Nearly 1,000 Indian Students Repatriated From Bangladesh Amid Protests Leaving 115 Dead

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday that 778 Indian students have safely returned from Bangladesh via land ports, bringing the total number of returnees to 998. The MEA highlighted that the High Commission of India in Dhaka, along with the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna, have been instrumental in facilitating these repatriation efforts amid the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh.

In a statement, the MEA assured that the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions are in continuous communication with over 4,000 students still residing in various Bangladeshi universities, providing them with necessary assistance.

To ensure safe repatriation, security escorts have been arranged for road travel through select land ports. The High Commission in Dhaka is also coordinating with Bangladeshi civil aviation authorities and commercial airlines to maintain uninterrupted flight services.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has been under curfew following deadly student-led protests against government job quotas. According to an AFP count, at least 115 fatalities have occurred this week as reported by police and hospitals.

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The protests, triggered by discontent towards the controversial government job quotas, including a 30% allocation for families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan, have reignited despite the quota system being abolished in 2018. A court decision to reinstate the quota last month has fueled widespread dissatisfaction among the youth, who are grappling with high unemployment rates.

In response, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has deployed the military and imposed a nationwide curfew. Although the curfew was briefly lifted for two hours on Saturday, it is expected to remain in effect until 10 a.m. on Sunday, when the government will reassess the situation.

Reports indicate that more than half of this week’s deaths were caused by police fire, according to descriptions provided by hospital staff to AFP. Amnesty International’s Babu Ram Pant condemned the actions of the Bangladeshi authorities, stating, “The rising death toll is a shocking indictment of the absolute intolerance shown by the Bangladeshi authorities to protest and dissent.”