Sun Dec 01 06:55:13 UTC 2024: ## Kolkata Police Arrest BNP Leader, Four Bangladeshi Nationals Amidst Strained India-Bangladesh Relations
**Kolkata, West Bengal, December 1, 2024** – Tensions between India and Bangladesh escalated following the arrest of a former Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and four Bangladeshi nationals in West Bengal. The arrests come amidst already strained relations fueled by the recent detention of a Hindu monk in Bangladesh.
Salim Matabbar, the former BNP leader, was apprehended in Kolkata on Friday, November 29th, possessing a fake Indian passport and Aadhaar card under the alias “Ravi Sharma.” He had reportedly resided in India illegally for two years, moving between various states before settling in Kolkata. Police have charged him under the Foreigners Act and with cheating.
Separately, four Bangladeshi nationals – three men and one woman – were arrested in Nadia district on Saturday following a tip-off. Authorities allege they entered India illegally.
These arrests have coincided with a controversial decision by J.N. Ray Hospital in Kolkata to refuse treatment to Bangladeshi patients, citing disrespect for the Indian flag. However, the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) has countered this stance, emphasizing that hospitals should continue providing care to all patients regardless of nationality.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated she would not comment on the bilateral issues, deferring to the Indian government. However, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh criticized her silence, highlighting alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.
The incidents underscore the complex and currently fragile relationship between India and Bangladesh, raising concerns about the potential impact on medical tourism and cross-border relations. The arrests and the hospital’s actions have ignited further debate on the treatment of Bangladeshi nationals in India.
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