• By Kamal Kumar
  • Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:50 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

In the wake of violent civil unrest in Bangladesh, India on Sunday asked its citizens to avoid travelling to the neighbouring country. In a strongly worded advisory issued late on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs urged its citizens, presently residing in the violence-ridden country, to exercise extreme caution and restrict their movements.

This comes as 91 people lost their lives in the fresh clashes between anti-quota protestors and police in Bangladesh. The country-wide protests, which erupted as a student movement against the freedom fighter reservation, turned to anti-regime unrest with opposition party workers clashing with security forces in large numbers.

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"In view of ongoing developments, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice. 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," MEA said in a fresh advisory which was published on its official website.

Following the violent protests, authorities have imposed a nationwide curfew. Mobile internet services were also shut down across the country, ANI report stated. The latest outbreak of violence occurred just days after fierce clashes between police and mostly student protesters resulted in over 200 deaths. The protesters were demanding an end to the controversial quota system, which reserves 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 War of Independence.

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The government has announced a three-day general holiday on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to bolster public safety amidst the ongoing violent protests across the nation. In the meantime, Prime Minister Hasina stated that those involved in acts of "sabotage" under the guise of protest are not students but "terrorists" and urged the public to take strong action against them. "I urge my fellow citizens to firmly suppress these terrorists," she said, as reported by news agency PTI.