The BJP had staged a blockade at Petrapole, an important land border between India and Bangladesh, demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested in a sedition case in Bangladesh.
However, their plan was foiled due to tight security by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and police at the border. No protesters were allowed to approach the zero point of the border. In addition to the Indian Border Security Force, the state police had also taken extra precautions along the border.
Earlier, BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal state assembly, Shuvendu Adhikari, had threatened on Wednesday that if Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested in a sedition case in the country, was not released, they would stop import, export, visa and medical services for Bangladeshis through Benapole port with India from Monday (December 2) morning.
On Monday (December 2), hundreds of BJP supporters held a rally in the Petrapole area after noon. BJP leader and state opposition leader Shuvendu Adhikari addressed the meeting. Later, they protested at the zero line and tried to prevent an untoward incident.
Benapole Immigration Checkpost Officer-in-Charge (OC) Imtiaz Ahmed said that he has come to know that meetings and rallies have been going on at the Petrapole border since morning. However, the Indian Petrapole Immigration Authority has not given any instructions to stop the travel of passport holders. As a result, although the number of passengers is low, the movement of passengers between the two countries is normal so far.
Shahabuddin, a returnee passport holder from India, said that some anti-Bangladesh people are using mikes to pressure hotel owners to stop Bangladeshis from staying in hotels in Banga town of West Bengal. This has spread some panic among ordinary Bangladeshis and many have returned to the country. However, no obstacles have been created by the administration. As a result, the passport holders have received support in their positions there.
It is worth mentioning that recently, ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on charges of sedition. Since then, a section of Hindus have started a movement demanding his release. Demanding his release, several organizations in West Bengal, India are pressuring the Indian government to stop visas, medical services for Bangladeshis, and import and export trade between the two countries. However, as India-Bangladesh relations remain intact, trade and travel between the two countries are normal.