Nearly 1k Indian students return from Bangladesh
Over 1,000 Indian students return from Bangladesh as violence escalates; MEA ensures safe repatriation and continued assistance
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2024-07-20 10:15 GMT
New Delhi: Nearly a thousand Indian students studying in Bangladesh, mostly in medical colleges there, have returned to India till Saturday afternoon following a large-scale violence that has claimed scores of lives. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) stated on Saturday, “Security escorts have also been arranged, where necessary, for their travel by road during repatriation through select land ports."
The violence began in the neighbouring nation after protests over the proposed quota in government jobs for families of those who fought in the 1971 War of Liberation against Pakistani troops. When the violence broke out, there were about 15,000 Indian nationals residing in Bangladesh, of which 8,500 were students.
MEA stated on Friday that all Indians in Bangladesh are safe. However, the number of Indian students returning home is likely to rise further. This is the second instance in the past few weeks of Indian students returning home following large-scale violence, the first being from the Central Asian Kyrgyz Republic.
According to official records, 778 students have so far returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports, the MEA said in a statement.
The statement added, “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. In coordination with the local authorities, measures are being taken by the high commission and the assistant high Commissions to facilitate safe travel to the border crossing points along the India Bangladesh International Border. MEA is also coordinating with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and BSF authorities to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens."
“The high commission and assistant high commissions are in regular touch with more than 4,000 students staying back in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance. Students from Nepal and Bhutan are also receiving assistance to cross over to India on request. They are in regular touch with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure safety and security of Indians and coordinating with civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure uninterrupted flight services to India from Dhaka and Chittagong,” the MEA added.
The violence began in the neighbouring nation after protests over the proposed quota in government jobs for families of those who fought in the 1971 War of Liberation against Pakistani troops. When the violence broke out, there were about 15,000 Indian nationals residing in Bangladesh, of which 8,500 were students.
MEA stated on Friday that all Indians in Bangladesh are safe. However, the number of Indian students returning home is likely to rise further. This is the second instance in the past few weeks of Indian students returning home following large-scale violence, the first being from the Central Asian Kyrgyz Republic.
According to official records, 778 students have so far returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports, the MEA said in a statement.
The statement added, “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. In coordination with the local authorities, measures are being taken by the high commission and the assistant high Commissions to facilitate safe travel to the border crossing points along the India Bangladesh International Border. MEA is also coordinating with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and BSF authorities to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens."
“The high commission and assistant high commissions are in regular touch with more than 4,000 students staying back in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance. Students from Nepal and Bhutan are also receiving assistance to cross over to India on request. They are in regular touch with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure safety and security of Indians and coordinating with civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure uninterrupted flight services to India from Dhaka and Chittagong,” the MEA added.