‘We Were Scared, Kept Our Hostel Door Shut’: Students Back from Bangladesh Recount Ordeal

More than 300 Indian students returned from Bangladesh via the Phulbari and Changrabandha border check posts as the neighbouring country continues to reel under violent clashes that have killed over 100 people. Along with the Indian students, students from Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan also crossed over to India in search for safety, unsure of whether and when they would be able to resume studies.

In total, 333 Indian students, 186 Nepali students, 25 Bhutan nationals and one Maldivian student entered India from Bangladesh on Sunday. Overall, more than 4,500 Indian students have returned home.

Bangladesh has been reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap a controversial job-quota system. More than 100 people have been killed in the clashes that broke out weeks ago, according to reports from Dhaka, though the exact number of deaths is not yet clear.

Law enforcement authorities in Bangladesh have imposed a nationwide curfew as the clashes between the protesters demanding the withdrawal of the job-quota system and police continued across the country.

Some of the students who returned to India said they are traumatized following their ordeal and are anxious for their future.

Ansari Sakir returned to India two days ago via the Changrabandha border. He hails from North Dinajpur district in West Bengal and studies at the Rangpur Medical College in Bangladesh. “We were afraid. The day total internet shutdown was declared, we stepped out with full security. We kept our college hostel doors closed all the time. There was violence on the national highway. Some protests also started in our college. We were tensed about our safe return. I still cannot believe I am back,” he told News18.

Students like Ansari say they are anxious about their future and whether they’ll be able to resume college life anytime soon.

Mustafijur Raheman, a student from Assam, returned on Saturday. He is a student at the Myemansingh Medical College in Bangladesh. “We came back because things were not good. You never know. We undertook a six-hour journey along the Changrabandha border. Many students are coming. And many students whose visas are ending are trying to go back.”

Both the Indian government and the West Bengal government have been assisting students in their safe return to India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said Indian missions in Bangladesh are in regular touch with local authorities for the safety and security of Indian nationals.

“Thus far, over 4,500 Indian students have returned to India. The High Commission has been making arrangements for security escort for safe travel of Indian nationals to the border-crossing points,” the MEA said.

The High Commission is also coordinating with the civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure the availability of flight services between India and Bangladesh, the ministry said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she has asked the state administration to render all help and assistance to the returnees.

“For instance, around 300 students arrived at Hilli border today and most of them left for their respective destinations safely: 35 of them, however, needed help and we provided them with basic amenities and facilitation assistance. United we stand!” she posted on X.