In the wake of the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, groups of Bangladeshi citizens have reportedly been gathering near the border
The Border Security Force (BSF) has initiated a special operation along the India-Bangladesh border, apprehending 11 Bangladeshi nationals attempting to infiltrate into India amidst political turmoil in Bangladesh. According to a BSF press statement, “11 Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended on the border while infiltrating into India. Two each from the Bengal and Tripura borders and seven from the Meghalaya border with Bangladesh.”
In the wake of the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, groups of Bangladeshi citizens have reportedly been gathering near the border, allegedly attempting to enter India. In the past 24 hours, the BSF has also detained two smugglers in West Bengal, seizing cattle and phensedyl bottles.
On Saturday, August 10, the Additional Director General of the BSF’s Eastern Command conducted an operational conference in Kolkata with the Inspectors General of all frontiers under the Eastern Command to assess the border situation. The press statement mentioned, “Detailed deliberations were held to further enhance border control, security, and management. Besides, it was decided to continue close collaboration with counterpart Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).”
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km-long border. The BSF has been conducting multiple flag meetings with the BGB to address mutual concerns amicably, especially concerning the prevention of atrocities against Indian nationals and minority communities in Bangladesh. The BGB has reportedly been responsive to these initiatives.
Earlier this week, BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhury visited the border areas in West Bengal and adjacent states to review the situation following the political upheaval in Bangladesh.