At the Hakimpur border checkpost in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, the return of Bangladeshi nationals has sharply increased in recent days.
The checkpost, which is located a short distance from the zero line, is tightly guarded by BSF personnel and is even monitored with cameras.
Everyone passing through the area be it whether walking, cycling or riding a motorbike, is checked carefully before being allowed through.
Polythene sheets are also laid out in front of closed shops, marking a waiting spot where groups gather before being escorted towards the border.
Earlier in the day, a group of 20 to 30 Bangladeshi citizens had also assembled there. Among those arriving later were Habiul Biswas and his wife Sajda, who say they came to India six years ago and they continue to live in Delhi and afterwards near Kolkata.
They have also worked as ragpickers and now fear being jailed for not having legal documents.
Their biggest worry is that they have left their minor daughter behind in India because she and her husband must first clear their debts with their employer at a brick kiln.
Nearby, Kohinoor, another Bangladeshi woman, had also recently shared her concern. She worked in Bengaluru hotels for a year but felt unsafe after some people, whom she identified as BJP supporters, allegedly asked businesses not to further hire any Bengali-speaking workers.
BSF personnel at the check post said that before any group is sent back across the border, a flag meeting is also going to be held with the Border Guards of Bangladesh.
According to the locals, Bangladeshi nationals have been arriving in large numbers since November 17.
Many say they returned after watching videos showing people crossing from this point, and because of fear linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Image Credit: Pxhere
