Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned from her post and fled to India as protesters entered the PM's official residence amid violence in the neighbouring country with a history of military coups, reports said.
Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman addressed the nation, following Hasina's departure, announcing that an interim government was formed by the Army. He said the representatives of the main political parties held discussions with the Army, adding that the crisis will be resolved by night.
He added that there is no need of curfew or any emergency in the country, urging students to stay calm and go home.
Earlier, reports said Hasina and her sister left the PM's official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka. Hasina who wanted to record a speech was forced to leave with her sister, AFP quoted a source as saying.
Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana had left Dhaka in a military helicopter. They reportedly landed in Agartala and the BSF director general is reviewing their security.
The death toll in the violent clashes crossed 100. Around 300 people have been killed over the past month. Student activists marched to Dhaka, breaking a nationwide curfew, to force Hasina to resign.
The government had ordered a blanket internet shutdown to curb violence from spreading. However, ban on broadband internet was restored at night. Hasina had earlier said the violent protesters were criminals and could not be considered as students, declaring that they should be handled with iron hands.
Videos showed the protesters vandalising a public hospital in Dhaka and burning several vehicles. Videos also showed police firing at protesters.
Hasina who has been the PM of Bangladesh since 2009 was elected for a fifth term in the 12th general elections in January.
