Protests in Bangladesh: Airport Closed, PM Hasina Flees, Army Chief Calls for Peace

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Shahjalal International Airport closed its operations for six hours amid intensified protests, as announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a circular on Monday. The protests, mainly led by students, demand an end to the quota system for government jobs and have escalated into a broader uprising against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ruling Awami League party. The unrest has resulted in at least 95 fatalities, including 14 police officers, and hundreds of injuries following clashes in Dhaka on Sunday.

Earlier reports indicated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister fled Bangladesh amid the escalating violence. Security agencies in India began monitoring a C-130 Aircraft with the call sign AJAX1431 as it flew close to the Indian border. The departure of the Prime Minister and her sister marks a significant escalation in the political crisis gripping the nation.

In response to the chaos, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced plans to hold direct talks with student and teacher representatives. Despite his call for peace, protests and incidents of vandalism continued to erupt across Dhaka on Monday. Visuals from the streets showed protestors ransacking Sheikh Hasina’s official residence and storming the parliament building.

Following the departure of the 76-year-old leader and her sister in a military helicopter, General Waqar-uz-Zaman urged protestors to shun violence. He also announced that an interim government would soon be formed to address the political vacuum. His appeal for calm came in the wake of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s demand for the resignation of Hasina and her cabinet members, which was declared on August 3.

The violence has not been limited to government buildings. The residence of the Chief Justice was also targeted, with several individuals seen entering the premises by climbing over the wall. Reports of vandalism and chaos continued to pour in, reflecting the widespread anger and frustration among the protestors.

In a televised address, General Waqar-uz-Zaman called for peace and cooperation. “Maintain peace and order in the country. You trust me, let’s work together. Please help, we won’t get anything by fighting. Avoid conflict. We have built a beautiful country together,” he said, urging the citizens to avoid violence and work towards stability.

The protests are centered around the government job quota system, which reserves a certain number of jobs for specific groups of people. Students argue that the system is unfair and have been demanding reforms for some time. The recent escalation into widespread violence and political upheaval signifies a critical juncture for Bangladesh, as it grapples with the demands of its citizens and the need for political stability.