Sheikh Hasina had just 45 minutes to quit, 'couldn't even record speech'

The Bangladesh Army on Monday had given former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 45 minutes to resign from her post as protests continued to intensify.

According to AFP, Hasina wanted to address the nation. However, due to the proximity of the violence, her security team reportedly asked her to leave and "she did not find any time to prepare a speech".

After Hasina’s departure, Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed the nation and said the military will form an "interim government" and urged protesters to stand down. "There is a crisis. I have met Opposition leaders and we have decided to form an interim government to run this country. I take all responsibility and promise to protect your life and property. Your demands will be fulfilled. Please stop the violence," he said.

After the army chief’s statement, Students Against Discrimination, the group that spearheaded the anti government protests, has issued a statement rejecting military rule, saying those who “brought revolution” will decide who rules the country.“We believe that military rule is not a solution at this moment. The students and the public, who have brought about this revolution and achieved victory, will decide who will take power in the country. We have driven out fascism, and we will not allow fascism to take root in Bangladesh in the future. We are committed to uprooting any fascist systems,” the group said in a statement.