Union Government constitute committee to ensure safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus in Bangladesh

Amidst the ongoing violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh which has forced hundreds to flee their ancestral homes and walk towards the Indian border for safety, the union government has constituted a committee to monitor the situation on the Indo- Bangladesh Border (IBB).

According to the details shared by the government the committee which will work towards ensuring safety for Indian nationals and Hindus in the country hit by major political turmoil leading to communal violence against minorities will be headed by Additional Director General, Border Security Force, Eastern Command, Ravi Gandhi.

Announcing the move, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah in a post on social media platform X on Friday, August 9 informed that “In the wake of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Modi government has constituted a committee to monitor the current situation on the IBB.

“The committee will maintain communication channels with their counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus and other minority communities living there (In Bangladesh),” he added.

This comes on the heels of hundreds of people from the neighboring country reportedly assembled at separate places close to the Indian border in search of finding a safer place to escape the ongoing violent spree by fundamentalist against the hapless minorities.

According to the reports floating in the media, at least four such attempts of Bangladeshi nationals trying to breach the border have been so far thwarted by the vigilant personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) in North and South Bengal frontiers.

Earlier on Thursday, August 8, a similar attempt of crossing the border by refugees was foiled by the alerted personnel in Islampur area of North Bengal adjacent to Kishanganj district of Bihar.

In another instance reported from Jalpaiguri of West Bengals, hundreds of Bangladeshi nationals mostly Hindus were seen seeking refuge in India. The incident took place in Dakshin Berubari village. Those trying to cross the barber wire were later taken back by the personnel of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Hundreds of prisoners, terrorist could enter India

Notably, reports linked to possible entry of hundreds of Bangladeshi prisoners including terrorists who have managed to escape from prisons following forced change of regime in the country have also emerged in the media adding to the worries of BSF personnel guarding the 4096 km long international border.

Scores of them who were reported to be missing after escape from prison could force their way into the Indian side of borders with weapons. Moreover, there were others affiliated to groups like Jamat-E-Islami and Hifazat-E-Islam are also reported to be missing as per the information shared by the BGB to BSF.

It’s been further reported that many policemen who have left their deployment area fearing persecution from the radicals group who are on a killing spree since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina could also attempt to enter the Indian mainland for shelter.

Unabated violence against minority Hindu community

It must be noted that the minority Hindu community of Bangladesh who roughly constitute 8% population of the country have been subjected to atrocities ranging from lynching of individuals, arson, vandalism of properties and religious shrines, loot, and incidents of sexual assault of women across the country since August 4.

This comes after the protest over quota in reservation which has eventually culminated in fall of the Awami league government led by Sheikh Hasina turned into a full-fledged violent campaign against the Hindus across separate pockets of the country.

The ongoing string of targeted attacks against the minority community commenced on August 4, after an enraged mob of protestors led by fanatics launched an attack on the Iscon temple of Meherpur leading to desecration of idols installed in the temple premises.

In a separate incident unfolded on the same day, two Hindu councilor of Rangpur, identified as Haradhan Roy and Kajal Roy were also shot down by another mob of protestors. Both of the councilors were later lynched to death by the furious mob.

On the next day, the rioters barged into the house of renowned singer Rahul Anand and vandalized around 3000 musical instruments placed inside his 140 years old ancestral house, later the house was set on fire by the rioters.

In another incident, an assistant Sub- Inspector of the police hailing from the Hindu community, Santosh Saha was also killed following clashes with the fundamentalist on August 6. Additionally, scores of videos pertaining to attacks on Hindus have been doing the rounds on social media indicating about the severity of the situation faced by the minority community.