PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti urges EAM Jaishankar to ensure safety of Kashmiri students in Bangladesh

Srinagar, July 19: Amidst the ongoing protests in Bangladesh, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene and ensure the safety of thousands of Kashmiri students in Bangladesh.

"As protests and turmoil grip Bangladesh, I urge @DrSJaishankar to urgently intervene and ensure the safety of thousands of Kashmiri students in Bangladesh. Internet services being suspended has only added to the distress of their parents. Immediate steps must be taken to bring them back home," Mufti posted on X.

On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs said "Indian nationals in Bangladesh are requested to follow the advisory issued by the High Commission of India in Dhaka. The High Commission and Assistant High Commissions remain available on helpline numbers for any assistance required by Indian nationals."

Meanwhile, security heightened outside the Bangladesh High Commission as a precautionary measure, in anticipation of any protests outside the Commission amid the ongoing anti-quota protests in Bangladesh.

The protests 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.

On Thursday, protests intensified as students clashed with law enforcement in various locations across Dhaka. In Merul Badda, near Brac University, demonstrators blocked roads and engaged in violent confrontations with police, resulting in multiple injuries. By late morning, police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to significant traffic disruptions in the area, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Additionally, students obstructed the entrance to the Bashundhara Residential Area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari, severely affecting public transportation and causing widespread inconvenience. The Mirpur 10 roundabout and surrounding areas also experienced a heavy police presence, with many local markets and shops remaining closed.

The protests began in response to perceived police brutality and have evolved into a broader demand for justice for those injured or killed in previous demonstrations, as well as a call for a violence-free campus and rational reform of the quota system, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.

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