Page 55 - Bangladesh

778 Indian students return home from Bangladesh amid ongoing violence

A total of 778 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh through various land transit points, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday as the neighbouring country continued to reel under deadly clashes over a controversial job-quota system. Indian missions in Bangladesh are in regular touch with the authorities concerned to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and students, the MEA said. "Thus far, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports," the ministry said. Bangladesh is reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap the controversial job-quota system. More than 50 people have been killed in the clashes that broke out weeks ago. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said the total number of Indian nationals in Bangladesh is ...

Bangladesh PM Hasina cancels overseas trips as deadly protests escalate

The administration has stepped up efforts to quell clashes between police and the students protesting the government's job quota policy

Despite curfew, deaths mount in B'desh protests over govt jobs quota

Another 22 people died Thursday as protesting students attempted to impose a complete shutdown of the country. Several people were also killed Tuesday and Wednesday

Job quota protests: Over 300 Indian students flee violence-hit Bangladesh

Students were mainly from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir. Key exit routes included the international land ports at Akhurah near Agartala in Tripura and Dawki in Meghalaya

Govt cancels two Kolkata to Bangladesh trains amid violent protests

The Indian Railways cancelled the Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express on Saturday and Bandhan Express between Kolkata and Khulna on Sunday, an official said. The cancellations come amid violent protests in Bangladesh over demands for an end to a quota system in jobs in the country, affecting normal life in several places. Citing "unavoidable circumstances", an Eastern Railway official said that the 13108 Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express will remain cancelled on Saturday. The services of 13129/13120 Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express will remain cancelled on Sunday "due to uncertainty in availability of rake", he said.

It is an internal matter: India on violent protests in Bangladesh

India on Friday described the violent protests in Bangladesh as an "internal" matter of that country. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around 15,000 Indians including 8,000 students are currently residing in Bangladesh and they are safe. "As you are aware, there are ongoing protests in Bangladesh. We see this as an internal matter of the country," he said. "We have issued an advisory for Indian nationals, including our students, resident in Bangladesh for their safety and assistance if required. Helpline numbers are activated operating on 24x7 basis for people to reach out," he said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is himself following the matter closely, Jaiswal said. "Our High Commission will be providing regular updates. I will also be posting regular updates. I would urge family members to follow us for latest developments," he said. "We remain committed to providing all possible assistance to our nationals in Bangladesh," Jaiswal said.

Bangladesh TV news off air, communications disrupted as protests spike

Telephone calls from overseas were mostly not getting connected and calls through the internet could not be completed

UN Chief Antonio Guterres expresses concern over violence in Bangladesh

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is following the developments in Bangladesh very closely and is deeply concerned by the ongoing violence, his spokesperson has said, urging authorities in Dhaka to work with its young population and find solutions to the ongoing challenges. Violent protests erupted in Bangladesh over quotas in the allocation of government jobs. Turning to the situation in Bangladesh, I can tell you that we are, of course, following the developments in the capital, Dhaka, and other places in Bangladesh very closely, and we continue to call for restraint from all sides, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said at the daily press briefing Thursday. The UN chief urged the Bangladesh Government to ensure a conducive environment for dialogue and encouraged protesters to engage in dialogue to resolve the deadlock. Violence is never a solution, Dujarric said, adding that the Secretary-General encourages meaningful and constructive participation o

Too late for talks: Bangladesh students demand action; death toll hits 39

Bangladesh quota protest: Fresh violence broke out on Thursday resulting in 18 deaths and leaving more 25,000 injured. Indian students in Kolkata show solidarity with protestors

India issues travel advisory for nationals in Bangladesh amid quota unrest

The clashes in Bangladesh arose from calls to reform the nation's civil service quota system, which allocates positions for certain groups, including descendants of those involved in the 1971 war

Bangladesh student protest: Rally, deaths, nationwide shutdowns, and more

Explained: What is Bangladesh's new job quota and how student protests turned violent leading to nationwide school, university, and transport shutdowns

