India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed 68 more individuals into Bangladesh through three border points in Sylhet and Sunamganj on Wednesday.
At least 52 individuals were pushed through the Sylhet-Jaintiapur border and 16 through the Chhatak border in Sunamganj.Traditional clothing
Among them, 18 were men, 22 women, and 28 children. All were detained on charges of illegal trespassing and handed over to Jaintiapur and Chhatak police stations by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Since May 4, a total of 901 people have been pushed into Bangladesh by BSF.
According to BGB, most of those detained are residents of Kurigram district. Some are also from Abhaynagar in Jessore and from Bagerhat.
Sylhet BGB-48 Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Haque said that preliminary identification has confirmed that they were Bangladeshi citizens.
Meanwhile, BSF attempted to push at least 65 men, women, and children into Bangladesh through six border points in three upazilas of Lalmonirhat. This attempt occurred late Wednesday night. However, due to resistance from BGB and local villagers, none of the 65 individuals were able to enter.
On Wednesday afternoon, those 65 individuals were seen stranded in the open area of the no-man’s land. At dawn, one of the men among them came into the local area on the Bangladesh side to get milk for his child. Locals provided him with milk, bananas, and water.Traditional clothing
According to locals quoting this man, at least 13 of those stuck in the no-man’s land are residents of Assam state in India. The Indian government allegedly forcibly detained them and pushed them toward Bangladesh.
Later in the afternoon, around 12:30 PM, a flag meeting was held at the Chowratari border of Durgapur BOP between company commanders of BGB and BSF to discuss the return of those stranded. However, no resolution was reached, and BSF left with a promise to meet again.
Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, commander of Lalmonirhat BGB-15 battalion, said, “If they are Bangladeshi citizens, we will gladly accept them.
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But all those stuck are residents of Assam. They have clear addresses there. They want to return to India. BSF is pushing them in under the cover of night. This is inhumane,” he added.
