Bangladesh in Turmoil: Students Demand Parliament Dissolution

Bangladesh's student leaders have called for the dissolution of parliament by 3 p.m. Tuesday, warning of strict measures if their demand isn't met. This follows Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Student leaders are set to meet with Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman to discuss forming an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Bangladesh's student leaders demanded on Tuesday that parliament be dissolved, setting a deadline of 3 p.m. (0900 GMT) and cautioning that a 'strict programme' would follow if unmet. This call came a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.

One of the key organisers, Nahid Islam, urged 'revolutionary students to be ready'. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman was scheduled to meet with the student leaders to discuss the formation of an interim government, which is expected to hold elections soon after taking over. It was unclear if this meeting had taken place by the set deadline.

Despite a return to some normalcy in Dhaka, the capital saw lighter-than-usual traffic and low school attendance as the nation recovered from protests that began over job quotas and evolved into widespread anti-Hasina demonstrations. Around 300 people were killed and thousands injured in the unrest.

Student leaders have proposed Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser to the interim government, a position Yunus has agreed to take.