The government has facilitated the return of 245 Indian citizens, including 125 students, from Bangladesh after deadly protests against a quota system for government jobs. The clashes between protesters and police have resulted in 64 deaths, despite a ban on public gatherings.
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described 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.
By 8 pm on Friday, 245 Indians, including 125 students, had returned to India. The Indian High Commission also facilitated the return of 13 Nepali students.
The High Commission, in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bureau of Immigration, has been active in ensuring the safe passage of these students through border crossings such as Benapole-Petrapole, Gede-Darshana, and Akhaura-Agartala.
“We see the protests in Bangladesh as an internal matter of the country,” said Jaiswal at a media briefing. He added that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was personally overseeing the safety of Indians in Bangladesh.
The MEA has issued an advisory for Indian nationals in Bangladesh to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors.
