BSF Meghalaya Frontier intensifies security measures amid unrest in Bangladesh

Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], August 6 : Amid the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, the BSF Meghalaya Frontier, which oversees a 444 km stretch of the international border with Bangladesh, has heightened security measures to ensure effective border domination and management, said an official press release by BSF.
Extensive operations are underway along the entire border to prevent illegal entry and smuggling activities.
The IG BSF Meghalaya Harbax Singh Dhillon stated that troops and field commanders are fully aware and vigilant about ongoing developments. The situation across the international border is being closely monitored to address any unforeseen circumstances.
Senior officers and commandants have been deployed at the border and instructed to remain in mission mode.
All land customs stations and integrated check posts on the International Border of Meghalaya are on high alert and civilian movement has been restricted along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The Meghalaya state government has also imposed a night curfew along the entire International border of Meghalaya. The civil administration and local police in collaboration with the BSF have enhanced vigilance and instructed villagers to remain extra alert.
Amid political unrest in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that there are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals of which about 9000 are students while ensuring the country that the government is in close contact with the Indian community in Dhaka.
Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha that the bulk of the students returned to India in July.
"We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there of which about 9000 are students. The bulk of the students returned in July," he said.
He also said that Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested approval from India to come at very short notice and she arrived on the evening of Monday.
"On August 5, demonstrators converged in Dhaka despite the curfew. Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apparently made the decision to resign. At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi," he said.
The External Affairs Minister also mentioned that the government is monitoring the situation with regard to the minorities living in Bangladesh.
Jaishankar noted that ties between India and Bangladesh are exceptionally close.