The Narendra Modi Government on Friday constituted a high-level committee, headed by a top Border Security Force (BSF) official, to monitor the situation along the Indo-Bangladesh border in view of the ongoing state of affairs in the neighbouring country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.

He said the committee would be in touch with counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus and other minority communities living there.

“In the wake of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Modi Government has constituted a committee to monitor the current situation on the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB).

The committee will maintain communication channels with their counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus, and other minority communities living there.

The committee will be headed by the ADG (Additional Director General), Border Security Force, Eastern Command,” Shah said in a social media post.

Apart from the BSF ADG, the four other members of the committee are the BSF’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the South Bengal frontier, the IGP for the Tripura frontier, member (planning and development) of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), and secretary of the LPAI.

The BSF has increased vigil along the borders adjoining Bangladesh.

The security agencies have reportedly warned BSF that several prisoners including terrorists have escaped jails in Bangladesh and could attempt to infiltrate into India.

The BSF has asked locals residing along the 4,096 km-long India-Bangladesh international border to not undertake unnecessary movements in the frontier areas, especially during the night.

While addressing Parliament, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar  had said the government was monitoring the situation in Bangladesh with regard to the protection of minorities.

While extending greetings to Muhammad Yunus, who took oath as the head of an interim government in Bangladesh on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi expressed hope for early return of normalcy and sought safety of Hindus and other minority communities in that country.

“My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development,” Modi had said in his message.

Bangladesh witnessed deadly unrest in recent weeks. More than 500 people, including police personnel, were killed in the anti-government demonstration that started with an anti-reservation protest by students.

Many of those killed died after the country’s Supreme Court backed the students’ demands and largely scrapped the quota system last month.

After Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India on Monday, there were reports of attacks on Hindus and minorities in the neighbouring country.