There being a likelihood of the ripples of Bangladesh spreading to this side of the hedge the Bengal Government has directed the district administrations along the international border to keep a close track of people entering and leaving India via border points.

“A list of the identity of all the people crossing the border — coming in and going out —must be maintained … the Government has told the district administration, particularly along the border,” a senior official said.

The instructions were issued following a review meeting held by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday. Top bureaucrats including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and the Director General of Police were present in the meeting and were asked to “collect continuous feedbacks on a daily basis,” officials said adding the State administration was vigilant and was strictly following the instructions issued by the Centre.

Earlier the Chief Minister had asked the people of the State to “act responsibly despite provocations” and “maintain peace and harmony in Bengal.”

She said “with folded hands I request the people not to maintain a communally peaceful behavior… we all are brothers and sisters and so we should keep peace and harmony in spite of the concern that we have for the situation in Bangladesh,” adding “She said, “if our brothers and sisters are in trouble then the Government of India will look into it … the national government is will take decisions and we will abide by those decisions … but in any case there should not be any breach of peace and people should not spread disinformation neither they should get provoked by such campaigns.”

Hours after Banerjee’s statement the Trinamool Congress reacted sharply to Bengal Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari’s “loaded statements” on possibilities of one crore displaced Hindus entering India in the backdrop of the present crisis.

“Suvendu Adhikari’s political compulsions are understandable but there could have been different occasions for such statements and not this one,” said TMC leader Kunal Ghosh. “The leaders must hold their tongues in this hour of crisis … there is no reason why internal politics should fall prey to political opportunism at the cost of safety, security of the people of the country … certain provocative statements are better avoided,” he said.