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Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a weekly media briefing that 15,000 Indians, including 8,500 students, were safe. (Representative image: Getty)
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is coordinating with local authorities to provide adequate security to Indian students who wish to return to India, official sources said
India on Friday described violent protests in Bangladesh as an “internal” matter in Dhaka but said it was closely monitoring the situation of the 15,000 Indians living in the country.
Bangladesh has been locked in deadly clashes with protesting students demanding the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap its controversial employment quota system. About 30 people were killed in the clashes that began weeks ago.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a weekly media briefing that 15,000 Indians, including 8,500 students, were safe.
Official sources said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is coordinating with local authorities to provide adequate security to Indian students who wish to return to India.
As of 8 pm on Friday, 245 Indians, including 125 students, had returned to India, they said, adding that the Indian High Commission had also facilitated the return of 13 Nepali students.
“As you know, there are protests happening in Bangladesh. We consider this an internal matter of the country,” Jaiswal said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar himself is closely monitoring the matter to ensure the safety of Indians, he added.
Indo-Bangladesh border crossings – Benapole-Petrapole; sources said Gede-Darsana and Akhaura-Agartala will remain open for students and Indian nationals to return home.
The Indian High Commission is coordinating with the BSF and the Department of Immigration to facilitate the return of Indian students from Bangladesh, they added.
The situation in Bangladesh worsened this week, prompting authorities to halt bus and train services and close schools and universities across the country.
“We have issued a warning to Indian nationals living in Bangladesh, including our students, to ensure their safety and provide assistance if needed,” Jaiswal said.
He said that the Indian High Commission has launched a helpline that operates 24×7.
“Our High Commission will provide regular updates on the situation. I will also post regular updates. I would urge families to follow our latest developments,” he said.
“We remain committed to providing all possible assistance to Bangladeshi nationals,” Jaiswal said.
He said the total number of Indian nationals in Bangladesh was estimated to be about 15,000, including about 8,500 students.
“We are aware of the measures taken by local authorities in response to the protests. Our High Commission remains in contact with local authorities for the safety of our citizens.
Protesters have called for the employment quota system to be scrapped, calling it “discriminatory”.
(This article has not been edited by News18 staff and is published by PTI)
