KATHMANDU, JULY 17
The Nepali Embassy in Bangladesh has advised Nepali students studying in the country to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary outings due to ongoing student protests.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the embassy urged all Nepali students to stay in their dormitories and residences unless there is an urgent need to go out. The embassy emphasized the importance of safety and advised students to follow the instructions of their respective colleges and university administrations.
The embassy also requested that Nepali students contact them if they are directed by their college administration to move to safe locations or if their current residences become unsafe. The embassy assured that it is closely monitoring the developing situation and is in regular contact with college administrations and government agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of Nepali students in Bangladesh.
Earlier today, the Bangladeshi government decided to close all government and private universities and educational institutions until further notice due to ongoing student protests against the quota system in government jobs.
At least six people have died in various violent clashes between pro-government student bodies, student protesters, and police. The protests began late last month, demanding an end to a quota system that reserves 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence. The situation escalated on Monday when protesters at Dhaka University clashed with police and counter-protesters from the student wing of the governing Awami League party, leaving 100 people injured, according to the Associated Press.
The protesters argue that the quota system unfairly benefits families of the governing party members who led the independence movement.
