Centre forms panel to monitor Bangladesh crisis and ensure safety of Indians and minorities
The lack of effective law enforcement and the breakdown of order have contributed to a deteriorating situation in Bangladesh.
On August 9, 2024, the Indian government took a decisive step in response to the escalating Bangladesh crisis by forming a high-level committee tasked with monitoring the volatile situation along the Indo-Bangladesh border and ensuring the safety of Indian citizens and minority communities in Bangladesh. This committee, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to maintain open communication channels with Bangladeshi authorities amid the ongoing turmoil in the neighboring country.
Addressing the Bangladesh Crisis: Committee Formation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the formation of the committee on X, emphasizing its role in managing the Bangladesh crisis. “In light of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Modi government has constituted a committee to monitor the current situation on the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB). The committee will maintain communication channels with their counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus, and other minority communities living there. The committee will be headed by the ADG, Border Security Force (BSF), Eastern Command,” Shah said.
The formation of this committee is a strategic move to address the immediate concerns arising from the Bangladesh crisis. The committee will be led by the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Border Security Force (BSF), Eastern Command, and will include several key members: the BSF’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the South Bengal frontier, the IGP for the Tripura frontier, the member (planning and development) of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), and the secretary of the LPAI.
The committee’s primary responsibilities will include maintaining secure communication with Bangladeshi counterparts and coordinating efforts to safeguard Indian citizens and minority communities affected by the unrest. This measure highlights India’s commitment to addressing the crisis and ensuring the welfare of its nationals abroad.
Bangladesh Crisis Intensifies: Violence and Instability
The Bangladesh crisis has intensified following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024. Since Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh has experienced a surge in violence, particularly targeting Hindu homes and temples. Reports indicate that rioters have set fire to homes and attacked individuals, leading to over 300 deaths in government crackdowns over the past six months. The situation has worsened with an additional 60 deaths reported on the day of Hasina’s resignation.
The power vacuum left by Hasina’s departure has exacerbated the crisis, leaving vulnerable communities, including Hindus and other religious minorities, exposed to mob violence. The lack of effective law enforcement and the breakdown of order have contributed to a deteriorating situation in Bangladesh.
In response to the escalating violence, the BSF has been actively engaged in managing the situation at the border. On August 7, BSF personnel observed Bangladeshi nationals gathering near the International Boundary (IB) in two sectors, driven by fears of attacks from protestors within Bangladesh. The BSF acted swiftly to address these gatherings, ensuring the safety of both the border and the Bangladeshi nationals involved. The BSF, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and local officials collaborated to reassure and guide the people back to their homes, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining stability at the border.
The crisis has also led to significant disruptions in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, where Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has assumed a key role. Yunus, who was appointed to replace Sheikh Hasina, has yet to address the opposition’s demand for elections within the constitutionally mandated ninety days. Meanwhile, public services in Dhaka remain suspended, the courts are operating inefficiently, and the country’s foreign exchange reserves have dwindled by over a billion dollars in recent weeks.
The primary opposition party in Bangladesh has been vocal about the need for prompt elections following the Parliament’s dissolution. However, Yunus’s response to this demand remains pending. The ongoing anti-government protests and violence have claimed over 500 lives, including law enforcement officers, underscoring the severity of the Bangladesh crisis.
As the situation unfolds, the newly formed Indian committee will play a crucial role in managing the impact of the Bangladesh crisis on the Indo-Bangladesh border and ensuring the safety of Indian citizens and minority communities in the region. This proactive approach by the Indian government reflects its commitment to addressing regional instability and protecting its nationals amidst a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
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