Will Bangladesh turn as a refuge for North East Indian armed groups once more? This worry has arisen after the Sheikh Hasina Government was overthrown in Dhaka during an unexpected power struggle led by the Jamaat and BNP-backed “student protest.” Even PM Hasina, an outstate resident, called it a plot by the Deep State of the United States. However, the political unrest is likely to be problematic for India, particularly the North Eastern region. This is due to the expulsion of the North East’s insurgents from Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina’s rule.
Securing the Border
Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, has now voiced alarm over the most recent developments in Bangladesh. According to Sarma, the unrest in Bangladesh has the potential to serve as a refuge for militant groups originating in the North East. “We are concerned about the events occurring in our neighbouring country from two perspectives. Individuals in Bangladesh may attempt to enter India if the conflict persists. The border needs to be secured. Bangladesh was cleared of North East Indian insurgents during Sheikh Hasina’s administration, but now the situation may change. This is another concern for India.”
The violent protests and political unrest in Bangladesh are being watched by people all around the world. India is not exempt from this either. Close observation is being kept on the unrest in the neighboring country. Delhi is experiencing more stress as a result of the events that transpired in Bangladesh. This is being considered for a number of reasons. The possibility of massive infiltration from Bangladesh’s border is a matter of great concern. In addition, worries regarding extremist groups of the North Eastern States might get a safe haven once again in the soil of Bangladesh. Most of the separatist organisations in the region were brought back into the mainstream through a series of peace initiatives led by Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. But the sudden power shuffle in Bangladesh is being considered as a matter of concern for the North Eastern States.
This is because intelligence agencies say that extremist organisations can take shelter there again by taking advantage of the unrest in Bangladesh. In such a situation, peace and order in the North Eastern States can be affected. The terrorists in the North East were caught off guard by the severe measures implemented by the Bangladeshi Government led by Sheikh Hasina. ULFA leaders, who had been arrested in Bangladesh at the time, made the decision to participate in peace negotiations with the Indian Government. In November 2015, Anup Chetia, General Secretary of ULFA, was extradited to India from Bangladesh. He eventually joined the peace effort as well. But in 2012, those who refused to engage in negotiations with the Government established ULFA (Independent), a distinct organisation. An organisation that is prohibited is the Paresh Barua-led ULFA group.
The North Eastern States border Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, and Bhutan by more than 4,500 kilometers. The border between Bangladesh and India is 4,096 km long. Of this, Assam is traversed by 262 kilometers. According to intelligence agency sources, the Sheikh Hasina Government’s resolute actions forced the extremists from the North East out of Bangladesh. According to sources, these groups exploited Bangladesh as a safe haven and operated subversively out of those locations. They established hideouts in Myanmar after being forced to flee Bangladesh.
MHA Directs Installation of Border Fencing
The Union Home Ministry has requested that sections of the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh be surveyed and aligned in order to expedite the installation of border fencing. Myanmar is bordered by four States in the North East: Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. On February 28, this year, the Mizoram Assembly unanimously voted to reject the Centre’s proposal to fence off the India-Myanmar border and do away with the Free Movement Regime (FMR). The Government of Nagaland opposes the border fence and the removal of the FMR, as do practically all State organisations. It should be mentioned that Church leaders are allegedly opposing the border fence with Myanmar.
The State Governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur are requested to hold meetings, discussions, and surveys with the Assam Rifles, Border Roads organisation and other relevant departments in order to tonalise the locations and alignment of stretches along the Indo-Myanmar border for fence construction.
The Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, said in the State legislature that the integrity of our State has not been compromised by the NDA Government. “Our Government is unwavering in its dedication to upholding and safeguarding the rights of our Indigenous people.”
Army on Standby
After the Bangladesh turmoil, Indian borders were immediately sealed by the Border Security Force (BSF). Even the Army was kept on standby in Northeastern borders. In the Coochbehar District of West Bengal, on August 9, 2024, the Guwahati Frontier of Border Security Force (BSF) effectively handled a noteworthy and unique form of obstacle along the India-Bangladesh border.
Since last week, the border has been tightly enforced, and it has not been reported that any Indian citizens or students have returned. The authorities are taking the possibility of disturbance at the border very seriously, as seen by the heightened security that has been implemented in reaction to the unstable circumstances. Despite these measures, a number of Bangladeshi infiltrators, mostly Muslims, were arrested by security agencies in Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam. The porous border due to terrain difficulties made it easy for the intruders to cross over to the Indian side. But the Indian authorities must push back these infiltrators as it causes a serious security concern for India in the near future.
