Two Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, were apprehended near the Indo-Bangladesh border on Wednesday, December 11. The specifics of their entry route remain undisclosed. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commended the alertness of border security forces in a statement on X, highlighting the swift action taken by the Assam police. The individuals, Simu Begum and Md. Ujjal, were subsequently pushed back across the border.
This incident occurs amid heightened tensions due to recent reports of religious persecution in Bangladesh. The Sribhumi District Hotel Association recently implemented a temporary ban on hosting Bangladeshi nationals, citing concerns over minority harassment. This decision gained momentum following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, a member of ISKCON, in Bangladesh, which has intensified calls for protective measures.
The All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association has joined the protest, ceasing services for Bangladeshi citizens until the situation improves. The associations clarified that these actions are temporary and meant to draw attention to the safety concerns and rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Upholding India’s commitment to secular values, the groups asserted that the ongoing violence is both alarming and unacceptable.
This development underscores the fragile situation at the Indo-Bangladesh border and the broader regional implications of internal strife in Bangladesh.