Dozens of Nepali students managed to return to Nepal from violence-hit Bangladesh on Sunday. Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the returnees could not contain their emotions as they recounted the situation they encountered back in Dhaka.
The unrest was sparked by students who have long demanded an overhaul of the quota system, which originally reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for descendants of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971.
In response to the worsening law and order situation in Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) has heightened its operational preparedness along the India-Bangladesh border.
Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar said on Saturday that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in Bangladesh.
The protests in Bangladesh have been driven by demands for reform of the country's quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that he has communicated with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar on arranging safe evacuation of Manipuris from Bangladesh.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in Bangladesh.
Dr Vishal Kumar, District Magistrate of West Tripura on Saturday spoke about the students coming to India amid protests in Bangladesh against job reservation and emphasized that authorities are committed to providing the necessary support to them.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma thanked Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha for all the arrangements and assistance in the evacuation of students from Bangladesh.
Amid the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of Indian nationals home following the recent developments there, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The Border Security Force (BSF) assisted in the return of as many as 100 students with valid documents on Saturday. The students also include citizens from Nepal, and more students are expected to come back.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government is in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh to facilitate the evacuation process.