Indian gov’t safely evacuates Maldivian student in Bangladesh

A Maldivian student has been brought evacuated from Bangladesh to India, with the assistance of the Indian government.

In a press release issued on Sunday providing the latest update on the return of the country’s nationals in Bangladesh, the Indian government’s Ministry of External Affairs revealed that the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of nationals in Bangladesh, over the course of the past two days, following the recent developments in Bangladesh.

Noting that the ministry has been coordinating with relevant Indian authorities to ensure the smooth passage for citizens at land-ports and airports, India’s EAM stated that the high commission in Dhaka is also coordinating with civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure availability of flight services between India and Bangladesh.

So far, more than 4,500 Indian students have been evacuation from Bangladesh, where the situation has been violently escalating surrounding the recent protests by Bangladeshi students, over the allocation of civil service jobs in the country.

The ministry highlighted that the high commission has been making arrangements for security escort for safe travel of Indian nationals to the border-crossing points.

Some students from other countries have also been safety evacuated at the border, according to the Indian government.

As such, 500 students from Nepal, 38 from Bhutan and one from Maldives have safely touched down in India.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives in a statement issued on Sunday revealed that Maldivians residing in Bangladesh are currently safe and that two Maldivian students have crossed the border of the country to return home.

The foreign ministry revealed that the High Commission of Maldives in Bangladesh is closely monitoring the condition of Maldivian residing and traveling to 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.