Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has warned that his government is considering stopping trade with Bangladesh, alleging that the Hindu community is being persecuted in Bangladesh.
This information was given in a report published online by the English newspaper The Assam Tribune, published from Assam, India.
Speaking to reporters at the Agartala Press Club in Tripura’s capital, Agartala, on Saturday, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that they are discussing with the Indian central government about stopping trade with Bangladesh.
He said, “We have not taken any decision yet. However, if the situation does not normalize, then anything can happen.”
Earlier, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, had demanded a stop to trade with Bangladesh.
Expressing deep concern about the situation in Bangladesh, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said, “There is no sign of stopping attacks and persecution targeting Hindu minorities. The sword has fallen on religious minorities since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.
Manik Saha told reporters that security along the border with Bangladesh has been increased, saying, “We have strengthened security along the border since the day the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh left the country. I have personally reviewed the situation with BSF officials and the Director General of Police several times. Our top priority is border security.”
Meanwhile, The Assam Tribune, citing Indian land port sources, reported that trade between Bangladesh and India has decreased significantly recently. Imports and exports of coal, fish and other products have decreased drastically. Now only essential goods are being traded.
The Indian land port authorities said that India’s trade with Bangladesh has decreased drastically in recent times. They blame the political unrest in Bangladesh for this.
The Indian Immigration Department said that visas are no longer being issued to Bangladeshis as before. Visas are being issued only in cases of health emergencies.
Earlier, two hospitals in Kolkata, West Bengal, and Agartala, Tripura, had announced that they would no longer provide medical services to Bangladeshi patients, citing similar allegations.
