Dhaka:

Amid the political unrest in Bangladesh, the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh has said that it continues to remain operational and released helpline numbers for Indian nationals who reside there.

According to sources, the diplomats and officials of the Indian High Commission continue to remain in Bangladesh, while non-essential staff and their families returned on Wednesday morning.

The sources said, “To reiterate all the helplines of HCI Dhaka are working. The helpline numbers are being shared again below for reference: 8801958383679 8801958383680 8801937400591.”

The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh continues to remain operational despite the country facing a fluid political situation, with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina tendering her resignation in the wake of mounting protests on August 5. The protests, led mainly by students demanding an end to the quota system for government jobs, evolved into anti-government demonstrations.

Amid political turmoil in Bangladesh, an Air India flight from Dhaka carrying 199 passengers and six infants landed in Delhi early this morning. Air India operated a special charter flight at short notice despite infrastructure challenges at Dhaka Airport late last night and landed in Delhi early this morning, as per information provided by sources.

On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that there are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals of which about 9,000 are students, while ensuring the country that the government is in close contact with the Indian community in Dhaka.

Mr Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha that the bulk of the students returned to India in July.

“We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there of which about 9000 are students. The bulk of the students returned in July,” he said.

The External Affairs Minister also mentioned that the government is monitoring the situation with regard to the minorities living in Bangladesh. Mr Jaishankar noted that ties between India and Bangladesh are exceptionally close.

He said that in addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, India’s diplomatic presence in Bangladesh included the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet.

Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening after tendering her resignation. It is not clear if Sheikh Hasina will continue to stay in Delhi or move to another location later.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh PM President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of the country’s parliament to make way for the formation of an interim administration, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Dhaka Tribune reported. Bangladesh President’s Press Secretary, Joynal Abedin, made the announcement.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Amid political unrest in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that there are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals in the country, of which about 9,000 are students, while giving an assurance that the government is in close contact with the Indian community in Dhaka.

Mr Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha that the bulk of the students returned to India in July.

“We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there of which about 9,000 are students. The bulk of the students returned in July,” he said.

He also said that Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested approval from India to come at very short notice and she arrived on the evening of Monday.

“On August 5, demonstrators converged in Dhaka despite the curfew. Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apparently made the decision to resign. At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi,” he said.

The External Affairs Minister also mentioned that the government is monitoring the situation with regard to the minorities living in Bangladesh.

Mr Jaishankar noted that ties between India and Bangladesh are exceptionally close.

“Since the election in January 2024, there have been considerable tensions, deep divides and growing polarisation in Bangladesh politics and this underlying foundation aggravated a student agitation that started in June this year,” the minister said. 

“There was growing violence including attacks on public buildings and violence continued in July. We counselled restraint and urged the situation be resolved by dialogue,” Mr Jaishankar said in his statement in Rajya Sabha.

He said that the growing violence included attacks on public buildings and infrastructure, as well as traffic and rail obstructions.

“Throughout this period, we repeatedly counselled restraint and urged that the situation be defused through dialogue. Similar urgings were made to various political forces with whom we were in touch,” Mr Jaishankar said.

Despite the supreme court judgment on July 21, there was no let-up in protests, the Union minister said.

“Various decisions and actions taken thereafter only exacerbated the situation. The agitation at this stage coalesced around a one-point agenda, that is that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should step down,” Mr Jaishankar said.

On August 4 the situation in the neighbouring country turned serious, Mr Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha.

“Attacks on police, including police stations and government installations, intensified even as overall levels of violence greatly escalated. Properties of individuals associated with the regime were torched across the country. What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses and temples also came under attack at multiple locations. The full extent of this is still not clear,” Mr Jaishankar said.

The EAM informed the House that the situation in Bangladesh “is still evolving.”

“The Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, addressed the nation on 5th August. He spoke about assuming responsibility and constituting an interim government,” the foreign minister said.

He said that in addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, India’s diplomatic presence in Bangladesh included the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet.

“It is our expectation that the host government will provide the required security protection for these establishments. We look forward to their normal functioning once the situation stabilises,” Mr Jaishankar said.

“We are also monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities. There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organisations to ensure their protection and well-being. Naturally, we will remain deeply concerned till law and order is restored,” the minister said.

“Our border guarding forces have been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation. In the last 24 hours, we have been in touch with authorities in Dhaka,” the foreign minister said.

“In the last 24 hours, we have also been in regular touch with the authorities in Dhaka. This is the situation as of now,” he added.

The Union minister said that he “seeks the understanding and support of the House in regard to sensitive issues regarding an important neighbour on which there has always been strong national consensus.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

More than 4,500 Indian students have returned home from Bangladesh as the neighbouring country continues to reel under violent clashes that have killed over 100 people.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday that 500 students from Nepal, 38 from Bhutan and one from the Maldives have also arrived in India.

It said the Indian missions in Bangladesh are in regular touch with local authorities for the safety and security of Indian nationals.

