Amid days of escalating anti-government protests over the government job quota system, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned, the military announced on Monday.
In a state television broadcast, Bangladesh’s army chief, Waker-Uz-Zaman, confirmed, “We will form an interim government,” marking the end of Ms. Hasina’s 15-year tenure.
The protests, led primarily by students, have engulfed cities across the country, demanding reforms to employment quotas.
The demonstrations have turned violent, with over 100 fatalities reported by Sunday as security forces clashed with protestors.
In an effort to curb the unrest, the government cut off mobile internet access, rendering Facebook and messaging apps, including WhatsApp, inaccessible.
Mohammad Ali Arafat, the junior minister for information and broadcasting, stated that the services were severed to help prevent violence.
Outraged by the government’s response, protestors intensified their demands for Ms. Hasina’s resignation.
