Major Border Protest in Kailashahar, Trade Hit
Kailashahar (Tripura), Dec 24: Tension flared along the India–Bangladesh international border in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Wednesday after a massive protest by Sanatani Hindu organisations against alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The agitation culminated in demonstrations near the border fencing at Kailashahar and the indefinite suspension of import–export activities through Manu Land Customs.
The protest was organised by the Kailashahar Hindu Oikya Manch, which claimed participation of nearly 7,000 Sanatani Hindu citizens, marking one of the largest mobilisations in the border town in recent years. Notably, around 100 Muslim residents were also present at the protest site, lending a message of communal coexistence.
Protest March Through Kailashahar Town
The agitation began on Wednesday afternoon with a protest march from the Paiturbazar area of Kailashahar. The procession passed through major roads of the town before converging at the R.K.I. School ground, where a public rally was held.
The march was led by Sandip Debroy, president of the Hindu Oikya Manch and a senior advocate of Unakoti district; Kanti Nath, senior functionary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), North Tripura; Binay Singh, Vice-Chairman of Chandipur Panchayat Samiti; along with social workers Himangshu Das, Dulal Das, Ajay Deb, and others.
Demonstration Near International Border
After reaching the R.K.I. ground, protesters moved towards the barbed-wire fencing along the India–Bangladesh international border, where Bangladeshi border guards were stationed on the other side. Protesters staged demonstrations facing the border guards and symbolically expressed anger by striking shoes on a photograph of Muhammad Yunus, alleging his role in encouraging or failing to prevent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
The demonstration near the border fence continued for nearly 30 minutes before the rally formally commenced at the ground.
Sharp Criticism of Bangladesh Government
Addressing the gathering, Hindu Oikya Manch president Sandip Debroy strongly criticised the present Bangladesh government, accusing it of patronising attacks on Hindu minorities. He specifically referred to the killing of a Hindu youth, Dipu Das, alleging that the incident occurred in front of police personnel in Bangladesh.
Debroy warned that Indian Sanatani Hindus would not remain silent if violence against Hindus continued in Bangladesh. He stated that the Hindu Oikya Manch would intensify its movement in the coming days and hinted that stronger forms of agitation could be adopted if necessary.
Appeal to BSF, Warning to Bangladesh
Senior VHP leader Kanti Nath, while addressing the rally, presented what he termed “fact-based criticism” against the Bangladesh government. He urged BSF jawans deployed along the border to maintain strict vigilance to prevent any illegal infiltration by extremist elements from across the border.
Referring to demographic changes, Kanti Nath pointed out that Hindus constituted around 28 percent of Bangladesh’s population before independence, which has now reportedly declined to below 5 percent. He questioned the reasons behind this sharp decline.
He also asserted that India was exercising restraint and expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take appropriate steps at the right time. His remarks included strong rhetoric warning of consequences if attacks on Hindus continued.
Import–Export Halted at Manu Land Customs
Following the rally, protesters marched to the Indian Immigration Centre and Manu Land Customs near the international border. Members of the Hindu Oikya Manch erected bamboo barricades at the import–export point and announced an indefinite suspension of trade activities starting December 25.
A five-member delegation of the organisation later met the Assistant Commandant of the 199 Battalion, BSF, and formally conveyed the decision. Speaking to media persons, Kanti Nath said that continuing trade was unacceptable amid alleged anti-India activities, provocative slogans, and derogatory remarks from across the border.
He clarified that imports such as hilsa fish from Bangladesh were not received free of cost and questioned the logic of continuing trade under hostile circumstances.
Heavy Security Deployment
In view of the protest and its proximity to the international border, heightened security arrangements were put in place across the Kailashahar subdivision. Apart from the BSF, additional deployment of central paramilitary forces, Tripura Police, and TSR personnel was made to prevent any untoward incident.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, particularly the impact of the trade suspension at Manu Land Customs, which could have economic and diplomatic implications if prolonged.