“Thus far, over 4,500 Indian students have returned to India. The High Commission has been making arrangements for security escort for safe travel of Indian nationals to the border-crossing points,” the MEA said.

Update on return of Indian Nationals in Bangladesh (July 21, 2024):https://t.co/xH7pgQ2NU0pic.twitter.com/awOXrUnJT8

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2024

It said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and the assistant high commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of Indian nationals home.

“The Ministry of External Affairs has also been coordinating with relevant Indian authorities to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens at land-ports and airports,” it said in a statement.

The high commission is also coordinating with the civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure the availability of flight services between India and Bangladesh, the ministry said.

The MEA said the Indian missions are also in regular contact with the remaining Indian students in various universities in Bangladesh and with Indian nationals for their welfare and assistance.

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

Bangladesh has been reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap a controversial job-quota system.

More than 100 people have been killed in the clashes that broke out weeks ago, according to reports from Dhaka, though the exact number of deaths is not yet clear.

Law enforcement authorities in Bangladesh have imposed a nationwide curfew as the clashes between the protesters demanding the withdrawal of the job-quota system and police continued across the country.

“Over the course of the past two days, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of Indian nationals home, following the recent developments in Bangladesh,” the MEA said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Imphal (Manipur):

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that he has communicated with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar on arranging safe evacuation of Manipuris from Bangladesh.

“I have personally communicated with Hon’ble Union Minister of External Affairs, @DrSJaishankar ji on the developing situation in Bangladesh, and we are coordinating on arranging a safe return of Manipuris back to the country,” Biren Singh said in a post on X.

I have personally communicated with Hon’ble Union Minister of External Affairs, Shri @DrSJaishankar ji on the developing situation in Bangladesh, and we are coordinating on arranging a safe return of Manipuris back to the country.

The situation is being closely monitored by… pic.twitter.com/Obw3NBPMli

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 20, 2024

He added that the situation is being closely monitored by EAM Jaishankar.

“I really appreciate the steps he has taken for providing safe passage for all the Indian citizens from Bangladesh,” the Chief Minister added.

EAM Jaishankar said on Saturday that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in Bangladesh.

Sharing the update on the return of Indian nationals in Bangladesh on X, which was posted earlier by the official spokesperson of MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, the EAM wrote, “Appreciate the concern of families and well wishers of Indian nationals in Bangladesh.”

“MEA is fully focused on ensuring their safety and well being. The current situation is as below,” Jaishankar said further.

In its official release earlier today, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of Indian nationals home following the recent developments there.

In order to facilitate safe travel, the MEA is also coordinating with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and Border Security Force (BSF) authorities.

The protests in Bangladesh have been driven by demands for reform in the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan.

Bangladesh has imposed a curfew, and the authorities have disabled mobile internet services nationwide, citing the need to curb disinformation, according to The Washington Post.

According to MEA, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports so far. In addition, around 200 students have returned home via regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports.

“The High Commission of India in Dhaka and our Assistant High Commissions are in regular touch with more than 4000 students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance. Students from Nepal and Bhutan have also been assisted with their crossing into India on request,” the MEA said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Dhaka:

Indian High Commission in Dhaka has issued an urgent advisory for Indian citizens and students in Bangladesh to avoid non-essential travel and minimise movement outside their residences due to the escalating unrest in the country.

The advisory comes in response to recent violent clashes between students and police in Dhaka, following the Bangladeshi government’s decision to close all public and private universities.

Advisory on the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/nSMsw9hWp0

— India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) July 18, 2024

The protests have been driven by demands for reform of the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

On Thursday, protests intensified as students clashed with law enforcement in various locations across Dhaka. In Merul Badda, near Brac University, demonstrators blocked roads and engaged in violent confrontations with police, resulting in multiple injuries. By late morning, police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to significant traffic disruptions in the area, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Additionally, students obstructed the entrance to the Bashundhara Residential Area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari, severely affecting public transportation and causing widespread inconvenience. The Mirpur 10 roundabout and surrounding areas also experienced a heavy police presence, with many local markets and shops remaining closed.

The protests began in response to perceived police brutality and have evolved into a broader demand for justice for those injured or killed in previous demonstrations, as well as a call for a violence-free campus and rational reform of the quota system, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.

In light of the volatile situation, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Indian Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Sylhet, and Khulna have established 24-hour emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals and students who require assistance:

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, Sylhet: 880-1313076411 (also on WhatsApp)

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

The recent protests have been fueled by dissatisfaction with Bangladesh’s quota system, which sets aside a significant number of civil service positions for specific groups. This system has been a contentious issue in Bangladesh for years, with current demonstrations reflecting deep-seated frustrations over both the quota system and the response of law enforcement to peaceful student movements.

The Indian government continues to monitor the situation and advises all citizens in Bangladesh to adhere to the travel advisory and reach out to the High Commission or Assistant High Commissions if they are in need of urgent assistance.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)