Bangladesh students set deadline for parliament dissolution after PM Hasina's exit

Students demand immediate action after Hasina's exit, threatening a 'strict programme'

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Bangladesh's student leaders have demanded the dissolution of parliament, setting a deadline of 3 p.m. local time (0900 GMT) on Tuesday, following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In a video posted on Facebook, Nahid Islam and three other key organisers of the student movement called on "revolutionary students to be ready" if their demands were not met.

The demands come amid ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh, which has seen over 300 deaths and thousands of injuries as protests against government job quotas evolved into a broader campaign against Hasina's 16-year rule.

The unrest culminated in Hasina's resignation and departure from the country on Monday.

Bangladesh's army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, was scheduled to meet with student leaders at 0600 GMT to discuss forming an interim government, expected to oversee upcoming elections.

Zaman announced Hasina's resignation, marking a significant shift in the nation's political landscape.

While some normalcy returned to Dhaka, with lighter traffic and a few schools reopening, the capital remained tense.

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

The unfolding events in Bangladesh continue to draw international attention as the country grapples with political uncertainty and the push for systemic reform.

The outcome of the student leaders' demands and the army's response will be pivotal in shaping the nation's future.