Indian Citizens advised not to travel to Bangladesh amid protests

The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday advised all Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to Bangladesh until further notice. It further warned all Indian nationals in the violence hit country to be cautious, restrict movement and to be in contact with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

The ministry also provided emergency phone numbers to contact the Indian High Commission. The numbers are 8801958383679, 8801958383680, 8801937400591.

This comes after at least 91 people, including 14 policemen, were killed and hundreds injured in fierce clashes between protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and the ruling party supporters in different parts of Bangladesh. The authorities cut off mobile internet and enforced a nationwide curfew for an indefinite period.



The clashes broke out Sunday morning when protesters attending the non-cooperation programme under the banner of the Students Against Discrimination with the one-point demand of the government's resignation over a job quota system faced opposition from the supporters of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists.

The fresh round of clashes erupted days after over 200 people were killed in violent clashes between the police and mostly student protesters demanding an end to the controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971. Since then, more than 11,000 people have been arrested.

Officials claimed that the protests were joined by unidentified people and activists of rightwing Islami Shashontantra Andolon, which erected barricades on several major highways and within the capital city. The protesters attacked the police stations and boxes, ruling party offices and residences of their leaders and burnt several vehicles, they added.


The situation prompted authorities to order a curfew in major cities and small towns across Bangladesh for an indefinite period from 6 PM, mobilising troops, paramilitary border guards BGB, and the elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion alongside police.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hasina said that those engaging in "sabotage" across the country in the name of protest are not students but terrorists and asked people to suppress them with a firm hand.

"I appeal to the countrymen to suppress these terrorists with a firm hand," she said.

The government has announced a three-day general holiday on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to ensure public safety amid the ongoing violent protests across the country.