Spurt in Bangladeshi influx in state

kolkata: since the election in bangladesh on october 1, there has been an influx of members of the minority communities into west bengal districts bordering bangladesh. most of the influx has been through hili, hakimpur and the benapole border, according to a report sent by the bsf to delhi. even the intelligence bureau and senior officers of the state home department have held a meeting over the issue this week.the ib report was sent to home minister lk advani and the external affairs ministry officials are writing a protest letter to the bangladesh high commission about attacks on the minority groups in bangladesh, which was leading to the influx. touhid hossain, deputy high commissioner, bangladesh told calcutta times that he was aware of attacks on minorities in bangladesh. but i am not sure how far it is true, he commented, even as some leading newspapers in dhaka reported the attacks. the janakantha october 5 issue commented that the attacks could be compared to a similar situation during the days of muktijudho. a day earlier, the newspaper had reported that attacks had been masterminded by jamat leaders. ittefaq, another leading daily mentioned in an october 4 report that attacks had been pertuated by supporters of the bangladesh national party. it further stated that several houses of minorities were torched and their valuables looted. the attacks came because the minorities had reportedly voted for awami league, the newspaper said. it also mentioned that the hotel of a minority awami league leader was ransacked. at bandarban and munshigunj, places of worship had been attacked and minorities threatened. bsf officers have sent clippings of these reports to delhi. special branch and intelligence officers have been warned to keep tabs on places where bangladeshis stay in kolkata. bimal majumdar, secretary, bangladesh udbastu unnayan sangsad, an organisation of bangladeshi migrants, said they will submit a deputation to the bangladesh deputy high commissioner on october 15 to protest against the attacks.