The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has issued an urgent advisory for Indian nationals and students in Bangladesh, asking them to avoid unnecessary travel and minimise movements outside their residence due to the increasing unrest in the country.
The advisory is issued 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.
Consultation on the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/nSMsw9hWp0
— India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) July 18, 2024
The protests are motivated by demands for reform of the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves posts for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 independence war against Pakistan.
On Thursday, the protests intensified after clashes broke out between students and police at various locations in Dhaka. Protesters in Merul Badda, near Brac University, blocked roads and clashed violently with police, resulting in several people getting injured. As the morning dawned, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to major traffic disruptions in the area, reports Dhaka Tribune.
In addition, students blocked the entrance to the Bashundhara residential area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Jatrabari, severely affecting public transport and causing widespread inconvenience. There was also a heavy police presence at Mirpur 10 roundabout and surrounding areas, due to which many local markets and shops remained closed.
The protests began as a protest against alleged police brutality and have now evolved into a broader demand for justice for those injured or killed in previous demonstrations, as well as violence-free campuses and rational reforms to the quota system, reports the Dhaka Tribune.
In view of the volatile situation, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and Indian Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna have set up 24 hour emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals and students in need of assistance:
High Commission of India, Dhaka: 880-1937400591 (also on WhatsApp)
Indian Assistant High Commission, Chittagong: 880-1814654797 / 880-1814654799 (also on WhatsApp)
Indian Assistant High Commission, Sylhet: 880-1313076411 (also on WhatsApp)
Indian Assistant High Commission, Khulna: 880-1812817799 (also on WhatsApp)
Recent protests have been fueled by dissatisfaction with Bangladesh’s quota system, which earmarks a significant number of civil service positions for specific groups. This system has been a controversial issue in Bangladesh for years, and the current protests reflect deep frustration with both the quota system and law enforcement’s response to peaceful student movements.
The Government of India is continuously monitoring the situation and has advised all citizens in Bangladesh to follow travel advisories and contact the High Commission or Assistant High Commission if they require immediate assistance.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
