New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) convened a meeting recently to assess the current situation along the Indo-Bangladesh border. This meeting, led by Ravi Gandhi, ADG of BSF (Eastern Command), included members from the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) and other relevant stakeholders.

In the wake of the flight of Shiekh Hasina, the student protests of Bangladesh leading to Monsoon Revolution and the distress at the border due to refugees attempting to enter India from the riot-stricken country, the committee discussed the progress of ongoing communications with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), particularly regarding the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh's border districts. Since 12 August 2024, the border forces of both countries have held around 722 border meetings at various levels. Additionally, 1,367 Simultaneous Coordinated Patrols (SCP) have been conducted in vulnerable areas along the Eastern Command's jurisdiction. 

During these meetings, BGB officials were urged to prevent illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into Indian territory. In response, the BGB assured that measures are being taken to ensure the safety of Indian citizens and minority groups in Bangladesh.

The BSF has also been holding village coordination meetings with Indian residents living near the international border to inform them about the situation in Bangladesh and to encourage cooperation in border management. A total of 614 such meetings were held in the last 15 days, receiving positive responses from the villagers. In addition, multiple discussions with other security agencies were conducted to bolster border security.

The Indo-Bangladesh border remains largely peaceful, with the BSF committed to maintaining the integrity of the international boundary and ensuring the safety of the local population. BSF personnel are working round the clock in coordination with the BGB, following the guidelines of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP). /BI