January 29, 2011 8:44 PM

printer

Egypt: Political unrest continues; Indians staying in Cairo safe

Protesters have returned to the streets of Cairo amid reports that Egyptian cabinet has been sacked by President Hosni Mubarak last night. Authorities say that at least 35 people have been killed in 5 days of nationwide protests in the country including Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.Looters broke into the country's Museum during anti-government protests and destroyed two Pharaonic mummies. Egypt's top archaeologist told state television that the museum in central Cairo, which has the world's biggest collection of Pharaonic antiquities had been destroyed by the protestors. The two-storey museum, built in 1902, houses tens of thousands of objects in its galleries and store rooms, including most of the King Tutankhamen collection.Curfew has been announced from 4 PM today to 8 AM tomorrow to refrain demonstrations from coming out to streets. Tanks and armoured personnel carriers are on the streets of Cairo, where fires from the yesterday's violence are still smouldering. Mobile phone services have been restored in the city, but the Internet remains down.Meanwhile, World leaders voiced mounting fears as thousands of protesters clashed with troops in Egypt, calling for restraint on all sides and urging Egyptian leaders to heed the cries for reform. Leading a chorus of global concern, US President Barack Obama called on Egyptian President to take concrete steps towards political reform, and to refrain from using violence against protesters. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Government of Egypt to protect the rights of its citizens particularly freedoms of expression, information and assembly.The protests for Mubarak's ouster came against the backdrop of widespread resentment over rising unemployment, food prices and corruption. The unrest comes close on the heels of an uprising in Tunisia in which Zine al Abidine Ben Ali was ousted after ruling the country for 23 years.New Delhi says Indian nationals in Egypt, which is witnessing violent protests, are safe. A statement by the External Affairs Ministry said Indian citizens have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to that country. The Embassy of India in Cairo, is in touch with members of the Indian community. The Embassy has set-up a round-the-clock Control Room for information. There are about 3600 People of Indian Origin in Egypt. Of them, some 2200 are in Cairo.

Most Read
View All arrow-right

No posts found.