Bangladesh quota protesters announce nationwide shutdown on Jun 18

Bangladesh plans to enforce a nationwide shutdown in response to the actions of the security forces that left at least six people, including four students, dead across the country

Dhaka University closed indefinitely; students asked to vacate dorms

Authorities at the premier Dhaka University on Wednesday announced an indefinite closure of the institution after ongoing protests demanding reforms in the quota system in government jobs turned violent and left at least six people, including three students, dead across the country. The students have been asked to vacate their dormitories by 6 pm on Wednesday. This decision was taken at an emergency syndicate meeting at the office of Vice Chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal, Pro-VC (Academic) Prof Sitesh C Bachar was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune. "Considering the security of the students, we have decided to close the university indefinitely and evacuate the halls," Bachar told The Daily Star. However, students of the university are protesting the decision, and they have thronged the VC's residence, the report added. At least six people, including three students, were killed and more than 100 others injured on Tuesday after protesters demanded quota reforms in public service and .

Violent clashes over quota in govt jobs leave scores injured in Bangladesh

Police fired tear gas and charged with batons during violent clashes between a pro-government student body and student protesters overnight, leaving dozens injured at a public university outside Bangladesh's capital, police and students said Tuesday. The violence spread early Tuesday at Jahangir Nagar University in Savar, outside Dhaka, where the protesters were demanding an end to a government job quota for family members of heroes who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971. The quota system also reserves government jobs for women, disabled people and ethnic minority groups. The system was suspended in 2018, which brought similar protests to a halt at the time. But in a decision last month, Bangladesh's High Court asked for the 30% quota for veterans' descendants to be restored. That triggered fresh protests, with demonstrators supporting the 6% quota for disabled people and ethnic groups but not for the descendants of the independence war heroes. The Supreme Court las

Imports from Bangladesh aggravate jute sector crisis: Stakeholders to govt

A body of jute suppliers have written to Union Minister Giriraj Singh, alleging that raw material imports from Bangladesh, either directly by mills or through third parties, have adversely impacted the industry and farmers. In a letter to the textile minister, the Jute Balers' Association has raised concerns over the "unregulated import of raw jute" from the neighbouring country and "low orders" for mills have led to a severe payment crisis for domestic raw jute suppliers. Indian Jute Mills Association has also raised concerns over the issue and sought intervention from the central and state governments to tide over the crisis. A meeting between the industry stakeholders and the ministry is expected later on Monday, an official said. The balers' association, which has been serving the sector for over 115 years, outlined the critical issues threatening the industry's survival. "Despite a bumper crop year in 2023-24, where domestic supply was sufficient, mills have continued to impo

Bangladesh prefers India over China to execute $1 billion river project

China and India both want to execute the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration, a Dhaka-led initiative to better manage the river's waters

'Upset' Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina cuts short her China visit: Report

China reportedly promised Dhaka $5 billion in loan assistance ahead of the visit. The eventual outcome of deal amounted to $100 mn

'Cannot push back Bangladeshi refugees', Mizoram CM Lalduhoma tells PM Modi

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Saturday urged the Centre to understand the position of Mizoram in giving shelter to refugees from neighbouring Bangladesh, an official statement said. An official of the state home department said that nearly 2,000 Zo ethnic people from Bangladesh have taken refuge in Mizoram since 2022. During a brief meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Lalduhoma informed him that his government could not push back or deport Zo ethnic people from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), the statement said. He informed the Prime Minister that many people belonging to the Bawm tribe, one of the ethnic Mizo tribes, from Bangladesh have been taking shelter in Mizoram since 2022, and many of them are still trying to enter the state. They started entering Mizoram in November 2022 following a military offensive by the Bangladeshi army against the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA), an ethnic insurgent group fighting for a separate state. The two lead

India's medical tourism gets booster shot from Bangladesh visitors

During the general elections, however, there has been a temporary lull in patients from Bangladesh as well as less visas were issued

11 Bangladeshis held at Agartala Railway Station for illegal entry

A case been registered against these individuals and they will be presented before the court on Sunday