17 Nepali students evacuated from Bangladesh amid unrest

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has announced that 17 Nepali students studying in Bangladesh will be repatriated to Kathmandu. 

The decision comes in response to the ongoing protests in Bangladesh, where students are demanding the abolition of the quota system for government service positions.

According to Prime Minister Oli's statement on social media, arrangements have been made to bring back 17 students from Enam Medical College & Hospital (EMCH) in Savar, Dhaka. The concerned families had requested their return due to the insecurity caused by the protests.

The students were scheduled to arrive at Dhaka airport at 4:00 am today and then fly to Kathmandu.

Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a notice inviting other Nepali students in Bangladesh to fill out an online form if they wish to return to Nepal.

The MoFA has urged Nepali students facing difficulties or residing in unfavourable conditions to contact Second Secretary Yojana Bamjan (+8801880691013) or Riya Kshetri (+8801745407958). These officials can assist with relocation to safer places if necessary.

Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, authorities have imposed a strict curfew with a 'shoot-on-sight' order. Military forces are patrolling parts of the capital following clashes over the allocation of civil service jobs. The demonstrations, primarily organised by student groups, began weeks ago and stem from discontent with the quota system, which reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in the country's War of Independence in 1971. Tragically, the violence has resulted in the loss of at least 103 lives, as reported by the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper.