KATHMANDU: After students staged violent anti-quota protests that resulted in hundreds of deaths, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned, throwing Bangladesh into chaos. General Waker-uz-Zaman's Bangladeshi army has taken charge of the situation and proclaimed an interim government in reaction to the disturbance. Hasina allegedly escaped to the state of Tripura in India with the intention of traveling to Europe. Concerns over the possibility of similar instability in other South Asian nations, such as Nepal, stemming from economic hardships and disillusionment among the youth, have led to analogies between this situation and Sri Lanka's political crisis of 2022.
The roughly 400 Nepalis who are currently in Bangladesh have received a safety alert from the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka, asking them to stay in safe places and get in touch with the embassy if they need help. Nepal has increased security at strategic border crossings in the eastern areas to deter illegal crossings and guarantee that the instability in Bangladesh does not spread, however the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented on the situation. The porous border between India and Nepal has become more vigilant due to past episodes involving the entry of Afghan and Rohingya refugees through India.
Nepal's central security committee, headed by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, has met to address the situation and enforce a "red alert" along the Nepal-India border. Security forces, including the Armed Police Force, have boosted their presence and checks at entry points, particularly in Koshi, Madhesh, and Lumbini provinces, to prevent unauthorized entries. The government has also instructed the Nepal Police and National Intelligence Department to enhance their monitoring efforts.
Experts and diplomats urge the Nepali government to express concern over Bangladesh's turmoil and call for a return to peace and order. Former foreign secretary Madhuraman Acharya emphasized the need for Nepal to advocate for stability in Bangladesh. The situation is expected to impact the region, with governance issues in Bangladesh serving as a cautionary tale. Nischal Nath Pandey of the Centre for South Asian Studies highlighted the importance of addressing corruption, governance, and youth engagement to prevent similar unrest in Nepal.
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