The illegal border crossing from India into Bangladesh through many points of the bordering districts will deepen the country’s Covid-19 crisis further. It is reported that people in large number from India are entering the country every day illegally amid border shut due to the unprecedented surge of coronavirus cases in the neighbouring nation.
Country’s 29 districts of eight divisions are situated with India border. Earlier Bangladesh closed its land borders with India to check spread of second surge of Covid-19 virus. Except for three land ports-- Benapole, Burimari and Akhaura, all kinds of human movements through all other land ports between the two countries would completely stay suspended till tomorrow (Sunday).
We hope laws enforcing agencies will
intensify patrolling along the border
area to stop illegal trespassing
Reportedly, out of 139 India returnees who were in mandatory 14-day quarantine at a centre in Satkhira district, 11 confirmed case of Indian coronavirus strain has been detected. On the other hand, many people are also being detained by the members of Border Guard Bangladesh while they are either trying to go to India or entering Bangladesh without travel documents through Baghadanga and Khoshalpur border in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah district. Besides, people are also illegally entering Bangladesh through Dahagram land port in Lalmonirhat district.
In order to avert arrest and mandatory 14-day quarantine as well, people have now chosen to cross the border illegally through different areas where barbed wire fences have not been installed yet.
A large number of people from Bangladesh, who went to India for treatment or in search of work, got stuck there due to the deteriorating Covid-19 situation. And now they have become desperate to return home at any cost.
We hope the members of laws enforcing agencies will intensify patrolling along the border areas without barbed wire fence in order to stop illegal trespassing in Bangladesh territory immediately. Authorities concerned should take this issue seriously. Travelers from India without ‘negative test certificates’ and valid documents must be stopped for the sake of the country’s people.