External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday briefed an all-party meeting at the Parliament complex on the Bangladesh crisis. As per ABP News sources, the government informed the all-party delegation that the Centre is closely monitoring the protests in Bangladesh and will keep updating the parties as the situation develops.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar, JP Nadda, LoP Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP K Venugopal, among others. TR Baalu of DMK, Lallan Singh of JDU, Ram Gopal Yadav of SP, Sudip Bandyopadhyay of TMC, Misa Bharti of RJD, Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT), Sasmit Patra of BJD, Supriya Sule of NCP(SP), Ram Mohan naidu of TDP, too, attended the meeting.
The Centre said around 12,000 to 13,000 Indians are in Bangladesh. The government said that the situation is not too alarming yet so as to prompt an immediate evacuation of Indians in Bangladesh.
The Centre said around 8000 students have returned to India so far. Indians at the embassy are safe.
No decision has been taken about Sheikh Hasina yet. The Opposition is believed to be satisfied with the steps taken by the government, the sources said.
After the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X: "Briefed an all-party meeting in Parliament today about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended."
Bangladesh Protests: Latest Developments
Widespread civil unrest continued in Bangladesh on Monday, resulting in massive loss of life and property damage. According to local reports, the violence claimed at least 135 lives and injured hundreds more.
The disturbances began with clashes between protesters and law enforcement, which quickly escalated into mob violence and arson attacks. According to news agency ANI, the government confirmed that at least 96 people died in police firings, while another 18 lost their lives in skirmishes on the outskirts of the capital.
Medical sources revealed that over 500 individuals were treated for various injuries, including gunshot wounds, with 70 requiring hospitalization.
The unrest was sparked by reports of Sheikh Hasina moving out of the country after resigning. This prompted jubilant crowds to take to the streets. The situation rapidly spiralled out of control, with reports of looting and vandalism at government buildings, including the prime minister's residence and the parliament.
The protests, initially led by students demanding reforms to the government job quota system, had grown into a broader movement against the ruling party. Sunday's clashes in Dhaka alone resulted in at least 95 fatalities, including 14 law enforcement officers, and left hundreds injured.
According to local reports, utter chaos has ensued in Bangladesh with inmates fleeing jails, banks getting looted, and temples and shops being vandalised. Even the Prime Minister's official residence was destroyed.
(With inputs from Manogya Loiwal.)