As anti-quota protests escalate in Bangladesh, the situation has become increasingly dire, prompting a notable influx of Bangladeshi nationals into India. The Bangladeshi government has imposed a nationwide curfew and disabled mobile internet services in a bid to control the spread of misinformation, according to The Washington Post. This has left many residents struggling to stay informed.
Mohammed Mehdi Hasan Khan, a Bangladeshi who arrived in India on a medical visa for his mother’s treatment, described the situation in his home country as “very grim.” Khan, who runs a family business back in Bangladesh, expressed frustration over the lack of news access due to the internet blackout.
In response to the protests against the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, the Border Security Force (BSF) in India has stepped up security at the Fulbari immigration check post in Jalpaiguri. On Friday, 245 Indian nationals, including students from Nepal and India, crossed into India via the Gede border in West Bengal.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has been actively coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safety of Indian students and citizens. In Assam, Semim Sultana, whose son Asif Hussain is a medical student in Bangladesh, reported heightened concern as students made their way back to India.
The Indian High Commission issued an advisory urging Indian citizens and students in Bangladesh to avoid non-essential travel and remain indoors amid the ongoing unrest. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that all Indian nationals in Bangladesh are safe and assured that the situation is being closely monitored.
