Thousands of people on Monday stormed into Ganabhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the national parliament building immediate after Sheikh Hasina resigned as the Prime Minister and fled the country.
They also looted and vandalized whatever they found wherever inside the Ganabhaban. The protesters also stormed into the PMO and JS building where they cheered their victory.
They stormed into the Gababhaban at around 3:30pm minutes earlier, it was reported by AFP that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had left Gono Bhaban for a safer place.
The people, who took part in the ‘March to Dhaka’ programme, broke through the security forces' barricades and entered Ganabhaban during the 'March to Dhaka' programme around 3pm.
TV channels showed protesters storming Gono Bhaban, overturning furniture, smashing glass door, and taking away different items.
Since then, Ganabhaban was being occupied by students, young children, and people from various professions from different parts of the capital Dhaka.
Hundreds of thousands congregated both inside and outside Ganabhaban. People, entering on foot, by rickshaw, and motorcycle, were seen taking furniture from Gonobhaban.
Every piece of furniture in the Ganabhaban like carpets, rugs, pillows and chairs is being shared. They are getting out with whatever they can.
Protesting crowds were seen dancing enthusiastically with the playing of musical instruments in the auditorium of the Ganabhaban. On the other hand, some of the protestors were going out to take everything from watches, routers, papers, computers, chairs, sofas, ACs, fridges, wall hangings. However, some protestors are collecting these goods at the gates of Gonoahaban.
Some protesters said, these assets are ours. We are taking it. Today is the victory day of our people.
The public were seen celebrating their victory shouting various slogans like 'fake', 'fake', and 'she has fled', 'she has fled'.
Before this, Sheikh Hasina resigned and departed the country. Upon hearing this news, people from all walks of life were seen bursting into celebration in the streets.
Between July 16 and today, nearly 300 people (as far as this newspaper could confirm) have been killed in violent clashes.
On July 23, the government through a circular reformed the quota system as per the demand of the students, but by then nearly 200 died in clashes.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet on August 3, holding her government responsible for the deaths.
The following day (Sunday) was the deadliest since the clashes began as at least 93 people, including 14 policemen, were killed.
Over 20 more people were killed in clashes on Monday. Hasina was serving her fourth straight term in office since assuming power in 2009, and fifth overall.
