On December 5, a group of Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) armed with weapons illegally crossed into India’s Assam state, specifically in Sribhumi district. They tried to stop the renovation of an ancient temple dedicated to Maa Manasa, claiming that the project could “offend the sentiments of people in the Islamic country and potentially trigger unrest.” 

The mandir, which was situated at Sribhumi on the banks of the Kushiyari River, was being renovated after becoming dilapidated. The project, which was supported by Kripanath Mallah, a local BJP MP, with a grant of Rs 3 lakh, included building a towering spire (shikara) that would allow people to see the temple from across the river in Bangladesh. Witnesses reported that a BGB crew under the command of a subedar used a speedboat to cross the Kushiyari River from their Zakiganj location. Upon reaching the temple site, they ordered the workmen to stop construction immediately. The BGB claimed since idol worship is "haram" in Islam, the temple's obvious presence would upset Muslims in Bangladesh. 

As reported in Swarajya, local Mintu Paul, who owns a neighbouring grocery store, described the incident as follows: "The BGB personnel landed near the mandir and demanded that work be stopped." They said that if the construction continued, they would shoot the workers. They asserted that the temple would incite Muslims on the other side of the river. Basudeb Mondal, a retired government clerk, stated that the BGB claimed the renovation was purposely done to provoke Bangladesh.

"It is absurd to think that renovating a temple in India is an act of provocation. We told them if the sight of a temple is offensive, they should simply avoid looking at it."

As news of the BGB's intrusion spread, upset locals gathered near the temple, shouting slogans against Bangladesh and confronting the BGB personnel. However, a team from the Border Security Force (BSF), which had been monitoring the situation, arrived to calm things down.

Under the leadership of an Inspector, the BSF team admonished the BGB staff to vacate Indian land right away and forewarned them against any further invasions. "The temple is an old one, and its renovation will proceed as planned," the BSF informed the BGB. The BGB contingent withdrew, outnumbered, and met with strong opposition from the BSF and locals.

Uday Sankar Datta, the Additional District Commissioner of Sribhumi, said that the district administration is working on a detailed report about the incident, which will be submitted to the state home secretary. "All measures have been taken to ensure the renovation of the Manasa Mandir proceeds without disruption. Additional police personnel and BSF troops have been deployed in the area for security."

Last month, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma renamed the district of Karimganj to Sribhumi in honour of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore had referred to the area as "Sribhumi," meaning the land of Maa Lakshmi, because of its rich natural resources and cultural importance. However, this change led to protests in Zakiganj, a region in Bangladesh, where people claimed that the renaming was an insult to Muslims around the world.

Since the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus took power in Bangladesh, the actions of the BGB have become more aggressive. This incident follows a previous attempt by the BGB to stop the construction of a border fence in Assam. The local people and political leaders have strongly criticised the incursion. Many are urging for stronger diplomatic action in response to these violations. During the incident, locals shouted anti-Bangladesh slogans and warned the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) against any future incursions.