Given the intense protests in Bangladesh, many students from Assam are now stranded, sparking urgent action from the Assam government to seek help from the central government for their safe evacuation.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the media, revealing his conversation with the Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, who assured him that the Indian government is actively working on the matter. Sarma highlighted the critical situation, pointing out that many Assamese students are enrolled in medical colleges in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Guwahati, Amin, confirmed that the Assam government had contacted him for assistance. However, he acknowledged the challenge of following up on this request due to the blackout of internet and phone services in Bangladesh, which made communication extremely difficult.
As of July 18, the Government of Meghalaya reported the successful evacuation of 202 Indians, which included 198 students and four tourists, via the Dawki border crossing in Meghalaya. Among these evacuees, 67 are from Meghalaya, 95 from Nepal, and seven from Bhutan. These individuals had managed to enter Meghalaya through Dawki amid the ongoing unrest, as reported in Edex Live.
To ensure the safety and successful evacuation of the students, the Meghalaya government is working closely with the Bangladesh High Commission, the Indian High Commission, the Land Port Authority at Dawki, and the Exporters' Association. This collaborative effort underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation, aiming to protect the students during this volatile period in Bangladesh.