Nepali Students Flee Violence in Bangladesh, Reflect on Harrowing Experience

Dozens of Nepali students have returned home from violence-hit Bangladesh, recounting their distressing experiences amid a communication blackout and curfew. Efforts by Nepal's government facilitated their safe passage. The unrest in Bangladesh centers on student protests against a controversial quota system for government jobs.

By Binod Prasad Adhikari Dozens of Nepali students managed to return to Nepal from violence-hit Bangladesh on Sunday. Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the returnees could not contain their emotions as they recounted the situation they encountered in Dhaka.

Sadiskhya Basnet, who had been in Bangladesh for medical studies, fled back to Kathmandu due to rising violence and a communication blackout. 'All the means of communication have been seized, and the situation there is critical,' Basnet told ANI upon arriving at the airport on Sunday afternoon.

Basnet claimed that security personnel were detaining students involved in protests. 'The police used to come to our college at night searching for Bengali friends who protested during the day, which made us worry,' Basnet explained. Another student, Krishpa Rai, echoed these fears. 'We couldn't contact our parents; all of us were really scared,' Rai said.

An estimated 3,500 Nepali students are in Bangladesh for their studies, with approximately 800 having left the country during the weekend, according to Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Despite the curfew and internet blackout, students managed to arrange their passage home. 'We packed our belongings, arranged the vehicle, and moved out at night,' said Maulata, a Nepali student.

Nepal's Foreign Ministry has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of all Nepali students in Bangladesh, coordinating their safe travel and working closely with local authorities. The protests in Bangladesh erupted over quotas for government jobs, leading to violent clashes and a nationwide curfew, further complicating the students' situation.