Sheikh Hasina's aircraft flied over India, specifically over Jharkhand, reveals flight tracker data from Flight Radar
Bangladesh protests: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country following more than a month of deadly anti-government protests. Army chief general Waker-Us-Zaman announced that an interim government would be formed. The 76-year-old leader reportedly departed on a Bangladesh military aircraft with her sister.
Flight tracker data from Flight Radar showed a Bangladesh Air Force Lockheed C-130J Hercules aircraft flying over India, specifically over Jharkhand. While initial reports suggested that Hasina might fly to West Bengal, but the aircraft bypassed the state according to the latest data.
Sheikh Hasina, who has ruled since 2009, had defied demands to step down despite escalating protests. The situation turned dire on Sunday when nearly 100 persons were killed during violent clashes. Sources said her security team urged her to leave, leaving her with little time to prepare.
Chaotic scenes were witnessed this morning, which eventually led to Hasina's resignation later in the day. Massive crowds waving flags and dancing on tanks took to the streets, and hundreds stormed the gates of her official residence. Some protesters even vandalised a statue of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, independence leader.
Earlier, Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who is based in the US, urged security forces to prevent any takeover from her 15-year rule. "Your duty is to keep our people safe and our country safe and to uphold the constitution," he stated in a Facebook post. "It means don't allow any unelected government to come in power for one minute, it is your duty."
Notably, Hasina had won her fourth consecutive election in January in a contest criticised for the lack of genuine opposition.
- With inputs from agencies
