Protesters in Bangladesh have caused a ruckus, breaking into the historic residence of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before her political speech, vandalizing it and setting it on fire.
According to a report by the British news agency, thousands of people took out a rally and march in the capital Dhaka on Wednesday night, dubbed the “Bulldozer Procession”.
The aim of the procession was to demolish the house of Sheikh Hasina’s late father and leader of the Bangladesh independence movement, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who declared the country’s separation from Pakistan in 1971.
The start of the march and the incitement of the protesters were due to the revelation that Sheikh Hasina planned to address supporters of her party, the Awami League Party, in India. She was forced to flee to India after student-led protests against her 15-year rule and is living in exile there.
According to the report, the protesters began gathering near the house at 8 pm. At this time, some of the protesters were carrying sticks, hammers, shovels and other tools before entering the building.
The report said that the fire was set on the top floor of the building at around 9:30 pm, until late at night. At least one crane and one excavator arrived at the scene, during which parts of the building were demolished.
