New Delhi: Amid political unrest in Bangladesh, several Indian states, including West Bengal and Tripura have heightened security as a precautionary measure while Bihar has issued an alert. Bangladesh plunged into political crisis after street protests over job quota forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country on Monday. Reports suggest that several Hindu temples and houses and commercial establishments of the Hindus have been attacked in the neighbouring country.
In the wake of protests, security has been stepped in several eastern states. West Bengal shares a total of 2,217 kilometres of its border with Bangladesh, along with Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Assam (262 km), and Mizoram (318 km).
BSF Director General (acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary earlier today visited the Petrapole border, located in Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district and took stock of tactical and operational preparedness at the border.
In Nadia district, BSF officials met with state government officials and villagers in West Bengal’s border areas. The BSF has also advised villagers in border areas to avoid movement on the International Border Road (IBBR) during night hours and to close shops by 9 pm. The Kolkata police have tightened security outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission to avoid any untoward incidents.
Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha urged security agencies to intensify vigilance along the international border. “I met with the Chief Secretary, DGP, Assam Rifles, and BSF, and instructed them to intensify vigilance along the border. We will take steps based on instructions from Delhi,” he said. The Chief Minister directed security forces to prevent any crossings from Bangladesh into Tripura.
An alert has been sounded in several parts of Bihar in the wake of the unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh. “Some parts of Bangladesh are not far away from Bihar. As such, we have put the administration on alert with instructions to ensure that no disturbances take place in vulnerable areas,” Senior JD(U) leader and minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said.