Shillong : Sixty-seven students from Meghalaya have safely returned home from Bangladesh amid widespread protests in the country against job reservations for family members of war veterans.

The protests have turned violent, with reports claiming that at least 39 people were killed and many others injured since Tuesday (July 16). The unrest stems from student demands to end the job quota system benefiting families of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence.

The escalating violence has prompted a significant number of students and tourists to seek safety. According to reports, 198 students from India have crossed into India through the Dawki Land Port since the clashes began.

This group includes 67 students from Meghalaya, 13 from other Indian states, 101 from Nepal, seven from Bhutan, and four tourists. Meghalaya shares a 443-kilometer boundary with Bangladesh, making it a crucial entry point for evacuees.

In response to the crisis, the Meghalaya government has been in close contact with the Bangladesh High Commission, the Indian High Commission, the Land Port Authority at Dawki, and the Exporters Association to ensure the safety of the state’s students.

The Meghalaya government has appointed additional SP of Jowai, Hiwot Rymbai, as the nodal officer at the border, with executive officer of the Land Port Authority Dawki, Thomas, serving as the assistant nodal officer.

Additionally, a helpline number, 1800-345-3644, has been activated for citizens of Meghalaya who may require assistance due to the prevailing situation in Bangladesh.