Attack on Bangladeshis
Bahrain assures to stand by migrants
The Bahrain government has assured Bangladesh and other major manpower exporting countries of protecting their migrant citizens in the Gulf country.
The assurance came when Bangladesh Ambassador to Bahrain Ali Akbar, along with the envoys of Pakistan, India, Philippines and Thailand, called on Bahraini Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on Thursday in the wake of a political turmoil and attacks on South Asians.
One Pakistani and one Bangladeshi were killed while over two dozen injured in two incidents on Sunday and Tuesday when protesters demanding political reforms attacked them.
Three Bangladeshis are still in the intensive care units of two hospitals in the capital Manama.
Bangladesh mission in Manama has advised its nationals to stay indoors and avoid visiting the areas where demonstrations are being staged. "The prime minister said his government is committed to ensuring safety of the migrants," Muhammad Ibrahim, first secretary at Bangladesh embassy, told The Daily Star yesterday.
Prince Khalifa appreciated the contribution of the migrants to the development of his country. He also arranged a special communication facility and said Bangladesh embassy could contact his office to address any problem. The Bangladesh envoy requested the premier to allow undocumented Bangladeshi workers to leave the country at will. The prime minister sounded positive, added Ibrahim.
The embassy official noted there were peaceful demonstrators in various parts of the capital after Juma prayers yesterday. A few shops open when curfew is relaxed and people venture out cautiously. Things appear to be improving here gradually, he added.
The Bangladeshi expatriates are observing the situation. They want to stay here, Ibrahim said adding, time has not come yet to ask our citizens to leave Bahrain.
According to the official, the Bangladesh embassy opened a control room for migrants to contact them during any emergency. A Bangladeshi community leader Fazlul Karim said everybody is expecting an improved political situation soon. President of Bangladesh Society in Manama, Karim said he has asked the expatriates not to join any demonstration.
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