Bangladesh clashes: India issues strong travel advisory

New Delhi, Aug 5: In response to the recent fierce clashes between protesters and supporters of the ruling Awami League in Bangladesh, the Government of India has issued a strong advisory for all Indian nationals. Travellers are urged to avoid visiting Bangladesh until further notice.

On Sunday, at least 18 people were killed and dozens injured in Bangladesh. The protests, which have centred around a contentious government jobs quota, have also seen demands for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.

For those currently residing in or visiting Bangladesh, it is crucial to exercise extreme caution. Indian nationals are advised to limit their movements and stay in close contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka. The High Commission has provided emergency contact numbers for assistance.

The latest outbreak of violence follows a tragic incident just days earlier, where over 200 people lost their lives in violent encounters between police and mostly student protesters. These protests have been demanding the abolition of a controversial quota system that reserves 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence.

The violence erupted this morning when protesters, participating in a non-cooperation movement demanding the government’s resignation, clashed with activists from the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League.

In response to the escalating violence, the Home Ministry has imposed an indefinite countrywide curfew starting at 6 pm on Sunday.

Prime Minister Hasina has taken a firm stance against the protests, declaring that those engaging in sabotage in the name of protest are not students but terrorists. She has called on the public to firmly suppress the protesters.

In light of the ongoing unrest, Hasina convened a meeting of the National Committee on Security Affairs at Ganabhaban, according to sources from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).