BANGLADESH: Bangladesh protests live: PM Sheikh Hasina has left country – reports

* Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left the country, local media reports say, amid growing anti-government protests.

* The army chief of Bangladesh meets political leaders before scheduled address to the nation.

(09:40 GMT)

‘Shame’ on Sheikh Hasina for fleeing’

Nazma Akter, president of the Sommilito Garment Workers Federation, says “shame” on Sheikh Hassina for fleeing Dhaka.

She “killed our country, killed our economy and killed our people”, Akter alleged in an interview with Al Jazeera.

“She doesn’t love the country, she took advantage, and she misused her power and that is very unfortunate,” Akter said.

7m ago (09:32 GMT)

Thousands of people fill streets of Dhaka

Tanvir Chowdhury

Reporting from Dhaka, Bangladesh

The entire city is out in the streets.

There is speculation Sheikh Hasina has left the country. We cannot independently verify anything like that.

Thousands of people are out in the city. We are near Shahbag Square, which is the epicentre of the student protests. I’ve never seen anything like this in the capital city – students and families with their children out celebrating, checking if she has either left the country or resigned.

The government has most likely fallen, and the army will decide what the next step is, which is probably an interim government. We will know more details soon.

Historically, the army has played a role in the politics of Bangladesh. People generally love the army. They feel they are a neutral body that can handle violent situations.

The army doesn’t want to be the enemy of the people, and that is why people have confidence in them.

12m ago (09:27 GMT)

PM flees in army helicopter: Aide

Faisal Mahmud

Reporting from Dhaka, Bangladesh

A personal aide to Hasina has told Al Jazeera the prime minister has fled the country in an army helicopter.

Thousands of people are out in the streets.

14m ago (09:25 GMT)

PM leaves Bangladesh: Reports

Hasina has resigned and left the country, local media reports say.

18m ago (09:21 GMT)

Developing

Army chief holding talks with political parties

The Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman is currently holding talks with major political parties, including the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

He is expected to address the nation later.

23m ago (09:16 GMT)

Protesters enter PM’s official residence: Report

Prothom Alo, a Bangladesh daily, is reporting that thousands of people have entered Sheikh Hasina’s official residence.

There are unconfirmed reports that the prime minister has left the city and possibly the country.

27m ago (09:12 GMT)

What’s happening in Bangladesh?

The protests began last month over governmental job quotas and have since expanded into nationwide unrest amid a crackdown by authorities.

Protesters are now demanding the resignation of long-term Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“This student-citizen uprising will continue until the fall of Sheikh Hasina,” protest coordinator Asif Mahmud said in a message on Facebook late on Sunday. “Tomorrow is the ‘March to Dhaka’. Travel to Dhaka now to witness history. Join the ultimate fight,” he said.

The violence has so far resulted in the deaths of nearly 300 people.

The tension was simmering in Dhaka on Monday, after authorities announced a nationwide curfew the previous evening.

Army tanks and police vehicles were on the streets and security forces patrolled on foot, an online news channel showed. There was almost no civilian traffic, barring a few motorcycles and three-wheel taxis.

31m ago (09:08 GMT) Photos: Army personnel on streets of Dhaka Bangladesh army personnel stand guard during a curfew following clashes between police and Anti-Discrimination Students

34m ago (09:04 GMT)

Army chief still to speak

We are still waiting for the army chief to deliver his speech to the nation.

The address was initially expected to take place at 08:00 GMT and was then moved to 09:00 GMT, according to local media reports.

36m ago (09:02 GMT) Bangladesh PM leaves Dhaka residence for ‘safer place’: Report

There are reports that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left Dhaka in the face of mass protests.

“She and her sister have left Ganabhaban [the prime minister’s official residence] for a safer place,” a source close to the leader told AFP.

“She wanted to record a speech, but she could not get an opportunity to do that,” the source said.

The report could not be independently verified.

39m ago (08:59 GMT)

Welcome to our live coverage

Hello and thank you for joining us as we cover all the fast-moving developments in Bangladesh.

Stay with the Al Jazeera Live team as we bring you all the news, analysis and reactions.

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