“Hassan first took us to a private hospital and arranged food for us. Around 3 am, he said we must head to the airport. On the way, our ambulance was intercepted by the protestors. They asked the driver about the occupants, and he lied by saying he was ferrying patients,” Abbas said.“When they discovered us, they beat up the driver. They also attacked the vehicle and tried to set it ablaze. We were all frightened, but Hassan somehow managed to convince them and saved our lives,” Abbas added.He said the protestors had already torched a vehicle just a few meters away, and the Indian students saw bodies strewn on the road.“We took a detour and eventually reached the airport. We were somewhat relieved. After spending 18 hours at the airport, we flew out of the country and landed in Kolkata,” Abbas said, adding, “While in Bangladesh, we could not contact our families as phone and internet services were suspended.”He said he sensed trouble when the college suddenly declared a half-day holiday one day. His suspicion grew when some local students advised the Indians to be cautious as the protests might turn violent.“For over a fortnight, I faced no problems. Then, all hell broke loose. I just pray that peace returns to Bangladesh soon,” he added.
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