New Delhi: Amid political unrest in Bangladesh and reports of targeted attacks on Hindus in the violence-hit country, the Centre on Friday constituted a high-level committee to monitor the situation along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The panel, headed by a top Border Security Force (BSF) official, would be in touch with counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Indian nationals, Hindus and other minorities living in the country amid large-scale protests that saw the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.
“The Government of India has constituted a Committee to monitor the current situation on Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB). The committee will maintain communication channels with their counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure safety of Indian citizens and people belonging to minority communities in Bangladesh,” the Union Home Ministry said.
“The Committee will be headed by ADG, Border Security Force (BSF), Eastern Command and will have IG, BSF Frontier HQ South Bengal, IG, BSF Frontier HQ Tripura, Member (Planning & Development), Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), and, Secretary, LPAI, as its members,” it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed hope for early return of normalcy in Bangladesh and sought safety of Hindus and other minority communities in that country.
Bangladesh has witnessed widespread unrest in recent weeks. More than 500 people, including police personnel, were killed in the anti-government protests that began as a peaceful demonstration by student against quota system. Following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister and her exit from Dhaka, there were reports of attacks on Hindus and minorities in the neighbouring country.