Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country this afternoon while thousands of protesters demanding her resignation entered her official Ganabhaban residence.

A military helicopter took off from Bangabhaban with Sheikh Hasina at 2:30 on Monday. 

According to sources, Sheikh Hasina has left official residence for a "safer place" as protesters march through the capital, Dhaka.

Student leaders have declared a campaign of civil disobedience to demand that the nation's long-serving leader step aside.

On Sunday, at least 90 people were killed and hundreds more injured in clashes between police and tens of thousands of anti-government protesters in Bangladesh on Sunday.

Internet services were completely cut for several hours amid the "Long March to Dhaka" starting from Shaheed Minar, a national monument in the capital.

The death toll includes at least 13 police officers, and an indefinite nationwide curfew has been put in place to curb further violence.

The student protest - which has been ongoing since July - started with calls to abolish quotas in civil service jobs, but has since transformed into a much wider anti-government movement.

At least 280 people have died as a result of the unrest so far, which has prompted the government to restrict access to internet services in some parts of the country.

The UN has called for an end to the "shocking violence" and urged restraint from Bangladeshi politicians and security forces.

BDST: 1520 HRS, AUG 05, 2024
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