Amid the escalating protests and violence in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, the Bhutanese government has intensified its efforts to ensure the safe return of Bhutanese students studying at various universities across the country.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced yesterday that Drukair is operating a special flight today to repatriate Bhutanese students from Dhaka. Approximately 67 students are set to return today onboard this special flight.
Foreign and External Trade Minister D.N. Dhungyel confirmed that necessary arrangements have been made to safely transport these students to Dhaka airport for their evacuation. In addition, several Bhutanese students have already returned to Bhutan via road through India.
In a statement, Minister Dhungyel revealed that 25 students from Rangpur Community Media College and Rangpur Dental College successfully crossed the Bangladesh-India border yesterday morning. Furthermore, 17 of the 18 Bhutanese students at Mymensingh Medical College have already returned home, leaving only one student still in the hostel.
Similarly, out of the five Bhutanese students at Rajshahi Medical College, four returned on July 20 alongside Indian students.
The Ministry of Foreign and External Trade reported that the intense situation has forced many students to cancel their flights due to the imposed curfew, complicating their travel plans. Despite the challenges, the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka has confirmed that all Bhutanese students remaining in Bangladesh are safe. The embassy is providing necessary support, including accommodation for those who feel unsafe in their hostels.
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay reassured the public via social media that the government is closely monitoring the situation. “The Royal Government of Bhutan is doing everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students in Bangladesh,” he stated.
The Bhutanese embassy in Dhaka, along with other relevant agencies, is actively working on plans to bring the remaining students back home. The embassy has advised students outside Dhaka to remain in their hostels and maintain communication, urging them not to travel to Dhaka due to the prevailing risks.
The unrest in Bangladesh erupted due to widespread student protests demanding the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs. This system reserves up to 30 percent of positions for relatives of veterans from the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan, a policy which protesters argue primarily benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party.
Protesters have called for an end to what they perceive as discrimination, especially in the face of high unemployment rates. In response to the escalating protests, the Bangladeshi government has imposed a curfew and deployed the military to manage the situation. Additionally, a communication blackout has been enforced since Thursday, including the suspension of mobile data and text message services, according to media reports.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Bhutanese government remains committed to the safe return of its students and is taking all necessary measures to ensure their protection amidst the unrest.