“Keep borders safe, ensure safety of citizens”: Congress asks Centre amid turmoil in Bangladesh

New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): Congress leaders on Monday said the Centre should inform the nation about the current political crisis in Bangladesh, secure the nation’s border and ensure the safety of its citizens living in the neighbouring country.

Reacting to the political crisis in the neighbouring country, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi told ANI, “Given the current situation in Bangladesh, we have to keep our borders safe”.

He added, “State government and Central government should work together to ensure safety…We want the Central Government to inform the nation about the current situation. All Indians living in Bangladesh should be safe…”

Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram expressed concern about the possible influx of refugees to Indian borders.

“We got to see how the current situation is going to affect our border security. If there are any Indian citizens in Bangladesh we have to make sure that they are all safe…We also go to make sure that there is no influx of refugees coming in from Bangladesh into our borders…,” he told ANI in response to the prevailing political crisis in Bangladesh.

He added, “All political parties will be united behind the Centre to make sure that our interests are paramount”.

Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, resigned earlier and left the capital city of Dhaka after weeks of unrest.

In a televised address to the nation, the country’s Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, announced the formation of an interim government to run the country.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday evening landed at the Hindon Air Base near New Delhi in a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.

Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka on Monday morning, accompanied by her sister, as the students-led protests intensified and many people entered the Ganabhaban, the residence of the Prime Minister.

Prothom Alo reported that people were seen decamping with various items from public buildings. A crowd was also noticed inside the Parliament building and people were seen taking things from inside the Parliament building as well.

Protesters also set fire to Sudha Sadan, the private residence of Sheikh Hasina’s family in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Prothom Alo reported that around 5:30 pm, Sudha Sadan was vandalized. A fire was also set inside the house. Protestors were reported to be seen taking things out of the house.

Protesters also vandalized the residence of the Chief Justice.

Several people were seen entering the Chief Justice’s residence by climbing over its wall and commotion and vandalism were reported from inside. Along with vandalizing the residence, various items in the residence were taken away, Prothom Alo reported.

Meanwhile, the operations of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were shut for six hours, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Monday.