Hundreds of Hindus from Bangladesh want to cross the border into India
After the escape of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh, hundreds of Hindus attempted to cross the border into neighboring India. "Several hundred Bangladesh nationals, mostly Hindus, have gathered at various points along the border," said Amit Kumar Tyagi, deputy inspector general of the Indian border force BSF, to the news agency AFP. Hindus are seen as supporters of the prime minister who fled after protests in parts of Bangladesh.
More than 200 people are currently near the border in the region of West Bengal, according to the Indian border force. In the district of Jalpaiguri, more than 600 people have gathered in open fields. "Since there is no fence here, BSF personnel have formed a human shield to hold them back," Tyagi explained further.
Several shops and houses of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh were attacked after the former prime minister's escape. The Bangladesh Interfaith Unity Council reported attacks on at least ten Hindu temples on Monday. A hospital official told AFP that a man was beaten to death in the region of Bagerhat in the south of the country.
Prime Minister Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, fled to India on Monday after more than a month of violent protests. Demonstrators opposed a quota system for public service that they believed favored supporters of Hasina and demanded her resignation. According to AFP figures, at least 455 people were killed in the mass protests.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is now set to lead a transitional government. The 84-year-old returned to Bangladesh on Thursday.
Following Prime Minister Hasina's escape to India, many Hindus felt unsafe and decided to seek refuge in India after their communities were targeted. According to Tyagi, over 600 people had gathered in the open fields of the Jalpaiguri district.
After the attacks on Hindu communities in Bangladesh, hundreds more began joining their fellow Hindus near the border, hoping for safety amidst the unrest.
