Guwahati Aug 12: Amid ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) thwarted an infiltration attempt apprehending seven Bangladeshi nationals who were trying to enter India through the international borders at Dawki in Meghalaya, a BSF spokesperson here said.
The troops also foil an attempt of infiltration of two Bangladesh nationals in Tripura and West Bengal, the spokesperson said.
However, BSF additional DG (Eastern Command) Ravi Gandhi said the incident is not related to Bangladesh unrest.
“Seven Bangladeshi nationals tried to sneak into India. Our troops caught them and handed over them to the local police. But this is a routine exercise. It is not related to Bangladesh unrest. And they are not Hindus, all are Muslims,” Gandhi told The Meghalayan Express.
“We are in regular contact with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to address mutual issues, particularly focusing on preventing atrocities against Indian nationals and minority communities in Bangladesh,” Gandhi said.
ADG Ravi Gandhi chaired an operational conference on Saturday to review security along the 4,096-km-long India-Bangladesh border in light of the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh and the upcoming Independence Day celebration.
“Detailed deliberations were held to further enhance border control, security and management. Besides, it was decided to continue the close collaboration with counterpart BGB,” the BSF spokesperson said.
The BSF spokesperson, however, said two Indian cow smugglers were also caught from the Dawki border in Meghalaya on Sunday.
On Saturday, the BSF foiled another attempt of 10 to 15 Bangladesh nationals to sneak into India’s territory in Assam’s Dhubri sector of the international border.
Some 10-15 Bangladeshis nationals caused chaos beyond the Gate No 50 in the village of Bhogdanga and Faushkarkuti in Dhubri district, which is geographically situated beyond the border fence.
However, the troops worked promptly and returned them to bring the situation under control.
The Bangladeshi nationals came from Nageshwari Upazila in the Kurigram district and Teprakuti and Devi Bari region, under the Kasakata police station, according to sources.
The BSF has been conducting flag meetings with the BGB to address mutual issues amicably, with a particular focus on preventing atrocities against Indian nationals and minority communities in Bangladesh.
The BGB has been responding positively to these discussions, according to the statement.
Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently formed a committee under ADG Ravi Gandhi to investigate the challenges faced by minorities in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government
Hindus comprise about 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s population of 170 million, making them particularly vulnerable to discrimination and violence. They have traditionally been the supporters of Hasina’s Awami League party, which identifies itself as largely secular, while the Jamaat-e-Islami has links to Pakistan and is involved in several attacks on Hindus.
Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus hit the streets of Dhaka protesting against the attacks on the country’s minority Hindus, chanting slogans of “Who are we, Bengali Bengali”, appealing for peace as they blocked an intersection of the city. The protestors carried posters and placards, demanding Bangladeshi minorities to be “saved”.
Over 230 people were killed in the incidents of violence in Bangladesh, that erupted across the country following the fall of the Hasina government. With this, the deaths count rose to 560 since the anti-quota protests first started in mid-July. (With PTI input)
