Due to ongoing violent clashes in Bangladesh, over 4,500 Indian students have returned home. The violence has resulted in more than 100 deaths.

On Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that 500 students from Nepal, 38 from Bhutan, and one from the Maldives have also arrived in India. The Indian missions in Bangladesh remain in close contact with local authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals.

The MEA stated, “So far, over 4,500 Indian students have returned to India. The High Commission has been organizing security escorts for the safe travel of Indian nationals to the border-crossing points.” The Indian High Commission in Dhaka, along with assistant high commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna, has been aiding the return of Indian nationals.

The Ministry is also coordinating with relevant Indian authorities to facilitate smooth passage at land-ports and airports. Additionally, they are working with the civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure the availability of flight services between the two countries.

The Indian missions are in regular contact with the remaining Indian students at various universities in Bangladesh, as well as other Indian nationals, to provide welfare and assistance.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal estimated the total number of Indian nationals in Bangladesh to be around 15,000, including 8,500 students.

The unrest in Bangladesh stems from student protests demanding the abolition of a controversial job-quota system. The exact number of deaths remains unclear, but reports from Dhaka indicate that over 100 people have been killed. In response to the escalating violence, Bangladeshi law enforcement has imposed a nationwide curfew. The High Commission of India in Dhaka and the assistant high commissions have been actively assisting Indian nationals in returning home.

Source: PTI

Also read: Bangladesh offers talks with quota protesters; army deployed nationwide