Bangladesh’s prime minister flees country and resigns after deadly protest

Bangladesh’s prime minister has resigned and fled to India following weeks of deadly protests in the country.

Reports of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 76, resigning were confirmed by the army, as well as Bangladesh High Commission Officials in Delhi.

According to the country’s leading national paper, Ms Hasina, who led the country for 15 years, and her sister took a military helicopter to India.

The former prime minister is taking “safe shelter” away from her official residence, the news agency Reuters says, amid reports of it being stormed by protesters.

A shopping center was set on fire by protesters during a rally against Ms Hasina on Sunday. Pic: AP

At least 95 people, including at least 14 police officers, died in clashes in the capital on Sunday, according to local news, while hundreds more were injured.

Soldiers on armoured vehicle patrolling Dhaka last month. Pic: AP

At least six people were reportedly killed in clashes between police and protesters in the Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas on Monday.

The demonstrations began with students seeking to end a quota system for government jobs, but clashes with police and pro-government activists escalated into violence that left more than 200 dead last month.

Sunday’s protests saw people calling for justice for victims of deadly clashes. Pic: AP

That triggered more protests demanding accountability from the government, which have grown into calls for Ms Hasina, who has been leading the country since 2009, to step down.

Ms Hasina is reported to have fled the country as anti-government protesters vowed to march to the capital to demand her resignation on Monday.

Broadband internet and mobile data services have been restored across Bangladesh after a blackout.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.