Over India, Bangladeshi aircraft were spotted. Sheikh Hasina is headed where?

In a stunning turn of events, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned amidst a wave of protests that have rocked the country for over a month. The announcement of her resignation was made by army chief General Waker-Us-Zaman, who also revealed that an interim government would be established. It is reported that the 76-year-old leader, accompanied by her sister, departed Bangladesh on a military aircraft.

The moment of her departure was captured by Flight Radar data, which showed a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft, specifically a Lockheed C-130J Hercules, flying over India, particularly over Jharkhand. Initial speculations had suggested that Ms. Hasina would fly to West Bengal, but the aircraft bypassed the state, according to airline data.

The decision to step down came after weeks of mounting pressure for her resignation, which she had steadfastly resisted until now. The situation reached a boiling point on Sunday, with a day of violent unrest resulting in the loss of nearly 100 lives. Sources indicate that Ms. Hasina's security team advised her to leave, leaving her with little time to prepare for her departure.

The scenes in the country were chaotic as massive crowds gathered, waving flags and even dancing on top of tanks in the streets. Eventually, hundreds of people breached the gates of Ms. Hasina's official residence, with some going so far as to vandalize a statue of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is revered as the hero of Bangladesh's independence.

#BREAKING

Sheikh Hasina resigns as Prime Minister of #Bangladesh

She has left Dhaka in a military helicopter after thousands broke into her residence in Dhaka. Reports claim Hasina is headed to Bengal, India!

Hasina is likely to tender her official resignation amid the… pic.twitter.com/T3pA9UCpT5

— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) August 5, 2024

Prior to her resignation, Ms. Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who resides in the United States, called on the security forces to prevent any unelected government from seizing power. He emphasized the importance of upholding the constitution and ensuring the safety of the people and the nation.

Throughout the period of unrest, the military and other security forces had remained loyal to Ms. Hasina's government. However, the protests initially began as demonstrations against the reintroduction of a quota scheme that reserved over half of all government jobs for specific groups. Over time, the protests evolved into broader demands for her resignation.

The resignation of Sheikh Hasina marks the end of her 15-year rule, a period that has seen both progress and challenges for Bangladesh. Now, the country eagerly awaits the formation of an interim government that will navigate the current situation and pave the way for the future.