‘Jumped from third floor of hotel and caught fire’: News18 ground report from Petrapol Zero Point on the India-Bangladesh border

As the crisis unfolds, there is an air of uncertainty surrounding those trying to cross the Bangladesh-India border. At the Petrapol border, Bangladeshi citizens told News18 on Tuesday they felt uncertain about the future.

A group of truckers stood on the corner. One of them, Monta Ghosh, told News18: “Last night, the Awami League party office on the other side was burnt down. We got off the truck and came here on foot. We didn’t know what to do.

Another driver said, “I am from Gujarat. We transport wires and other electronic items across borders. We had to turn back as the situation worsened.

Another driver, Mintu Maity, told News18: “We parked the truck over there and came here. Lives matter. We didn't know if we could go back and bring the truck over. But the first thing we thought of was Our safety.

Some trucks from Bangladesh were unloading goods on Tuesday. The driver told News18: “BDR helped us. They put us in a safe place and we reached here in the morning.

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Sahid Ali of Barpeta was inside a hotel in Jashore when it was set on fire. He jumped from the third floor and broke his leg. He came to Petrapol in an ambulance. “In the afternoon, people started throwing stones at the hotel. Then we started coming down from the 11th floor. When the hotel caught fire, there was thick smoke everywhere. My brother and I jumped up together. I broke my leg.

As News18 spoke to the truck driver, the sound of firecrackers could be heard coming from the other side. “As soon as the news of Hasina's exit spread, people there set off firecrackers,” said a local shopkeeper.

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Petrapore (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh) is an important land border both in terms of trade and traveler movement. Locals claimed they had been told to stop exports, although there was no official order.

Ranjan Das, a resident of Jashor, broke down while talking to News18. “I came here for treatment, but I heard things were bad there. We were a minority and were being plundered. I was really worried.

Another Bangladeshi citizen, Apurba Dutta, said: “We are regular visitors here. My family called and said the situation was not good there.

Mir Islam came to India five days ago for treatment. Mir's son Hamid, who is in a wheelchair, told News18: “My father is very ill. It seems we are free, but now there should be peace.

A large number of Bangladeshis come to Bangladesh for treatment. Indians holding visas also return from there.

Faisal Gulam Mohammad Shek from Gujarat, who went to Bangladesh as a tourist, said: “I traveled 60 kilometers in an autorickshaw. I want to return to India.

Jahanara Begum is an Indian from Jashore, traveling there to visit relatives. “Things are violent now. Some Awami League offices were attacked.

Bangladeshi national Hussain Shah told News18: “My father needed special heart medicine, so I came to India.”

BSF Director General Daljit Singh visited the Petrapole border and met senior officials. He also visited sensitive areas, sources said, adding that he asked for strict vigilance.

With no trucks moving, business has also taken a hit.

Meanwhile, at zero point, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's plaque stands in the middle of the chaos.

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