Bangladeshi nationals near the border in Coochbehar in Bengal. Credit: BSF
In Bangladesh, after a coup, the persecution of minorities has increased significantly. Especially, Hindus are being forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in India. Thousands of Hindus are attempting to cross rivers, streams, and thickets to enter India. In Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar, Bengal, around 1,000 Bangladeshis are standing in a canal, pleading with the Border Security Force (BSF) for refuge. Meanwhile, BSF faces the challenge of ensuring national security. According to BSF officials, this is the largest group of people attempting to infiltrate India so far. At Kashiara Baruni, Pathan Tuli village near the Bangladesh border, tall fences have been erected. Additionally, there is a large canal in between.
Thousands of people fleeing from Bangladesh are standing in this canal, desperate and pleading. Some of them were even chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” BSF soldiers stopped them at zero point, 150 yards from the border. The soldiers appealed to them to return home, but none agreed. These people are from Doi Khawa and Genduguri villages in Rangpur district of Bangladesh. BSF officials said they have requested the Border Guards Bangladesh to take their people back. In a statement, BSF mentioned they are facing a significant challenge between border security and humanitarian assistance. The BSF soldiers are adhering to the orders they have been given.
It’s noteworthy that Bangladeshis have been coming continuously for several days at Petrapole in North 24 Parganas, Bengal. According to a report in the Times of India, a woman named Bhakti from Bharatkathi in Bangladesh shared that she came to India with her husband on a medical visa. She mentioned that since August 3, they have been unable to sleep at night. They stayed awake on Friday as well. The night of August 3 was like a terrible nightmare. She recounted that their house was surrounded by a mob that demanded 12,000 rupees from the Awami League Gram Panchayat. Somehow, they managed to gather 4,500 rupees during the night, and only then did the mob leave.
