Bangladeshi national arrested in Assam's Nagaon for illegally entering India

Bangladesh turmoil: A Bangladeshi national was arrested in the Nagaon district of Assam for illegally entering India amid the ongoing turmoil in the neighbouring country, police said. Acting on a tip-off, a team from Dhing police station apprehended four individuals, including a Bangladeshi national, at the Dhing cattle market on Wednesday evening.

Nagaon Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka said that police seized nine cattle heads from the possession of the Bangladeshi and his associates. The apprehended person has been identified as Humayun Kabir (32), son of Monir Uddin, hailing from Lathi village in Gowainghat police station in Sylhet district of Bangladesh, he added. 

 Bangladeshi national bribed BSF official

"During interrogation, Kabir claimed that he bribed a BSF official and illegally entered India through the international border in Dawki without any valid travel document mainly for cattle trading," the SP said.

It was also revealed that the Bangladeshi national crossed the border on August 4th and arrived in the Borghat area of central Assam's Nagaon district on August 6, he added. "After searching a few houses at Geruaati village in Samaguri of Nagaon district, police recovered a mobile phone handset with two Bangladeshi SIM cards from the possession of the arrested foreigner. He was residing at Geruaati village," the official said.

Assam CM assures strict border security

Amid concerns about a potential influx from Bangladesh into Assam due to ongoing disturbances, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured the public that stringent security measures have effectively prevented any unauthorized entry. He emphasised that the Indo-Bangladesh border is being closely monitored and confirmed that no individuals from Bangladesh have entered Assam without valid documentation.

Sarma addressed the media in Guwahati, said, "Government of India has instructed the state government to completely secure the Indo-Bangladesh border so that no one can come inside the country. Accordingly, the Assam government is maintaining strict vigil in the border area and as of now no one has entered our country except those having valid visa and passport and genuine and bonafide citizens of this country."
 
He expressed confidence in the central government's efforts, saying, “However, I do hope the government of India will do everything possible and I am sure the Prime minister is doing everything possible to ensure the safety and security of Hindus, Sikha, Buddhist Jains and Christian people in Bangladesh.”

What happened in Bangladesh?

On August 5, Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister of Bangladesh and left the country amid massive protests that originated against a controversial job quota system.  Over 500 people, including police personnel, were killed across Bangladesh in the violence centering the students' movement.

The massive protests in Bangladesh were initially held by protesters against the controversial quota system in government jobs, but soon spiralled into a broader agitation against the Awami League government after Hasina's 'razakar' remarks and the harsh police crackdown on protesters. While the initial protests calmed down after the Supreme Court scaled back the quotas, the recent unrest broke out as several students demanded Hasina's resignation.

(With PTI inputs)

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