Bangladesh Unrest: Nearly 1,000 Indian Students Return, 'Shoot-on-Sight Order' Imposed

Dhaka: Massive protests have been going on in Bangladesh for the last few days which are primarily led by the students; these protests are about the government job quotas and have caused clashes between those for and against it.

As the protests intensify, a nation-wide protest has been issued by the government of Bangladesh and communication has been severely affected.

Check all the latest updates related to the Bangladesh Riots…

Nationwide Unrest In Bangladesh, Curfew Declared | Latest Updates

• Bangladesh imposes 'shoot-on-sight-order' following deadly protests

Bangladesh imposes strict curfew with a 'shoot-on-sight-order' following deadly protests

• 778 Indian Students Return

The External Affairs Ministry on Saturday said that 778 Indian students have returned via various land ports, with an additional 200 students using regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports.

• PM Hasina Cancels Foreign Trip As Toll Hits 105

“She has cancelled her Spain and Brazil tours due to the prevailing situation," said media reports. 

• Curfew Imposed

As deadly anti-quota protests continue to escalate, Bangladesh on Friday imposed a curfew.

• Military Deployed To Ensure Peace

The government has also deployed military to ensure peace and keep the law and order situation in control.

• Bangladesh Riots: Death Toll

According to the media reports, the death toll has risen to 105 according to the information shared by the hospitals.

• Why Are Students Protesting?

The protests are led by the students in the country and is related to the civil service job quotas in Bangladesh. 

• Trains to Bangladesh Cancelled 

Amid the nationwide curfew in Bangladesh the Indian Railways cancelled the Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express on Saturday and the Bandhan Express between Kolkata and Khulna on Sunday.

• Telecommunications Disrupted

The protests also disrupted the telecommunications in the country and many television news channels went off the air.

• Some Mobile Telephone Services Cut-Off

To ensure peace as the protests turned violent, a few mobile telephone services were also cut-off.

• Nationwide Suspension of Train Services

As the protests against civil services job quota turn violent, Bangladesh has ordered a nation-wide suspension of train services.

• Internet Services Suspended

To reinstate peace in the nation, internet services have been suspended in Bangladesh.

• Educational Institutions Shut

As protests intensify and a nationwide curfew is imposed, the closure of all schools and colleges in the country has been announced.

• Gatherings-Demonstrations Banned in Dhaka

Police in Dhaka said they were banning all gatherings and demonstrations in the capital.

• Tear Gas-Rubber Bullets Being Used by Police

The border guards shot at the crowd with rifles and sound grenades, while police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

• Social Media Platforms Not Working

Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were also not loading amid internet disruptions during the ongoing protests.

• MoS External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh On Bangladesh Protests

"This is a worrying issue...Students' issues should always be heard and we are hopeful that the Bangladesh government will resolve is matter soon..."

• Bangladesh PM Cancels Plan to Leave Country

"Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has cancelled her Spain and Brazil tours due to the prevailing situation," Nayeemul Islam Khan told AFP on Saturday.

• Over 700 Indians Have Returned So Far

So far, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports.

• More Than 4000 Indian Students Still in Bangladesh

The High Commission of India in Dhaka and our Assistant High Commissions are in regular touch with more than 4000 students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance.

• Nepal-Bhutan Students Assisted With Crossing Into India

Students from Nepal and Bhutan have also been assisted with their crossing into India on request.

• Members of All India Students' Union Protest In Solidarity with Bangladesh Students

AISA members hold protests in the national capital, showing solidarity with the students of Bangladesh.

Why Are Students Protesting in Bangladesh?

The protests, as mentioned earlier, are led by the students in the country and is related to the civil service job quotas in Bangladesh. 

There are a large number of students who have been demanding an end to the quota system which offers over half of civil service posts for certain groups and communities. About 30 percent of the seats have been reserved for those whose who are relatives of the veterans of the Bangladesh War with Pakistan in 1971.

Students believe that this reservation is discriminatory in nature and particularly favours the supporters of the current ruling party. 

Therefore, they are demanding recruitment on the basis of merit as these jobs provide high job security and better pay.