Bangladesh PM resigns after deadly protests

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country after some of the worst violence seen since the birth of the South Asian nation more than five decades ago


Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina


WHAT IS THE QUOTA SYSTEM?

Introduced in 1972, reserves 56% of well-paid civil service jobs to certain groups, including 30% for relatives of people who fought in 1971 war of independence from Pakistan

Protesters say system is used to reward supporters of Hasina and demand 30% quota
be abolished

More than 400,000 graduates compete for some 3,000 civil service jobs each year


TIMELINE OF UNREST

Jun 2024: Students take to streets after High Court reinstates quota system for jobs, overturning 2018 decision by Hasina to scrap it

Jul 21: Supreme Court suspends High Court order, but students continue to protest, demanding Hasina’s resignation

Aug 4: At least 94 people, including 13 police officers, killed in worsening clashes

Aug 5: Hasina flees country after protestors storm prime minister’s palace in Dhaka


Sirajganj district: Thirteen officers killed in attack on police station

INDIA
Dhaka
INDIA
BANGLADESH
50km 30 miles

Deaths reported Aug 4

Over 300 killed in recent weeks


Sources: Reuters, BBC, Bloomberg
Picture: Getty Images 
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