• Source:JND
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Bangladesh Crisis:  Over 300 students returned to India through north-eastern borders on Friday as widespread student protests claimed over 100 lives in neighbouring Bangladesh. The protesters clashed with pro-government activists and security forces in anti-reservation violent protests. For weeks, the protests took an ugly turn on Monday this week when violence broke out at Dhaka University. Six protesters were killed during these demonstrations.

The Bangladesh government ordered the closure of all universities across the country, prompting Indian students to leave the country. Many of the returning students were pursuing MBBS degrees, with the majority hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir. On Friday, they primarily used the International Land Ports at Akhurah near Agartala in Tripura and Dawki in Meghalaya to return.

Internet, Telephone Services Shut Down

Indian students cited the near-total shutdown of internet and telephone services in the violence-ridden country, as their primary reason for temporarily leaving Bangladesh. Notably, the Bangladeshi government ordered the closure of telephone services and internet across major parts of the country on Thursday.

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Over 200 cross the Meghalaya Border

According to NDTV, over 200 students crossed into India from Bangladesh. Many students from Nepal and Bhutan also crossed into India. An official reported that among the students, 67 hailed from Meghalaya and seven were from Bhutan. He added that the state government was coordinating with the Bangladesh High Commission and the Bangladesh Land Port Authority to ensure the safe return of the Indian nationals.

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Why Bangladesh Is Facing Massive Anti-Quota Protests

At least 64 people have lost their lives, and more than 2,500 have sustained injuries in the violent confrontations involving students, government supporters, and security forces. These protests erupted last month following a high court decision to reinstate a 30 per cent job reservation in government positions for the families of freedom fighters and veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 War of Independence.