Heartfelt Move: BSF Sends Back Over 1,000 Devoted Hindus at India-Bangladesh Border in Cooch Behar District
On August 7, 2024, BSF personnel inspected a supply truck bound for Bangladesh at the Fulbari border near Siliguri amid growing cross-border tension. On August 9, nearly a thousand panicked Bangladeshi nationals, predominantly Hindus, gathered near the Sitalkuchi fenced border in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, attempting to seek refuge in India following severe anti-government protests in Bangladesh that saw the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. The BSF prevented the crossing, keeping the border completely sealed, and the Bangladeshi group was subsequently removed by Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB).
The BSF’s Guwahati Frontier described the incident as a “new border challenge,” emphasizing the force’s delicate balance between security and humanitarian concerns. The statement highlighted the BSF’s professionalism and swift communication with BGB to mitigate the situation without escalating tensions.
In response to the escalating violence and persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the formation of a high-level committee to monitor the eastern border and ensure the safety of Indian citizens and minority communities. This committee, led by the ADG of BSF Eastern Command, will maintain active communication with Bangladeshi authorities.
The upheaval in Bangladesh, resulting in 469 deaths, saw Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus take interim control of the government, leading to increased attempts by Bangladeshis to cross into India. The Indian government’s prompt actions underscore the nation’s commitment to border security coupled with sensitivity to humanitarian issues.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bsf-sends-back-1000-men-mostly-hindus-at-india-bangladesh-border-in-cooch-behar-district/article68508490.ece
Category : India
Tags:
