A group of about 600 Bangladeshis were prevented from entering India at a border crossing in West Bengal by the Border Security Force, which has been on high alert since prime minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown and left the nation on Monday, despite the ongoing political unrest and violence in Bangladesh.
A large number of the group begged BSF officials to let them in, saying they were afraid for their lives. The group attempted to enter India on Wednesday, the eve of an interim administration taking office in Bangladesh.
According to officials, the party attempted to enter India at the Dakshin Berubari village in the Jalpaiguri region of West Bengal.
“They appealed to us and asked to be let into the country, saying that they were afraid of being attacked and also feared for their lives. It was explained to them that it is not possible to let them enter in this fashion,” said an official.
Many of the group remained at the border point late on Wednesday night, expecting that they would finally be permitted to pass over, even though some of them had left. The individuals gathered across the barbed wire were begging to be let in, a local neighbour informed a news agency. “But we are helpless. They recounted their horrific experiences,” the resident said.
Prior to the January 7 elections, which were easily won by Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, unrest had been developing in Bangladesh, but many people believed that the process was anything but free and fair.
Following the reinstatement of a thirty percent reservation in government positions for the families of independence fighters and veterans of Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence by the high court of Bangladesh, student protests broke out in June. Students were furious by Ms. Hasina’s handling of the matter and her branding of the demonstrators, even though the quota was later reduced by the nation’s highest court.
Students across continued to demonstrate, calling on Ms. Hasina to resign. On Sunday, agitators and police clashed, resulting in over 100 deaths and numerous injuries.
Millions of students poured into the streets on Monday, marching in the direction of Ganabhaban, the prime minister’s official palace, compelling Ms. Hasina to step down and run.
Waker-Uz-Zaman, the leader of Bangladesh’s Army, has announced that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus will take an oath of office as the head of an interim administration on Thursday.
