New Delhi: The Indian visa application centre in Dhaka has partially resumed its operations, providing a glimmer of hope for travelers amidst ongoing unrest in Bangladesh. The reopening comes after a tumultuous period that saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ousted from power following widespread protests against her government, particularly over a controversial job quota system. Hasina, who led the Awami League, resigned and fled to India last week as the situation in the country escalated.

The violent protests led to a temporary suspension of several services, including those provided by the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka. The closure of the visa centre caused significant inconvenience for people needing to travel to India, especially given the close diplomatic and economic ties between the two neighboring countries.

On Tuesday, the IVAC announced in a press release that it had resumed limited operations at its Dhaka centre. This resumption of services marks a cautious step toward normalcy and aims to reduce the backlog of visa applications that accumulated during the closure.

The decision to restart operations, even on a limited scale, reflects the IVAC’s recognition of the critical need to facilitate travel between India and Bangladesh, particularly in a time of crisis. As the political landscape in Bangladesh remains uncertain, the gradual reopening of the visa centre underscores the importance of maintaining essential services and connections between the two countries. This move is expected to bring relief to many individuals and businesses that rely on the seamless movement between India and Bangladesh.

New Delhi: The crisis in Bangladesh has reached new heights as a wave of protests intensifies across the country. On August 5, thousands of students launched a “Long March to Dhaka,” demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This demonstration follows a deadly escalation of violence that saw nearly 100 people lose their lives in clashes between anti-government protesters and ruling party supporters.

The ongoing unrest has claimed at least 300 lives to date, with recent confrontations proving particularly fatal. The violence has also had a devastating impact on minority communities, including the deaths of Hindu councillors Haradhan Roy and Kajal Roy. Reports indicate that several Hindu temples, including ISKCON and Kali temples, have been vandalized, forcing many devotees to seek safety.

In an attempt to control the chaos, the Bangladeshi government has imposed a curfew and announced a three-day closure of non-essential businesses. Essential services such as hospitals, water, gas, and electricity will continue to operate. To curb the spread of information and further unrest, the government has enforced an indefinite internet blackout.

The protests, characterized by student-led marches and violent clashes, have prompted heavy police and military deployments in Dhaka. Authorities are using tear gas to disperse crowds, while the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals to avoid traveling to Bangladesh and to exercise extreme caution if they are currently in the country. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has urged its citizens to stay in touch through emergency contact numbers.

With the situation remaining highly volatile, further protests are expected, and security forces continue to maintain a tight grip on key areas in the capital.