Russian Embassy advises its citizens to leave Bangladesh

The embassy said in a statement published on its Telegram channel: “Given the possibility of protests continuing, [في بنغلاديش] Against the backdrop of the formation of a transitional government, we recommend that Russian citizens consider returning to Russia when it is safe to do so.”

The Russian recommendation came after protests erupted on Sunday in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka and across the country, following a call by the Students Against Discrimination movement for a mass civil disobedience and a “total non-cooperation movement” to demand the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

For its part, the government imposed a curfew starting Sunday evening and cut off the Internet on mobile phones, as users reported being unable to access the widely used social media applications in the country, “Facebook” and “WhatsApp.”

The government also announced a 3-day official holiday starting from Monday until Wednesday, in order to ensure public safety in light of the violent protests.

Protesters chanted slogans demanding the resignation of the current government headed by Sheikh Hasina, as the student protests denounce the government’s quota system for civil service jobs, which leaves large numbers of university graduates unemployed, while giving preference in appointments to specific categories, such as people from families who participated in the Bangladeshi war of independence in 1971.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina Wazed announced on Monday her resignation from her five-term post, following protests that swept the country, and left for India on a military plane.

Late last month, Agence France-Presse reported that protests in Bangladesh continued to demand reform of the country’s employment system and an end to the quota system in public sector appointments, noting that the death toll had risen to 115 people in violent clashes between police and demonstrators.

“At least 150 police officers were taken to hospital, and another 150 received first aid,” a police spokesman said, adding that two officers were beaten to death.

Protesters in Bangladesh are demanding an end to a quota system in public sector appointments, under which about 30 percent of government jobs are reserved for relatives of war heroes who fought for the country’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.

Critics say the laws favour supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has ruled the country since 2009, and protesters are demanding that hiring be based on merit.

Source: RT