Hundreds of Bangladeshi protesters breached Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official residence as her location remained unknown. Demonstrators ignored a military curfew to march through the capital, Dhaka.
Television footage captured scenes of people ransacking the building, taking food items like chicken, fish, and vegetables, as well as furniture.
The storming of Sheikh Hasina’s residence came after weeks of violent demonstrations and clashes with security forces. The protests, which began peacefully in late June with students demanding an end to a government job quota system, escalated into violence following confrontations between protesters and police, as well as pro-government activists at Dhaka University.
On Monday, thousands of student-led protesters defied a curfew and marched to Dhaka, intensifying pressure on Hasina to resign. The march followed violent clashes on Sunday that resulted in over 100 deaths, including police officers.
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Look at the videos here:
#Bangladesh: Full video of protestors storming PM’s palace in Dhaka. Protestors can be seen inside the office of Sheikh Hasina.pic.twitter.com/I0F0vPJYpY
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) August 5, 2024
Looting & Vandalising at the house of Ex Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina by Protestors pic.twitter.com/kiwdWUngIx
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) August 5, 2024
Moments before Sheikh Hasina & her sister fled #Bangladesh, protestors barged into her home in #Dhaka & ransacked the property
On Sunday alone 98 protestors were killed as police allegedly used excessive force to quell the agitation, taking the total number of deaths to over 300… pic.twitter.com/u5GGhi99k2
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) August 5, 2024
BBC reported that jubilant crowds took to the streets of Bangladesh, celebrating the Prime Minister’s departure. Protesters waved flags and danced on top of a tank in Dhaka, as reported by AFP.
Channel24 showed footage of ecstatic protesters breaking into Hasina’s official residence, with some waving to the camera as they entered the compound.
What began as peaceful protests over a job quota system has evolved into deadly unrest in recent weeks, with demonstrators now aiming to oust Hasina.
The ongoing clashes have diverted attention from Hasina’s government as it seeks additional funding from creditors and the International Monetary Fund to address declining foreign-exchange reserves.