August 9th 2024.
Tension was high in the Sitalkuchi fenced land border area of Cooch Behar district in West Bengal on Friday morning. The cause of this tension was a large group of Bangladeshi nationals, numbering close to a thousand, who had gathered on the other side of the fence in an attempt to seek refuge in India.
However, their plans were thwarted by the vigilant Border Security Force (BSF) personnel who were keeping a close watch on the border. The Bangladeshi nationals were later escorted back to their own country by the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) personnel, as confirmed by the BSF.
The group, which was predominantly made up of Bangladeshi Hindus, had gathered about 400 meters away from the fence near a water body in the Lalmonirhat district of Bangladesh. Despite their efforts, the heavy presence of BSF's 157 Battalion at the Pathantuli village made it impossible for them to enter Indian territory.
Disappointed and desperate, the Bangladeshis resorted to raising slogans in support of their demand to enter India. When questioned about the incident, a senior BSF official stated that while a large number of Bangladeshis had indeed gathered at the border, none were able to cross over due to the strict security measures in place. They were eventually taken back to Bangladesh by the BGB.
In a statement released by the BSF's Guwahati Frontier, the organization referred to this incident as a "new border challenge". The statement also highlighted the delicate balance that the BSF has to maintain between ensuring border security and addressing humanitarian concerns. They praised the professionalism of their officers and men in swiftly handling the situation.
The BSF's prompt action included reaching out to their counterparts, the BGB, to peacefully resolve the situation without escalating tensions. This operation serves as a testament to the BSF's unwavering commitment to safeguarding India's borders while also prioritizing the well-being of those in need, in line with international standards.
Recent anti-government protests in Bangladesh have resulted in the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government and the formation of an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. This has led to severe violence and loss of lives, with reports stating a death toll of 469 people. As a result, there have been reports of persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, leading to a surge of attempts by desperate Bangladeshis to illegally cross over to India.
In response to these developments, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the formation of a high-level committee to monitor the situation at the eastern border of the country and ensure the safety of Indian citizens, particularly Hindus and other minority communities residing in those areas. In a post on his official handle, Shah stated that the Modi government is committed to addressing the ongoing situation in Bangladesh and has taken necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals. The committee will be led by the ADG of the BSF's Eastern Command.
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