Bangladesh Unrest: 245 Indian Citizens Return Home Safely As Students Protest Escalates

New Delhi: The government has facilitated the return of 245 Indian citizens, including 125 students, from Bangladesh after protests against a quota system for government jobs turned violent, the national media reported.

So far, 105 deaths were reported from across Bangladesh, as protesters clashed with police and paramilitary forces despite a ban on public gatherings to contain the violence, sources, media reports stated.

On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) labelled the situation in Bangladesh as an “internal matter” but assured that it was closely monitoring the safety of the approximately 15,000 Indians residing there, including 8,500 students.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was working with local authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals wishing to return to India.

Nearly 260 people, including 13 Nepalese nationals, crossed over to India from Bangladesh by a border crossing on Friday, taking the total number of people who have travelled across the land border amid violent protests in the neighbouring country to more than 500, sources said.

Another 202 Indian nationals, mostly students, crossed over via the Dawki check post in Meghalaya on Thursday. This check post was also used by some 101 Nepalese citizens and seven Bhutanese nationals to leave Bangladesh. The travel of the 13 Nepalese students via Gede was arranged by the Indian high commission in Dhaka, the sources added.

The Indian high commission in Dhaka is coordinating with authorities in Bangladesh to provide adequate security to students who are keen on returning to India.

The High Commission issued an advisory on Thursday advising Indian citizens to remain indoors.

The advisory read: “In view of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Indian community members and the Indian students residing in Bangladesh are advised to avoid local travel and minimize their movement outside their living premises.”

Emergency numbers have been issued by the High Commission for assistance, these are:

High Commission of India, Dhaka +880-1937400591 (also on WhatsApp)

Assistant High Commission of India, Chittagong +880-1814654797 / +880-1814654799 (also on WhatsApp)

Assistant High Commission of India, Rajshahi +880-1788148696 (also on WhatsApp)

Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet +880-1313076411 (also on WhatsApp)

Assistant High Commission of India, Khulna +880-1812817799 (also on WhatsApp)

The MEA said on Friday there are an estimated 15,000 Indians, including 8,500 students, in Bangladesh and all are safe.