India's Tripura state Chief Minister Manik Saha has warned that his government is considering cutting off trade with Bangladesh, alleging persecution of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Two hospitals in West Bengal's Calcutta and Tripura's Agartala have announced that they will no longer treat Bangladeshi patients after making the same complaint.
India's land port authority has said that India's trade with Bangladesh has decreased significantly in recent times. For this they blame the political instability of Bangladesh.
According to an online news of The Assam Tribune, an English newspaper published from Assam, India, the Chief Minister of Tripura said that they are discussing with the Central Government of India about the suspension of trade with Bangladesh. Manik Saha said this to reporters at the Agartala Press Club on Saturday. He said, 'We have not taken any decision yet. But if the situation is not normal, then anything can happen.'
Earlier, BJP's leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, had demanded to stop 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. Since the fall of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina, the sword has come down on the religious minorities.
Manik Saha told reporters that the security has been increased on the border with Bangladesh, 'We have strengthened the security on the border on the day the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh left the country. I personally reviewed the situation several times with BSF officers and Director General of Police. Our top priority is border security.'
Meanwhile, The Assam Tribune, quoting 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.
According to the Immigration Department of India, visas are not being given to Bangladeshis as before. Visas are issued only in case of medical emergencies.
Two hospitals will not provide treatment
According to the Times of India, the JN Roy Hospital authorities in Kolkata have announced that they will no longer treat Bangladeshi patients after complaining that the Hindu community is being persecuted in Bangladesh. Agartala's multi-specialty hospital ILS Hospital also announced the same. Earlier on Thursday night, renowned gynecologist Indranil Saha announced on Facebook that he has stopped seeing Bangladeshi patients to protest against the desecration of India's national flag in Bangladesh.
JN Roy Hospital official Subranshu Bhakta told news agency PTI last Friday, 'Bangladeshis have disrespected the Indian national flag. We have decided, from today (Friday), we will not admit any more Bangladeshi patients to the hospital for an indefinite period. One of the reasons for this decision is that Bangladeshis have insulted India.
Subranshu Bhakta called upon other hospital authorities in Kolkata to take similar action to protest against the persecution of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. He said, 'Seeing the national flag being disrespected, we have decided not to provide treatment to Bangladeshis. India played an important role in their independence. Yet we now see anti-India sentiments among them. We hope other hospitals will take the same steps as us.'
Meanwhile, ILS hospital authorities in Agartala said they will no longer treat Bangladeshis in protest against their 'anti-India sentiment' and persecution of the Hindu minority. This decision was announced by the hospital authorities after a local group staged a protest on Saturday demanding the suspension of services to Bangladeshi citizens.
ILS Hospital Chief Operating Officer Gautam Hazrika said, 'We fully support the demand of stopping medical services for Bangladeshis. From today (Saturday) our Akhaura check post and ILS hospital helpdesk have been closed.'
