DELHI- IndiGo Airlines (6E) and Air India (AI) cancels flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh, due to political unrest. IndiGo suspends Tuesday’s Dhaka-India flight but maintains Monday operations. Air India halts all Dhaka flights immediately.
Air India announced the cancellations on social media platform X, citing the “emerging situation in Bangladesh.” The airline prioritizes passenger and crew safety.
IndiGo, Air India Cancels Bangladesh Flights
Both airlines offer support to affected passengers. Air India provides a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges for confirmed Dhaka bookings.
Passengers can contact Air India’s 24/7 customer service at 011-69329333 or 011-69329999 for assistance.
IndiGo issued a travel advisory on X and wrote,
IndiGo which is celebrating its 18th anniversary this month operates direct flights from Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Kolkata (CCU) to Dhaka (DAC). While Air India operates a direct flight between Delhi and Dhaka.
Air India Express (IX) also plans to start new flights from Kolkata and Chennai (MAA) to Dhaka from September 3, 2024. This might be postponed if the situation doesn’t become normal.
Unrest in Bangladesh
Bangladesh faces a major political crisis as student protests escalate into widespread anti-government demonstrations. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly resigns and leaves the country by military helicopter.
The military imposed an indefinite curfew and authorities cut internet access to control the unrest. Protesters plan to march on the capital, Dhaka, on Monday.
Sunday’s clashes between police and protesters resulted in nearly 100 deaths, intensifying the conflict. The protests initially focused on civil service job quotas, have evolved into a broader anti-government movement.
Students argue that existing quotas unfairly benefit ruling Awami League loyalists. Demonstrators now express wider discontent with Hasina’s government, accusing it of autocratic practices and suppressing dissent.
Government attempts to quell unrest, including closing educational institutions, have failed. The situation highlights growing tensions between the government and its critics.
Bangladesh’s political crisis deepened as protests continued despite a Supreme Court ruling against job quota reintroduction. Protesters demand complete abolition of job reservations for “freedom fighters’” children.
Former army chief General Ikbal Karim Bhuiyan criticizes the government’s protest response and calls for troop withdrawal. The current army chief’s support for protesters further escalates tensions.
Reports suggest Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) may be involved in the unrest. The Economic Times claims Chattra Shibir, linked to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, is allegedly turning student protests into a political movement with ISI backing.
Sources indicate Pakistan’s army and ISI aim to destabilize Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Their alleged goal is to restore the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to power through protests and street violence.
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