LIVE | Bangladesh Army Chief Confirms Coup, Interim Government Formed As PM Hasina Flees

In a press conference, Bangladesh's army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman confirmed the occurrence of a military coup and announced the establishment of an interim government aimed at restoring law and order within the nation.

Bangladesh Quota Protest: Amid violent protests calling for her resignation, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has departed the capital, Dhaka and reportedly landed in Agartala to escape threat to her life. "She and her sister have left Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister's official residence, for a safer location," a source informed AFP. As per reports, Hasina wanted to record a video statement but did not get time as lakhs of protestors marched towards the Prime Minister's official residence.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman has confirmed the military coup in a press conference and announced the formation of an interim government to restore law and order in the country. He has appealed to the public to keep faith in the military and to stay peaceful.

"PM Hasina has resigned, interim government to run the country. We will return peace to the country. We ask citizens to stop violence. We will investigate all killings that have happened over the past few weeks," says Bangladesh's army chief Waker-uz-Zaman

"The economy is suffering, and civil society members were present at the meeting held here. We have come here, and there was no one from the Awami League. The army will work to maintain peace, and I have ordered the army and police not to fire any shots. We will try to find a solution by tonight. Students also have a role to play, and they should remain calm," he added.

According to reports, the Bangladeshi Army chief earlier asked her to resign from the post. Around 20 lakh people were marching towards her palace in Dhaka amid the violent unrest. Minutes after she fled Dhaka, protestors stormed her residence and were seen carrying out vandalism. Protesters opened the gates of the Gono Bhaban (PM's residence) and entered the premises of the prime minister's residence around 3:00pm today. The reservation protest has been going on for over a month in Bangladesh.

Watch - PM Hasian Flees In Helicopter

#BreakingNews: बांग्लादेश में सेना प्रमुख की सभी दलों के नेताओं के साथ बैठक, थोड़ी देर में देश को करेंगे संबोधित#BangladeshViolence #Bangladesh #SheikhHasina #BangladeshNews | @Chandans_live @gauravrajguptaa pic.twitter.com/yDjszlUVu2 — Zee News (@ZeeNews) August 5, 2024

A senior official from the Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office, who requested anonymity, told ANI earlier today, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the official residence in Dhaka after violence erupted. Her current whereabouts are unknown. The situation in Dhaka is highly sensitive, and the Prime Minister's residence is under siege by a mob."

Protests that began last month against civil service job quotas have escalated into some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Hasina's 15-year rule, expanding into broader calls for the 76-year-old leader to step down. The protest did not stop even after the country's court slashed the quoa to 15%.

As per reports, it was claimed that the Oppositon BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) collaborated with Pakistan's ISI to create chaos and dethrone Hasian, who has been considered pro- India while Zia is termed pro-Pakistan. The nation following the death of 98 people in intense clashes yesterday, bringing the total death toll to over 300 since the protests began last month.