Meghalaya: Amid violent protests against job quotas in Bangladesh, 204 Indian students and several others from Nepal and Bhutan were successfully evacuated to India through Meghalaya on Friday, officials reported.
The students were brought through the Dawki Integrated Check Post along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border. Thomas, Assistant Nodal Officer of the Meghalaya government, confirmed their arrival, stating, “Out of 204, 104 students are from other states, and many other students from Nepal and Bhutan also arrived.”
This evacuation comes in response to ongoing protests in Bangladesh against the country’s controversial quota system for government jobs. Reports indicate that dozens of protesters have been killed and hundreds injured, leading authorities to impose restrictions such as internet and mobile service blockades and bans on public gatherings.
In light of the situation, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an advisory on Thursday directing Indian nationals in Bangladesh to avoid local travel. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in a press briefing, “All Indian nationals in Bangladesh are safe, and New Delhi is in touch with officials there while closely monitoring the situation.”
The MEA has urged family members of Indian nationals in Bangladesh to stay in contact with the Indian High Commission. External Affairs Minister is personally monitoring the situation, and the High Commission will provide regular updates.
Meanwhile, some Bangladeshi nationals have also arrived in India via the Integrated Check Post at Akhaura Road, Agartala. Taher Alam, a Bangladeshi advocate, described the situation: “Bangladesh is disturbed by the students’ protest. Many of them have been killed, the whole country is shut. People are facing problems in every sector.”
The All India Democratic Students’ Organisation staged a protest in Kolkata amid the anti-quota protests in Bangladesh.