil society leaders and would seek the president’s guidance on forming an interim government.Hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets waving flags and cheering to celebrate Hasina’s resignation. But the celebrations soon turned violent in places, with protesters attacking symbols of her government and party, ransacking and setting fires in several buildings.“This is not just