Two people lie on a Dhaka road after being hit by bullets during protests. (Photo: X/@TamjidulH24v2)
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (foreign ministry) of India has issued a strong and urgent travel advisory for Indian citizens planning to travel to Bangladesh, on Sunday. This comes in the wake of the escalating violent protests in the neighbouring country against the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government.
In a media release, the foreign ministry said: “In view of the ongoing developments, Indian nationals are advised against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice.”
Giving out emergency phone numbers for Indian nationals still in Bangladesh, the MEA said: “All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the [Indian] high commission in Dhaka through their emergency phone numbers – +8801958383679, +8801958383680, and +8801937400591.”
Advisory for Bangladesh:https://t.co/mKs1auhnlK pic.twitter.com/m5c5Y0Bn8b
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 4, 2024
The foreign ministry also said it was monitoring the situation in Bangladesh closely and advised citizens to stay informed about any further updates. This advisory comes as a response to the massive anti-quota protests in Bangladesh, which has now transformed into protests against the country’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and her government.
Violence escalates in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi news outlet The Daily Star reported that at least 93 people have been killed and more than 1,000 others have been injured, many with bullets, in the fresh cycle of violent protests. So far, more than 300 people have died since the violence erupted in the country.
Police fired tear gas and lobbed stun grenades as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bangladesh, calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign https://t.co/bWwJsiLl6d pic.twitter.com/Q1T8AM9GV1
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 4, 2024
In the report, Daily Star said Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League activists along with security forces clashed with anti-government protesters in at least 20 districts in the country on the first day of the student-led non-cooperation movement designed to keep pressure on the prime minister to resign.
Protesting Bangladeshi students have planned a long march for Sunday, potentially setting themselves on a collision course with pro-government groups and security forces.
