The Border Security Force (BSF) has decided to hold talks with its Bangladeshi counterpart to resolve issues in the wake of the changed sociopolitical circumstances in the neighbouring country.

The decision was taken during an operational conference of the BSF chaired by the additional director-general of its Eastern Command, Ravi Gandhi, in Calcutta on Friday.

BSF sources said a large number of people belonging to the minority communities in Bangladesh have been gathering along the border every day demanding entry into India and seeking refuge and security. Taking up the issue of prevention of atrocities on the minority communities in Bangladesh has become important in light of this development, the sources added.

According to senior BSF officials, the plan to engage with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) aligns with the Centre’s directive to closely monitor the situation along the India-Bangladesh border.

Last week, a committee led by Gandhi was set up by the Centre to maintain open communication channels with the BGB, ensuring the security of Indian nationals, Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh in the wake of the fall of Sheikh Hasina government. Home minister Amit Shah announced the formation of the committee on X. The committee includes five members, comprising BSF officials and a representative from the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI).

Friday’s meeting, attended by senior officers, focused on assessing the situation along the India-Bangladesh border amid the ongoing unrest in the neighbouring country and reports of alleged attacks on Indian nationals and minority communities.

In recent weeks, particularly after the fall of the Awami League-led government, the BSF has conducted multiple flag meetings with the BGB to facilitate the return of Indian nationals and address the disruption of bilateral trade through land ports.

Top BSF officials believe that these flag meetings must continue to prevent potential infiltration by Bangladeshi minorities.

On Friday, around 1,000 Bangladeshi minorities had congregated along the Khurpa Nala, near the India-Bangladesh border opposite Sitalkuchi in Coochbehar, requesting asylum in India.

The BSF personnel managed to persuade them to return while preventing any infiltration attempts. However, BSF officials anticipate a potential surge in crowds near the border, which could be exploited by antisocial elements attempting to enter India.

Expressing concern, a senior BSF official said: “We expect that attempts to infiltrate and seek refuge in India will increase in the coming days. Effective coordination with the BGB is crucial to thwart these efforts.”

During Friday’s meeting, the BSF authorities also discussed enhancing border control, security and management while maintaining close cooperation with the BGB, a BSF spokesperson in Calcutta said.

“In addition to coordination with the BGB, it is important to collaborate with district administrations and allied agencies such as the police and customs to develop a strategic approach for handling any situation,” a BSF official noted.

The BSF has requested local administrations to ensure that markets and shops near the border shut down by 8pm and advise residents to avoid accessing border roads for security reasons. They have also urged locals to report any suspicious activity or movement of strangers in their areas.