Indian High Commission Issues Urgent Advisory Amid Unrest in Bangladesh

GG News Bureau
Dhaka, 18th July. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has issued an urgent advisory for Indian citizens and students in Bangladesh to avoid non-essential travel and minimize movement outside their residences due to escalating unrest in the country.

This advisory follows violent clashes between students and police in Dhaka after the Bangladeshi government decided to close all public and private universities. The protests, driven by demands for reform of the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, have seen students and law enforcement clash in various locations across Dhaka.

On Thursday, protests intensified, with demonstrators in Merul Badda near Brac University blocking roads and engaging in violent confrontations with police, resulting in multiple injuries. Police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds, causing significant traffic disruptions. Students also obstructed the entrance to the Bashundhara Residential Area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari, severely affecting public transportation. The Mirpur 10 roundabout and surrounding areas saw a heavy police presence, with many local markets and shops remaining closed.

The protests, initially sparked by perceived police brutality, have grown into broader demands for justice for those injured or killed in previous demonstrations and calls for a violence-free campus and rational reform of the quota system.

In light of the volatile situation, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Indian Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Sylhet, and Khulna have established 24-hour emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals and students requiring assistance:

High Commission of India, Dhaka: 880-1937400591 (also on WhatsApp)

Assistant High Commission of India, Chittagong: 880-1814654797 / 880-1814654799 (also on WhatsApp)

Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet: 880-1313076411 (also on WhatsApp)

Assistant High Commission of India, Khulna: 880-1812817799 (also on WhatsApp)

The Indian government continues to monitor the situation and advises all citizens in Bangladesh to adhere to the travel advisory and contact the High Commission or Assistant High Commissions if in need of urgent assistance.