The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised the Indian nationals in Bangladesh to exercise “extreme caution” and restrict their movements in view of fresh bout of violence the neighbouring country is witnessing. The Indian government has also asked the citizens to avoid travelling to Bangladesh till further notice “In view of ongoing developments”
The riots broke out again in Bangladesh which is burning since last month. The widespread riots claimed 97 lives while hundreds of people suffered serious injuries in the latest wave of violence. Thousands of protestors have taken to street to protest against the ruling party, Awami League led by Shaikh Hasina Wajed.
The Bangladesh government has imposed an indefinite nationwide curfew even as the protestors are clamouring for the resignation of the prime minister Shaikh Hasina who came back to power in January for a record consecutive fourth time. The government is forced to shut down high-speed internet services. The impact of the protest is such that the government is in the brink of collapse now. The ruling party has blamed the opposition for instigating the violence and said that “Those who are protesting on the streets right now are not students, but terrorists who are out to destabilise the nation”.
Initially started by students in Dhaka, the riots have spread across several cities and towns in Bangladesh. The crowds wielding sticks and other such objects are roaming on the streets, blocking major highways, clashing with police, occasionally torching vehicles and the groups supporting the ruling party. The protestors are backed by opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party which has urged people not to pay taxes and not to go for work.
The protesters want the rolling away of the quota system reserving 30 per cent of government jobs for families of Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence veterans. They claim that the quota system is unjustly favouring those supporting the Awami league. the Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina is the daughter of shaikh Mujibur Rehman who fought for the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971 with the help of India’s lady Indira Gandhi. Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi earned the epiphet of “Durga” by the opposition stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee for her action in Bangladesh which resulted in cutting Pakistan by half.
The protests erupted last month over a . As demonstrations intensified, the Supreme Court reduced the quota to 5 per cent, with 3 per cent dedicated to veterans’ relatives. However, protests continued, with demonstrators demanding accountability for alleged excessive force used by the government to quell the unrest. The agitation, which has turned violent on multiple occasions, has so far killed at least 200 people across the country, with Dhaka being the epicentre.
The Indian government has informed those in need to remain in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka through their emergency phone numbers, +8801958383679, +8801958383680 and +8801937400591
Also Read: Wayanad Effect: 449 Sq Km in South Gujarat Declared Eco-sensitive
