Bangladesh military chief Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman announced the establishment of a transitional government on Monday following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country amidst widespread violent protests.
The protests, which began in July over government job quotas and escalated to demands for Hasina’s resignation, have resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries. Hasina, who has been in power since 2009 and is the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reportedly fled to neighboring India.
In a national address following meetings with political party leaders, Gen. Zaman called for peace and assured the nation that martial law would not be necessary if order is restored. He also promised to investigate the deaths of protesters.
Despite the military’s intervention, student demonstrators remain opposed to a military takeover. Asif Mahmud, a key figure in the protests, stated on social media that students “won’t accept military takeover.”–News Desk