People from all walks of life on Monday across the capital took to the streets greeting the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led government with rapture.
Tens of thousands of city residents occupied the roads, thronging at different points, while hundreds of them bursting with joy entered the prime minister鈥檚 official residence Ganabhaban to celebrate Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 resignation brought about by a mass uprising led by student protesters ending 15 years鈥� reign of the Awami League-led government.
From students to elderly people, children, families and workers were seen on the streets from the late morning to evening.
Processions from different areas gathered in Shahbagh, Dhaka University and adjacent areas chanting slogans, singing songs, holding posters and even by saying prayers on roads.
The day鈥檚 morning began in the city with roads and alleys almost deserted with very few vehicles, mostly rickshaws, and people seen moving as a curfew was imposed and a three-day general holiday was announced from Monday.聽聽聽聽
But the scenario rapidly changed about noon as the news spread that Sheikh Hasina had resigned as prime minister.
At 2:00pm hundreds of people, mostly students, were seen crowding in the Shahbag intersection area. After the resignation news was broadcast on the television thousands began to converge at Shagbagh.
Army personnel were seen in different areas in the city facilitating people to march towards different points and people were also witnessed shaking hands with the troops.聽
From about 3:00pm hundreds and thousands of jubilant people, elderly ones, children, and women, and many with families, marched on the roads, including Shahbagh and Banglamotor, celebrating the start of a transition in the country鈥檚 history.
After 3:00pm jubilant crowds were seen marching towards the Ganabhaban.
Several thousand people entered the prime minister鈥檚 official residence, many among them seen rejoicing their victory with selfies. Many, however, were seen taking away belongings from the building.
People were seen entering the official residence until 6:00pm.
A fourth grader named Sabrina, who was going to Shahbagh with her whole family, smiled and said, 鈥業 am feeling happy and that is why I came.鈥�
Overjoyed Jabir Hossain, a student from Rajshahi University, who was actively involved in the student protests, said in Shahbagh, 鈥業 am a bit anxious about whether we will get a democratic government. I want to see new faces in politics who are honest, intelligent and people-oriented.鈥�
His brother Tuhin Hasan, who was terribly anxious about his brother鈥檚 involvement in the movement, shared his relief in tears of joy and a smiling face. 鈥楴ow, I am relieved,鈥� he said.
Another student, Itu from East West University, standing with her friends in Shahbagh, expressed her concern about the possibility of a military takeover.
鈥業f that happens, we will face the same problems we experienced under the Hasina regime,鈥� she said.
Many flower shops in Shahbagh were seen empty as people bought flowers to celebrate their victory.
A florist named Sumon reported that he gave away flowers worth Tk 12,000 for free to people in celebration of the special occasion.
However, a couple of other traders mentioned that people just took away flowers from their shops without paying the price.
In the Dhaka University Teacher-Student Centre area at about 4:00pm, people were seen throwing shoes to a painting of Sheikh Hasina on a metro rail pillar.
