Bangladesh unrest: Military to lift curfew; president orders release of jailed ex-PM Khaleda Zia

Dhaka

Sheikh Hasina resigned as Bangladesh's prime minister on Monday (Aug 5), fled the country, and arrived in India. These developments came as thousands of student protesters demanding Hasina's resignation roamed the streets of Dhaka and later stormed her residence and other key buildings.

Sources said that Hasina departed Dhaka at around 2.30 pm local time, and boarded a military aircraft with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana. Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman said that an interim government would be formed soon in the country. 

"Let's work towards a better future. Every killing will be probed. I met the leaders of all political parties. We had a healthy discussion. We would form an interim government. PM has stepped down. Please have patience, give us some time," General Zaman said. 

Here's a look at the latest updates so far:

> In the latest news from the situation, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has ordered the release of jailed former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, hours after her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina was ousted and the military took over.

> The president's press team said in a statement that a meeting led by Shahabuddin had "decided unanimously to free Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately."

Also read | Hasina flees to India awaits asylum; Modi holds high-level meet on Bangladesh turmoil

> The military said late Monday it would lift a curfew imposed to quash protests at dawn Tuesday, hours after it seized power following the ouster of former prime minister Hasina.

> "Offices, factories, schools, colleges... will be open" from 6:00 am Tuesday (0000 GMT), the military said in a statement. 

> Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Monday and would soon leave for London. 

> The crisis precipitated in Bangladesh as students launched protests against the civil service job quotas last month. Students protested against public sector job quotas, which included a 30 per cent reservation for family members of fighters from the 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan.

> The agitation was initially peaceful but soon turned violent. More than 240 people were killed in the clashes between student protesters and pro-government supporters. Thousands of people were injured, and scores of people were detained. 

Also watch | How Bangladesh student protests ousted PM Sheikh Hasina

> During Monday's press conference, General Zaman said he would talk to the president to form a caretaker government. "We would ensure justice is done. Have faith in us. By the grace of God, all demands will be discussed. I urge everyone to end the cycle of violence," he added. 

> It was not immediately clear if Zaman would lead the caretaker government.