In response to escalating violence and unrest in Bangladesh, over 300 Indian students have been evacuated from the country, with many crossing into India via border points in the northeast. The situation has been dire, with over 100 fatalities reported due to ongoing protests against the reintroduction of job reservations for family members of freedom fighters from the 1971 War of Independence.
The protests, which have intensified over the past three weeks, turned deadly on Monday with clashes erupting at Dhaka University. The violence resulted in six deaths the following day, prompting the Bangladeshi government to close universities nationwide.
A significant number of the returning students were pursuing MBBS degrees and hailed from Indian states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir. Key transit points for their return included the international land ports at Akhurah near Agartala in Tripura and Dawki in Meghalaya.
The students faced severe disruptions, including a near-total internet blackout and restricted telephone services, which cut them off from their families. This isolation, coupled with the deteriorating security situation, compelled many to seek safe passage back to India.
Aamir, a second-year student at Marine City Medical College and Hospital in Chittagong, described the situation: “The situation is getting worse, and many restrictions have been put in place. The internet is not working, and we couldn’t get in touch with our families. We had to take the road route to Agartala instead of flying home.”
Mohammed Faiz Abdullah Khan, another student from the same institution, recounted that the college authorities had advised them to leave due to the escalating unrest. He added, “We took a cab to the Agartala border and have just crossed over. The situation was normal until Tuesday, when restrictions were imposed.”
In Meghalaya, officials reported that over 200 Indian students crossed the border due to the protests. Additionally, students from Bhutan and Nepal have also sought refuge in India. The state government is coordinating with the Bangladesh High Commission and the Bangladesh Land Port Authority to ensure the safe return of all affected individuals.
The protests in Bangladesh were sparked by a high court ruling that reinstated a 30% reservation in government jobs for the relatives of freedom fighters. Critics argue that this policy primarily benefits the ruling Awami League party led by Sheikh Hasina, who is accused of using the reservation to reward party loyalists. Although the reservation was suspended by the Bangladesh Supreme Court, the ruling is still being contested by the government.
Sources By Agencies