India Facilitates Safe Return of 778 Students from Bangladesh Amid Unrest

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday the successful repatriation of 778 Indian students from Bangladesh through land ports. This brings the total number of returnees to 998. The MEA highlighted that the High Commission of India in Dhaka, in collaboration with the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna, has been actively supporting these efforts amidst the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh.

In a statement, the MEA said, “The High Commission of India in Dhaka and our Assistant High Commissions are in regular touch with more than 4,000 students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance.”

To ensure the safety of the students during repatriation, security escorts have been arranged for road travel through select land ports. Additionally, the High Commission in Dhaka is working closely with Bangladeshi civil aviation authorities and commercial airlines to maintain uninterrupted flight services, according to the ministry.

The capital city of Dhaka has been under curfew following deadly student-led protests against government job quotas. According to an AFP tally of victims reported by police and hospitals, the protests have resulted in at least 115 fatalities this week.

The unrest began due to anger over controversial government job quotas, which include a 30% allocation for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan. Although the quota system was abolished in 2018, a court reinstated it last month, leading to widespread discontent among the youth, who are facing high unemployment rates.