Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma Ensures Safety of Students Amid Bangladesh Protests
Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], July 18: Amidst ongoing protests in Bangladesh, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced that the Meghalaya government is working closely with the Bangladesh High Commission and Indian High Commission to ensure the safety of students. So far, 161 Indian students, including 63 from Meghalaya, have been safely evacuated from Bangladesh.
In a social media post, Conrad Sangma wrote, “Amidst the ongoing protests in Bangladesh, the Meghalaya government is working closely with the Bangladesh High Commission & Indian High Commission to ensure the safety of students. 161 Indian students, including 63 from Meghalaya, have been safely evacuated so far!”
Earlier, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka issued an urgent advisory for Indian citizens and students in Bangladesh to avoid non-essential travel and minimize movement outside their residences due to escalating unrest. The advisory followed violent clashes between students and police in Dhaka, triggered by the Bangladeshi government’s decision to close all public and private universities.
The protests are 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. Police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to significant traffic disruptions. 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.
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 broader demands 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.
Doubts Revealed
Meghalaya -: Meghalaya is a state in northeastern India, known for its hills, rainforests, and diverse culture.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in an Indian state.
Conrad Sangma -: Conrad Sangma is the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, responsible for the administration and governance of the state.
Bangladesh -: Bangladesh is a neighboring country of India, located to the east of India.
High Commissions -: High Commissions are like embassies but between Commonwealth countries, helping with diplomatic relations and citizen services.
Dhaka -: Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh.
civil service quota system -: The civil service quota system in Bangladesh reserves certain government jobs for specific groups of people, and changes to this system can cause protests.
