03:12Kashmiri students who were attending universities in Bangladesh recalled the state of the country following their repatriation as violence continues between police and student protesters demonstrating against the government's job quota hiring system.
"Within one week, this peace protest took a different form which was very violent," one student said. "When I reached Bangladesh on July 3rd and at that time, the protests started at a very low level and those were peaceful protests. There was no violent incident."
India's Ministry of External Affairs announced on Saturday that 778 additional Indian students were repatriated from Bangladesh through land ports, adding to the current tally of 998.
The ministry also said they aim to continue repatriation efforts and remain in touch with more than 4,000 students who are attending various universities in Bangladesh.
"Amid riots and violent clashes in Bangladesh, we are thankful to the government of India and our embassy which is in Dhaka as they provided us full support for the evacuation of all students and we are very thankful to them," said one student, Obaid Ahmad.
Another repatriated student, Umer Farooq, said that several Indian students evacuated from different neighbouring borders when the unrest began.
"We wish and pray to the Almighty that any students who are still stuck there should reach home safely," he added.
At least 100 protesters have been reportedly killed during demonstrations, although Bangladeshi officials have not confirmed the exact death toll. Bangladesh has also enforced a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to stop the student-led demonstrations.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the unrest. Meanwhile, student groups have rejected an offer of negotiations. Schools and universities in the country have also closed until further notice.
Under the existing system, one-third of public sector roles are set aside for relatives of individuals designated as war heroes. Students claim that the arrangement is discriminatory and are pushing for a recruitment process based solely on merit.
Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week, although demonstrations are expected to continue.
'This peace protest took a different form' - Kashmiri students recount lethal protests post-evacuation from Bangladesh
Kashmiri students who were attending universities in Bangladesh recalled the state of the country following their repatriation as violence continues between police and student protesters demonstrating against the government's job quota hiring system.
"Within one week, this peace protest took a different form which was very violent," one student said. "When I reached Bangladesh on July 3rd and at that time, the protests started at a very low level and those were peaceful protests. There was no violent incident."
India's Ministry of External Affairs announced on Saturday that 778 additional Indian students were repatriated from Bangladesh through land ports, adding to the current tally of 998.
The ministry also said they aim to continue repatriation efforts and remain in touch with more than 4,000 students who are attending various universities in Bangladesh.
"Amid riots and violent clashes in Bangladesh, we are thankful to the government of India and our embassy which is in Dhaka as they provided us full support for the evacuation of all students and we are very thankful to them," said one student, Obaid Ahmad.
Another repatriated student, Umer Farooq, said that several Indian students evacuated from different neighbouring borders when the unrest began.
"We wish and pray to the Almighty that any students who are still stuck there should reach home safely," he added.
At least 100 protesters have been reportedly killed during demonstrations, although Bangladeshi officials have not confirmed the exact death toll. Bangladesh has also enforced a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to stop the student-led demonstrations.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the unrest. Meanwhile, student groups have rejected an offer of negotiations. Schools and universities in the country have also closed until further notice.
Under the existing system, one-third of public sector roles are set aside for relatives of individuals designated as war heroes. Students claim that the arrangement is discriminatory and are pushing for a recruitment process based solely on merit.
Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week, although demonstrations are expected to continue.
Kashmiri students who were attending universities in Bangladesh recalled the state of the country following their repatriation as violence continues between police and student protesters demonstrating against the government's job quota hiring system.
"Within one week, this peace protest took a different form which was very violent," one student said. "When I reached Bangladesh on July 3rd and at that time, the protests started at a very low level and those were peaceful protests. There was no violent incident."
India's Ministry of External Affairs announced on Saturday that 778 additional Indian students were repatriated from Bangladesh through land ports, adding to the current tally of 998.
The ministry also said they aim to continue repatriation efforts and remain in touch with more than 4,000 students who are attending various universities in Bangladesh.
"Amid riots and violent clashes in Bangladesh, we are thankful to the government of India and our embassy which is in Dhaka as they provided us full support for the evacuation of all students and we are very thankful to them," said one student, Obaid Ahmad.
Another repatriated student, Umer Farooq, said that several Indian students evacuated from different neighbouring borders when the unrest began.
"We wish and pray to the Almighty that any students who are still stuck there should reach home safely," he added.
At least 100 protesters have been reportedly killed during demonstrations, although Bangladeshi officials have not confirmed the exact death toll. Bangladesh has also enforced a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to stop the student-led demonstrations.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the unrest. Meanwhile, student groups have rejected an offer of negotiations. Schools and universities in the country have also closed until further notice.
Under the existing system, one-third of public sector roles are set aside for relatives of individuals designated as war heroes. Students claim that the arrangement is discriminatory and are pushing for a recruitment process based solely on merit.
Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week, although demonstrations are expected to continue.