New Delhi: Amid the violent protests and subsequent resignation and fleeing of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Air India, IndiGo, and Indian Railways have suspended services to Bangladesh.
Previously, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had issued a travel advisory against going to Bangladesh.
IndiGo has announced the cancellation of its Tuesday flight from Dhaka to India, although flights will operate as scheduled on Monday.
Air India too cancelled its flights to Dhaka “with immediate effect”. In a post on social platform X, the airline stated, “In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have cancelled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Dhaka with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges. Safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority. For more information, please call our 24/7 Contact Centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999.”
IMPORTANT UPDATE
In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have cancelled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings…
— Air India (@airindia) August 5, 2024
Meanwhile, Indian Railways cancelled all train services, including the Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitri Express, from July 19 to August 6, according to reports.
On Monday, around 3 pm, protesters breached the official residence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as reported by local news agencies of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has been thrust into a severe political crisis following the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Currently, the 76-year-old leader is in India, having arrived at Ghaziabad’s Hindon Air Base aboard a C-130 transport aircraft.
The aircraft is stationed near the hangars for the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The Indian Air Force and security agencies monitored her aircraft’s movement from the moment it entered Indian airspace until it reached Hindon Air Base.
After enduring protests for a month that escalated with demonstrators invading her Dhaka residence, Hasina was compelled to resign. Protesters also set ablaze several significant sites in Dhaka, including the Bangabandhu Bhaban, also known as the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, located in Dhanmondi 32, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly urged Indian residents in Bangladesh to exercise extreme vigilance and restrict their movements.
“In view of ongoing developments, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice. All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka through their emergency phone numbers.” stated the MEA in an official release on Sunday and shared emergency helpline numbers 8801958383679, 8801958383680, and 8801937400591
