BSF Prevents Infiltration Attempt, Detains 11 Bangladeshi Nationals

New Delhi August 11 2024 : In a significant operation on Sunday, the Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted an infiltration attempt, detaining eleven Bangladeshi nationals attempting to cross into India. The arrests occurred along the international borders in West Bengal, Tripura, and Meghalaya. According to a BSF spokesperson, the individuals are currently being questioned and will be handed over to state police for further legal proceedings.

The BSF reported that the apprehensions included two individuals each from West Bengal and Tripura, and seven from the Meghalaya border. The force is in regular contact with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to address cross-border issues, particularly focusing on preventing violence against Indian nationals and minority communities in Bangladesh.

On Saturday, the South Bengal Frontier of the BSF, headquartered in Kolkata, conducted an operational conference led by Additional Director General (ADG) Ravi Gandhi. The meeting was held to review security along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border in light of ongoing unrest in Bangladesh and the upcoming Independence Day on August 15. The discussions focused on bolstering border control and management and strengthening collaboration with the BGB.

In response to recent violence, the Union Home Ministry has established a high-level committee, headed by ADG Ravi Gandhi, to investigate the challenges faced by minorities in Bangladesh following the recent political upheaval.

In Bangladesh, tensions continue to escalate, particularly affecting the Hindu minority community, which makes up about 8% of the population. Protests erupted in Dhaka with demonstrators demanding protection for minorities and peace amid widespread violence. Reports indicate that at least 205 attacks on minorities have occurred since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, with Hindu temples and homes targeted across various regions including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Noakhali.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad have highlighted these incidents in a recent open letter to a Nobel Laureate, showcasing distressing images of violence and displacement. Over 230 people have been killed in the unrest, which began with anti-quota protests in mid-July, bringing the total death toll to 560.