Abhay Singh
In light of the disturbance in Bangladesh, Meghalaya’s deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong, announced on Monday that the state administration has chosen to implement a curfew along the international border.
Decision was taken in an urgent meeting with BSF personnel and the Meghalaya Police
The curfew will be in effect for over 444 km of the boundary stretch, from 6 pm to 6 am daily until further notice, following an urgent meeting with Border Security Force personnel and Meghalaya Police.
“In view of the volatile situation, the state government has decided to impose night curfew along the international border with Bangladesh,” Tynsong said.
According to officials, the BSF has established a “high alert” across all of its formations along the 4,096-kilometer India-Bangladesh border in response to the developments in the neighboring nation.
Bangladesh is preparing to welcome an interim government
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Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister due to violent protests, leading to mass celebrations in Dhaka. Hasina fled to India and sought asylum in the UK, and the nation is now preparing to welcome an interim government.
The developments in Bangladesh pushed India to increase border security. India shares a 4,096.7-kilometer border with Bangladesh. It is the longest border India has with any adjacent country.
At least 300 people died in protests in Bangladesh a month ago, involving students against a civil service job quota system that favors children of war veterans. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh scaled back the 30% reservation in government jobs for descendants of freedom fighters from the 1971 Bangladesh independence war, but only allotted 5% reservation to these descendants.
Protesters demanded Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister, leading to her departure and flight to India. Bangladesh’s Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman confirmed Hasina’s resignation and announced the formation of a caretaker government. He sought president’s guidance on forming an interim government, and it is expected that the army and other political parties will lead Bangladesh to a free and fair election. This marked the end of Hasina’s 15-year rule in the country.
“I take full responsibility for the country.”Please cooperate,” he stated in a television speech. The Army chief stated that he had spoken with political leaders and informed them that the Army will assume responsibility for maintaining law and order.
Thousands of protestors stormed the prime minister’s residence in Ganabhaban, Bangladesh, setting fire to a vehicle. Later, they stormed Parliament, causing chaos and looting of furniture, books, and other belongings. Channel 24 reported images of crowds running into the prime minister’s compound and attacking other buildings associated with her party and family.
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Hasina, who arrived in India on Monday, is expected to remain in India until she is granted political asylum in a third country, with reports suggesting she is seeking asylum in the UK. Hasina has been moved to a safe location.
Indian Government’s Stance
India has increased security around borders following the arrival of Hasina at Hindon airport in Ghaziabad. Meghalaya imposed a night curfew along the international border with Bangladesh, while the Assam government issued a “high alert” to districts sharing borders with the neighboring country. West Bengal’s Indo-Bangladesh border region has also been put on high alert, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urging people to maintain peace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting amid Bangladesh’s turmoil, alongside other members such as Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Hasina after she arrived at an airbase near Delhi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed PM Modi about the situation and also informed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of the developments.
LoP Rahul Gandhi met with Prime Minister Jaishankar in the Parliament House complex, discussing recent developments in Bangladesh.
Hasina is expected to meet her daughter Saima Wazed, who is the World Health Organisation’s regional director for South-East Asia.
Air India and IndiGo have cancelled scheduled flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect on Monday. No official word on Hasina’s arrival in Delhi.
According to the sources stated above, India chose to allow Hasina’s plane to safe passage through Indian airspace in response to a request from Bangladesh.
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