Centre forms panel to monitor Bangladesh crisis, ensure safety of minority Hindus
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 9
As the transition of power takes place in Bangladesh, India on Friday said it was concerned about the safety of its nationals as well as that of the Hindu minority community in that country, and announced the formation of a committee to oversee the rapidly evolving situation there.
This comes a day after Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. The committee announcement was made by Home Minister Amit Shah. “The panel members will maintain communication with their Bangladeshi counterparts to ensure the safety of Indian nationals, Hindus and other minority communities. The committee will be headed by the ADG, BSF, Eastern Command,” he posted on X.
It will comprise IG, Frontier Headquarters, South Bengal, BSF; IG, BSF Frontier Headquarters, Tripura; Member (Planning and Development), Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) and the Secretary, LPAI.
Several attempts have been made by Bangladeshi nationals to enter India, particularly through the North Bengal frontier, after PM Sheikh Hasina was forced out on August 5 following weeks of violent protests.
The BJP high command and the Centre are under pressure from own party leaders and ideologues, who have called for having a “sensitive view” towards the Hindus stuck in Bangladesh. The RSS, too, is learnt to have conveyed its concerns.
Two days ago, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka had said it continued to remain functional and its helplines were open for assistance needed by Indian nationals.
This is in contrast to the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, when India had to evacuate its nationals, including mediapersons, overnight. Delhi had then cancelled visas for Afghan nationals. Even the exiting visas for Afghan students who had returned to Afghanistan for a break were revoked.
The Border Security Force on Friday said it had foiled infiltration attempts with the help of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) by cajoling the people to return home. Sources said quite a few attempts were made by members of the minority community to cross over to India. The Centre has instructed the BSF not to allow anyone enter illegally.
BSF foils infiltration bid on bengal border
Kolkata: Tension prevailed in the Sitalkuchi fenced land border area of West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district on Friday after nearly a thousand Bangladesh nationals tried to cross over to India and seek refuge. The attempt was foiled by the BSF. They were later removed from the spot by Bangladesh security guards. PTI
RSS voices concern over targeted killings
The RSS has asked the Centre and Bangladesh establishment to ensure protection of lives, properties and dignity of Hindus and other minorities. “Targeted killings, looting and heinous crimes against women belonging to Hindu and other religious minorities and attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh are intolerable,” it said.
