Shoot-at-sight orders have reportedly been issued in Bangladesh, where the student agitation against the quota system has turned increasingly violent. Escaping the situation in the neighbouring country, at least 978 Indian students have got back home, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Taking inputs from Agence France-Presse, the Indian media brand NDTV reported this morning that the recent “violence has killed at least 133 people so far”, posing a “monumental challenge” for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has governed Bangladesh for 15 years.
Multiple news outlets also reported today that along with the deployment of military forces to contain the violence, shoot-at-sight orders have been issued. A temporary easing — 3pm to 5pm — of the curfew has been announced in order to let people go on essential errands.
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh is set to rule today on the quota system that has triggered the massive agitation.
The MEA said in a late-night statement yesterday that nearly a thousand Indian students had returned to India from Bangladesh through various land transit points or by flight.
Bangladesh has been reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap the nation’s controversial job quota system.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the MEA was fully focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indians in Bangladesh.
“Thus far, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports,” said the MEA, according to a PTI report.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said on Friday that the total number of Indian nationals in Bangladesh was estimated to be around 15,000.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna were assisting the return of Indian nationals, said the ministry.
“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,” it said in a statement.
“The MEA is also coordinating with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and BSF authorities to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens,” it said.
The Indian High Commission and the Assistant High Commissions were in regular touch with more than 4,000 Indian students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh and were providing necessary assistance, said the MEA.
Students from Nepal and Bhutan had also been assisted with their crossing into India on request, it said. “Security escorts have also been arranged, where necessary, for their travel by road during repatriation through select land ports,” the MEA said.
—With inputs from the Press Trust of India
