Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and fled the country following the killing of at least 91 people on August 4^th in clashes with students who began peacefully protesting in July. Among those killed were thirteen police officers who were beaten after thousands attacked a police station in the Sirajganj district. The government ordered an indefinite nationwide overnight curfew beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. On Monday, Hasina resigned and fled to New Delhi, India amidst calls for resignation from protestors, and on Tuesday, President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament to establish an interim government. Mohammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, has agreed to be the chief advisor to the interim government, heeding calls from protestors.

Prime Minister Hasina commented on the protests following a national security panel meeting: “Those who are carrying out violence are not students but terrorists who are out to destabilize the nation.” Law and Justice Minister Anisul Huq told the BBC, “If we had not shown restraint, there would have been a bloodbath. I guess our patience has limits.” The government also moved to shut down telecommunications. A document issued by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center to service providers said, “You are requested to shut down all your 4G services until further notice, only 2G will be effective.” According to Reuters, service providers were told that the government would cancel their licenses if the order was not obeyed.

The Bangladeshi government’s violent response to initially peaceful protests in July was certainly concerning. While it is encouraging that Hasina has resigned and Yunus will become the chief advisor to the interim government, both of which were demands of protestors, violence has destabilized the country across several sectors. Bangladesh has seen violent coups staged by the military previously, and, though Hasina seemed to keep the forces under control during her reign, the response to protestors and potential power vacuum could continue a cycle of violence from the armed forces. The interim government must continue to listen to protestors, establish order quickly, and do so without the use of violence.

Peaceful student protests began last month criticizing quotas on civil service jobs which would reserve one-third of jobs for relatives of veterans who served in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. The government responded forcefully, killing at least 67. Bangladesh’s economy leans heavily on clothing exports, and government jobs are highly sought after for their increased opportunities for upward mobility. The policy has largely been scaled back; however, students have now expressed frustration against Hasina’s government and are seeking justice for those killed in the initial protests. Hasina, who had been in power for fifteen consecutive years, has been criticized for the violence against protestors and for silencing the voices of those opposed to her administration.

Developments in Bangladesh are occurring rapidly, and the lack of stability that has increased since the killings and the restructuring of the government will likely cause other problems and may increase violence. To achieve peace, the interim government will need to fight corruption with transparency and stabilize the economy as quickly as possible. Citizens will likely be wary of military activity, so continued compliance with protestors’ demands and conversations with protestors will be essential.