Amid the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, there have been attempts by Bangladeshi citizens to enter India by illegally crossing the border. Such several attempts were prevented by the BSF on Wednesday along the international border in North Bengal. BSF said that around 200 villagers from Thakurgaon district in Bangladesh, most of whom are Awami League members and Hindus, attempted to enter India. BSF fired warning shots in the air to prevent the influx.
“The BSF North Bengal Frontier effectively managed gatherings of Bangladeshi Nationals near the Indo-Bangladesh border today. With vigilance and coordination with BGB, they ensured safety and prevented any border breaches,” tweeted North Bengal Frontier BSF.
The BSF North Bengal Frontier effectively managed gatherings of Bangladeshi Nationals near the Indo-Bangladesh border today. With vigilance and coordination with BGB, they ensured safety and prevented any border breaches. #BorderSecurity #BSF #IndiasFirstLineOfDefence pic.twitter.com/m12K1pUydc
— NORTH BENGAL FRONTIER BSF (@BSFNBFTR) August 7, 2024
However, the villagers refused to return to Bangladesh as the mob was hunting for Awami League members and Hindus and stayed in the no-man’s land between the two countries. That part of the border is unfenced so BSF had to form a human barrier to keep them out of India.
“The villagers are still there, between 200m and 500m from the international border,” said BSF DIG (North Bengal Frontier) Amit Kumar Tyagi. Around 600 Bangladeshis are refusing to leave the no man’s land near Jalpaiguri in northern Bengal, demanding entry into India. Both BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are asking them to return, but they are refusing.
As per reports, similar scenes can be seen in many places along the border. In another place, six people were stopped by the BSF at the zero point. Lack of barbed wire fence on the border in that area has made it attractive place to try and cross the international border, putting a lot of stress on the BSF personnel.
Videos shared on social media show Bangladeshi Hindus and others being targeted by mob crossing a river in Temkabhita village in Thakurgaon district to enter India.
As per reports, almost everyone in the village left their homes to leave their country. They reached the border along the North Dinjapur district in West Bengal with essential items, but were not allowed to move further by the BSF.
The situation escalated on Tuesday night when former Awami League MP Kamarul Arefin, his wife, and two daughters attempted to enter India without valid visas at Petrapole-Benapole border crossings. They had appealed for entry into India, fearing for their lives in their country. But BSF stopped and sent them back to Bangladesh, where they were detained by BGB.
On Wednesday, BGB stopped two more Awami League politicians at the Darshana border checkpoint.
