12 Kolkata: City residents with relatives, friends and acquaintances in Bangladesh are spending anxious hours as they receive distressing updates from their loved ones residing in various districts of Bangladesh. The situation has become particularly concerning with reports of indiscriminate violence against minorities there, prompting relatives to closely monitor news broadcasts and maintain frequent communication with their contacts in Bangladesh.
"My cousin in Dhaka has reduced going outdoors as minorities are being targeted — by way of their customary signages, like sankha and sindur. Hooligans start teasing Hindu women," said Bimal Majumder, a Habra resident who maintains regular contact with his sister's family.
Majumder's concerns intensified upon learning that minorities are facing harassment at checkpoints, where they are subjected to invasive searches, including examination of their mobile devices and call records. "The villages are more vulnerable than cities and towns, my sister said," Majumder added.
"My friends have started keeping night-long vigils at Laxmipur village in Dinajpur though they know that they can do nothing if an attack happens," said Rinku Das in Jalpaiguri. "My friend called me two days ago to say that Islamic fundamentalists had threatened them with dire consequences if anyone dares to support Iskcon," he added.
Das's concerns are heightened due to a recent incident, on Aug 5, when approximately 500 attackers vandalised 100 shops in this Hindu-majority village following news about Sheikh Hasina.
Sanjoy Sinha from Madhyamgram reported a different situation in Rajsahi district, where his sister lives with her family. "My sister teaches at a high school there. Amidst fearful incidents reported from every corner, they are still safe. Everything is going smooth in Saheb Bazar area where they live," said Sinha. "We are anxious as several unpleasant incidents from different places are being reported and anything can happen anywhere. We are calling them up at least thrice a day. As Rajsahi is known for its education hub, people there might be different from other parts of Bangladesh," Sinha said.
Sinha's cousin has relocated his family, including his wife, who works in a bank, and his daughter, from Patgram village in Rangpur district to Dinajpur.
"The violence scenario mixed with a bunch of rumours has certainly made minorities in Bangladesh feel terrorized and anxious. Their relatives staying in India have also been affected," said Bimal Majumder, whose family in Habra is following the unfolding of events with growing concern.