AGARTALA, Aug 6 (TIWN): Commenting first time in public about Bangladesh situation, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, “There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there, of which about 9,000 are students. The bulk of the students however have already returned to India in the month of July." Jaishankar said, "Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of security establishments, PM Sheikh Hasina apparently made the decision to resign. At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi."

"This underlying foundation aggravated a student agitation that started in June this year. There was growing violence including attacks on public buildings and infrastructure as well as traffic and rail obstruction. The violence continued through the month of July,” he said.

"Throughout this period, we repeatedly counseled restraint and urged that the situation be diffused through dialogue. So despite a Supreme Court judgment on 21 July, there was no let up in the public agitation. various decisions and actions taken thereafter only exacerbated the situation. The agitation at this stage coalesced around a one-point agenda the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should step down,” he said.

"Properties of individuals associated with the regime (Awami League) were torched across the country. What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their business, and temples also came under attack at multiple locations. The full extent of this is still not clear. On 5th August, demonstrators converged in Daka despite the curfew. The situation in Bangladesh is still evolving. The Army Chief General Zaman addressed the nation on 5th August. He spoke about assuming responsibility and constituting an interim government. We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian Community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions,” he said.

"We look forward to the normal functioning once the situation stabilizes. we are also monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities. We naturally remain deeply concerned till Law and Order is visibly restored. Our border guarding forces have also been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation in the last 24 hours. We have also been in regular touch with the authorities in Dhaka. This is the situation as of now," he said.