The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh has issued an advisory for Indian nationals in the country after protests by students against job quota turned violent killing six people. In its advisory, the Indian High Commission has urged citizens to avoid travel and minimise movement outside their living premises.
"In view of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Indian community members and the Indian students residing in Bangladesh are advised to avoid travel and minimize their movement outside their living premises," the advisory read, issued on Thursday.
In case of any urgency or need for assistance, the High Commission listed 24-Hour emergency numbers operatinal in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna.
About 10,000 Indian students study in Bangladesh in fields like medicine and many Indian citizens, aid the turmoil are fleeing back to India.
The students have been protesting against reservation iin jobs to the relatives of freedom fighters who fought the 1971 war of Independence against Pakistan. A total of 56 per cent of government jobs are reserved for candidates from various quotas. Of this, 30 per cent is reserved for relatives of war heroes,10 percent for women, 10 percent for people of underdeveloped districts, five percent for members of indigenous communities and one percent for physically challenged people.
The protests, however turned violent on Tuesday after the student protestors clashed with activists from Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of ruling Bangladesh Awami League, and with the police.
Following the unrest, all the private and public universities in the country have been shut indefinitely and the students have been asked to vacate their halls of residence.
On Wednesay evening, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation and expressed "regret" over "terrorist acts" and also urged everyone to keep patience as the matter is sub-judice in court.