New Delhi: In the wake of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, over 1,200 prisoners, including terrorists, have reportedly escaped from jails across Bangladesh. This has raised significant security concerns for India, with fears that these fugitives might attempt to cross the border with weapons. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been alerted to the potential risks and has increased vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border.
Following Sheikh Hasina’s dramatic resignation and escape to India early Monday, Bangladesh has been engulfed in violent protests. The unrest has resulted in over 300 deaths, and the situation remains volatile. In response to the turmoil, security forces in Bangladesh, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have been redeployed to manage internal chaos, inadvertently weakening border security.
Senior BSF officials have noted the heightened security risks due to the reduced BGB presence along the border. To mitigate these risks, the BSF and BGB have established communication channels to exchange information in real-time. Discussions occur multiple times daily between various ranks, including commandants and frontiers IGs, to prevent any potential infiltrations.
A senior BSF officer, who requested anonymity, stated, “Information is being exchanged at all levels of both forces. The BGB has been instructed to immediately alert the BSF about any escaped convicts moving towards the border.”
The 4,096-kilometre-long India-Bangladesh border is porous in several areas. In the South and North Bengal frontiers, which feature long stretches of barbed wire and water bodies, smuggling activities such as cattle, gold, drugs, and fish eggs are common. The recent reduction in BGB deployment has intensified concerns that criminals and terrorists could exploit these vulnerabilities.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, there were several attempts by Bangladeshi residents to enter India through the North and South Bengal frontiers. The BSF has been informed of escapes from multiple jails, including Narsingi, Sherpur, Satkhira, Kushtia, and Kashimpur. Although 400 prisoners from Narsingi jail have surrendered, others, particularly from extremist groups such as Jamaat-E-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam, remain at large.
The BSF has also been advised that some police personnel who fled their posts might attempt to cross into India for safety. With the BGB focused on urban violence in Bangladesh, there are concerns that escaped prisoners might try to sell their weapons in India. Additionally, supporters of the Awami League and other political figures are seeking refuge in India due to ongoing attacks against them.
An incident reported at the Darshana immigration point in Bangladesh’s Chaudanga district on Thursday highlights the seriousness of the situation. Two Awami League politicians were detained by the BGB for attempting to enter India using fake documents.
The Indian government has instructed the BSF to ensure that no unauthorized individuals cross the border, regardless of their claims. The BSF has been mandated to maintain strict surveillance and prevent any illegal entries.