Centre's panel to monitor situation on India-Bangladesh border: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced that the central government has formed a committee to monitor the situation along the India-Bangladesh Border (IBB). The committee will maintain communication with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals and minority communities in Bangladesh. It will be headed by the Assistant Director General (ADG) of the Eastern Command of the Border Security Force (BSF), Shah wrote on X.
Violent protests in Bangladesh since July
Normalcy is slowly returning to Bangladesh, which saw violent protests since July over a government job quota scheme that claimed nearly 300 lives and left thousands injured. The policy reserved 30% of government jobs for descendants of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan—the majority of whom are affiliated with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party. The protests later escalated into a movement demanding Hasina's resignation following violent police crackdowns.
Reports of attacks on minorities
After Hasina resigned and fled the country, there were reports that minorities, including Hindus, were attacked. Instances of mobs targeting Hindu temples, Indian cultural establishments, and residences of people from the Hindu community were reported. Security agencies in India were also informed that over 1,200 prisoners, including terrorists, have escaped jails in Bangladesh and could attempt to infiltrate into India.
BSF issues advisory to locals; shops to close early
With this intelligence obtained, the BSF has heightened vigil along the border with Bangladesh. The BSF has also issued an advisory to locals living along the 4,096km-long India-Bangladesh international border, urging them to restrict unnecessary movement, particularly during the night. Additionally, shops along the border have been instructed to shut by 9:00pm, the Hindustan Times reported.
Government closely monitoring minority protection in Bangladesh
On Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the government is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh with regard to minority protection. Currently, an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus is heading the country. Yusuf took oath on Thursday at Dhaka's presidential palace. Over a dozen members of his cabinet, who hold the titles of advisers rather than ministers, also took oaths as the caretaker government works to restore peace and prepare for new elections.
