It’s been five days since Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh in view of widespread discontentment against her leadership. The situation in the country was expected to get normal after her exit but violence continues to rage in several parts of Bangladesh. Amid this, desperate Bangladeshis, mostly Hindus, have been trying to make their way into India to escape religious persecution.
The Border Security Force on Friday foiled an attempt by over 1,000 Bangladeshi nationals to cross over to India from the Sitalkuchi fenced land border area of Cooch Behar district in West Bengal.
Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday formed a committee to monitor the situation at the Indo-Bangladesh border.
How did BSF manage to send them back?
BSF officials struggled to hold them back as this was perhaps the largest group of Bangladeshis who had tried to enter India in the hope of seeking refuge in the past week. They were later removed from the spot by the Border Guards Bangladesh personnel, the Border Security Force confirmed.
The crowd, reportedly comprising mostly Bangladeshi Hindus, assembled some 400 metres away from the fence alongside a water body at the Genduguri and Doikhawa villages in the Lalmonirhat district of Bangladesh.
Heavy deployment of the 157 Battalion of the BSF at the Pathantuli village, maintaining vigil on automobiles and on foot, made the infiltration bid of the foreigners impossible.
Hindu groups hold rallies
Meanwhile, back at home, the Bangladesh Hindu Jagran Mancha protested against the violence perpetrated against Hindus in the country. During their rally, the group laid down their demands which included the creation of a minority affairs ministry.
“We were born in this country. This country belongs to everyone. Hindus will not leave the country. This is also the birthplace of our ancestors. We didn’t fly here. This is nobody’s father’s country. This is nobody’s husband’s country. We will not leave this country. Even if I die, I am not leaving my native land,” one of the demonstrators said according to Dhaka Tribune.
With inputs from PTI
Link to article –
Desperate Bangladeshis try to make way into India, BSF sends them back
