As the crisis unfolds, there is an air of uncertainty among those looking to cross the Bangladesh-India border. At the Petrapole border, Bangladeshi nationals told News18 on Tuesday that they were unsure of the future.
A group of truck drivers was standing in a corner. One of them, Monta Ghosh, told News18: “Last evening, the party office of Awami League on the other side was burned down. We left our trucks and came walking here. We don’t know what to do.”
Another driver said, “I have come from Gujarat. We transport wires and other electronic goods across the border. As the situation deteriorated we had to return.”
Mintu Maity, another driver, told News18: “We have left our truck that side and we have come. Life is important. We don’t know whether we can go back and bring the truck. But we first thought of our safety.”
Tuesday saw some trucks from Bangladesh unload goods. The drivers told News18: “The BDR helped us. They put us in a safe space and we reached here in the morning.”
THE ESCAPE FROM BANGLADESH
Sahid Ali of Barpeta was at a hotel in Jashore, which was set on fire. He jumped off the third floor and broke his leg. He had come to Petrapol in an ambulance. “In the afternoon, people started to throw stones at the hotel. We then started to come down from the 11th floor. There was smoke everywhere as the hotel was set on fire. I jumped along with my brother. I broke my legs.”
As News18 was talking to truck drivers, the sound of bursting of firecrackers was heard from the other side. A local shopkeeper said, “As the news of Sheikh Hasina’s exit spread, people on that side burst firecrackers.”
VOICES OF CONCERN
Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh) is an important land border, both in terms of trade and passenger movement. Locals claim that they have been told to stop exports, although there is no official order.
Ranjan Das, a resident of Jashor, broke down while speaking to News18. “I came for treatment, but heard things are bad there. We are in minority and are being looted. I am really worried.”
Apurba Dutta, another Bangladeshi national, said, “We are frequent visitors here. My family called to say things are not okay there.”
Mir Islam came to India five days ago for treatment. Hamid, the son of Mir, who was in a wheelchair, told News18: “My father is very ill. It seems we have got freedom, but things should now be peaceful.”
A large number of people from Bangladesh come to Bengal for treatment. Indians who have visa are also returning from that side.
Faisal Gulam Mohammad Shek from Gujarat, who went to Bangladesh as a tourist, said, “I travelled there in an autorickshaw for 60 km. I want to come back to India.”
Jahanara Begum, an Indian who went there to meet her relatives, came from Jashore. “Things were violent now. Some Awami league offices were attacked.”
Bangladeshi national Hussain Shah told News18: “My father needs special medicine for heart so I came to India.”
BSF DG Daljit Singh visited the Petrapole border and met the senior officials. He also visited sensitive pockets, said sources, adding he asked for strict vigil to be maintained.
With no trucks plying, business, too, has been hit.
Meanwhile, at zero point, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s plaque stands in the middle of the chaos.
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