MEA Advises Indian Nationals Against Travelling To Bangladesh Amidst Ongoing Protests

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Sunday advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Bangladesh, in the wake of the ongoing violent protests, which claimed the lives of over 90 people. The MEA, in a statement on Sunday, strongly advised Indian citizens against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice by the ministry. In the advisory, the MEA wrote, “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- 8801958383679, 8801958383680, 8801937400591.”

Over 80 Killed During Protests

Over 80 people including 14 policemen, were killed and hundreds injured on Sunday in fierce clashes between protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and the ruling party supporters in different parts of Bangladesh, forcing authorities to cut off mobile internet and enforce 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.

Over 80 people have been killed in clashes, shootings and counter-chases across the country surrounding the non-cooperation program, a local newspaper reported. 

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.