Gujarat Medical Students Safely Return Amid Bangladesh Unrest

Fourteen medical students from Gujarat, stranded in Bangladesh due to protests, returned home. The state government coordinated efforts through the NRG Foundation and the Ministry of External Affairs. Eleven students remain in Bangladesh, and the government has advised Indians there to avoid travel and stay indoors.

Fourteen medical students from Gujarat stranded in Bangladesh due to ongoing unrest have safely returned home, while efforts are underway to bring back 11 others still in the neighbouring country, the state government said on Monday.

The violence in Bangladesh, sparked by student protests against a reservation policy, prompted concerns from parents of Gujarati students. In response, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed the NRG Foundation, a state government entity, to assist in locating the stranded students, according to a government release.

The NRG Foundation set up a helpline—9978430075—to gather information about the students. Based on data from the parents of 24 medical students, the foundation coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate their return.

As of Monday, 14 MBBS students have returned to India. Among them, seven are from Bharuch, two each from Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar, and one each from Amreli, Mehsana, and Patan districts, while efforts are on to bring back 11 students, the release stated.

The Ministry of External Affairs has issued an advisory urging Indians and students in Bangladesh to avoid local travel and stay indoors amid the unrest, the government stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)