Shillong, July 18: Meghalaya government has activated a helpline number for its citizens in Bangladesh for seeking assistance, if necessary, due to the unrest in the neighbouring country.

Indian citizens of the state can call the helpline number 1800-345-3644 of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations for any assistance they may need.

There has been a violent protest, mainly by students, in Bangladesh’s national capital against reservation of government jobs in recent days. The Bangladesh government has a quota for jobs for descendants of those who fought for the country’s freedom struggle, women ethnic minorities and the disabled.

However, some of the students want this reservation to be revoked, terming it as discriminatory. The violence has erupted due to clashes between the anti and pro quota student factions resulting in deaths in Dhaka and Chittagong recently.

Some of the educational institutions in different parts of the country have remained closed. The security personnel are trying to bring the situation under control.

Under these circumstances, India’s High Commission in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in different parts of Bangladesh have issued an advisory to Indians residing in Universities and other places to minimise their travel outside their living premises. Helpline numbers have also been circulated.

Many Indian students, including those from Meghalaya, go to Bangladesh to study medicine and other subjects. This is because the cost of pursuing an MBBS or any other degree from Bangladesh is comparatively cheaper than in India.

For example, the average course of an MBBS degree in Bangladesh is about Rs. 25 to 35 lakh for the entire five year duration. In India the same would cost a minimum of Rs. 60 lakh.

The other advantages are: the National Medical Commission (erstwhile Medical Council of India) recognises and accredits some of the medical colleges in Bangladesh for the study of medicine for Indian students.

The curriculum in Bangladesh is similar to India, so too the food habits and much of the culture and language. For students of Meghalaya, the geographical proximity to Bangladesh is another advantage thus, luring many to pursue their higher education in the neighbouring country.

Read: Bangladesh Unrest: 161 Indian students, including 63 from Meghalaya, evacuated via Dawki

WATCH:

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub