Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday appealed for calm over the unrest in Bangladesh after the escape of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by air to New Delhi. The Trinamul Congress supremo also backed the Centre's stand on the issue.
She said at the Assembly, “I appeal to all the people of Bengal to maintain peace and avoid all forms of provocation. We will follow whatever decision the Centre takes on this issue.” Last month, Ms Banerjee had offered to provide shelter to Bangladeshi nationals in the state which triggered a huge uproar.
US embassy press attache and spokesperson Chris Elms, who was in the city, refused to comment on the Bangladeshi PM's escape to India. Meanwhile, new BSF chief Daljit Singh Chaudhary reviewed the security arrangements at the Indo-Bangla border in North 24 Parganas and the Sundarbans delta in wake of the volatile situation in the neighbouring country.
The BSF said, “The purpose of this visit is to review the operational preparedness and strategic deployment of BSF in these important border areas…In view of the changed situation in Bangladesh, BSF has issued an alert along the Indo-Bangladesh border and the number of troops deployed along the border has also been increased.”
During the inspection tour, Mr Chaudhary along with other BSF officers visited Dhamakhali where the commandant of 118th Battalion them on the battalion’s water border responsibilities along Bangladesh en route to the floating border outpost deployed at T-junction, highlighting the unique challenges of the rainforest and water-rich terrain and the effective measures implemented to tackle border crimes including smuggling and illegal crossings.
According to the BSF, “The visit concluded with a visit to the outpost located in the dense rainforest Sundarbans. The visit of DG BSF highlights the dedication and vigilance of BSF in safeguarding India's borders, ensuring peace and security in the region. The ongoing efforts of BSF in Sundarbans and North 24 Parganas are vital in preventing international crimes and maintaining the sovereignty of the nation.”
