KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has suggested the deployment of the United Nations’ peacekeeping force in Bangladesh amid the growing violence and attack on Hindu minorities. She also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the concerning developments in the neighbouring nation.Addressing the West Bengal Assembly, Banerjee condemned the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh and called for stricter measures.”We condemn atrocities of any kind, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion. I also suggest that the UN send a peacekeeping team to Bangladesh. Either the Prime Minister or the External Affairs Minister should engage with Bangladesh,” she said.The Trinamool Congress supremo further stated, “If such incidents continue, we want to bring back our people, and I assure that they will not face any food scarcity”.Since Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister following violent protests, the country witnessed increasing violence against Hindus and Hindu institutions in various regions, which sparked protests by Hindu groups. The situation escalated recently after Bangladeshi authorities arrested Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who had been leading the protests, on charges of sedition.”For the last 10 days, the Government of India has remained silent, but his party is threatening to block the border and halt imports and exports. This can only be done if the central government issues a specific order,” Banerjee said.Referring to Pakistan and Bangladesh as once being part of India, she noted that many relatives of Indians still reside in Bangladesh.Banerjee also highlighted that Bangladesh has not released 79 fishermen who inadvertently crossed into their territory. The state has informed the central government about the matter, yet the fishermen have not been released. She further complained, “When Bangladeshi ships get stranded in India, we offer them assistance”.
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