٠٠:٠٣:٣٥India repatriated 49 students from Bangladesh on Sunday amid deadly protests calling on the government in Dhaka to reform its job quota hiring system.
Footage shows students arriving at the Chennai International Airport and getting into buses to continue their journeys home. Some can be seen gathering as Tamil Affairs Minister Gingee Masthan delivered a speech to the press outside the airport.
"Our parents were very worried, mainly because there was no internet so we couldn't call them and talk to them so they were really worried. Now, they are normal seeing the overwhelming support from the state and central government," said one of the repatriated students, Hathifa.
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.
Indian authorities have announced that they aim to continue repatriation efforts and will pay the travelling expenses of students looking to return. Another 77 students are expected to be repatriated from Bangladesh on Monday.
"A few days back, the internet was completely shut down and we were trying to reach our family to inform them about the situation and our suffering. But due to the communication shutdown, we couldn't inform anyone," Hathifa recalled.
"We called the Indian Embassy and requested them to evacuate us safely to the borders, then officials from the Indian Embassy came and with the help of the Indian Embassy staff we safely reached the borders," she continued.
One student, Rohan Federick, added: "There was no source of communication in our location. So, we decided to come here and when the situation becomes normal we will go back to our college."
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.
'Our parents were very worried' - Indian students arrive in Chennai following evacuation from Bangladesh amid fatal protests
India repatriated 49 students from Bangladesh on Sunday amid deadly protests calling on the government in Dhaka to reform its job quota hiring system.
Footage shows students arriving at the Chennai International Airport and getting into buses to continue their journeys home. Some can be seen gathering as Tamil Affairs Minister Gingee Masthan delivered a speech to the press outside the airport.
"Our parents were very worried, mainly because there was no internet so we couldn't call them and talk to them so they were really worried. Now, they are normal seeing the overwhelming support from the state and central government," said one of the repatriated students, Hathifa.
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.
Indian authorities have announced that they aim to continue repatriation efforts and will pay the travelling expenses of students looking to return. Another 77 students are expected to be repatriated from Bangladesh on Monday.
"A few days back, the internet was completely shut down and we were trying to reach our family to inform them about the situation and our suffering. But due to the communication shutdown, we couldn't inform anyone," Hathifa recalled.
"We called the Indian Embassy and requested them to evacuate us safely to the borders, then officials from the Indian Embassy came and with the help of the Indian Embassy staff we safely reached the borders," she continued.
One student, Rohan Federick, added: "There was no source of communication in our location. So, we decided to come here and when the situation becomes normal we will go back to our college."
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.
India repatriated 49 students from Bangladesh on Sunday amid deadly protests calling on the government in Dhaka to reform its job quota hiring system.
Footage shows students arriving at the Chennai International Airport and getting into buses to continue their journeys home. Some can be seen gathering as Tamil Affairs Minister Gingee Masthan delivered a speech to the press outside the airport.
"Our parents were very worried, mainly because there was no internet so we couldn't call them and talk to them so they were really worried. Now, they are normal seeing the overwhelming support from the state and central government," said one of the repatriated students, Hathifa.
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.
Indian authorities have announced that they aim to continue repatriation efforts and will pay the travelling expenses of students looking to return. Another 77 students are expected to be repatriated from Bangladesh on Monday.
"A few days back, the internet was completely shut down and we were trying to reach our family to inform them about the situation and our suffering. But due to the communication shutdown, we couldn't inform anyone," Hathifa recalled.
"We called the Indian Embassy and requested them to evacuate us safely to the borders, then officials from the Indian Embassy came and with the help of the Indian Embassy staff we safely reached the borders," she continued.
One student, Rohan Federick, added: "There was no source of communication in our location. So, we decided to come here and when the situation becomes normal we will go back to our college."
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.