Bangladesh: BSF thwarts attempts to cross border in Bengal

More than a thousand Bangladeshis gathered across Sitalkuchi in West Bengal, seeking to cross over to India, and many more are moving towards the border amid reports of attacks on minorities, people aware of the matter told ET on Friday.

Bangladeshis were seen trying to cross Kharpa river near Pathantuli village of Sitalkuchi block in Coochbehar district, they said.

BSF is dealing with this "emerging challenge (that) is new to BSF". "Guwahati Frontier of Border Security Force successfully addressed a significant and different kind of challenge at the India-Bangladesh border in Coochbehar district. Approximately 1,000 individuals, reportedly Bangladeshi nationals, approached the international border, seeking refuge in India," BSF said on Friday.


A senior BSF official said the force promptly approached its counterpart Border Guards Bangladesh "to take these Bangladeshi nationals back, ensuring that the situation was managed without escalating tensions. The quick and decisive actions, in coordination with India's civil administration, were crucial in maintaining order and resolving the issue".

Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad (HBCOP), told ET from Bangladesh, "Amid reports of burning places of worship, acquisition of minority lands, loot, extortion, large numbers of Hindus are reportedly heading towards Indian borders, including Panchagarh border."

HBCOP has also written to Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government there, about the plight of the minorities.

According to Dasgupta, many people are looking to cross over to India from Panchgarh in Bangladesh to Jalpaiguri-Coochbehar borders.