Deadly unrest in Bangladesh: Maldivians safe, two students cross border
90 students have registered at the high commission
Bangladeshi students have been protesting over the allocation of civil service jobs
Maldivians residing in Bangladesh are currently safe and two Maldivian students have crossed the border of the country to return home.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via a statement issued on Sunday.
As such, the ministry revealed that the High Commission of Maldives in Bangladesh is closely monitoring the condition of Maldivian residing and traveling to the country, in light of the violently escalating situation surrounding the recent protests by Bangladeshi students, over the allocation of civil service jobs in the country.
According to the ministry, they have been in contact with 90 students who have been registered at the High Commission of Maldives in Bangladesh.
The ministry has been in contact with the Maldivian community and inquiring if they require any assistance, as well as their present situation. The ministry also noted that the required assistance is being provided without delay.
The ministry cited the high commission having revealed that the condition of Maldivians living in Bangladesh is currently stable and that they are safe.
Highlighting that they have been notified that two students enrolled in medical schools in northern Bangladesh were planning to return home, after the schools were closed.
The high commission in Bangladesh and the High Commission of Maldives in India had collaboratively assisted the students in crossing the border on a bus.
In a press release on Thursday, the foreign ministry urged caution from the Maldivians residing in and traveling to Bangladesh, over the ongoing unrest that has taken a violent turn, with hundreds killed in the wake of the heated protests.
Maldivians residing in Bangladesh have been urged not to go outdoors at this critical time, as directed by the government of Bangladesh and to carefully follow instructions provided by the Bangladeshi government and the High Commission of Maldives in the country.
Maldivians who require any assistance with anything have been urged to reach out to the high commission.
Bangladesh students have been staging protests against civil service hiring processes and a curfew has been implemented since.
Over the past few days, things have heated up with protestors clashing with police as well as pro-government activists after days of intense protests.
International media reports that buildings have been torched, telecommunications have been disrupted and dozens have been killed.
The Bangladeshi government has since shut down high schools, Islamic educations institutions as well as vocational education institutions until further notice.
