News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/18th July 2024
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has urgently advised Indian citizens and students in Bangladesh to avoid non-essential travel and minimize movement outside their residences due to escalating unrest in the country. This advisory follows recent violent clashes between students and police in Dhaka, triggered by the Bangladeshi government’s decision to close all public and private universities.
The protests, driven by demands for reform of Bangladesh’s quota system for civil service jobs, have intensified. The system reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. Thursday saw a significant escalation in protests as students clashed with law enforcement across various locations in Dhaka. In Merul Badda, near Brac University, demonstrators blocked roads and engaged in violent confrontations with police, resulting in multiple injuries. By late morning, police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, causing significant traffic disruptions in the area, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
Protests also obstructed the entrance to the Bashundhara Residential Area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari, severely affecting public transportation and causing widespread inconvenience. The Mirpur 10 roundabout and surrounding areas saw a heavy police presence, with many local markets and shops remaining closed.
Initially sparked by perceived police brutality, the protests have evolved into broader demands for justice for those injured or killed in previous demonstrations. Students are calling for a violence-free campus and rational reform of the quota system, highlighting deep-seated frustrations with both the quota system and the response of law enforcement to peaceful student movements.
In response to the volatile situation, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Indian Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Sylhet, and Khulna have established 24-hour emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals and students needing assistance. The contact numbers are as follows:
- High Commission of India, Dhaka: +880-1937400591 (also on WhatsApp)
- Assistant High Commission of India, Chittagong: +880-1814654797 / +880-1814654799 (also on WhatsApp)
- Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet: +880-1313076411 (also on WhatsApp)
- Assistant High Commission of India, Khulna: +880-1812817799 (also on WhatsApp)
The recent protests have highlighted dissatisfaction with Bangladesh’s quota system, which has been a contentious issue for years. Current demonstrations reflect deep-seated frustrations over both the quota system and the police response to peaceful student movements.
The Indian government continues to monitor the situation closely and advises all citizens in Bangladesh to adhere to the travel advisory and contact the High Commission or Assistant High Commissions if they need urgent assistance.
The unrest in Bangladesh has significantly impacted daily life, with public transportation disruptions and closures of local markets and shops. The Indian High Commission’s advisory underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential risks to Indian citizens and students in the country. As the situation develops, the Indian government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its nationals in Bangladesh.
